[hopeful]

Hi All,
I don't come on alot so I should start for those who don't know by saying I have SFN, idiopathic. I am wondering if anyone has tried eliminating meat from their diet and did it help. I am going to try it. I am going to continue to eat fish. I have added many more fruits and veggies.
I wanted to put down what I eat each day so if anyone has any ideas if I need to add anything I would appreciate it.
I have organic oatmeal with some fruit for breakfast.
a shake for lunch with 4 oz of kefir, a couple pieces each of whatever fruit I have. Usually strawberries, pears, blueberries, banannas. I put in spinach and a tbsp of Vitamineral greens (Which really gives me energy for a few hours).

For dinner it is veggie, fish and sweet potatoe mostly.
I just started this about five days ago so I will find different things to add.
Weird thing is I am gaining weight all of sudden (even before I started this) and still am not losing. Strange

I also take Meds, Cymbalata, Snythyroid and Tramadol, R-Lipoic Acid, multi-vitamin and probiotic. They have recently started me on trileptal but I stopped it. I can't take these meds I swear they make me worse. Actually, though I feel like I am letting my doctor done. He keeps trying different ones and I keep weaning myself off. I can't take things that make me feel sick. I also get Ivig once a month.

Mrs. D and others can you think of anything else I need to be taking. I have added in some beans and nuts. I still can't give up my dark chocolate either.

Any help will be appreciated!
Kim

[mrsD]

Sounds good to me what you are trying.

Fish will provide some Omega-3s too which our nerves need to repair.

I personally don't have problems with meat. But I do get really tired of chicken.

Keep us in the loop with your progress. Eating simple, whole foods like you are doing is best, always.

Don't forget some type of beans, Edamame are good and so are black (easy to digest). They provide magnesium and so does that dark chocolate you have!

[Sallysblooms]

Not eating meat was what I think started my problems with CFS. After a few years, I was left with NO b12 after a test. I was so ill with vertigo and so many problems. I would never do it again. If you do this for a long time, the reserves will be used up. Thankfully, you do have reserves to help for a few years.

You have to be SO careful and test b12. Get a quality protein powder to make sure you get the amino acids, iron, zinc, protein since the bioavailabity is reduced. Muscle mass is reduced. Taurine, carnitine, etc can be found in eggs and dairy but not usually enough. I THOUGHT it would be.

Glutathoine is so important also. NAC is good to raise that and whey protein helps it.

Carnitine is also important. You can supplement that also. So many problems come if these are not supplemented. I wish I could do it all again, but now I make sure I include a wide variety of foods and meats. Good you are eating fish for sure. That helps.

Just be careful.

[Stacy2012]

For me, I would not get rid of meat, it doesn't cause me any problems. It is the carbs that I got rid of because the carbs make my pn worse.

Have you tried eliminating carbs first?

Have you tried taking Benfotiamine? It's a life saver for me.

[Sallysblooms]

Yes, many of the carbs are of no value. I eat foods that have a lot of different ways to nourish and heal. I eat good carbs.

[Marie33]

Originally Posted by Sallysblooms

Yes, many of the carbs are of no value. I eat foods that have a lot of different ways to nourish and heal. I eat good carbs.

Hi I also have SFN Idiopathic.ugh! no cause for me yet, anyway.
Its good to read you and many others write "heal" . Do you truly believe we can heal? Sorry im just overwhelmed and depressed. I can not for the life of me understand where this "horrible painful illness" came from. I was always healthy and active until one day 2 yrs ago I started having pins and needles in my legs and burning feet at night, its been down hill from there, its all over now.
Im taking many supplemets , even tryed metanx for 2 mos still have many pain symtoms. Tryn lyrica now, can not get past 50mgs once a day, side effects are harsh. I'm feel so hopeless. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated . Thanks..

[Stacy2012]

I believe I can heal, I also believe in the ultimate healer.

I also believe we do things to our bodies that make us sick and need to take charge of our health and healing.

PN made my life horrid, no doubt but I will say this, it made me take control of my health in a way that gaining 100 pds never did. I have lost weight and exercise and I am now healthier, happier, and wiser since having PN. While I am not "healed" I am healthier and thankful in a way for this journey.

[mrsD]

Many of us can heal. Those with hereditary CMT, cannot.

[Kitt]

Thanks a bunch for that one mrsD. It is appreciated.

[Steven N]

I'm not sure why you are eliminating meat, but not other animals, like fish.
Personally, I have not eaten dead animals for over 35 years, and feel much better for it; for me, it is largely an ethical issue. There are, of course, health issues, as well. For years, my brother has made fun of my vegetarianism; I refrain from commenting on his open heart surgery, stent insertion, etc. I prefer my way.

I have been fairly overweight for years, and have recently dropped 50 lbs by eliminating all gluten from my diet. I recently learned about my gluten intolerance, and the damage it has done to my body, including the destruction of my peripheral nerves. While I'll be the first to say that It is damned inconvenient to be a gluten-free vegetarian, I am convinced that it's right for me. It does take a lot of effort in food preparation, as well as research for proper nutrition. I do consume dairy, and take a great deal of B12, glutathione, etc.

The weight gain you mentioned may be caused by many things, including medication. Be careful about consuming too much fructose; a diet high in fruit may not work for you.

Good luck in your quest.