Diet and Pain - Pain Management Message Board

Lilly66 · 08-06-2008, 08:52 PM

Hi, have any of you been told or have tried eating a gluten-free diet, in hope of alleviating inflammation/pain in your body? I have had 2 back surgeries in 3 years and am still in daily pain. I have tried it all, you name it. My new acupuncturist has suggested I cut out gluten in my diet.

Experiences, thoughts...etc welcomed!
Thanks!

ms_west · 08-06-2008, 09:14 PM

I have not heard of a gluten free diet but I have read that one should drink plenty of water, drink plenty of caffiene just make sure it has no carbohydrates, (it is an opoid potentiator and decreases medication sedatation), one should increase their protein dramatically even add to breakfast and the protein should be the first thing you eat at each meal, stop all table sugar and liquids that contain carbohydrates (milk, juice, energy drinks, and regular sodas), etc.

You might see if you can locate a intractable pain diet written by Forest Tennant, MD. for some suggestions. I am starting some of these suggestions because I figure at this point it can't hurt. I will try anything. Good luck.

tiggertoo2174 · 08-07-2008, 05:10 AM

Lilly,

You can try it if you want, but I think you will find it VERY restrictive. Gluten free diets are generally for people who are allergic to gluten or who have celiac disease. It will restrict all breads/pastas, anything with flour, and almost all packaged items at the grocery. Gluten free items can be found in some health food stores but are very expensive. If you beleive you are allergic or have celiac disease please see you Dr. to be properly diagnosed. Unless you have one of these there would be no need to eliminate gluten from your diet.

Tigg.

ms_west · 08-07-2008, 06:30 AM

Last night, I was reading on this topic elsewhere and have read that there are 4 things we should eat in our diet: ginger, curcumin (curry spice), pineapple, and omega 6. They are for inflammation.

I also read that the gluten stuff we should avoid for weight control. Lily, did you accupuncturist say why you should try this diet. Please let us know how the accupuncture is working for you. I am on my 9th session and am a spinney too (4 surgeries).

Thank you so much for posting this and I hope that you don't mind me adding in the other things that I have found.

Lilly66 · 08-07-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123dietdrpepper

Last night, I was reading on this topic elsewhere and have read that there are 4 things we should eat in our diet: ginger, curcumin (curry spice), pineapple, and omega 6. They are for inflammation.

I also read that the gluten stuff we should avoid for weight control. Lily, did you accupuncturist say why you should try this diet. Please let us know how the accupuncture is working for you. I am on my 9th session and am a spinney too (4 surgeries).

Thank you so much for posting this and I hope that you don't mind me adding in the other things that I have found.

Hi DietPepper! Always nice to hear from you. You brought me much comfort on the back-pain board. My philosophy is it can't hurt to try a gluten-free diet, even for a month. My acupuncturist thinks I have alot of inflammation in my body and seem to have fibromyalgia symptoms. So, we are going this route to see how my body feels. I had a bad experience with acupuncture prior to my back surgeries, it was very painful and I endured this for 10 weeks of acupuncture. Now that I have a "new" back, I am trying it again with a new acupuncturist. The needles still hurt my back very bad. We shall see....Good luck to you DP!