I have been fighting a reaction to refined sugar for months, and maybe, even years now.

If I eat anything with refined sugar in it I develop pain in my arms and shoulders, sometimes very severe, almost to the point of call for an ambulance to go to the Emergency Room.

The only thing I have found that relieves the pain is taking Nitro pills, like they prescribe for Angina pain because of heart problems.

Doctor says it is probably my gall bladder. I don't quite agree with him. He wants to have my gall bladder taken out, but I am not convinced. Have talked to many people that had gall bladder trouble and none of them seem to ever had had anything even similar to this.

I think a bit more investigatin is in order, but the doctor won't agree with me. Maybe I need to go to a different doctor. Only thing that has been successful so far is the depletion of my bank account and the paid receipts from my doctors office.

Have had this problem for more than ten years, it hasn't killed me yet, but at times I sure have my doubts. I have just in the last few months set out to try to find the cause myself and indentified the sugar thing as setting the pain off as it does.

If I stay away from sugar I get along pretty well, but a spoon full of refined sugar and I am in agony.

I can eat fruit with natural sweet to it, if I don't eat too much and get along OK, such as cherry's or peaches, etc. I don't eat/drink the juice that may or may not have sugar in it along with the sweet fruit.

Eating a heavy meal or stress makes everything worse, also lack of sleep. I have trouble sleeping and have for years.

I am a 65 year old man, six foot two inches tall and on the heavy side, weight about 250, but gradually going down as I keep doing without sugars and fatty food.

Any ideas from anyone? I hate to live with this the rest of my life, however long it may be.

Hi Cathy's Dad,
When I eat sugars, spicy foods or oily foods I get bad cramps in my stomach. It feels like someone is kicking me in the stomach. My intestines feel incredibly sore to the point where I can't sleep at night.
When I eat a rather bland diet with more vegetables and fruit, I feel pretty good. If I eat healthily, and build my body stamina, I can sneak a piece of chocolate and not react. If I over do it and eat the whole chocolate bar or two or a serving of oily food, my digestion goes off again. (I rarely eat spicy food.)
Alot of my learning about my own health comes through working with a naturopath. (as well as other forms of alternative health). I use vitamins, supplements and herbs to optimize on my health and feel that I function reasonably well this way. I do visit a regular doctor occasionally but opt for "more natural" solutions to my pains. Many drugs give me allergic reactions. I was advised to take thyroid pills a number of years ago ( I am borderline hypothyroid) but have been able to work around this through working with a alternative health practitioners. My suggestion to you it to consider an area of alternative health. (homeopath, naturopath, accupunsture, chiropractor etc.) It has made a big difference to me and you may be surprised at what you may learn. I too would hesitate in letting anyone cut out one of my organs. I hope my thoughts have been of some help to you.... take care.