Hi- I am recently diagnosed with many allergies including a rare allergy to nickel via the food I eat. I am longtime diagnosed with fibromyalgia, 15 years. I started a food journal to track allergy symptoms and began researching everything I eat online. I stumbled on some interesting articles about MSG and it's "hidden names" and neurological side effects. I did a test and found that after I eliminated MSG from my diet many of my symptoms subsided- headaches, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, irritability, confusion, brain cloud, etc. Has anyone else had success with this?

Having been diagnosed with MS and Fibro for many years with PAIN being one of my major symptoms, I have noticed a relationship between it and foods. One of the main culprits is Chinese food. I love it and still eat it once-in-while, but then prepare to be more achey than usual for the next day of two.

I do think many of our ailments today are caused by so many chemicals we take into our bodies every day of our lives. We humans have totally made a mess out of our beautiful world.

I know for a fact that sensitivity to food is one of the main triggers to Fibro Pain. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia over two years ago and went to a Nutritionist last year who specializes in food and chemical sensitivities. I had a blood test done to find out my specific sensitivities and have eliminated the foods that my body is sensitive to. Whenever I eat something that I shouldn't have, I can tell my body doesn't like it because I get aches and pains in my joints and muscles and other Fibro related issues begin to surface.

I agree with Judy2, we have made a mess out of this world. God created our bodies to consume wholesome and natural foods. Not all these food with the chemicals and perservatives added to them. Sometimes our bodies don't know how to digest the mess we put in them and scream out to us in pain to let us know!

abbycat1200, I'm glad that you have found out what triggers your Fibro symptoms and wish you many more painfree days (or at least less painful days) in your future!

Shari

Hi Everyone,

I am not new to the forum, but I've been hanging out in the peripheral neuropathy area. I was diagnosed with Fibro about 10 years ago after several years of pain and fatigue and was recently diagnosed with PN. I think we stumbled on the PN diagnosis in its early stages and can only hope it doesn't get any worse!

I am reading many comments on here about MSG and its affects. What foods other than Chinese contain MSG? I don't eat Chinese often, but I am going to be more observant of my fibro symptoms the next time I do.

One thing I do know is that I cannot tolerate cold! It makes my skin feel like it is on fire....a burning feeling like when I was a child playing in the snow. It is a good thing I live in the South! I can't really say how heat affects me. I don't go out in it!

My life has changed so much in just the last 3 years that I don't even know myself!

Hey Fibro Friends,
It is interesting that MSG is the topic here. I noticed a long time ago that MSG was a huge MIGRAINE trigger for me 2 of my girls, who also get migraines and have fibromyalgia-type symptoms. I so believe it is a trigger for the pain roller-coaster, and once the migraine pain begins, it just seems to spread throughout the nervous system.
And re what other foods contain MSG? You will be shocked how many foods contain it: canned soups, most flavored potato chips, cheetos, ramen soup, most taco/ burrito seasonings, gravy mixes, some deli meats. Most anything prepackaged that has a cheesy or meat flavor has Added MSG !! Nowadays it only takes a smidge to give me a headache; I ate 3 potato chips before I read the label and within 30 min, I was in bed with lights and tv off praying for the excedrin to hurry up already !!

Greetings

For years after a trauma with medication I have intense nearly unbearable pain that racks my body from head to toe. It coincides with eating and the reactions start usually a couple hours afar eating. I have tended to think it immune because when I get a fever of 104 which I have not had in years I am a new man after it goes away for about a week.The same thing occurs oddly when I have a cold. Many of the symptoms subside though not to the degree that it does when the fever is strong for a few days. Got to be an answer. The pain is off the charts. Any one help? They say it is fibro but it is not just pain. In addition is intensifies after eating like clockwork. Neil

Hi Neil and Welcome! Sorry to learn of another fibro sufferer with unbelievable pain. I've noticed an increase in symptoms after eating and came to my own conclusion that our bodies have to work harder to digest the food, thereby causing more pain. Does that make sense? As for your reaction to fever, increase in temperature.....my response is different because I also have multiple sclerosis and any temperature raise brings out the MS symptoms which are similar to fibro. However, instead of feeling stronger, being heat sensitive, I end up feeling like the proverbial "wet noodle".

Both of these auto-immune things are a mystery and all we can do is treat the symptoms, avoid the known triggers and live the best life possible. Take care.....

Hi there ! I am new to this forum and enjoy the wide variety of topics. I was recently diagnosed with FM and am currently taking notice of the allergic reaction I have form eating some food groups or combinations. I have made the leap to label reading and decided to go the new "gluten free" breads and pastas. I have reduced my sugar intake and pay attention to farm raised labels. I have also purchased ( alittle at a time due to expense) the ingredients to make thai and chinese at home in order to avoid the msg and other additives or quality issues with some restaurants. All of this has been a lot of trial and error, but I do know this....when I have a gluten free, sugarless and caffiene limited day my pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia seem lessened. If its purely wishful thinking so be it. But it sure beats the cravings I used to have when eating processed foods. Healthy Happy Kitchens Rule!!

Let me ask you one question. Were you ever prescribed Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics prior to your condition? Avelox, Cipro, Levaquin?

That might be ahwat you have.

You can ask Chinese restaurants to leave out the MSG.

When you say that you're buying Chinese ingredients a little at a time, what do you mean? You can do great Chinese cooking with nothing fancier than soy sauce.

What do people think about naturally-occurring MSG, in things like soy sauce, stock and so forth? The nearest I get to MSG is using soy sauce and Marigold bouillon powder, as I eat a wholefoods diet. Apparently glutamates turn up in all sorts of foods.