Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms following discontinuation of dietary excitotoxins

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatologic disorder that is often d ifficult to treat effectively. CASE SUMMARY: Four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome for two to 17 years are described. Al had undergone multiple treatment modalities wit h limited success. All had complete, or nearly complete, resolution of thei r symptoms within months after eliminating monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MS G plus aspartame from their diet. All patients were women with multiple com orbidities prior to elimination of MSG. All have had recurrence of symptoms whenever MSG is ingested. DISCUSSION: Excitotoxins are molecules, such as MSG and aspartate, that act as excitatory neurotransmitters, and can lead to neurotoxicity when used i n excess. We propose that these four patients may represent a subset of fib romyalgia syndrome that is induced or exacerbated by excitotoxins or, alter natively, may comprise an excitotoxin syndrome that is similar to fibromyal gia, We suggest that identification of similar patients and research with l arger numbers of patients must be performed before definitive conclusions c an be made. CONCLUSIONS: The elimination of MSG and other excitotoxins from the diets o f patients with fibromyalgia offers a benign treatment option that has the potential for dramatic results in a subset of patients.