I'm running out of food to eat...

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:36 pm

Hi Guys,

Haven't been around much lately--took a full-time job in July, in addition to running my own business, which is struggling to get on its feet after our move a year ago. Working six days a week, plus church and other activities, has me beat! Don't even get on Facebook anymore.

Things are deteriorating on the health front. My diet now consists of Boar's Head turkey, blueberries, sunbutter, chicken (only non-injected, all-natural), the occasional steak (again, all-natural variety, which is EXPENSIVE!), carrots, squash, zucchini, lettuce, and coffee and tea. That's it. And I'm still not feeling too hot. If I eat something "off-list," at the very least I'm in for bumpy fingers, and an itchy scalp. More often, I get those along with stomach cramps and a weird sensation of being overly full, like I just ate Thanksgiving dinner twice. Of course, then there are the weeks that start out with days of C, followed by D that is increasingly resistant to medication.

I have about given up trying to figure out what's making me react, because it seems like I've eliminated everything I can. I am taking a half dose of Zyrtec daily, which helps keep me out of the bathroom. I'm afraid to take a full dose because it will put me to sleep!

Please, does anyone have any suggestions? I feel like I'm doing everything I know to do, and I'm still sick.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:32 pm

I got my answer. I am sorry you are still feeling awful. I am more or less in the same boat. I have given up looking for N. I just need to have a BM, mucous or not.

The only way I can get more F&V is by juicing, and or smoothies. I find that if I drink one of those I feel better, more energy, although it's still horribly low.
(I don't know how you do what you do. Where on earth you find the energy?)
At least I tell myself I am getting vitamins and minerals from the produce. Since I have not been able to lose the weight I put on while on the steroids, (bad) and the fact that I don't see everything I eat in the toilet bowl 1/2 an hour later, I am assuming I am absorbing some of the nutrients.

I wish I could help. I don't even have any suggestions, just a big hug for you.

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:11 am

Hi Cynthia,

Sorry to hear that you are not 100%. Seems to be the name of the game with MC, unfortunately. Sigh. Have you tried Claritin and/or Zantac? Some here found relief by using both for a while. Claritin does not make me sleepy.

Also, I could not tolerate Sunbutter. It has tocopherols, which I think may be derived from soy. I use Once Again organic sunflower seed butter (I order it online) - it doesn't have them. Do you think the lettuce might be irritating your gut, since it is not 100%? Can you eat sweet potatoes? They are quick if nuked and have a lot of calories and nutrition.

It sounds like your life has been quite busy/stressful lately, which of course doesn't help. Are you getting in some relaxation time each day for yourself?

Feel better!

Love,

Polly

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:21 am

So sorry Cynthia. This must be so frustrating for you.
I was eating Sunbutter, but found that I was reacting, so I switched to almond butter. I can NOT drink coffee or Tea, so I have to suggest trying to give them up for a week and see what happens. Sweet potatoes are a great suggestion. I eat them all the time. The white ones have less fiber, but all are delish.
When it comes to antihistamines, I have had non-drowsy success with both Claritin and Allegra ( although it took a few days to get use to them. I was a bit lightheaded at first)
I hope you find relief soon.
Leah

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:40 pm

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the input! I haven't been eating much lettuce lately, because frankly, a salad with no tomatoes, no cheese, and no dressing just isn't that appetizing! I forgot to include sweet potatoes--I don't eat them very often, because I'm not entirely sure whether they're agreeing with me. It could be just what I ate them with. I used to fix sweet potatoes with pork a lot, and now I can't do the pork, so maybe the sweet potatoes weren't the problem.

I hadn't thought about tocopherols as being derived from soy. I do know now that even small amounts of soy bother me. Alas, there goes my calorie-adder! I will look for the sunbutter you use, Polly--do they have their own website, or do you get it through someone else? I can't do almond butter, unfortunately--no nuts for me!

I have thought about Claritin, but it was never effective for me with my respiratory allergies, so I don't know if it would work for this stuff. Worth a try, I guess. What are the advantages of Zantac along with something else? I know there's a difference between H1 and H2 histamine blockers, but I don't quite understand how it works.

I started taking my multi-vitamin again a few days ago, and today I'm finally noticing an improvement in the metallic taste in my mouth, though the belching and fullness is still there. The iron also gives me cramps for awhile, but I'm hoping those will go away after a few more days.

Okay, the stress level is enormous, and it's not getting better any time soon--my grandfather passed away yesterday, and there is a lot of friction between my family and his second wife, so that will be fun. But I do try to find some time to relax with a good book in the evenings. I haven't been getting any exercise lately--feel like I have little enough energy as it is, and enough trouble keeping weight on.

Has anyone tried ultra-inflam? A friend of mine who is on a low-histamine diet gave me a serving to try, but I haven't yet because of the mini-flare I had last week. I'm also wary of the rice milk I'll mix with it. I have yet to find a milk substitute I tolerated well.

I have made an appointment with a doctor here in town, also recommended by my low-histamine friend. He has a more holistic approach, not ruling out medication if it's warranted, but also taking diet, stress, and environmental factors into consideration. I know he has a working knowledge of leaky gut syndrome, so I'm hoping he may be able to shed some light on my miriad issues. Unfortunately, his waiting list is a year long. I was told that most of his new patients get in within 3-4 months, since they start calling people on the list whenever there's a cancellation. So I'm still on my own till the first of the year, most likely.

So glad Tex got his book finished! Can't wait to read it!

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:44 pm

Hi Cynthia,

I'm so sorry that you're still having problems in spite of a very limited diet. I know how it feels to not want to give up any additional foods. I'm facing that decision right now due to having a very itchy skin reaction. I can put up with D, but not itchy skin. What to do?

I seem to recall that Trader Joe's has sunflower butter that is free of tocopherols. I reacted to it also, in spite of it being free of them. I hope that you'll tolerate a brand that is tocopherol-free. Nut and sunflowers do add needed calories.

I hope you can overcome this without giving up any more calories.

Gloria

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:54 pm

I bought Sunflower Seed Butter (brand name) at Trader Joes and ingredients are sunflower seeds, evaporated cane juice and salt. $4.99 for 16 oz. I love it.

I discovered awhile ago it says to refrigerate after opening. I thought it would get stiff and hard to spread but it doesn't. I never noticed that on the old Jiffy or Skippy peanut butter I used to use.

Post by **tex** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:17 pm

Hi Cynthia,

I'm sorry that you're currently having so many issues. The MC symptoms should begin to let up after the stress levels decline.

Regarding H1 and H2 antihistamines, H1 receptors are located primarily in the respiratory system, and the skin. H2 receptors are located primarily in the digestive system — the stomach and intestines. In the stomach, for example, an H2 antihistamine will cause decreased acid production. In the intestines, an H2 antihistamine should help to prevent the inappropriate degranulation of mast cells.

FWIW, I had the same experience with Claritin — it has very little effect on my hay fever symptoms. I use Allegra instead.

Tex

Post by **tex** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:19 pm

Charlotte,

Jiffy and Skippy contain enough preservatives that they don't need refrigeration.

Tex

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:08 am

As usual, you guys are a wealth of information! There just happens to be a Trader Joe's just a block from my workplace, so I will stop by there today. And Tex, thanks for the clarification on H1 and H2 antihistamines--that helps a lot!

My grandfather's wife has refused to let his family have any part in his funeral. I think my uncle is going to speak whether she wills or no, but it breaks my heart that the man is gone and she still wants to continue this feud. I dread facing her this weekend because I know it will take everything in me not to say something ugly.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:22 am

Has anyone tried ultra-inflam? A friend of mine who is on a low-histamine diet gave me a serving to try, but I haven't yet because of the mini-flare I had last week. I'm also wary of the rice milk I'll mix with it. I have yet to find a milk substitute I tolerated well.

Cynthia,
My integrative medicine doctor prescribed Ultra-inflam for me. The spice flavor is what they had available and it was very good. I recall mixing it with water, not milk substitutes. It's just a bunch of supportive supplements mixed together. Good if you don't have the time, but I never bought the second jar. It certainly wasn't a cure-all, and I recall not being impressed with the various forms of vitamins it included.

Check out my post on green smoothies for breakfast on workdays. Would something like that work for you?

Ginny · Post by **Ginny** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:58 am

Chynthia, I don't post much either because I can not find the solution either! So you have my true sympathy in this battle to have a normal life. I always used Once Again organic sunflower seed butter; can't tolerate any nut butters. However, I just tried the Sunbutter Natural recently and it has tocopherols but I was told it was strictly Vit E. I really haven't noticed any problems. I too am very limited in meats as a matter of fact the only safe one is turkey. This is the part that can be pretty discouraging. You are young and deserve better! I've also tried reditab claritin and zyrtec, and the zyrtec seemed to help for awhile. I am a little skeptical on using Zantac but it might be worth a try. Interesting you just started taking a multi vitamin and I hope this helps. I pretty much eliminated all vitamins except for D-3 in the winter. But you might have something with the vitamin.

Just know there are people out there like you; suffering and trying to get an answer! You have a very busy life, make sure you take time for yourself.

Ginny

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 11:30 am

Hi Cynthia,
I too have been dealing with an upswing in my symptoms and an increase in my stress level has definitely worsened the problem, so I can definitely sympathize. Regarding the Zantac, it has helped me immensely. I take 2 pills 1st thing in the morning and have no more metallic taste in my mouth, less burps and burning in my gut and feel less full after I eat. You may want to try it. I forgot to take it this morning and my symptoms came back (burping after I eat, and burning) so it's working for me. I have been having good luck with fish lately and have steered away from beef and chicken after my MRT results showed I was sensitive to both. Good luck to you.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 7:49 pm

Cathy,

What fish do you eat? My favorites were tilapia and rainbow trout, but since they get such a bum rap I have stopped, and am trying to find substitutes.

I made a great coconut fish curry with rockfish the other day. It really is delicious. But other than in something like that I don't really like rockfish unless it's breaded and fried, and that's out.
Salmon is out for me. Cod is super expensive.
I am trying to find fish that I like.

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:24 pm

Well, I went to Trader Joe's and got some sunbutter and vitamin D3, then tonight I got some Zantac. I was taking a multivitamin for several months and just stopped a few weeks ago when I was trying to figure things out (now I think the problem was I was taking the vitamin right before bedtime instead of on a full stomach--I remember prenatal vitamins didn't agree with me if I took them that way). Since I have cut out whole food GROUPS, and not just individual foods, I really felt I needed to be taking something. I had to take some Immodium this morning because things were rather iffy and I had to go to work, but I felt really lousy for about half the day.

I am really scared of fish. I had an awful reaction after eating swai, and when I researched it I found that it had been treated with tripolyphosphate (it keeps the fish from falling apart). I have had bad reactions to other meats with preservatives, so I figured that was most likely the culprit, not the fish. The problem is that the FDA currently does not require that labels declare the presence of tripolyphosphate, and it's used extensively for seafood. That was one of the worst reactions I've had, and I don't want to repeat it!

Zizzle, thanks for the insight on Ultra-inflam. I will look up your post as well. I haven't been eating breakfast because I can't think of anything I can eat that sounds good that early in the morning. I usually just have coffee. Not a great way to start the day, but there you go.

BTW, what's safe for Vitamin D? The capsules I got are supposed to be 250% of your RDA.