FM and fasting

Hi all,
I wanted your opinions about fasting when you have fibromyalgia.
Ramadan is coming soon and the Muslim community has to fast from sunset to sundown ( no eating, no drinking). This is very important to us and I have always loved doing it since childhood. But these past few years I have been dreading it, I guess the fibro has something to do with it, I get tired and very weak.
Some of you maybe don't fast but you might have an idea judging by when you skip a meal or eat later. I will discuss this with my rheumatologist but I wanted your opinions as you know how it feels to have FM.
Thanks

I don't remember how long Ramadan fasting is?
First: this is off topic, but I do remember a case near Seattle and some idiot company manager refused to allow his employees a chance to immediately break their Ramadan fast. Said they would be fired if they took a break.

Duh-- you give people christmas off....
Anyways,the company got sued and lost.

This might not be a long drawn out thing, butsince you're curious,n I can offer examples of why this could put a strain on some fibro patients.
Cortisol has a lot of useful functions. For instance it's a great antiinflammatory, and that reduces pain. It also helps (with epinephrine) to constrict blood vessels whenever you stand up, so therefore gravity can't make you so dizzy with blood staying more below your head. And it is very important in correcting low blood sugar. It's what gets people thru the overnight fast until they can hunt up food.

Release of cortisol happens in what's called the HPA axis. The Hypothalmus sends CRH/corticotropin releasing Hormone, to the Pituitary, the pituitary sends ACTH to the adrenals (H-P-A) and now the adrenals know to release cortisol.
You will find mention of the alterations to the HPA axis in fibro literature and in studies for Chronic Fatigue syndrome, as well.

Possibly we put a lot of demands on the adrenals, because we have a lot of pain. There may be a strain from the stresses we're under. Some studies show low morning cortisol in fibro, and I think it's a study by McLean et al that says this is probably responsible for the 36 (or 38)?% variences in morning pain.

I ended up in adrenal exaustion. Lots of adrenal insufficiencies, not just low cortisol. It is a long recovery, 1-2 yrs. and I'm stuck needing sex hormones from a compounded pharmacist, and insurance isn't'covering that. it's probably $100/ month, plus my compounded thyroid meds takes it all over $150.

What I read was to never skip meals, most especially breakfast, cuz it's not healing to keep asking for so much cortisol (to correct low blood sugar).

Alternatively, you could look up the smptoms of adrenal fatigue, and see if you thinkur ok as far as that goes,. I kind of harped on this topic of adrenal insufficiencies at another fibro forum, and I did begin to see several of those fibro forum members over at the sites adrenal insufficiencies forum, diagnosed as hypocortisol (low).

Here are the sites with symptom lists that I like to provide, because by the time I was pretty far gone down that road (having trouble standing), I had a great many of these symptoms. I got so far down that process and had so many symptoms cuz four doctors really didn't listen to me about my early symptoms. Thank goodness for the new psychiatrist, who had salivary cortisol testing kits. Once those results came in, (plus the thyroid stuff), she preferred I spend my money on the physical problems she found, than on seeing her.

Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms (and the table atbDR Lam's also has hypothyroid symptoms cuz the two problems are running buddies.
Edit, I guess the site has been changed:

http://www.drlam.com/callpage/adrenalfatiguecallpage.asp

-------------------
-->These extra six symptoms also applied to me, from an interesting article (may have to google " 6 little known signs of adrenal fatigue " if the link doesn't work):
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/6-little-known-signs- of-adrenal-fatigue/

----Now my morning and afternoon cortisol are OK, and I can get away with procrastinating about eating. i just try not to do that too much or too long.

Post Edited (Rockon) : 5/22/2014 6:19:42 PM (GMT-6)

Sofiane,

Well, I just know that for myself, it would be impossible. I once fasted for 3 days as a teenager, but now? No way! If I don't put something in my mouth every 2 or 3 hours, I start getting weak and trembly (even though my blood sugar tests are normal.)

Good luck making your decision.

Debbie

Assuming you take meds? Isn't it dangerous to take many of them without food?

In my church we fast and I have done a few different things. I have had a simple juice or if our health doesn't allow it we fast certain things such as something we really enjoy in our daily life's. It could food or drink such as no cola or maybe Tv or no cell phone. Most people can fast and do ok on juice that have health problems.

Thanks for your reply!
Ljm2014, I don't take any medication, I have been quite stubborn about not taking any specially antidepressant.
Namian , your research is correct, if I go see a religious leader, he will tell me the same thing. I guess I need a medical point of view. I will see my doctor Wednesday, will see what she says.
ak angel and couchtater ( by the way I always imagine you on your couch), unfortunately with Ramadan we cannot do those things, it is not eating not drinking from sunset to sundown, but like Namian said if you are sick you don't have to do it.
So far I have managed without food or drink but no tv, boy that is a hard one.
Best!

i disagree that it is known to be a primary cause of fibromyalgia.