http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/a/eliminationdiet.htm
I haven't been to this site for a while, but I logged on to talk about the elimination diet I've been on. It's the Virgin Diet by J.J. Virgin. Saw it on PBS and decided to give it a go back in August when I was on staycation and actually had time to shop and cook. You eliminate 7 foods completely for 3 weeks - dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, peanuts, corn, and added sugar/artificial sweeteners. After 3 weeks, you test a different food each week for a reaction. Well, I had been craving bread so bad, so for the gluten test week, I bought a loaf of sourdough bread and had 3 slices for lunch. Within 2-3 hours, my old neck/shoulder pain had returned with a vengeance.
I'm sure you've seen the Lyrica commercial where the woman rubs her sore shoulder/neck. Every time I see that commercial I think, "Yep, that's me" because it's pretty much the exact same spot where my worst pain is. Well, it hadn't been bothering me for weeks, but within a couple hours of eating gluten, it was hurting like hell again. So darn, darn, double darn that I can't have gluten, but yay that the elimination diet was worth it because I actually discovered something that can help me feel better. (I can't have dairy either - causes nasal congestion & I already knew I was sensitive to too much soy.)
This diet is not for everyone, but if you're desperate - which many of us are - it's worth giving it a try. Listen to your body. I knew I didn't like peas, but until I tried this diet (which reccommends you use pea/rice protein in smoothies) I didn't realize that maybe I can't stand them because . . . I can't stand them - food intolerance. When I switched to plain rice protein, my tummy was much happier. No more peas, ever!
I almost forgot . . . I know a lot of people with fibro also have IBS. I thought I might, too. But after the first few weeks on this diet, my bowel movements have been normal and regular.