SarahNina
09-09-2006, 10:08 PM
I've been noticing that some of us are starting to post some possible connections with food--those that may help our neuropathy or help manage pain and those that may cause flare ups.
I'm really interested to learn more about what is and isn't working dietarily for people.
I'm really interested to learn more about what is and isn't working dietarily for people.
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lon126
09-11-2006, 02:43 PM
I have diabetes and neuropathy. I can't walk without a walker and sometime I have to use a scooter. Last week the pain in my legs and arms was so bad that I was on the floor,( I hate to say this because I am a man.) But I was crying I just couldn't take the pain I have been to every doctor I think of, tolal 5 . I am on the the strongest med I can take. I take 5 differenent seizure meds and 2 heart meds. I have epilepsy and heart problems. I have had my sugar under control for a long time. The doctors I don't think really care. All they say is I don't know what to do with you. Of course they don't mine taking my money and my insurance money. Because of all my health problem my insurance is almost at my limit. I AM RUNNING OUT OF MONEY. CAN ANYONE HELP
alamaz
09-11-2006, 05:49 PM
Hi SarahNina-
I've eliminated 90% of the time all sugar and grains (except brown rice) from my diet to try and help eliminate my neuro. I say the biggest difference is with sugar and artificial ingredients. If i go on a binge (and who can't stay away from m&m's forEVER?!?!) within a few hours i notice my neuro. pain increases and will remain elevated for several days. i have also eliminated all processed foods from my diet. This way I'm not ingesting partially hydrogenated oils and chemicals i can't pronounce. i do a lot of cooking but i feel so much better when i stick to that type of diet. i think the best thing you can try is the sugar. that means no soda's (diet or regular), coffee drinks, lemonade's etc. my main drink is water, unsweetened ice or hot tea, and occasionally pomegranite juice but that has a ton of sugar so it's a treat. and honestly, i don't miss the soda at all. i thought at first i would miss diet coke but i have no craving for sodas of any kind after the first month. i try to follow the diet plan by dr. mercola in his book "total health program".
I've eliminated 90% of the time all sugar and grains (except brown rice) from my diet to try and help eliminate my neuro. I say the biggest difference is with sugar and artificial ingredients. If i go on a binge (and who can't stay away from m&m's forEVER?!?!) within a few hours i notice my neuro. pain increases and will remain elevated for several days. i have also eliminated all processed foods from my diet. This way I'm not ingesting partially hydrogenated oils and chemicals i can't pronounce. i do a lot of cooking but i feel so much better when i stick to that type of diet. i think the best thing you can try is the sugar. that means no soda's (diet or regular), coffee drinks, lemonade's etc. my main drink is water, unsweetened ice or hot tea, and occasionally pomegranite juice but that has a ton of sugar so it's a treat. and honestly, i don't miss the soda at all. i thought at first i would miss diet coke but i have no craving for sodas of any kind after the first month. i try to follow the diet plan by dr. mercola in his book "total health program".
SarahNina
09-11-2006, 07:11 PM
Alamaz,
Thanks for responding. I'm glad that you're having good results by limiting your sugar intake. Do you have diabetes? At least a couple of other non0-diabetics on here have also mentioned that they feel better by cutting out a lot of sugar.
My mother is a dietician and says she can't think of any reason why eliminating sugar (you can't eliminate it all of course because plants make sure and it's in everything---including all vegetables etc.) would help a non-diabetic or a non pre-diabetic. I'll look into Dr.Mercola's diet as you mentioned.
What kind of neuropathy do you have and does your neurologist know about your good results with this diet?
Thanks again. I am so grateful to be able to discuss these issues with common sufferers.
Thanks for responding. I'm glad that you're having good results by limiting your sugar intake. Do you have diabetes? At least a couple of other non0-diabetics on here have also mentioned that they feel better by cutting out a lot of sugar.
My mother is a dietician and says she can't think of any reason why eliminating sugar (you can't eliminate it all of course because plants make sure and it's in everything---including all vegetables etc.) would help a non-diabetic or a non pre-diabetic. I'll look into Dr.Mercola's diet as you mentioned.
What kind of neuropathy do you have and does your neurologist know about your good results with this diet?
Thanks again. I am so grateful to be able to discuss these issues with common sufferers.
alamaz
09-11-2006, 09:31 PM
i should clarify that i meant processed sugars. candy, chocolate, sugary drinks, brownies - anything made with sugar (why i also avoid preocessed foods as most of them contain high fructose corn syrup etc.). i eat fruit and vegetables still but i try to stick to the low sugar ones (pears, green apples, spinach, asparagus etc.). i am not diabetic, nor am i borderline but some of my bloodtests did reveal that i am gluten sensitive so that is why i avoid grains except for rice.
i have neuropathy in my right arm and hand. i stopped seeing my team of doctors about a year ago when every visit turned into a perscription writing party. i don't want to take daily maintenance drugs that won't cure me but just manage the problem. however, my neuropathy has been managable without the meds. up to this point. so i don't fault those who do take the meds. to get through the day. i am only trying to stay off of them as long as possible. when and if the time comes, my neurologist is a phone call away and knows about the decision i made. i wouldn't recommend doing that until you have a had a full work up and chance to sit down candidly with your neuro. to asses where you stand. fortunately i have a very understanding neuro. who referred me to other alternative options before heading down perscription road. if these options don't work within a year or two, my neuro. and i will reconsider my options. her philosophy is if it works then go with it.
i have neuropathy in my right arm and hand. i stopped seeing my team of doctors about a year ago when every visit turned into a perscription writing party. i don't want to take daily maintenance drugs that won't cure me but just manage the problem. however, my neuropathy has been managable without the meds. up to this point. so i don't fault those who do take the meds. to get through the day. i am only trying to stay off of them as long as possible. when and if the time comes, my neurologist is a phone call away and knows about the decision i made. i wouldn't recommend doing that until you have a had a full work up and chance to sit down candidly with your neuro. to asses where you stand. fortunately i have a very understanding neuro. who referred me to other alternative options before heading down perscription road. if these options don't work within a year or two, my neuro. and i will reconsider my options. her philosophy is if it works then go with it.
alamaz
09-12-2006, 11:35 AM
SarahNina-
Just read your other post about allergies....
Funny enough.....I was a vegetarian from about 20 - 25 yrs. old when my symptoms started materializing (i'm only 27 now). when I went to my alternative health doctor the blood tests showed I was borderline anemic and had low B12 levels. The anemia is easy to handle - i started eating meat again and my iron levels are normal (not that you have to eat meat but the point is to eat more foods higher in iron). But the B12 you need supplements in addition to a balanced diet.
most of the soy consumed in the western world is fremented. a lot of studies have linked the fremented soy to increases in breast cancer, brain abnormalities etc. most soy is also genetically modified and contains high levels of pestiside residue. not sure if the soy would have anything to do with your problems but it's worth investigating.
good luck!
Just read your other post about allergies....
Funny enough.....I was a vegetarian from about 20 - 25 yrs. old when my symptoms started materializing (i'm only 27 now). when I went to my alternative health doctor the blood tests showed I was borderline anemic and had low B12 levels. The anemia is easy to handle - i started eating meat again and my iron levels are normal (not that you have to eat meat but the point is to eat more foods higher in iron). But the B12 you need supplements in addition to a balanced diet.
most of the soy consumed in the western world is fremented. a lot of studies have linked the fremented soy to increases in breast cancer, brain abnormalities etc. most soy is also genetically modified and contains high levels of pestiside residue. not sure if the soy would have anything to do with your problems but it's worth investigating.
good luck!
SarahNina
09-12-2006, 07:56 PM
alamaz,
So we're about the same age (I'm 25). What kind of neuropathy do you have? I'll look back at your posts and see if you mentioned it earlier. How much better did you feel after adjusting your diet?
My b12 level is fine, but I should probably have it checked again. I had been iregularly taking a multi-vitamin with lots of iron not too long before I was tested. This is all so complicated.
I appreciate your comments a lot.
So we're about the same age (I'm 25). What kind of neuropathy do you have? I'll look back at your posts and see if you mentioned it earlier. How much better did you feel after adjusting your diet?
My b12 level is fine, but I should probably have it checked again. I had been iregularly taking a multi-vitamin with lots of iron not too long before I was tested. This is all so complicated.
I appreciate your comments a lot.
SarahNina
09-12-2006, 07:56 PM
alamaz,
So we're about the same age (I'm 25). What kind of neuropathy do you have? I'll look back at your posts and see if you mentioned it earlier. How much better did you feel after adjusting your diet?
My b12 level is fine, but I should probably have it checked again. I had been iregularly taking a multi-vitamin with lots of iron not too long before I was tested. This is all so complicated.
I appreciate your comments a lot.
So we're about the same age (I'm 25). What kind of neuropathy do you have? I'll look back at your posts and see if you mentioned it earlier. How much better did you feel after adjusting your diet?
My b12 level is fine, but I should probably have it checked again. I had been iregularly taking a multi-vitamin with lots of iron not too long before I was tested. This is all so complicated.
I appreciate your comments a lot.
alamaz
09-13-2006, 01:16 PM
i would say the diet has helped 30% for the neuro. but in other ways - 100%. I used to have all sorts of symptoms with my neuro. - acne, migraines, indigestion, fatigue..... it has not been a quick fix for the neuro but everything else i mentioned disapperead in the first month or two. now i notice my neuro. when i'm stressed at work, am working extra hours, doing things like painting a room etc.
i've also added two yoga sessions a week (in place of work outs and weight lifting) and i try to do an hour of meditation every day (more like every other day). i also limit my use of the computer & writing (since the neuro. affects my hands & fingers the most) which some days is easier than others since i do have to work. i think the yoga and meditation help the neuro. a lot. esp. the yoga. right after class i typically feel immediate relief.
i'm hoping the longer i stick to my lifestyle adjustments n& changes, the more they will help to eliminate the neuro. i'll keep my fingers crossed!
i've also added two yoga sessions a week (in place of work outs and weight lifting) and i try to do an hour of meditation every day (more like every other day). i also limit my use of the computer & writing (since the neuro. affects my hands & fingers the most) which some days is easier than others since i do have to work. i think the yoga and meditation help the neuro. a lot. esp. the yoga. right after class i typically feel immediate relief.
i'm hoping the longer i stick to my lifestyle adjustments n& changes, the more they will help to eliminate the neuro. i'll keep my fingers crossed!
Tomy999
09-17-2006, 04:59 AM
In the early days of my N/pathy, if i had any beer, even 1 or 2 cans, i knew for sure that my feet would start to burn in about 45 minutes time after drinking it.
My N/pathy was caused by borderline diabetes and i was also very low on B12.
Since beating this disease i have ben able to drink some beer and i get no affect [ no burning ]what so ever, but i wouldn't push my luck and start drinking regular again.
My N/pathy was caused by borderline diabetes and i was also very low on B12.
Since beating this disease i have ben able to drink some beer and i get no affect [ no burning ]what so ever, but i wouldn't push my luck and start drinking regular again.