Zero energy and bloating.

Posted , 4 users are following.

Having been on Pred for six months, i only recently found out that certain foods should be avoided (white bread, processed foods, too much sugar etc). I have therefore been trying to eat more wholefoods for the last couple of weeks e.g loads of fruit and veg., only granary or wholemeal bread, honey and lemon drinks and have cut sugar and fat where I can. Can anyone tell me why, I am now bloated like a whale, am in more pain and keep falling asleep every time I attempt physical activity?! To be completely fair, I did overdo it a couple of weeks ago as my partner had two big contracts to do and I worked with him to get them done. However, that was then and I thought the effects of that should have worn off by now. Has anyone found a way of upping energy levels successfully? Also, can I blame the pred or the pmr for this setback? Is it worth persevering with the new food regime? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am having a procedure done mid-July for an electronic implant for my spinal condition and would like to be as healthy as possible by then.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Oh Debbie, poor you!  I would think the bloating is your tummy complaining at the sudden change to wholefoods - wholemeal foods can cause bloating at first if not used to them.  I was recently talking to someone who had switched to a gluten-free diet, mainly to benefit her hubby's problem, and complained of terrible bloating and wind in the first six weeks or so but once her body adjusted she said she felt better and with more energy than she'd felt in ages.  As for being in more pain, you have actually answered your own question - having overdone it a couple of weeks ago may just mean that you have placed extra stress on your body which PMR doesn't like one little bit.  You can just weather it for a few more days and see if it passes, otherwise you may need to up the dose slightly for a week or so to get on top of things again.  Have you included oily fish in your new diet - I really found that several helpings a week eased any returning pain or stiffness?  
  • Posted

    I'm not sure it can be said any foods "should be" avoided - everyone is different and for many it makes no difference. In some people it may be part of the autoimmune part of PMR that makes the difference. Keeping carbs, especially processed ones, to a minimum will probably help the pred weight gain problem and help avoid developing pred-induced type 2 diabetes though isn't a 100% answer either.

    Whatever- overdoing it DOES make a massive difference and fatigue is part of the autoimmune disorder and isn't affected/improved by the pred. The best way is to rest adequately before and during periods of activity - and to learn to say NO. We may not look ill but we are and it does take it out of us. I have had PMR for 10 years and have had to manage life a lot - both for 5 years without pred and 5 years with pred. At present I am amazing myself with the amount I have done in 2 weeks without crumbling - I think the PMR may have gone! 

    If you overdo it when you have PMR you will suffer for it later. And if you have one autoimmune problem you are more likely to develop another - and that is also a possibility.  

    • Posted

      Eileen, I am very happy to hear that you may be free of pmr. Hope this is a permanent remission! It is the resting during activity I struggle with. Learning a whole new way of living is not easy! However after this, I may have gained a valuable insight into this disease and will hopefully be better at 'pacing' in future. I will of course mention all this to the doc on my nxt visit, just in case there is yet another condition lurking. Thank-you. Take care not to overdo it yourself, with your new found wellbeing!
  • Posted

    Hi Mrs O. Thankyou for your swift response. I don't know where I'd be without this forum! Sounds like I should keep going for a while and hope things improve. I have upped my pred by one milligram for the last few weeks, as my inflammatory level went up to 35. My doc seems to be quite happy to leave the regulation of my dose to me. (Think that's a good thing)! Having another blood test next week. Fingers crossed (or I would if they were'nt so painful Lol! 
    • Posted

      1mg may not be enough if you have got into a flare - get the bloods checked again. Many doctors suggest you add 5mg to the current dose to counter a flare and then you go back to the last dose at which you were comfortable. Flares are almost always caused by reducing too far or too fast - and that includes in too big steps. If that is the case well give a regime for reduction that has so far worked for everyone who has used it. 
  • Posted

    You have what is called the Atkins Flu. Until you body stops burning carbs and starts burning fats (?) there is a sharp decrease in energy. When you have a high carb diet your body retains water. Think about the pounds you gain after dining out. When you reduce carbs, your body starts flushing that water and salt out of the system. This can be partially avoided by having two cups of bullion (not low in salt) a day and drinking water. A good book to read about the physical effects is "The New Atkins For The New You".

    when I developed GCA I went from 175lb to 160 lb. after steroids I went from 160 to 198. I am still on 25mg of pred and in 4 weeks I am now at 192. I am using a low carb diet and allow 40g of carbs a day. It took a while to lose the sugar addiction. I still allow myself the pleasure of binging once every 10 days or so when I eat everything sweet in the house. I have purchased a box of Atkins Triple Choclate Bars to help at other times.  My wife still bakes but she only makes stuff she likes, this reduces my temptations.

    I lose about a pound a week and will soon be able to fit comfortable into my 170 clothes. 

  • Posted

    Atkins only requires that you count carbs and they provide a free carb counter. I have added Wine back to my diet. For example 3.5 OZ of wine is only 2 carbs. Since I allow myself 40 a day it is in my budget. I do not drink wine at meals because... Read the book.
    • Posted

      thankyou for your very interesting reply. I will certainly look into this further. I think fats are my main problem! I hate dry food so I tend to add too much fat when cooking and eating. I need to learn new habits fast. Good luck with your weight loss. I too have clothes that I'd love to wear again!

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