Fibromyalgia: Treatment update

Chat about musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder

By Kim Jones, Ph.D., RN, FNP

WEBMD

link to full article

Excerpt:

If you are one of the 4 million Americans suffering from the chronic pain of fibromyalgia, see what researcher and WebMD message board expert Kim Jones, Ph.D., RN, FNP, had to say. She joined us to answer your questions and share the latest treatment information about this debilitating disorder.

The opinions expressed herein are the guest’s alone and have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician. If you have questions about your health, you should consult your personal physician. This event is meant for informational purposes only.

Member question: Will a restricted diet help?

Jones: There are about five studies on diet and fibromyalgia right now. One of those five indicates that a very strict raw uncooked vegetarian diet is somewhat helpful.

However, most of the people in that study dropped out in less than three months because it is almost impossible to eat like that long term. So right now we think the best advice is to follow a well-rounded diet, much like that prescribed for heart disease.

Member question: Will a balanced carb-protein-fat diet plan be helpful?

Jones: We are currently doing a research study in which we are asking people with fibromyalgia to tell us whether an Atkins-type high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is any better than a well-rounded high complex-carbohydrate, moderate protein, and lots of fruits and vegetables diet.
Our early impressions are that an Atkins type diet is not helpful.