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The fibromyalgia and lupus connection is very strong based on the simple fact that fibromyalgia and lupus can look very similar on the surface, but in fact they are really very different medical disorders. Unlike the auto-immune disorder lupus, fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disorder and does not cause any major inflammation. It also does not interfere with major organ function.

The chronic fatigue pain, and muscle stiffness caused by fibromyalgia can sometimes be difficult to bear for those suffering with FMS. This makes it very important to seek the appropriate medical treatments in order to help you deal with the symptoms of FMS. Unfortunately, because there is so little that is known about this medical disorder, that many patients are often misdiagnosed by their medical doctor. Every year in the United States, thousands of FMS syndrome sufferers are actually diagnosed with lupus, a chronic auto-immune disorder.

The confusion between the lupus and fibromyalgia connection may be due to the fact that many of their symptoms are so very similar. Like FMS symptoms, lupus symptoms tend to come and go, and can take the form of sudden, severe flare-ups. Like fibromyalgia, lupus is also associated with extreme fatigue, muscle pain, and circulatory disorders. In fact, up to 30% of lupus sufferers also develop fibromyalgia syndrome after they have been diagnosed. However, it is very rare for FMS sufferers to also develop lupus.

It is important that you make sure that your health care provider diagnoses you correctly for fibromyalgia syndrome instead of lupus. Many FMS sufferers who have been diagnosed with lupus have received treatment that has provided them with little or no pain relief and which has instead only complicated their medical condition. Likewise, if you do have lupus, please ask your health care provider to check you out for fibromyalgia also, so that you can begin to treat those lupus fibromyalgia symptoms effectively as well.

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Lupus, Stress and Inflammation

Lupus is an inflammatory disease that can be the result of a number of factors. One of the most common and important factors is stress on the body due to lifestyle. Since this is an area we have full control over (should we choose it), it is something that we can use in our fight against disease, such as lupus. Low-level, chronic inflammation due to stress is linked with many serious illnesses, including lupus, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, even depression and mood disorders.

Speaking from personal experience, my lupus diagnosis was a consequence of very high, chronic levels of stress over approximately a year. I knew my body was running on empty for some time, and finally one day I felt it ‘break’. Although I didn’t know what the ‘label’ was for what just happened, I knew my symptoms of extreme chronic fatigue, muscle pain, aching joints, fever and rash were the consequence of not heeding the warning signs sooner.

In my search to find my way back to health, while consciously ignoring the ‘incurable’ status out of desperation to get my life back, I took on the challenge to ‘heal the root cause’ of my lupus. I did. I’m happy to say I don’t have lupus anymore.

Lupus and Inflammatory Foods

The following is a list of foods which are ‘inflammatory’. Because lupus is an inflammatory condition, you must be consciously working toward an ‘anti-inflammatory’ lifestyle.

Inflammatory foods that you must avoid if you have lupus:

Processed foods
Trans fats (shortening, hydrogenated oils)
Polyunsaturated vegetable oils – (including corn, safflower, canola, sunflower and soy – excluding fish and flaxseed oil)
Saturated animal fat
High fatty animal meats
Processed and smoked meats – (such as hot dogs, sausages, and lunch meats)
Dairy and eggs
Sugar
Refined carbohydrates and starches
Gluten – wheat and other grains (rye, barley, and spelt)
Junk food
Fast food restaurants (fried foods, or baked with trans fats from shortening, margarine, lard or partially hydrogenated oil)
Salt
Nightshade vegetables
Alfalfa Sprouts – (have a high L-canavanine content, causing potential inflammation)
Caffeine – (chocolate, coffee, caffeinated tea)
Artificial sweeteners
Alcohol
Sodas

Food Allergies and Sensitivities – Find What Works for You

Other factors to consider include food allergies and sensitivities. You may have noticed that certain foods instantly ‘drain’ you of energy. To this day when I eat a bowl of chicken teriyaki with white rice or have a glass of soda (a big no no!) my energy instantly drops. Paying attention to how your body responds to your foods is vital.

Below are a list of the most common foods that trigger allergies or food sensitivities:

Fish
Shellfish
Soy
Wheat
Tree nuts (such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios)
Peanuts
Milk
Eggs

Healing Through Nutrition – With Easy to Digest, Nutritious Meals

If you are managing an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, an easy to digest meal with natural, organic whole foods is optimal. By consuming such a Diet for Lupus you are freeing up important energy for your body to be able to focus on repair and healing work.

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”Thomas Edison

When you’re dealing with extreme fatigue, as most do with lupus, you squander your vital energy by making your body work extra hard at digesting your food, compared to harnessing that energy for more important things that will directly affect how you feel and your energy levels. Consider the work required of the body between having a nutritious, tasty bowl of soup or salad versus trying to digest a burger, fries or pizza once you read the following information below.

To learn more about how to cope with food sensitivities, what diet for lupus is best, and how to work toward regaining your health please visit the site listed below for a free email consultation. Wishing you the best, in good health!!

Stacey Becker is the author of ‘I Don’t Have Lupus Anymore’, at http://www.Healing-Lupus.com . It is a true story about how she (and others) has healed Lupus. The book is a practical guide with a holistic approach to healing that addresses: Lupus diet do’s and don’ts, nutrition, supplements, stress, common (and uncommon) Lupus questions and answers, self-healing strategies including meditation and visualization, the power of intention, faith, plus many other important factors helpful in reversing disease through natural means.

Stacey’s message is one of hope, since Lupus sufferers who ask their doctors ‘how to cure lupus’ are offered no hope for a cure. Visit her site for a free mini course on how to empower your health if you or a loved one has Lupus.
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