Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue. People with fibromyalgia often experience tenderness at certain points on their body when pressure is applied.
Fibromyalgia sufferers also experience other symptoms, including:
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Menstrual irregularities and pain
- Difficulty concentrating (i.e. “brain fog”)
According to the most recent statistics, about five million Americans (roughly 1 in 50) suffer from fibromyalgia. It’s the second most common musculoskeletal ailment behind arthritis, and it affects females far more often than males (it is seven times more common in women).
As anyone with fibromyalgia will tell you, it’s a debilitating condition that affects every aspect of life. For example:
- People with fibromyalgia are three to four times more likely to suffer from depression.
- 50% of fibromyalgia sufferers have difficulty performing daily activities.
- 30–40% of people with fibromyalgia have to quit work or change jobs.
- People with fibromyalgia are hospitalized once every three years on average.
- The average fibromyalgia patient uses three or four drugs daily to control symptoms.
What Is the Conventional Approach to Fibromyalgia?
There is no laboratory test to diagnose fibromyalgia. Instead, patients are diagnosed based on their symptoms and history, and after excluding other diseases that may present with similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, major depressive disorder, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases.
There is no consensus in the medical community on what causes fibromyalgia. However, the current theory is that it may involve a variety of factors, including:
- Genetics. Fibromyalgia runs in families, so there may be genetic mutations that make people more susceptible to it.
- Infections. Some viral or bacterial infections appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.
- Physical or emotional trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder has been linked to fibromyalgia.
An Alternative Theory on What Causes Fibromyalgia
For many years I’ve suspected that fibromyalgia is caused by gut dysfunction. I noticed that the vast majority of my patients with fibromyalgia also had digestive problems, and when I started to run tests on them, I discovered that many of them had gut infections, dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and leaky gut.
Could an unhealthy gut be the cause of fibromyalgia?
Then I decided to look into whether this connection had been explored in the scientific literature. Sure enough, there were several studies connecting fibromyalgia with problems in the gut. For example:
- 73% of patients with fibromyalgia reported GI symptoms, compared with 37% of those with osteoarthritis. (1)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is present in 30–70% of fibromyalgia patients. (2)
- 33% of IBS patients meet the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, compared to just 4% of control subjects. (3)
- Up to 50% of patients with fibromyalgia have functional dyspepsia, which is a fancy term for “indigestion” with no known cause. (4)
While I was intrigued by these correlations, they are just that—correlations. What’s more, like fibromyalgia, IBS and functional dyspepsia are simply diagnoses based on symptoms, so these papers didn’t shed much light on what actually might be causing both the fibromyalgia and the IBS/indigestion.
In functional medicine, we’re always concerned with finding the underlying mechanism or cause, because addressing that is what will lead to the most effective and long-lasting treatment.
For example:
- A study in 2008 found a relationship between alterations of the intestinal microbiota (i.e. “gut flora”) and fibromyalgia. (5)
- Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found that 100% (42/42) of fibromyalgia patients they studied had small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This is astounding. (6)
- A study of 40 patients with fibromyalgia, 28 (70%) had intestinal permeability (i.e. leaky gut). Importantly, 12 of the 28 patients with leaky gut had no gut symptoms. I believe this is one reason the gut is often overlooked as a potential underlying cause of fibromyalgia. (7)
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Are Gut Problems the Cause—or Effect—of Fibromyalgia?
Of course, one might ask “Are these gut problems causing fibromyalgia, or is it the other way around?”
At least one study has directly addressed this question. A group of patients with fibromyalgia that were positive for SIBO were split into two groups. One group received antibiotics to treat the SIBO, and the other group received a placebo. Significant improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms was observed in the patients that achieved eradication of SIBO with antibiotics, whereas no improvement was seen in patients who took placebo or who still tested positive for SIBO after the antibiotics. (8) This suggests that SIBO plays a causal role in fibromyalgia for at least some patients.
A New Approach to Treating Fibromyalgia
I’ve written extensively about how to do that elsewhere on my blog (this free eBook on gut health is a great place to start), but here’s a brief summary of the most important steps:
- Avoid foods, medications (e.g. antibiotics), and chemicals (e.g. BPA) that irritate the gut.
- Eat plenty of fermentable fibers (starches like sweet potato, yam, yucca, etc.).
- Eat fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, kim chi, etc..
- Consume bone broth and glycine-rich foods (e.g. tougher cuts of meat like beef shanks, oxtail, brisket, and chuck roast).
- Consider taking a probiotic (I prefer options like the Daily Synbiotic from Seed) and/or a prebiotic supplement.
- Treat any intestinal pathogens (such as parasites) that may be present.
- Manage your stress (with mediation, mindfulness practice, biofeedback, etc.).
- Get at least 7–8 hours of sleep each night.
Better supplementation. Fewer supplements.
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I have a question. I am having great difficulty healing my gut. Stool tested, no candida or h pylori but 5 possible pathogens and very low good bacteria. Its taken me a year to find a probiotic I can tolerate. I have a mast cell issue so a lot of supplements close my throat up. My food IGe has spiked so my foods are very limited. Some of the worst IGe’s are garlic, eggs, almonds and milk. I was working on adding fermented veggies for over a month but they almost sent me to the hospital. I have been on life support in the past. How on earth can I heal my gut when so much I cant do?
I had same problems I TAKE NALCHROME POWDER FOR MAST CELL İSSUES
Also have 3 day rotating food diet. and do not forget to pray to almighty GOD. hope you get well.
Hi there! I really appreciate this conversation. I am in my early 30s, and have had fibromyalgia and an irritable gut for the last ten years, since having gone through chemo and before that, mono. I recently tested positive for SIBO. I am wondering though if you have seen patients go through early hair loss due to SIBO, and if once they’ve treated it, their hair comes back? I have had ongoing hair loss for the last 5 years and since I’m so young and it doesn’t run in my family, I have had a theory that it might be connected to not absorbing nutrients correctly all these years. Have you seen anything like this? Is there any good research on nutrient absorption and hair growth? Or SIBO/Fibro and hair loss? Thanks for your help!
I have seen people with your issues have trouble absorbing nutrients and losing their hair. I have also seen those same people heal their gut, have hair regrowth and find relief from the worst of their symptoms with Plexus products. It is a cure? No. It is worth a try? Definitely. Anyone that wants more information can email me.
What are plexus products? I’m so desperate
Hi Jo,
I also lose my hair, but in waves. I’m not sure what triggers it. I have Fibro, Migraines, Hashimotos, and everyone in my family has had Lyme Disease at least once, but my drs keep telling me I don’t have it.
I was diagnosed with SIBO and Candida overgrowth, and am treating with antibiotic, antifungal, mega supplements (magnesium, D, B vitamins) and mega doses of probiotics.
Chris, how prominent is Alpa Gal in these conditions alergies to meats, dairy as a result of Lyme disease antibodies…Shouldn’t Dictors be doing these tests on a regular basis? Something trips me off each time I eat wonder if linked plus what about histamine intolerance DAO enzyme private test I think this should be discussed more…thanks… Aidan 🙂
I have SIBO, digestive issues, take Xifaxan, probiotic and have abdominal swelling like I’m 6 months pregnant. I also have joint pain and stiffness. I haven’t been diagnosed with anything except Barrett’s Esophagus. I usually feel tired and sore and stiff and have a very tender belly. My GI doesn’t seem to know what to do with me. I wish I had answers.
Hi Liz,
At the same time that you are treating SIBO, you’ll need to work on an eating plan that minimizes a back up of indigestible carbohydrates in the lumen (small intestine) and minimize fermentable carbohydrates – both of which minimize the osmotic effect and bloating that these carbohydrates bring with them. Unfortunately, Xifaxan does not fix/ cure SIBO. It will knock your symptoms down, but it won’t fix it.
Make sure your probiotics don’t have any prebiotics in them. These will cause bloating.
Seek out a practitioner who specializes in treating SIBO to team up with your GI doc. It is rare for me to find a GI doc who also addresses diet. If you can’t find someone in your area, I work extensively with SIBO and can usually help to address the symptoms within a week.
Warmly,
Angela Pifer, Functional Medicine Nutritionist
http://www.NutritionNorthwest.com
Just tell me what to start eating please please please!!!!! Sibo is killing me
Hi Michael,
I’m being treated for SIBO right now, as well as Candida by an MD that specializes in functional medicine.
You have to cut out all sugar, all dairy, all gluten, most fruit. No potatoes, corn, onions, or garlic. I eat mostly nuts, veggie smoothies, grass-fed meat, eggs. Carbs get limited, so only one serving of fruit a day, and the only grains should be 1/2 cup brown rice or quinoa.
Include good probiotics and supplements daily. High quality probiotics are necessary to fill your gut with the right kind of bacteria. Otherwise the bad kinds will keep growing back. To help kill the gut bacteria, my DR put me on oregano oil and for a month, after a week of antibiotics.
No alcohol, juice, sweetened beverages of any kind. No honey, sugar. Seriously. Nothing.
Here’s a link to a SIBO diet. http://www.gidoctor.net/diet-ibs-sibo.php
Just do a google search for it. Hope you feel better.
I have SUFFERED – SEVERELY SUFFERED for 2 1/2 years with extreme – debilitating stomach pain, bloating, etc and also diagnosed with fibro although diagnosed – the fibro hasn’t had too much affect on my life because the stomach stuff FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR outweighs how I feel from fibro – I search high and low for answers – my life has been completely devastated, turned COMPLETELY upside down from this. I would LOVE to talk to someone who has experienced this – doctors have ZERO idea what to do with me – I have however been able to manage my symptoms SOMEWHAT – meaning I am not in and out of the ER 1/2 times weekly anymore – with various things that I would love to discuss – I also have hormonal issues – I HAVE BEGGED MY DOCTORS TO LOOK AT ALL OF IT TOGETHER – I simply woke one day in massive pain and my life had NEVER been the same again – hormonal issues, fibro and BIG TIME stomach issues pretty Michelle happened all at once and I WAS perfectly healthy prior
In the last year, I developed bloating problem. Funny thing is that it wasn’t connected with eating. It turned out that it was a kidney infection.
The fact that all your problems occurred at same time I think is more positive news.
You got some type of infection. Conventional doctors are usually useless in figuring out many chronic conditions. You solve them by being your own detective and doing your own research.
What type of hormonal problem do you have ?
Sorry to hear u r so ill now wish I had the magic bullet for u I would send it to u immediately with a big box of chocolates…Have u ever been tested for Myamotoi it is also missed & not screened for plus rule out completely Celiac easiest way is eliminate Gluten from diet including toothpaste/products…SIBO must be looked into if not done plus Hashomotos as well including Parathyriod Tumors I am now following Dr. Coimbra’a protocol no dairy Calcium at all he uses high doses of vitamin D3 with mutiple vitamins plus 3 litres water daily…Dr. Coimbra is all over youtube he is a Neurologist from Sao Palo, Brazil he has been treating since around 2002 he calls this ‘partial vitamin D deficiency’ bloods calcium parathormone vitamin D you must be followed by a Doctor & avoid at all costs dairy get your Calcium from fruits/vegs you can tolerate…Last numerous people now diagnosed with Histamine Intolerance, Fructose Intolerance or Systemic Mastocytosis eliminate all 3 the histamine intoleranceFructose test is usually private…Hope this helps I know it is very frustrating I am on Facebook golden Angel is me…Get betta :)’s blesses
Have you tried to see a Medical Herbalist? I have fibro that forced me to be on a medical leave. The only person that was able to help me is the Medical Herbalist. She didn’t care about diagnostic but about all my symptom. My first visit was 3h, the other one are 2h. I gave her all my medical file and my lab results. She helped me clean my diet, manage my blood sugar level, manage pain , brain fog, anxiety, sleep….. all with food, some basic supplements and herbs. I have been seeing her for the last 8 months since I crashed and now I am getting ready to go back to work part-time without any medication and all their side effects. I stopped believing in doctors when my family doctor and other specialists I saw told me sorry there was nothing they could do to help me but if I want I could try whatever drugs just like a game. The natural cure is the way to go.
I completely relate to your comment. I am in the same boat. Life is impossible with migraines, fibro, awful muscle spasms. Can barely walk now, can’t drive, can’t have any sort of normal life. Can’t work, its really ruined my life for a while now.
I found a Functional Medicine specialist that is treating my gut health now and it seems to be working. That’s what you need. I’ve gone through 20+ doctors. Don’t give up.
If you can’t find a Dr, search SIBO & Candida diets. There’s lots of info out there. Just do it yourself. Spend a month on SIBO and a month on Candida. Diet, supplements, & patience go a long way.
Liz – I see your story and it reminds me of where I was at. That type of inflammatory response is an indicator of something going on inside and I’ve been there. Not only does your gut not know what to do with you, neither do conventional doctors. My recommendation to start is to change your diet. Maybe get on the Paleo autoimmune diet, but also get on an anti-inflammatory diet. I am actually gluten free, grain free, dairy free, and anti-inflammatory and I am doing better than I have in years! 🙂
Please e-mail me. I would like to talk more to see if my products could possibly help you.
I was diagnised with fibro about a year ago i seem to be taking it rather hard to get used to so many new things keep apearing i never really no what to do i suffer heart palpitations everyday nearly that make me rather scared but all seems to come back normal when tested and today i got results back from my bacteria test in the stomache and its possitive not to sure if thats anything to do with having fibro or is seperate thing ive been given two different kinds if antibiotics to take for the next 10 days. Then return to do another test in two months time can anyone tell me if its caused by the fibro
Fibromyalgia is separate disease. I would suggest you try minocin and borax protocol.
For heart palpitation, try 1 tablespoon Plaintation Blackstrap Molasses. it can be found in supermarket.
Thank you for your answer first i will say that when i was talking about the bacteria test yes i meant the breath test . Could i ask when you say to take a spoon of plantation blackstrap molasses is that everyday or just the oncei would like to try i have been to the hospital and they connected me to a 24 hour heart machine that read my heart rate all the time and it came back normal also had an xray and blood test all came back normal
If the issue is related to magnesium, 1 tbsp of molasses will supply about 48 mg of magnesium. That’s not a lot when you consider the US RDA for women is over 300 mg daily. If one is magnesium deficient, more than one dose daily would probably be required. The thought occurred to me that molasses is mostly sugar, about half of which is fructose. It might not be the best choice for someone with SIBO. I’m sure it depends on the individual, though, and which bacteria are involved in the overgrowth.
Thank you for your answer so quickly maybe i will wait to try it untill i have more information on my stomache problem then as i still havent been informed of what it actually is , my doc only told me that i was in need for antibiotics shes never very helpfull on information that is why i am soo lost in my fibromialgia problems as i dont really no anything about it only what i have read on the internet thank you for your advise
i know molasses contains iron but that is besides the point.
based on many anecdotal reports, you will likely know whether molasses will work for you in a short time to calm down your heart, it seems to work for a lot of people. you should be able to do a quick test to see if it works. take 1 or 2 tablespoons and see what happens.
About 75% of people with fibromyalgia have mitrial valve prolapse. Compare that with less than 7% in the general population. Mitrial valve prolapse (a generally minor problem with the heart valves) can cause palpuations. Except for in its most extreem forms mitrial valve isn’t considered dangerous. Interestingly both fibromyalgia and mitrial valve prolapse have been shown to respond positively to magnisium. About 70% of people with fibromyalgia also have a problem whose name illudes me (can we say fibro fog) which meand when their neck is extended by tipping their head back the space for their spinal cord is reduced. This condition has been shown to cause widespread pain. I have often observed that those with fibromyalgia have significant forward head postion and if they also have the above problem that would be narrowing the space for their spinal cord. Of course this wouldn’t show up on an x-ray/mri because when they are lying flat on a bed the problem resolves. Also nearly 30% of fibromyalgia patients have hypermobile joints (joints that move too far causing the joints and muscles to work overtime) compaired with only 11% in people with other joint problems. Multiple allergies are also far more common in people with fibromyalgia than the general population (afraid I don’t know the statistics) and in my experince the allergies predate the fibromyalgia by decades if not lifetimes (thats based on the people I know with fibromyalgia only not scientific research). Also accourding to the course I attended at my hospital nearly everyone with fibroyalgia has severe sleep disturbances. Even if they sleep a lot they rairly enter stage 4 sleep (restorative sleep). When an experiment was done on normal subjects and they were prevented from reaching stage 4 sleep the started displaying symptoms of fibromyalgia. Sleeping tablets only induce stage 2 sleep so don’t help with firbomyalgia. Amatryptaline which has been proven to be effetive for fibromyalgia is well known for causing severe drowsiness and does allow poeple to achieve stage 4 sleep. Incidently telling someone with fibromyalgia to get 7-8hrs of quality sleep is like telling the lame to walk it isn’t that simple. I did know gastric symptoms are also prevelant amoung fibromyalgia patients althought I have been lead to believe by doctors etc that this is a result of the general malfunctioning of the autonomic nervious system observed in fibromylgia pationts. I didn’t know the conection between Fibromyalgia and SIBO etc. but I know I had digestive issues long before I was ever diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I think what this proves is that fibromyalgia is a very complicated condition that in all likelihood is the result of multiple underlying predisposing factors. Over simplifying doens’t necessarly help, although its always tempting to want the simple answer. I would suggest that that as well as following the advice on this website which appears to be very good advice whatever you health work on posture and take some magnesium.
Thank you Sian,
Very interesting about the mitral valve prolapse: I have that along with a lot of the stuff discussed here including SIBO.
I’ve always assumed that my MVP was congenital as well as my susceptibility to the gut issues and so I’ll now explore all this some more seeking a common genetic thread.
ps.
FYI, I copied your post to a word processor (Text Edit) and added paragraph breaks. Your train of thought held up perfectly (nice job!) and the breaks made it less intimidating to read.
I had all the symptoms you mentioned some on them are gone. I have been seeing a Medical Herbalist to help me with my fibro. Thanks to the herbs I have been taking, I stopped having the heart palpitation. Magnesium has been working great for me. I take Magnesium Citramate from Thorne Research twice a day, specially before sleeping. I wasn’t able to sleep without taking it.The overall pain is always present but it is like in the background. Once I keep my mind of it, I don’t feel it anymore. When the pain increases, I take long baths over 1h with 4-5 cups of Epson salt and follow up with a massage with lavender oil. For sleeping, I have been following all the advices for sleep hygiene. I took a herb tincture from my Medical herbalist. I would fall asleep within 15 minutes. After 3 months, I was sleeping 8-9h. I still wake up but fall asleep quickly. Being able to sleep made a huge difference in the level of energy I had, my mood, I started going out for walks. Diet, and sleep were the 2 most important things to work on. Dr Allison Bested’ book Hope and help for CFS and Fibro not only gives hope but provide a detailed regimen for diet, sleep improvement…. . I stopped taking the herbs for sleeping as I am now able to do without. I cannot give you the herbs are it is a special mix of herbs aimed at my symptoms. Herbs are like medication, they are powerful so I think it is best to consult a Medical Herbalist.
Magnesium oil is far superior to epsom salt. I rub it on my hands and forearms with lots of friction to create heat so it absorb faster. This minimizes any skin irritation. Something to look into.
If the test you’re referring to was the breath test for SIBO, the gibromyalgia is more likely caused by the bacterial overgrowth, not the other way around. The antibiotics might help, but you might need probiotics, diet modification, etc. to keep the overgrowth from returning. There’s some good info on this site and elsewhere.
Magnesium deficiency is fairly common in fibromyalgia patients, and it’s also a possible cause of heart palpitations, though certainly not the only one. You can try supplementing a well-absorbed form of magnesium (like glycinate, malate, or taurate). If your absorption is poor, which is a possibility with SIBO, then you might need to get some magnesium from Epsom salt baths and from topical magnesium chloride. If the palpitations persist, please get that checked out by a qualified medical practitioner.
Hello again im looking for a bit Morel information somthing slightly different first question I have a horrible burning feeling in my mouth mainly on the tounge thats makes it painfull and uncomfotable to eat and drink I see nothing when I Look in the mirror it looks normal what could this be?? Any ideas on how to ease These symptoms ??
I’ve done so much research on leaky gut. Sounds to me like you might be dealing with an overgrowth of yeast in your system. I’m taking some products that has eased my fibromyalgia pain and it’s symptoms but at least 95%. We have to control the balance in our gut to relieve any autoimmune condition.
Hi so its me again its been a few weeks now since I stopped my antibiotics for my stomache problem and I was feeling good but my symptoms have come back im very nausious suffering sevire heartburn bad case of mouth thrush and bloated after dinner wich leads to the point I find difficult to fill my lungs properly. How am i to no if I have a problem with yeast as you mentioned Tiffany how to I go about. This
Emma, I’m not authority on yeast. I’ve read of people using stool test and urine organic acid tests for yeast. It’s not uncommon to get yeast overgrowth following antibiotics. Yeast is kept in check by competition and by the acidity that appropriate bacterial fermentation provides. You’ll find lots of advice on treating it. Most prescribe a low sugar, low carb diet, which might help but isn’t a long-term solution. I suspect a combination of herbal anti-microbials with good probiotics would be helpful. I’ve seen multiple reports online of benefit from the Prescript-Assist Probiotic that Chris recommends.
The proble.s with your tongue
may be Inflammation. Also, look at Mast Cell Activation research. Dr Afrin , Dr Theoharides.
And, FibroProtek is helpful to me. Also diet, gluten free, dairy free, etc
i just wanted to ask about medical herbalist. Are they the ones who have herbal stores?
Hi, I’m from South Africa. My mom has been diagnosed with Fibro as well as with RA. She constantly has digestive problems and certain foods make her instantly sick. She can have a salad with vinegar on and instantly feel her stomach start to complain and her RA acting up. I’m definitely studying your material on cleaning out the gut; joining my mom on this journey and hoping this would heal her. She’s been given Chemo-pills and I feel these are making her feel worse. Desperately looking for a natural solution for her, so you have given me hope! Thank you!
cleaning out the gut won’t address the root problem.
there is mycoplasma systemic infection
I used minocin to cure my FMS.
I used borax to cure my RA
I would strongly suggest using the Borax protocol. it takes 3 weeks to work.
also read arthritistrust.org section on healing
I disagree when you say that cleaning out your gut will not address the root of the problem. The gut is where our immunity lies. If we don’t have a heathy gut then our immune system will be sluggish.
If the vinegar is making her feel bad she might be reacting to histamines. I wrote a series of articles about diet that includes information on food intolerances. Histamines are mentioned here: http://familyhomeandhealth.com/2014/11/finding-your-perfect-diet-part-4.html.
Identifying food intolerances can take some time and work, but can bring alot of improvement to conditions like fibromyalgia. One doctor I consulted thought I might have fibromyalgia. I had multiple health problems and I have improved so much as I have addressed each one.
I have a host of symptoms, none of which I had until August 2013 when I got turista followed by a significant amount of antibacterial medications in November and December 2013. Symptoms include: abdominal clenching, bloated abdomen, GERD, dry mouth, sensitivity to heat and sunlight, increasing neuropathy in feet and hands. The IBS and GERD now go on daily and for most of the day. Stool is loose (no diarrhea). Not sure if the pain I feel qualifies as fibromyalgia. My gastro doctor has me taking an expensive probiotic (VLS #3) and lansoprazole (for GERD). Having been doing this for two weeks with no results as of yet. I am 70 and was in great health until this started. Suggestions? Ideas? Thanks very much.
You sound like me. I’m 23 and I was in good health until 3 years ago. I have a lot of symptoms like that. I’m getting tested for Lyme disease now.
Michael,
I sorry your treatment is not working. In one short paragraph, you’ve told a classic story that happens all too often.
I’m afraid PPIs are used as a diagnostic tool (Let’s Try THIS!). I don’t know if that is happening in your case, but, if it is, I’d expect the choice of probiotic is also just a guess.
You might want to find a practitioner that will treat you based on good testing. I am planning to work with such a pro. I’m pretty sure she uses the Genova GI Effects Stool Profile, which is based on multiple samples. It’s purpose is to provide an accurate profile of the beasts living in the gut to determine what needs to go, and what is missing.
https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test
A urine organic acids test is also needed to detect certain pathogens.
These tests are typically done by practitioners of functional medicine. I don’t think they are likely to prescribe proton pump inhibitors.
Most people do not produce excess stomach acid, especially at age 70. I’m not in a position to say that your prescription was inappropriate. But, these drugs were not intended for long-term use, and likely have significant side effects when used as such.
The reduction of stomach acid could potentially be making a more friendly environment for pathogens. I believe this was the case for me. I actually got some relief when I increased my stomach acid.
Please make sure your treatment is the result of a thoughtful diagnosis. There is no standard answer.
They say that an acidic stomach and alkaline body is a mark of a healthy body
I’m new to this whole era of fibromyalgia. Two years ago, I was on 4 different antibiotics and 2 steroids in three months time. I had a wicked sinus infection that just would not clear up. After I was done with all of that, I started getting night time stomach issues. My stomach would just bubble and well, ferment for lack of a better word, and I was all bloated. Suddenly, I could not eat spinach, then beets, then coconut, etc. The list kept of growing of foods I had to eliminate. Then this past year, I started getting tendonitis in the left side joints of my body. First my shoulder, then my wrist, now my ankle, etc. I was prescribed steroids each time. April of this year, I somehow got an intestinal issue (ecoli) from eating bagged vegetables from the grocery store. My husband and I both got ill. Yet, while he got better, I suddenly could not eat squash or any raw vegetables. I got severe cramping an hour after I ate them. I lost 10 pounds in three weeks. I went to a wonderful gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. She did an MRI and endoscopy. She found diverticulosis in my small bowel. She said I had SIBO and I started on the treatment for that (Rifaximin). Within three days of taking that, all my aches went away as well as my bloating and stomach issues, however, I still could not eat raw food. When I finished the medication my symptoms stayed away for about a month. Then the tendonitis came back in my wrist as well as fatigue, bloating, full body aches and insomnia. I went back this past week and we are trying the Rifaximin again and I am going to see a dietician at the Cleveland Clinic to see if we can take my diet to zero and begin again. We both think I have leaky gut caused by all the medications I was on. The last dosage of steroids were right before the ecoli illness and I do believe the double whammy of those has made me worse. My question to you now is, will taking my diet to zero (like bland foods and bone broth soup) then slowly adding back in foods help to heal my gut? I know there is no time frame for any gut healing and no one can tell me when to add foods back, but just how do I know when to add the raw food back?
Janet,
Cutting your diet back to the basics will help but it’s just one part of the solution. You also need to get the nutrition into your system that your body is so lacking. I started my journey to recover from fibro with juicing, high quality supplements and basic foods like bone broth. You also will need to at some point do a candida cleanse but I recommend to my clients that we get their diet figured out first. Once you start feeling better then you should start adding foods in one at a time to see how your body reacts to them. Each new food that you can eat for a few days with no reaction can be added to your ok to eat list of foods. It’s a process and takes a while but it will be so worth it in the end! Feel free to contact me if you want any support during the process. It can be a frustrating time. It took me a year to start finding relief although now at 1.5yrs I’m so grateful that I committed to it!
Can you private message me Janet. I was on life support almost a year ago. Working on juicing and getting better. But hitting the wall.. thanks
Karen, Yes, I do work with fibro clients and I would love to chat with you to see if I would be a good fit for your needs. I don’t see your email address but you can email me at [email protected] or go to my website nutritionthatheals.com and go to the contact page 🙂
Pls email me for some specific questions.
Karen, not sure how to email you since your email doesn’t show up. I would love to chat with you.
Sorry Janet I meant to ask Stephanie Sinagra to pm me. I was wondering if she takes clients. She had good info from your comment. Are you doing ok. Have u found any solutions?
Janet – how can I connect with you?
I really really need help and advise on sibo please email me ASAP. [email protected]. I’m basically dying inside from this horrible disease
Do you by chance have any kind of sinus “issues”? Such as chronic sinusitis, chronic sinus congestion, or post-nasal drip?
You really need to cut back on oxalates. Your wrist pain was just like mine after all the antibiotics. Look at trying low oxalates yahoo group.
Hey, thank you so much for the good info, I have so many clients with these problems and want to recommend HCL. Here in Norway, the simplest sollution is to order from Iherb, so I was wondering if this can be used, and if; how much and how? Thank you so much for helping me to be a better nutritionist…
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Betaine-HCL-648-mg-120-Capsules/398#p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=HCL&rc=1490&sr=null&ic=1
The problem with fibromyalgia is that
1) there is no objective way to diagnose it except by primitive and subjective means.
2) it may be more than one disease that is being talked about
3) May have similar profile to people with CFS, GWS, Lyme etc hence indistinquishable
All three make diagnosing correctly very difficulty
Garth Nicolson points to mycoplasma as a cause.
In regards to 2), I don’t recall the the “stiffness” as being the problem but the inflammation especially all around the rib cage. the early mornings would be very painful. stiffness implies a pain similar to someone who over exercises where muscles get sore when creatine gets depleted. stiffness and soreness are two entirely different things. it makes me wonder if every FMS person is on the same page.
I had costochondritis also. 70 percent of people with FMS have this but it seems odd that it is left out of the FMS diagnosis criteria or hardly mentioned by people and treated as something separate.
i was shocked on the way they diagnose it. some doctor presses a spot and say if that hurts. they add up the number of spots and come to a conclusion. that is a pretty subjective thing when your entire body is hurting in so many areas, For me, it is a waste basket diagnosis.
I also am diagnosed with CFS.
I had FMS for over 35 years. I finally got rid of it within a week by taking minocin. It dissipated within a week or so. Never came back. I should note that most generic minocycline was ineffective. this is a problem for people looking for a cheaper alternative. Some do work but you have to research it.
I would also try the borax protocol since that also is suppose to help against mycoplasma. I wouldn’t waste my time testing for it since not all strains are tested for or may not be detected. Just try the antidote. It is why all those Lyme tests are a waste of time most of the time.
This FMS is like a tangled mess. Many people will place the tag FMS on themselves but each may not be on the same page as the others. This makes finding solutions very difficult.
It’s really down to whether you are going to address it as an infection or non infection or both, If you have inflammation, you have some type of infection.
The gut/colon is where a large part of the immune system is so working it from that end seems justified but you may need to do a lot more than that.
It should be noted that mycoplasma has been implicated in Rheumatoid Arthritis also. It is well known that one can’t defeat RA unless other infections in the body are addressed. Systemic fungus may prevent the curing of RA with borax or minocin. So will other infections. So all the infections need to be addressed and be removed in layers. The same may be true of FMS.
I am dairy/egg free, and have been striving for gluten free. I just saw registered dietitian who uses “alternative” approaches and she wants me on the low FODMAP diet! So, NO dairy, ‘gut fermentation’, no brassicas … does this mean no wasabi, saurkraut, water kefir etc..? where will I get ‘good’ bugs from?
This was absolutely a HUGE issue flaring up my fibromyalgia! I changed my diet and lifestyle and was on the right track but I was never able to progress past a certain point. That’s when I went to a naturopath and I told him that I believed that I had leaky gut and SIBO issues and he helped me resolve the issues. Within a month of doing a proper cleanse, adding in good probiotics and cutting out sugar to stop feeding the bad bacteria I finally progressed to a new level of healing!
Because I believe so strongly that this is an issue in many if not all fibromyalgia patients, I have all of my clients complete a gut healing cycle or two. It’s amazing how much better they feel after the first month! If you have fibromyalgia then you really should work on any SIBO or leaky gut issues immediately!
Please please tell me the guy healing process please!
I came across this site and I can hardly read the I formation through my tears of elation!!!! My life took a drastic turn for the worse 2 years ago and I have been in and out of the hospital ever since. It started with stomach issues, In a very short period of time I had lost a significant amount of weight and could no longer do anything, work, take care if my children – NOTHING. I laid around my house all day and night in constant pain – an endoscopy revealed massive irritation but with no known cause – I myself thought I had SIBO but the doctor didn’t even give it a second thought – this is now almost 2 years ago – I met with several specialists over the past 2 years and was also eventually referred to rhuematology as new symptoms seemingly unrelated began. I started to think I had just all of a sudden become THE most unhealthy person on the planet. My life has been absolutely miserable for 2 years. Some autoimmune things were suspected but nothing confirmed – eventually fibromyalgia was my diagnoses at least for rhuematology – I continued to have terrible stomach issues and was in pain CONSTANTLY – nothing brought relief – I had every test and scan possible – finally last week I suggested SIBO again but to my new GI – she said she was happy to prescribe the antibiotic rifaximin and I started it yesterday at 5pm – I have taken 3 doses out of 42 total and I feel like I is working – I am on heavy duty pain meds and have been able to go for longer between taking them – EVERYDAY I wake up – when I can even sleep properly – I wake up feeling like I am dying, as if I have been poisoned – today I woke up feeling just ill instead of dying and trust me that is an upgrade!!!!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO hopeful about the antibiotic and coming across this site and seeing the connection between fibromyalgia and stomach issues – oh I was also finally diagnosed with IBS – seeing the connection that no on ever told me about is amazing!!!!! I had had so many tests, so much blood work, so much everything – if this antibiotic works I will walk around the world like Forest Gump. I am HAPPY to talk to anyone else about their experiences and it share my test results and more extensive med history as well. Thank you so much for this site!!!!!!!
So your article has startled me and disappointed me nothing you have done I was hoping I didn’t have FM I have the brain fog symptoms (but I am also on morphine) I have tender points aching joints etc etc and thought I had FM as a result of Physical or emotional trauma BUT when I had FM I also had IBS it went away for 3 years (after prayer I’m a Christian) then in January 2014 I was diagnosed with an impacted bowel from a com-plication of weight loss surgery the IBS came back soon to be followed by classic symptoms of FM sigh
Very interesting going to try some of these remedies and get back to you
Histamine Intolerance now seems to be a diagnosis being found now in cfs/fibro/lyme…Also hyperparathyroid issues in some with even normal calcium levels called normocalcium parathyroid 🙂 DAO low enzyme in cfs/fibro/lyme 🙂 Time will tell if any of these are true or just more b.s. hype dignosis!! Excluding also hypoparathyroid issues is a must, remember cfs/fibro is only ever given after all exclusions of illness are met and elimination must be at the forefront of diagnosis which is not being done which causes decades of human sufferings including deaths 🙂
Histamine Intolerance now seems to be a diagnosis being found now in cfs/fibro/lyme…Also hyperparathyroid issuse in some with even normal calcium levels called normocalcium parathyroid 🙂 DAO low enzyme in cfs/fibro/lyme 🙂 Time will tell if any of these are true or just more b.s. hype dignosis!!
Histamine Intolerance now seems to be a diagnosis being found in cgf/fibro/lyme…Also hyperparathyroid issuse in some with even normal calcium levels called normocalcium parathyroid 🙂
Quick question so I can avoid reading all posts, is acidophilus okay as a probiotc?
I was diag. with FM after a work injury 10 years ago. I also have lupus and hypothyroid. I know that hypothyroid can cause the gut to slow down but I do have IBS with constipation. It seems I am always battling a “bad belly.” I have had H-pylori twice. I am now back to eating a fiber One bar daily and probiotics, yogurt every morning. It has been a week and the belly slight better. The FM pain is bad in the mornings but once I get going it is better.
Thanks for the article.