I'm curious - has anyone else noticed a lack of appetite when in the midst of a flare? I began a new job about 2 months ago - and while it's been building up all along, a nasty flare has taken ahold - with all that goes along with it. I'm uncertain whether it's just a function of the pain, or perhaps the pain meds - or the Fibro itself.. but whatever the case, food has no interest to me,and I'm finding I'm forcing myself to eat just to keep going. Good food choices, but all the same - I have no appetite. Pretty much a first for me ; )

Have any of you had anything similar?

Wishing each of you the best of the season - however you choose to celebrate

~Tracy

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I experience the exact same thing. It was a first me me also! Very unusual not wanting ANYTHING at all. In fact, the thought of it made me ill. I lost 40 pouds in one month during my last flare up but it is definately not a diet I recommend!
I hope you are feeling better soon!!!

I've noticed the same thing as well, only I don't lose any pounds because I swell so much more when I'm in a flare. What really sucks in that I swell twice as much on the right than the left, so I have trouble finding anything that will fit.

Hope you feel better soon!

Mims

wow, when I am in a flare I get this need for white toast and milk. However, I think it is all mental and not really a neccesity.

cheers,
Judi

Mims, I find it very interesting that you mention swelling as part of your flare. I was thinking it was a pms thing, but it lasted far too long.

I've been just a wee bit unfaithful to Atkins over hte last couple of weeks, perhaps getting back on track will help with the health issues.

Thanks to each of you for your responses! And the good wishes. We all know this is an infurtiating condition at the best of times - and while I wish that none of you were actually enduring it as well, still it's comforting to know that some of what is happening seems to be a part of the deal.

Thanks everyone - and may this be a particuarly joyful - and symptom free - year!

~tracy

Hi Open Arms...

This may sound very simplistic, but it sure happens often...

The new job... the new stress... grabbing food on the run, or just because you 'don't have time' to eat right. Falling into old diet habits... and then "boom" all of a sudden - A Flare. Once I got out of my old eating habits, and really took control ~ I don't have flares at all anymore FM *can* be controlled by diet, and one of the main inflammatory problems is caused by the eating of GRAINS (gluten and/or non gluten grains). DAIRY and SUGAR can cause the same inflammatory reaction. I was on the same roller coaster for years, and 'up and down' ~ and emotional to boot. I began recovery by simply treating myself for Candida ... but then realized that the whole thing was deeper than just candida, and I needed to get my Body Ecology back. That meant changing the Diet, cleansing the colon, and re-establishing good bacteria in the gut. In my case, Leaky Gut Syndrome was a severe problem, so adhering rigidly to diet was essential for recovery. I pray that you start to feel better and that you get answers for long term recovery.

WendyJM1

"FEAR IS THAT LITTLE DARKROOM WHERE NEGATIVES ARE DEVELOPED"

Hmm interesting you mention food being a culprit.. I went on Atkins a month ago and lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks but felt deprived of grains.. my love is stoneground bread.. so decided to eat a healthy diet consisting of high fibre cereals, whole grains and low glycemic foods still omitting the sugar and white flour,starchy foods etc. Whilst I didnt regain any weight I didnt lose any either, but noticed a fibro flare coming on in my hip.. I am experiencing the worst fibro flare I have ever had in the last 20 years! I never thought of the grains as being the culprit! I am now back on the Atlins diet as of last Saturday and have lost 2 lbs already and am determined to stick to it this time as it is a great fat burining diet.

I also have severe flare ups that last 1 or 2 weeks with gluten or most grains. I swell in my legs and my feet are hard to walk on, I feel like I have poisen in my tissues and my sed rate is always about 59 with inflamation. If I go at least 2-3 days eating the atkins way, I can "clean" up the toxins in my system and get some relief. The weight seems to start to drop as soon as I'm back on track.

I think it's grains that are the biggest culprit for me as well. And it's interesting that you mention swelling. When I do cheat (yah - I have to admit it, on occassion that piece of toast cries my name..) I"ve noticed that I swell up. Not just my feet or legs - but all over. I Look like I've gained a mess of weight overnight.
I'm learning.. if slowly.. to just get over that brief craving. It just affects me way too much to get that much joy out of it.

When I am full flare, I want carbs. They boost my endorphins a bit. I notice if i avoid carbs like the plague, my flareups are lessened.