Fibromyalgia is a chronic and widely misunderstood condition that affects millions of Americans, especially women. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptom associated with fibromyalgia is muscle pain, especially in areas like the neck, hips, knees and shoulders. Fatigue, sleeping problems and depression are also common among people with fibromyalgia, as is weight gain. Losing weight can present an extra challenge for those with fibromyalgia, yet doing so is possible with the right approach and support.
Stress
There are two types of stress; physical and emotional. Physical stress relates to the body needing to heal from injuries, infections or other maladies, while emotional stress relates to mention tension. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, the excessive stress involved with fibromyalgia can alter hormone levels leading to weight gain. To lose weight, it is essential to address stress. The National Fibromyalgia Association recommends seeing a doctor regularly and getting blood work done to monitor thyroid hormone levels. Managing emotional stress by keeping a journal, talking with friends and exercising can also help make it easier to lose weight.
Nutrition
People with fibromyalgia benefit from eating more natural and unrefined foods, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association, or NFA. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum of the NFA recommends cutting out sugar and refined carbohydrates like white bread, white rice and pasta, as these can lead to weight gain. Instead of processed foods, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can promote weight loss, since produce is naturally low in calories. Choosing low-fat dairy over full-fat dairy and lean meats like chicken instead of steak can also reduce calorie intake and encourage weight loss.
Fad Diets
Fad diets like the cabbage soup diet and cleansing fasts may be tempting for anyone who wants to lose weight quickly, but people with fibromyalgia should be especially wary. Decreasing calories or protein too low could result in blood sugar imbalances, which can aggravate fibromyalgia, Teitelbaum states. Meeting a registered dietitian can help a person with fibromyalgia understand the different food groups and why they are important.
Exercise
Exercise is a complicated issue for people with fibromyalgia. The Mayo Clinic states that regular exercise can reduce pain. Exercise also burns calories and speeds up weight loss. Yet it's easy for someone with fibromyalgia to overdo it on the exercise, leading to extreme fatigue. The Mayo Clinic recommends gentle exercises like walking and swimming on most days of the week. It's important to stop if you feel exhausted and to drink plenty of water during exercise.
Medications
Many people with fibromyalgia take medications to control the pain. Anti-depressants are very common, since the tricyclic variety can work on treating both pain and depression. According to pharmacist Don Miller of Arthritis Today, many of the medications used to treat fibromyalgia can lead to weight gain, though the reason why is still unclear. Tricyclic anti-depressants can increase a person's appetite and possibly even trigger carbohydrate cravings, explains Miller. Though medications may make it harder to lose weight with fibromyalgia, people with fibromyalgia can talk to their doctors about possibly changing medications or decreasing their doses.
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