Diet and autoimmune related pain

[Autoimmunewarrior]

Hi, first time posting on this page and a long term sufferer of non specific autoimmune problems but incl hypothyroid. One of my worst symptoms is pain (joint and muscle) and migraine.

Interested to hear to what extent removal of gluten from diet has made a difference to those of you who have done that? Also dairy although that is harder for me as I’m vegetarian. I’ve tried to minimise gluten for years but I’m inconsistent and sometimes find it hard to work out what is causing symptom flare ups.

thanks a lot

One thing to try for autoimmune disorders is Keto/Carnivore.
It can be hard to follow, and you would also need to rethink vegetarianism, but life is balancing act.

Also, have you read the Vegetarian Myth, by Liere Kieth? It is very informative.

Thanks for this. I did do vegetarian Keto for a year or so but stopping being a vegetarian isn’t an option as it’s been nearly 30 years. I’m more interested in the gluten issue?

I have been gluten free and dairy free for years; my joints and my stomach tell me when I've eaten something I shouldn't have! I rarely eat meat these days although that used to be one of my safe foods - just doesn't agree with me any more. I mostly follow an anti-inflammatory diet and avoid processed food. Coconut yogurt, non-soya vegan cheese, rice or oat milk are my dairy substitutes.
You need to try different things to work out what does and doesn't agree with you, perhaps a food diary to help you identify migraine triggers?
Cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients and avoiding anything that's highly processed would be my advice.
Good luck!

I went gluten free but don’t feel I had an issue with gluten. It did help me with nutrition though, to substitute bread etc with more protein and veg. It changed life of partner with IBS symptoms. Cutting out dairy was a surprise, helped with aches and skin condition. Really hard as love cream and cheese.

Perhaps try lactose free milk? I’m currently trying plenish oat milks as no veg oils. To be honest although improved I don’t think it’s replacing proper thyroid hormone treatment which is another battle as my FT3 dropped on levothyroxine
i eat fish but not red meat, have you checked ferritin folate, vit D and B12? I can’t get enough without supplements?

I tried going gluten free after my rheumatologist said it helped some of his patients - I have psoriatic arthritis.

Did it religiously for two months but it made no difference at all. Do feel glad to have given it a go I suppose - at least I can happily eat delicious bread!

I've had hashimotos for 11 years and was advised by a nutritionist to cut out gluten, as I was constantly having to increase my L-thyroxine dose and was having real trouble losing weight. I went GF in January and have lots 8kg and feel soooo much better! Seeing the endochrinologist next month so I'll be interested to see if it's also made a change to my bloods. I'm not obsessive GF, but avoid it as much as possible - cutting out biscuits and pizza has been the hardest for me. I hardly eat bread any more, but when I do I have spelt bread, same for pasta, as I find the GF pasta quite tasteless.

Cutting out nightshade vegetables has changed my life from intense pain to sporadic. Tomatoes make me incredibly ill- it's due to lectins, Google it and find out.