Recently, I've been engaged in a book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia Fatigue by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. Here, he speaks of a possible root cause of fibromyalgia, the tendency to exhibit hypoglycemia symptoms. The word hypoglycemia simply means low blood sugar. It’s often used to suggest a disease, but it is actually only one symptom of a syndrome with many complaints. This complex, he states, would be better defined by the term carbohydrate intolerance. This is expressed by the body’s inability to use certain carbohydrate loads effectively without adverse consequences.
This simple phrase struck a nerve on my list of symptoms preceding being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Previous blood tests confirmed my route to Type II diabetes being inevitable. Furthermore, I noticed acute symptoms usually three or four hours after eating. Chronic symptoms for hypoglycemic patients include: fatigue, irritability, nervousness, depression, insomnia, flushing, impaired memory, and concentration. Anxieties are common as are frontal or bitemporal headaches, dizziness and faintness. There is often blurring of vision, nasal congestion, ringing in the ears, numbness and tingling of the hands, feet or face and sometimes leg or foot cramps. Excessive gas, abdominal cramps, loose stools or diarrhea are frequent. Unbelievably, some of these symptoms were already occurring before the illness was confirmed as my body's way of waving a red flag in hopes of immediate dietary changes! And, I did! But, apparently not enough for my metabolism to reverse the damage that was already happening.
These acute symptoms are frightening and occur at various glucose levels, but usually three or four hours after eating. The release of adrenaline, which corrects the fallen blood or brain sugar, induces these distressing twenty-to-thirty minute events. They include hand or internal shaking accompanied by sweating, especially with hunger. Heart irregularities, pounding, and palpitations coupled with severe anxiety that completes the picture. The more intense bouts are labeled panic attacks. Feeling faint is common and actual syncope may occur. Nocturnal attacks are often preceded by nightmares and cause severe sleep disturbance resulting in daytime somnolence. Inability to fall asleep due to excess agitation is also a profound culprit.
For years, before the actual onset of fibromyalgia, I would have sworn I was suffering from adrenal failure. Yet, my doctor never made the connection to glucose intolerance, and just gave me an increase in blood pressure medication to combat the increase pumping my heart needed to do to extract this deadly glucose. Throughout this period, my nerves were frazzled and attributing it to work became an easy excuse. At times, my system seemed to race, and nothing I did would calm those internal gears down. Sadly, I also implemented an organic vegetable based diet that added increased protein from wheat gluten in hopes this would rectify the disturbance. This, I am certain, was my initial downfall as I had carbohydrate intolerance.
With issues of insulin signals are sent to certain kidney cells to reabsorb some of the previous filtered serum phosphate that was destined for elimination. These ions are returned to the blood stream and widely distributed to all the tissues throughout the body. These cells, mostly severely affected by fibromyalgia, suffer due to insulin demand. Hence, the two most affected areas are the brain and muscles. These structures demand and absorb the largest amounts of phosphate. Consequently, if carbohydrates are diminished, intracellular demand for phosphate declines also.
But, common sense also tells me that some form of carbohydrate is needed to calm my system. I've spent several weeks on an Atkins diet feeling such anxiety, that I was forced to incorporate some form of grain. And, despite my intake of the recommended B vitamins, my system still screamed for an alternate diet. So, to say I am a bit skeptical on his recommended Hypoglycemic Recipe Index is an understatement. More importantly, I question the sugar free products that are listed on the recipe section that I know from first hand induce painful flare ups.
Yet, I have learned quite a bit from Dr. Amand's studies. Foremost, do not ingest too many carbs! I am continually on the carbohydrate decline as I measure these foods on my dinner plate. I have noticed that eating Fibromyalgia Breakfast Soup and Fibromyalgia Juicing Recipe is the best way to start my day, forfeiting the Gluten Free Oats for breakfast. I also noted my mid morning snack of bananas and raw almonds further energizes me and reduces painful symptoms. Furthermore, bananas contain tryptophan which induces a good serotonin boost and helps combat anxiety and pain. Most importantly, my additional afternoon snack of The Fibromyalgia Salad offers cranberries to flush away toxins my body has accumulated throughout the morning. My remaining meals are less whole grains and beans and more protein and vegetables.
This simple phrase struck a nerve on my list of symptoms preceding being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Previous blood tests confirmed my route to Type II diabetes being inevitable. Furthermore, I noticed acute symptoms usually three or four hours after eating. Chronic symptoms for hypoglycemic patients include: fatigue, irritability, nervousness, depression, insomnia, flushing, impaired memory, and concentration. Anxieties are common as are frontal or bitemporal headaches, dizziness and faintness. There is often blurring of vision, nasal congestion, ringing in the ears, numbness and tingling of the hands, feet or face and sometimes leg or foot cramps. Excessive gas, abdominal cramps, loose stools or diarrhea are frequent. Unbelievably, some of these symptoms were already occurring before the illness was confirmed as my body's way of waving a red flag in hopes of immediate dietary changes! And, I did! But, apparently not enough for my metabolism to reverse the damage that was already happening.
These acute symptoms are frightening and occur at various glucose levels, but usually three or four hours after eating. The release of adrenaline, which corrects the fallen blood or brain sugar, induces these distressing twenty-to-thirty minute events. They include hand or internal shaking accompanied by sweating, especially with hunger. Heart irregularities, pounding, and palpitations coupled with severe anxiety that completes the picture. The more intense bouts are labeled panic attacks. Feeling faint is common and actual syncope may occur. Nocturnal attacks are often preceded by nightmares and cause severe sleep disturbance resulting in daytime somnolence. Inability to fall asleep due to excess agitation is also a profound culprit.
For years, before the actual onset of fibromyalgia, I would have sworn I was suffering from adrenal failure. Yet, my doctor never made the connection to glucose intolerance, and just gave me an increase in blood pressure medication to combat the increase pumping my heart needed to do to extract this deadly glucose. Throughout this period, my nerves were frazzled and attributing it to work became an easy excuse. At times, my system seemed to race, and nothing I did would calm those internal gears down. Sadly, I also implemented an organic vegetable based diet that added increased protein from wheat gluten in hopes this would rectify the disturbance. This, I am certain, was my initial downfall as I had carbohydrate intolerance.
With issues of insulin signals are sent to certain kidney cells to reabsorb some of the previous filtered serum phosphate that was destined for elimination. These ions are returned to the blood stream and widely distributed to all the tissues throughout the body. These cells, mostly severely affected by fibromyalgia, suffer due to insulin demand. Hence, the two most affected areas are the brain and muscles. These structures demand and absorb the largest amounts of phosphate. Consequently, if carbohydrates are diminished, intracellular demand for phosphate declines also.
But, common sense also tells me that some form of carbohydrate is needed to calm my system. I've spent several weeks on an Atkins diet feeling such anxiety, that I was forced to incorporate some form of grain. And, despite my intake of the recommended B vitamins, my system still screamed for an alternate diet. So, to say I am a bit skeptical on his recommended Hypoglycemic Recipe Index is an understatement. More importantly, I question the sugar free products that are listed on the recipe section that I know from first hand induce painful flare ups.
Yet, I have learned quite a bit from Dr. Amand's studies. Foremost, do not ingest too many carbs! I am continually on the carbohydrate decline as I measure these foods on my dinner plate. I have noticed that eating Fibromyalgia Breakfast Soup and Fibromyalgia Juicing Recipe is the best way to start my day, forfeiting the Gluten Free Oats for breakfast. I also noted my mid morning snack of bananas and raw almonds further energizes me and reduces painful symptoms. Furthermore, bananas contain tryptophan which induces a good serotonin boost and helps combat anxiety and pain. Most importantly, my additional afternoon snack of The Fibromyalgia Salad offers cranberries to flush away toxins my body has accumulated throughout the morning. My remaining meals are less whole grains and beans and more protein and vegetables.
RSS Feed
