Comments for BackWords

Comment on Gluten free / dairy free diets and back pain…. by DrKirschner

DrKirschner — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:56:50 +0000

I am not disagreeing with you here- You have nothing to lose by trying a gluten free diet, and indeed many patients experience improvement in myriad symptoms when making the change. That being said, they are not treating celiac disease by doing so. It is likely that there are a whole host of reactions to food that we are only now just beginning to understand- and it makes sense that dietary changes can have profound effects on how one feels.
While I have a pretty good track record with fibromyalgia in my own practice, I need to state that this is one of the most poorly understood syndromes out there. What helps one persons symptoms will frequently have almost no effect on another’s.
What I do want to say is that I never argue with results. If something is working for you, and not causing a whole host of other problems, then by all means- please keep doing it.
Thanks for your reply,
Andy

Comment on Gluten free / dairy free diets and back pain…. by Cate

Cate — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:58:13 +0000

I have to agree with your earlier poster. The plural of anecdote isn’t ‘data,’ but speaking as one of the many people out there who don’t test celiac but are essentially non-functional (muscle wasting and illness, extreme fatigue, general poor immune system/chronic and multi-times monthly illness, joint pain and inflammation, etc) it’s a wee bit irresponsible of you to suggest that if the celiac diagnosis doesn’t come through gluten free diets are a waste of time! And it simply isn’t inconvenient after you get your routine changed — all routine change is hard, this is no different but not especially so.

My sister was diagnosed with juvenile psoratic arthritis (and a bevy of other slightly less sticky immune system issues) that landed her in endless hospital visits and specialist treatment… she doesn’t test celiac, but eating gluten free she’s now pain-free for the first time in her life. By luck and by chance – the doctors thought it was silly that the severity of her issues could have been dietary.

And my friend with Fibromyalgia, who was despairing because it hurt so much for her toddler children to hug her or brush her hand… gluten free is the only thing keeping her well and normal.

The anecdotal is worth taking seriously right now — the medical understanding of co-relation between many immune issues, and connections with gut health, are only really coming online now…

Comment on Pain-free gardening: Tips to prevent back pain while doing yard work. by landscapers

landscapers — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:53:19 +0000

landscapers…

Pain-free gardening: Tips to prevent back pain while doing yard work. « BackWords…

Comment on Gluten free / dairy free diets and back pain…. by DrKirschner

DrKirschner — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:03:39 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I have heard several stories such as yours, and as I always say- I never argue with results. I’m glad to hear you are feeling better.
It is clear that there are some gluten related intolerances which fall outside of the realm of pure celiac illness. I tend to categorize these more as food allergies. This is not intended to diminish their importance, in fact I have seen myriad of serious medical problems which could not be diagnosed through testing which were alleviated simply by some dietary modifications. Interestingly, the strong majority of these modifications revolve around gluten, dairy, and sometimes beef related dietary considerations.
Again, thanks for your comment, and I hope you will continue to stop by.
Best,
Andy

Comment on Gluten free / dairy free diets and back pain…. by Rachel W.

Rachel W. — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:38:40 +0000

I recently embarked on a Gluten Free diet after years of chronic illness that left me tired, overweight, anxious and frustrated. I have PCOS, IBS, Hypothyroid, hirsutism, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, along with allergies. I started getting hives eating most anything. My A1C levels started to rise indicating I am headed for diabetes. I also tested negative for Celiac disease.

I went to an alternative practioner who diagnosed me with leaky gut syndrome and told me to go on a gluten free diet. He said anyone with thyroid disease should not eat gluten, particularly if they have Hashimotos. By removing gluten, I have noticed my back pain, carpal tunnel, and hirsutism have virtually disappeared in less than 2 weeks. I have more energy, and less anxiety. My hives only come out now if I eat gluten (by accident). My thyroid also is less swollen then it normally is.

For me, this has been the greatest discovery since I was first diagnosed with PCOS at age 21 (I am now 38). After years of doctors who told me I was depressed or need to diet, or that I was just plain crazy, this is so liberating!

I have had chronic constipation for the last year and am going to try colon hydrotherapy. I hope this will, in effect, reset my digestive system and allow me to start losing weight again.

So, I think that perhaps even if you don’t have Celiac, but have a gluten intolerance, it will work for you.

Comment on Fibromyalgia Part 4: Some thoughts on exercise. by Mary

Mary — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:12:51 +0000

Clinical Aromatherapy works wonders for pain management, try Kunzea (Australian Native) essential oil with Spike Lavender and Spanish Marjoram in some Sweet Almond Oil base to rub daily on the pain after a shower and at bedtime. Remedial massage is also a comfort.

Comment on Fibromyalgia: It’s not in your head PART II… by DrKirschner

DrKirschner — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:30:13 +0000

Thank you so much for your comment Nicole. I received three similar comments such as yours, and for the sake of expedience, I will reply to yours.

I must respectfully disagree with you and your physician on two counts- First, the antibody assay for Lyme disease is actually quite accurate, and has been improved upon several times over the past few years as Lyme has become more prevalent. Secondly, the notion that FMS is a ‘garbage can diagnosis’ is very old school –the World Health Organization has recognized the condition, and has asked physicians to do the same.

I cannot buy into the idea that all FMS is actually Lyme, as my clinical experience and that of pretty much everyone I work with suggests differently. I have had several patients with a diagnosis of FMS who have also had Lyme disease. When treated, their Lyme symptoms retreated, but their FMS symptoms did not.
I know of at least one physician who subscribes to the idea that undiagnosed Lyme disease is the cause for pretty much anything and everything. Evidence based medicine both in clinical practice and research do not bear this out. In the late 1970′s there was a similar suggestion that Candida was the cause of pretty much any symptoms which could not be explained- this idea was eventually abandoned as there was no repeatable supporting evidence.

All that being said, FMS is a complicated diagnosis- if you are finding relief with your physician, I am someone who never argues with results. Please share your experiences here. Again, thank you for your comments and for stopping by.

-Andy

Comment on Fibromyalgia: It’s not in your head PART II… by Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:59:32 +0000

There is actually no accurate test for Lyme Disease. Almost half of those affected will have a false negative. My Lyme doctor says he’s never met a person given the FMS diagnosis who didn’t actually have Lyme. He says that FMS is just a garbage can diagnosis diven to individuals with diffiult to diagnose symptoms. There is help once a correct diagnosis has been made.

Comment on Fibromyalgia- This is NOT in your head! by Sabina louise pierce

Sabina louise pierce — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:26:57 +0000

so true about depression and pain… and you usually dont even know your depressed..

Comment on Live from Jamaica: Some thoughts on medical marijuana… by Dan P.

Dan P. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:07:24 +0000

I’m fortunate enough to live in one of those states where medicinal marijuana is available with a doctor’s prescription. A few years ago I had a serious back injury that left me in serious pain, unable to stand upright, and hampered my ability to move at all (for the first few weeks I could only crawl and even that took about 30 minutes just to get across the room). When I was finally able to go to the doctor I was told I had several broken vertebra, disintegrating discs and a degenerative disc condition. Spinal fusion was the recommendation. That, and seriously heavy medication. I forget the name of the drug offhand, but it was some sort of opiate. Being in as much pain as I was, I took the medication regularly. Too regularly, because the recommended dosage just wasn’t enough to ease the pain. Needless to say it became an addiction and not taking the pills not only left me in pain, but with withdrawl sickness as well. I went to a second doctor who felt surgery was a last resort and put me into almost daily physical therapy. No drugs were prescribed, but he did hint at the fact that marijuana could help relieve some symptoms. After about 6 -8 months of PE I was back to as normal as I will ever be. During that time I smoked pot to help relieve the pain. I found marijuana was a much better medication than the pills I was taking for several reasons including, 1) I didn’t find myself increasing the dosage to combat my rising tolerance to the medication, 2) If I didn’t use the marijuana I didn’t have any withdrawl symptoms, 3) I was far more lethargic and “out of it” on the medication than when I smoked pot, 4) I wasn’t going to OD smoking marijuana, but when I was taking the “regular” medication I was taking so much that it probably would have killed anyone with lower tolerance than me, 5) I was a hell of a lot happier when I was high from the weed than when I was high on painkillers!