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358699 tn?1297646442

Fibromyalgia and Lactic acid

I have a theory that Fibromyalgia is caused by build up of Lactic Acid that somehow our body cannot break down properly or in adequate time it is produced when broken down by the liver. Perhaps an inborn metabolic error.  I noticed that when I do any physical labor, and it need not be strenuous, the next day I can barely move.  Something as simple as painting my bedroom kept me nearly bedridden with tight muscles and burning pain.  My muscles from head to toe felt like it was wrapped all night in rubberbands. It always takes approx 3 days to recooperate from any physical labor. People produce lactic acid when using muscle energy. When we overuse the muscle, lets say like someone who runs too long, develop muscle pain, cramps, spasms, burning etc. That is the lactic acid our bodies produce. When we rest, the levels are decreased by the liver. Usually within a short time frame the levels return to normal. I wonder if after a days a physical labor, regardless of what it is, even raking leaves for instance, could lactic acid levels be taken that day, and every day that the person feels the fibro pain. I also have vitiligo and some research is showing that to have something to do with pyruvic acid, which is a byproduct of metabolic breakdown. So that leads me to believe that Fibromyalgia is a metabolic error in the breakdown of these acids.  Any opinions? Professional or otherwise
Best Answer
1281603 tn?1283798699
I have ME/CFS and what you describe sounds so similar to PEM (post exertional malaise). I had testing done at the Pacific Fatigue Lab in Ca, and they did say that the burning is a lactic acid response, and that ME/CFS sufferers, for some reason, should never do aerobic exercise as we build up lactic acid, unlike other people who can maintain low levels of aerobic exercise for long periods. Since fibro and ME/CFS seem so closely related, I suspect it is a similar problem.
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Avatar universal
People it's called chronic metabolic acidosis. It's easily treated with baking soda water. 3x a day 3/8 tsp. morning none and night. Don't take with food allow one hour before or after meals. That's it. There's your cure it will take about two. Weeks to be back to yourself.
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1 Comments
I bought PH test strips, my blood is slightly acidic. I will try the baking soda. My daughter is an RN, she tells me to be very careful with baking soda, if your PH becomes to alkaline, the ladies could be bothered with yeast infections. Besides that, she said it's important not to be too acidic or alkaline.
Avatar universal
Yoga stretches helps me. I read stretching the muscle or massage, pushes the lactic acid out. I came up with my own stretching routine- I used to do yoga. You may could find a video of mind stretching for fibromyalgia. I think baking soda could reduce the lactic acid (see another post on this site about that). Also, I read in many places you may be low in Thiamine. I wish all well with Fibromyalgia/CFS, I have been dealing with it for at least 20 yrs.  
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Avatar universal
You are so right.  I do exercise and it does help me.  However, I have to be very careful not to overdo because there is a fine line between not doing and doing too much and the repercussion is severe.
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I have fibromyalgia like painful, stiff muscles specially around my chest cage, skull and foot soles.Can anyone tell me effective cure for this?
17993796 tn?1462153449
This theory is very interesting. Oddly enough I just read that apple cider vinegar can be useful after exercise to break down lactic acid build up. I have had fibromyalgia for 10 months now and having read that about the vinegar it made me wonder about a connection, I googled it and here you are making that exact point ( though far more intellectually).  Hate to gross anyone out but due to temp. fluctuations I sweat, the sweat doesn't seem right, it kinda smells strange even though clean and fresh and urine tends to have an odd odour much like that after eating asparagus. I suffer anxiety also and feel at times like I am full of toxins, just like an infection making me wonder if this is more about organ function than symptomatic
as my stroppy gp  claims ( my gp has been very unpleasant since admitting it it fibromyalgia).
Has anyone else had dry red patches on their shins for a long while before their first flare up?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Be careful with ACV, I read it can cause your body to be more acidic. I lean towards using baking soda to reduce the acidity. If you try the baking soda I would recommend getting some ph testing strips & read more on the subject before trying.
Avatar universal
Check our Dr.Mark Vink's paper on his CFS and his research on himself.
very interesting.
http://www.cortjohnson.org/blog/2015/09/25/walking-marathon-me-cfs-case-study/

https://sciforschenonline.org/journals/neurology/JNNB-1-112.php
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6149521 tn?1379329736
I just read that lactic acid build up causes fibro fatigue. The best remedy is moderate exercise. When you feel the burn from the lactic acid, it is time to stop.

Google "foods to prevent lactic acid build up."

Anything that interests me now a days is more on the natural side.
Helpful - 0
798555 tn?1292787551
Well, its been a year since the original post. Any good news - lactic acid wise?

I'm looking  into lactic acid and muscle pain relations as I have Hashimoto (autoimmune low thyroid) and always had muscle pain after exercise that took days to heal. This always bothered me since ive been somewhat athletic all my life. Continuous light exersise helps as maintenance to prepare for more major exercise. But its a fine line between enough and to much. Like you I also have vitaligo. Now that I finally have my thyroid symptoms under control, its evident that I still have some abnormal muscle tightness.

I did learn trigger point therapy or (myfascial muscle release), which helps relieve but not prevent the tightness. I do that mornings and night when needed. It helps a lot.

I had no idea you could get lactic acid tested - that's one thing I need to do. I read that sodium bicarbonate lessons the lactic acid - what body builders use sometimes. - I cant take that with thyroid med though, and no one should on a regular basis.
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I have been looking into the cause of my pain which is just as you describe Lazy Moose. I used to be super fit (300km ride, 40km run plus swimming every week). Now I can’t even stand up for an hour without having prolonged pain in my feet and other parts of the body. Plus Bain fog etc.
I had an organic acids test a few years ago and it shows my l-lactate levels at 19.9 (normal is 8.4). Apparently in the carbohydrate metabolism cycle Pyruvate should be converted to citrate (the start of the citric acid cycle which then is the basis of cell energy production) but in my case it’s converting to l-lactate. My Pyruvate levels are too low to measure (normal is 3.9). I’ve noticed that I put on weight very quickly if I eat carbs.
Essentially I’m converting my carbs to l-lactate and gleaning no Cellular energy from them. (Proteins and fats bypass this Pyruvate cycle so I’m living from them).  Also my citrate levels are low because of this which means reduced overall cellular energy.
I am certain that is why when I do even moderate exercise (Walking) I end In pain for days.
I too have Hashimotos (thyroid) and type 1 diabetes.
The holistic doctor I’m talking with is sure that this inability to convert Pyruvate to citrate comes from heavy metals toxicity (and hair And urine tests show that I have a lot of it). Metals chelation is the strategy.
1281603 tn?1283798699
In my (limited) understanding, I believe that gradually increasing exercise is recommended for FM, but it is the opposite for ME/CFS. ME/CFS is all about pacing, keeping heart rate down, etc. I don't know if this fits your experience, but I liked this article
http://www.hetalternatief.org/CAA%20artikelenserie%20post-exertional%20malaise%202010%202.pdf
Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
In my search for answers I've seen the lactic acid issue mentioned.  It was suggested that when starting any kind of exercise that we start very slowly and then slowly work up.  Some people can only handle a minute to start.   Easy on our bodies exercises like walking and swimming are the best for us.  We need to look at how athletes handle their exertion.  Stretching is the best thing and then utilizing heat &/or ice on our muscles can help.  We must be aware of our limitations.  I think all of us are guilty of overdoing it on a good day only to pay for it dearly.
Helpful - 0
358699 tn?1297646442
Thanks for responding. They do sound similar.  I found many doctors stating exercise will help with the fibromyalgia pain. But it sounds like it would feel worse. So like aerobic exercises like running, swimming, walking would not benefit but actually make us feel worse? It sounds like we can't tolerate long exercises like 30-60 min ones because we have increase lactic acids levels. And thats what doctors always suggests. Anaerobic exercises, one that do not need oxygen is like a few second sprint, running up stairs, or weight training. Very interesting. It starts to make sense to me why the longer I use the muscles, the worse I feel. I never heard of post exertional malaise but I will look that up.  Did you see a rhematologist to be diagnosed?
Helpful - 0
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