Really, really need help troubleshooting! Fibromyalgia, AIP

[laphoenix]

Hi there! 

I am getting close to my 2 month mark on AIP- I'll admit, with a few cheats, but in general I have had more energy and have felt pretty good. Now, 8 weeks in , I am having a new and concerning symptom- pain and stiffness in my hands and wrists and sometimes other joints like elbows and shoulders! Yikes. I am 34 and was perfectly healthy before coming down with CFS/Fibromyalgia about 15 months ago after an infection. This joint pain started about a week ago and came after some digestive distress.  I had this symptom when I first got sick and it went away. My Fibro has mostly consisted of muscle pain, fatigueand occasional   nausea. Any insight at all??? I am going to see my doctor on Tuesday and will ask for bloodwork. I so don't want this to be arthritis- I tested negative for it last year.. Any suggestions for tweaks? My cheats have been some nightshades, eggs, soy and coffee. 

Thanks community!

[robinf]

Hello laphoenix,

You mention that the joint pain came after some digestive distress. Did this follow after you chose to eat nightshades or eggs or another food you might be sensitive to? That would be worth tracking and noting, if you haven't already.

You could consider going strictly AIP for a couple of months in order to give your gut a chance to start healing. Sarah wrote, "...once you arrive at 100% compliance...I recommend committing for at least one month (and three or four would be much better...) before you start experimenting with foods to determine your individual tolerance for and sensitivity to them." [The Paleo Approach, p 273]

Then, you could re-introduce nightshades, eggs and other foods in a controlled way, as Sarah describes in her book in Chapter 9.