Fibromyositis/Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Archives

fibromyalsia and msg

I just found your website. I got FMS when pregnant with my first child at 20. I'm now 44 and have been suffering for years with IBS, TMJ, and the generalized pain and headaches associated wtih FMS. Things that have helped me have been, a night splint for the TMJ. Low dose amitriptyline, daily meditation, and recently, Thyroid medication has all but eliminated the IBS. It took a TSH? test to determine the thyroid need. Lots of exercise; 20 minutes daily of fast walking and weight training about 20 minutes every other day. And finally, what do you know about the link to MSG? I have been trying not to eat it and I have had entirely pain-free days for the first time in 20 years, but it's extremely difficult to avoid the msg. It seems to be in everything, has at least 20 different names, so whenever you ask a restaurant if something has it, they say no and then later you read ingredients and find that it does.
peace,
Tiana

Follow Ups:

• Re: fibromyalgia and msg Walt Stoll 06:36:13 7/14/03 (0)
• Re: fibromyalsia and msg Nutmeg 13:31:44 7/13/03 (1)
  • Re: fibromyalgia and MSG (how to avoid MSG) Archive in fibromyalgia. Walt Stoll 06:31:36 7/14/03 (0)
• Re: fibromyalsia and msg Happygal 08:21:55 7/13/03 (0)

In Reply to: fibromyalsia and msg posted by Tiana on July 13, 2003 at 01:22:07:

Hi Tiana,

Wow, I didn't know it has 20 different names.

If I were you, I'd stop eating in restaurants and read every label of any processed food you are considering. If you cook your own food (hey, picnics are fun!) you can control what you eat.

Best wishes,
Happygal

In Reply to: fibromyalsia and msg posted by Tiana on July 13, 2003 at 01:22:07:

Hi Tiana,

I'm very sensitive to MSG also. I rarely eat in restaurants, but when I do, I've figured out a strategy to avoid getting hit. Here are a few tips about what to order.

Often the trendy burger and giant salad places are off limits because everything they serve is infused with MSG, seasoned salt, etc. Salad bars are usually OK, but skip all the prepared salads--just go with the identifiable greens and veggies, and pass on all the dressings. For entrees, skip anything that has a sauce or gravy or seasoning or breading. Plain meat is usually safe, although prime rib can be injected with broth & seasonings. If you order beef/steak, chicken, or fish, ask for it grilled with no seasonings--no seasoned salt, steak sauce, etc. If you are in a fancy restaurant, you might ask for it to be seasoned with only fresh herbs with lemon on the side. For salads, always ask for no dressing, or if that is too strange, ask for dressing on the side. If they do vinagrette, that is usually just oil and balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice, and is sometimes safe. I always have to ask about sugar too, so I usually just skip dressings. Ask for no croutons, because they are often seasoned with salt/herb mixes that contain MSG, and of course, skip the bacon. Ask for a plain baked potato with real butter on the side, and steamed or sauteed veggies with no seasoning. Always pass on the soup. If there are no entrees on the menu that look safe, ask for a plain salad to start and for your entree, just a baked potato and steamed or sauteed vegetables. They will probably think you are a vegetarian or have a lot of allergies. Sometimes you can find a couple of appetizers that look OK, and ask for those to be served as your entree.

If you do happen to eat something that kicks off a reaction, there IS a remedy. I always carry my antidote--a squeeze bottle of Kyolic liquid garlic. If you start to feel strange, take 1 tablespoon in about 6 ounces of water right away. Get it down quick and chase with more water, if necessary. The garlic crosses the blood-brain barrier and stops the reaction. Yes, it tastes awful, but it is better than suffering. Garlic pills don't work--just the Kyolic liquid.

Here's a website for more information, and information about ordering a book that discusses more on MSG ingredients and avoidance. The book also has a sheet of wallet cards in it that list all the common names for MSG. You are supposed to hand them to the waiter and ask them to check on the ingredients of your order. I found it easier just to take charge myself and order only what I'm sure will be safe.
Sometimes you can eat safely in Chinese or Thai restaurants because you can ask for no MSG or they don't use it because people have started asking for food without. Anyone who really knows how to cook does not need to *enhance* flavor with MSG because their food already tastes good.

You can avoid MSG entirely at home by not eating any processed foods--it's in almost everything, even stuff from the health food store, although there are a few safe brands. Memorize those MSG names and read every label, every time. Sometimes ingredients/recipes change.

Glad you have found a solution to your fibromyalgia. I'm getting a lot closer!

Nutmeg

• MSG Myths

Follow Ups:

• Re: fibromyalgia and MSG (how to avoid MSG) Archive in fibromyalgia. Walt Stoll 06:31:36 7/14/03 (0)

In Reply to: Re: fibromyalsia and msg posted by Nutmeg on July 13, 2003 at 13:31:44:

Thanks, Nutmeg.

Great Post!

Namaste`

Walt

In Reply to: fibromyalsia and msg posted by Tiana on July 13, 2003 at 01:22:07:

Hi, Tiana.

Nugmeg has a great post about how to aviod MSG.

Congratulations on your health program. It would improve considerably if you certified the effectiveness of your SR (biofeedback test) and practiced it twice a day. Once a day rarely resolves this condition.

Your IBS can only exist IF you have LGS and LGS is one of the main causes of fibromyalgia. See the glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Let us know what you learn and h ow you do.

Walt