Fibromyalgia is a confusing disorder made up of many different signs and symptoms. It is a syndrome, so it presents in many different ways. Many people with Fibromyalgia are given the diagnosis as a kind of last resort, when doctors and physicians are unable to work out what is wrong with them. These are some of the symptoms that indicate Fibromyalgia:

• major fatigue
• unexplained pain
• low tolerance to exercise
• headaches and migraines
• lowered immunity and frequent infections
• blood sugar imbalances
• adrenal fatigue
• difficulty handling stress
• nothing significant showing up on blood tests
• nothing showing up on x-rays or scans
• Feeling flu like symptoms and often swollen glands without infection (this is commonly found also in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, although there is debate as to whether they are different)
• Depression
• Stiffness and incapacitating pain without injury.

One of the most common symptoms is digestive system complaints. These are more often than not diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. Some of the symptoms of IBS are constipation alternating with almost constant like diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, cramps, indigestion, heartburn and nausea. Often patients with Fibromyalgia will attempt to make adjustments to their diets, to try and find if there is a cause or a link.

There seems to be a widespread interest in the idea that cutting out gluten from the ones diet can help with Fibromyalgia or that Fibromyalgics might be gluten intolerant. It is suggested for these people to cut out gluten and see how they feel. Unsurprisingly they all begin to feel better.

gluten free diet

I think there is a big link being missed here or even neglected. How many of these patients are being tested for Celiac Disease? How many of them are being tested for Celiac Disease and remaining on a gluten diet? Celiac Disease is not a gluten intolerance, but an auto-immune disorder that causes gluten to react with the gut and prevent the absorption of vital nutrients into the body, leading to a myriad of symptoms that almost identically mimic Fibromyalgia. Some of the symptoms of Celiac Disease are:

• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headaches and Migraines
• Frequent Infections
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Unexplained Anaemia
• Depression
• Arthritis

Sound Familiar? It is no good to guess that you may have a gluten intolerance and just stop eating gluten. It is vital to get tested and follow a gluten free diet for life, which may begin to change your life and start you on the road to recovery of your Fibromyalgia. I know that it did for me.