Hi All,
Sorry this is such a long post...I was doing great with my diet for about a week--eating no gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, bad starches and carbs. Basically I was starting to feel better each day by sticking to eggs, bananas, chicken, fish, turkey, beef, bone broth, veggies, and occasionally some almond butter. I totally blew it this weekend. I had pizza, chocolate, ice cream, oreos, and peanut butter. I am so sick today and am back to square one. I really need support as my family still eats all of these things and they are in my home. No chance in removing them, sorry. I am fine until around 8:00 at night. That is when the cravings are unbearable. I feel like an addict in need of crack or heroin! I attribute this to my adrenal insufficiency. So words of encouragement/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Second thing is I am very anxious about my colonoscopy on Thursday (I haven't been "officially" diagnosed with MC yet). I am worried the doctor won't take enough biopsies to diagnose me. I am also worried he won't listen to me when I ask him to test for the mastocytic enterocolitis. In the past, this man has treated me like crap--like everything is all in my head. In 2012, I had to travel to the University of Minnesota to get diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, though he could have diagnosed me here in Albany, NY. One of the reasons I went back to him is that he WILL test for MC though my other local GI wouldn't. So, I am worried this MC will never come to light. Also, I am terrified of the prep as I have been able to function on Imodium. They want me to take 4 laxatives and drink a whole bottle of Miralax (which I here is bad for you). I would rather just use epsom salts. The whole thing gives me anxiety.
Thanks,
Brooke
In Need of Support with Diet and Worried About Colonoscopy
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
-
brookevale
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:15 am
- Location: United States
In Need of Support with Diet and Worried About Colonoscopy
Strongly believe I have a form of MC that began to flare December 27, 2013.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
HI Brooke, Depending on how much D you had after pizza, oreos and ice cream you may not need much of the Miralax and laxatives. When I had my colonoscopy I drank Go-lytely and found it to be tolerable. At least it didn't give me cramping which I hear the Miralax and laxatives will. Any chance you could ask for a different prep? None of them are fun. What I did with the Go-lytely which was supposed to be lemon flavored was put a green apple Jolly Rancher in my mouth and sucked down the Go-lytely solution with a straw. It was tolerable in spite of the fact I was very ill at the time and that included horrid daily nausea.
I don't know how many biopsies it takes for a diagnosis. I just know that the surgeon that did my scope said he took several from different areas "because everything else looked good". I would think it wouldn't take a lot of biopsies to find the embedded white cells, but hopefully Tex or Polly will weigh-in and you'll have a more expert opinion than mine.
Frankly cheating is so punishing that it simply isn't worth it, as you've already learned. For alternatives I've tried the Coconut milk ice cream and it's very good, both the chocolate and vanilla. I know some of us eat a bowl of rice Chex in the evening for a snack. You'll just need to find alternatives. Certainly you can't keep poisoning yourself. You might check out the recipe section. If you can tolerate almonds and almond flour I have a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I can't keep my family away from. Also the Morning Glory muffins are good. In moments of desperation I've combined almond butter with the Enjoy Life chocolate chips, rolled rice Chex in them and sprinkled on a little powdered sugar-- it's the alternative Muddie Buddies (or Puppy Chow). It might help to start Googling recipes and see what suits your fancy. It's a major step in the right direction when you find alternatives for the foods you miss.
take care,
Carol
I don't know how many biopsies it takes for a diagnosis. I just know that the surgeon that did my scope said he took several from different areas "because everything else looked good". I would think it wouldn't take a lot of biopsies to find the embedded white cells, but hopefully Tex or Polly will weigh-in and you'll have a more expert opinion than mine.
Frankly cheating is so punishing that it simply isn't worth it, as you've already learned. For alternatives I've tried the Coconut milk ice cream and it's very good, both the chocolate and vanilla. I know some of us eat a bowl of rice Chex in the evening for a snack. You'll just need to find alternatives. Certainly you can't keep poisoning yourself. You might check out the recipe section. If you can tolerate almonds and almond flour I have a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I can't keep my family away from. Also the Morning Glory muffins are good. In moments of desperation I've combined almond butter with the Enjoy Life chocolate chips, rolled rice Chex in them and sprinkled on a little powdered sugar-- it's the alternative Muddie Buddies (or Puppy Chow). It might help to start Googling recipes and see what suits your fancy. It's a major step in the right direction when you find alternatives for the foods you miss.
take care,
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
.jpg){kind=avatar}
I think of the foods I cannot eat as poison. That helps me resist any temptation that might spring up. I also can remember in an instant how sick I have been and that makes it easier to resist also. Plus I tell myself that I am not my cravings and that if I don't act on a craving it will go away. If you want to get well you have to stay away from the foods that make you sick. It's both as simple and as difficult as that, but the longer you stick with it the easier it will become. At least that has been my experience. Strange as this may sound, the diagnosis isn't really that important because the cure is pretty much the same, stay away from foods to which you are sensitive. There is a psychological advantage and sometimes a practical advantage to being officially diagnosed but in terms of treatment it doesn't make much difference.
Jean
Jean
Re: In Need of Support with Diet and Worried About Colonosco
Hi Brooke,brookevale wrote:Hi All,
Sorry this is such a long post...I was doing great with my diet for about a week--eating no gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, bad starches and carbs. Basically I was starting to feel better each day by sticking to eggs, bananas, chicken, fish, turkey, beef, bone broth, veggies, and occasionally some almond butter. I totally blew it this weekend. I had pizza, chocolate, ice cream, oreos, and peanut butter. I am so sick today and am back to square one. I really need support as my family still eats all of these things and they are in my home. No chance in removing them, sorry. I am fine until around 8:00 at night. That is when the cravings are unbearable. I feel like an addict in need of crack or heroin! I attribute this to my adrenal insufficiency. So words of encouragement/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Second thing is I am very anxious about my colonoscopy on Thursday (I haven't been "officially" diagnosed with MC yet). I am worried the doctor won't take enough biopsies to diagnose me. I am also worried he won't listen to me when I ask him to test for the mastocytic enterocolitis. In the past, this man has treated me like crap--like everything is all in my head. In 2012, I had to travel to the University of Minnesota to get diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, though he could have diagnosed me here in Albany, NY. One of the reasons I went back to him is that he WILL test for MC though my other local GI wouldn't. So, I am worried this MC will never come to light. Also, I am terrified of the prep as I have been able to function on Imodium. They want me to take 4 laxatives and drink a whole bottle of Miralax (which I here is bad for you). I would rather just use epsom salts. The whole thing gives me anxiety.
Thanks,
Brooke
In my case, it didn't take me more than once or twice of "poisining" myself (thanks for the good word Jean) with foods I couldn't tolerate to smarten me up! Hopefully, it will be the same for you. As others have already said, you just can't cheat with this disease if you want to feel better and start healing! As far as the colonoscopy prep, you need to just relax hun, you will be fine. It was a piece of cake for me. I was at my worst when I went in for the 1st one and "cleaning myself out" with the prep was easy compared to the 15-20 episodes of daily explosive d. I was experiencing. Hopefully others can chime in about the biopsies. My GI took numerous ones and I had a diagnosis within 2 days.
Hello, Brooke,
Your body is probably in real physical withdrawal from cutting out the foods you normally eat (especially sugar/carbs/starches), and that's why you have the cravings. It won't always be that way. I can eat coconut so I make a very simple macaroon cookie with a few Enjoy Life choc. chips, and I don't feel deprived at all. I also make a cookie with sunflower seed butter. Those are my two treats.
Holidays are especially difficult at first, with all the goodies and smells, but if I think about the long and painful reaction I have to the old foods, I quickly forget about wanting them. There really is a psychology in what you think about foods, and you can reason it out with yourself before you cross the line.
Also, tell yourself that the very strict diet you are on now won't always be the way you live. As you heal, you will be able to add more foods and feel more 'normal' around your family. Look into the Paleo diet, because your whole family would benefit from the experience. You can still eat a lot of foods that remind you of the old ones, but without all the bad stuff in them.....like pizza made from a cauliflower crust!
Chin up, and don't worry about the colonoscopy, as it will be over before you know it, and you'll have a diagnosis.
Did you say you were going to do the Enterolab testing soon....I can't recall.....
Your body is probably in real physical withdrawal from cutting out the foods you normally eat (especially sugar/carbs/starches), and that's why you have the cravings. It won't always be that way. I can eat coconut so I make a very simple macaroon cookie with a few Enjoy Life choc. chips, and I don't feel deprived at all. I also make a cookie with sunflower seed butter. Those are my two treats.
Holidays are especially difficult at first, with all the goodies and smells, but if I think about the long and painful reaction I have to the old foods, I quickly forget about wanting them. There really is a psychology in what you think about foods, and you can reason it out with yourself before you cross the line.
Also, tell yourself that the very strict diet you are on now won't always be the way you live. As you heal, you will be able to add more foods and feel more 'normal' around your family. Look into the Paleo diet, because your whole family would benefit from the experience. You can still eat a lot of foods that remind you of the old ones, but without all the bad stuff in them.....like pizza made from a cauliflower crust!
Chin up, and don't worry about the colonoscopy, as it will be over before you know it, and you'll have a diagnosis.
Did you say you were going to do the Enterolab testing soon....I can't recall.....
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
Brooke,
Here are my thoughts on the colonoscopy/biopsies: There's little point in trying to tell your GI doc how to do his job. First of all, from your description of him, he's not likely to pay any attention to a patient's suggestions anyway. Most specialists are not open to suggestions from patients advising them on how to do their job, and gastroenterologists seem especially prone to taking offense at the thought that a patient would try to tell them how to do their job. Secondly, there is little point in worrying about whether he does it right or not. What will happen will happen.
Either he knows how to diagnose MC or he doesn't. If he does, you will probably get a diagnosis. If he doesn't know what he's doing, you can worry until the cows come home, and it won't make a bit of difference in his performance. Worry only makes our symptoms worse.
While additional biopsies increase the odds of a successful diagnosis, if he takes at least a few samples, the odds of a successful diagnosis are reasonably high, and many patients have been diagnosed when only 1 or 2 biopsies were taken with a sigmoidoscope. The bottom line is, the fact that he will be taking biopsies should be sufficient for a diagnosis, so there is little point in worrying about the details. Life is too short to spend worrying.
The cleanout is almost always much worse than the exam itself, no matter which prep solution is used. I've tried 3 or 4 different ones, and they're all less palatable than polluted swamp water, IMO.
Tex
Here are my thoughts on the colonoscopy/biopsies: There's little point in trying to tell your GI doc how to do his job. First of all, from your description of him, he's not likely to pay any attention to a patient's suggestions anyway. Most specialists are not open to suggestions from patients advising them on how to do their job, and gastroenterologists seem especially prone to taking offense at the thought that a patient would try to tell them how to do their job. Secondly, there is little point in worrying about whether he does it right or not. What will happen will happen.
Either he knows how to diagnose MC or he doesn't. If he does, you will probably get a diagnosis. If he doesn't know what he's doing, you can worry until the cows come home, and it won't make a bit of difference in his performance. Worry only makes our symptoms worse.
While additional biopsies increase the odds of a successful diagnosis, if he takes at least a few samples, the odds of a successful diagnosis are reasonably high, and many patients have been diagnosed when only 1 or 2 biopsies were taken with a sigmoidoscope. The bottom line is, the fact that he will be taking biopsies should be sufficient for a diagnosis, so there is little point in worrying about the details. Life is too short to spend worrying.
The cleanout is almost always much worse than the exam itself, no matter which prep solution is used. I've tried 3 or 4 different ones, and they're all less palatable than polluted swamp water, IMO.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Brooke,
I concur with Tex, the clean out is the worst part.
In line with what I posted in your other thread, regardless of the outcome of the scope, the approach to achieve wellness is the same for any IBD /IBS;
-gluten free,
-dairy free
-removal of any other food triggers
-reduce stress
- removal of any medication triggers
- listen to your body...
In regards to your eating plan, how you proceed is up to you.
Your digestion is inflammed, if you continue eating those foods, the body's ability to heal will reduce.
For most of us, symptom free (or minimised symptoms) days becomes the preference.
Days free of pain, foggy brain, minimal toilet visits are worth the effort.
My advice stock the pantry and your workplace with gf/df snacks and staples don't strive for perfection first up, aim to stick with the DF/gf eating plan most of the time for the first few weeks, then once it is part of your daily routine, go for the perfection status of always.
Highly recommend finding a good protein shake, mixed this with coconut milk or almond milk etc, it is quick, easy, affordable meal replacement. When socialising /or going to working lunch meetings at work, take the protein shake
I concur with Tex, the clean out is the worst part.
In line with what I posted in your other thread, regardless of the outcome of the scope, the approach to achieve wellness is the same for any IBD /IBS;
-gluten free,
-dairy free
-removal of any other food triggers
-reduce stress
- removal of any medication triggers
- listen to your body...
In regards to your eating plan, how you proceed is up to you.
Your digestion is inflammed, if you continue eating those foods, the body's ability to heal will reduce.
For most of us, symptom free (or minimised symptoms) days becomes the preference.
Days free of pain, foggy brain, minimal toilet visits are worth the effort.
My advice stock the pantry and your workplace with gf/df snacks and staples don't strive for perfection first up, aim to stick with the DF/gf eating plan most of the time for the first few weeks, then once it is part of your daily routine, go for the perfection status of always.
Highly recommend finding a good protein shake, mixed this with coconut milk or almond milk etc, it is quick, easy, affordable meal replacement. When socialising /or going to working lunch meetings at work, take the protein shake
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Brooke.
Everyone is right about the "clean out" It's not fun and it's hard to get through, but you do. I did the one where I had to drink like two gallons of liquid. I did it more slowly then they said to and I stopped when what was coming out of me was clear. It's only one day. The actual exam is a piece of cake. Take a deep breath.
When it comes to your diet, only YOU can make it work. Since I council people on their eating habits for a living, it seems like you are still looking at this eating plan as a "diet". Many of my clients see their weight loss plan as a "diet" also. Temporary. NOT! JUST LIKE ANY SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS PLAN, THIS WAY OF EATING IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE. This diet is your medicine.
When you said that your family is eating all of these things and that it won't change, it seems like you are already putting road blocks in the way of your success. If your family is eating Pizza, cookies, and ice-cream, then they could stand to be eating a healthier diet also. Maybe those things that tempt you the most shouldn't be in the house and are relegated to "things that are eaten outside the home as a treat" My husband doesn't eat pizza in front of me. He knows it's just too hard for me. I know it's much more difficult when you have a family with kids. But it can be done…. and if you want to get better, it MUST be done.
If you are really strict with your new diet, then you can actually HEAL your gut. If you heal your gut, then you may be able to add certain foods back into your diet down the road. This process takes a lot of time, but after 6 months, I was able to add a few things in. After two years, I have added many things back in. I can even drink wine and eat spicy foods! But to be realistic, you will probably have to come to terms with the fact that certain foods, you may never be able to eat again ( without a relapse). Taking the Enterolab test will help you sort it all out.
Good luck with everything
Leah
Everyone is right about the "clean out" It's not fun and it's hard to get through, but you do. I did the one where I had to drink like two gallons of liquid. I did it more slowly then they said to and I stopped when what was coming out of me was clear. It's only one day. The actual exam is a piece of cake. Take a deep breath.
When it comes to your diet, only YOU can make it work. Since I council people on their eating habits for a living, it seems like you are still looking at this eating plan as a "diet". Many of my clients see their weight loss plan as a "diet" also. Temporary. NOT! JUST LIKE ANY SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS PLAN, THIS WAY OF EATING IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE. This diet is your medicine.
When you said that your family is eating all of these things and that it won't change, it seems like you are already putting road blocks in the way of your success. If your family is eating Pizza, cookies, and ice-cream, then they could stand to be eating a healthier diet also. Maybe those things that tempt you the most shouldn't be in the house and are relegated to "things that are eaten outside the home as a treat" My husband doesn't eat pizza in front of me. He knows it's just too hard for me. I know it's much more difficult when you have a family with kids. But it can be done…. and if you want to get better, it MUST be done.
If you are really strict with your new diet, then you can actually HEAL your gut. If you heal your gut, then you may be able to add certain foods back into your diet down the road. This process takes a lot of time, but after 6 months, I was able to add a few things in. After two years, I have added many things back in. I can even drink wine and eat spicy foods! But to be realistic, you will probably have to come to terms with the fact that certain foods, you may never be able to eat again ( without a relapse). Taking the Enterolab test will help you sort it all out.
Good luck with everything
Leah
Hi Brooke,
I am sure this is hard for you right now. I did my share of denial and anger and sadness and worry before I hit acceptance. It is a process. I am getting better. I recently went to a cocktail party with my own bowl of potato chips and a bottle of water. I found a little bowl of potato chips already on the table just for me!!! We had a good laugh and great conversation. I felt "part of" which made the party a success for me. I don't look at the food and feel sorry for myself like I did a few months ago and I will take feeling good over food any-day now!!!
Jean
I am sure this is hard for you right now. I did my share of denial and anger and sadness and worry before I hit acceptance. It is a process. I am getting better. I recently went to a cocktail party with my own bowl of potato chips and a bottle of water. I found a little bowl of potato chips already on the table just for me!!! We had a good laugh and great conversation. I felt "part of" which made the party a success for me. I don't look at the food and feel sorry for myself like I did a few months ago and I will take feeling good over food any-day now!!!
Jean
Everything will be ok in the end, if it's not ok, it's not the end.
-
brookevale
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:15 am
- Location: United States
Thank you again, Everyone! I stuck to the diet last night. I still don't feel great today but know it is a process.
Strongly believe I have a form of MC that began to flare December 27, 2013.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
I had the opposite experience with the Go-lytely than Carol had. I had severe chills/shaking and became very nauseaus. My husband and son said the miralax was ok. Eveyone is different in their tolerances. I'm on the three year plan for colonoscopies so this fall I will try the miralax. It can't possibly be worse than what I went through before. It's too bad we don't know which method is the best fit. Good luck!
It's hard giving up old ways of eating when everyone around you is fine eating all the good stuff. Repeatedly getting sick due to foods you know bother you will get old. It does get easier and you will find substitue treats. My dessert tonight was frozen blackberries blended in Silk chocolate almond milk. It was almost like ice cream. It satisfied my sweet tooth.
I've found some foods I simply can't have in the house because I will eat them during moments if weakness. That list is dwindling now too since it is easier to view foods as a poison once they've knocked you on your butt a few times. The severe cravings go away too. It does take your body time to adjust. Once that happens you can work on the mental part of it.
It's hard giving up old ways of eating when everyone around you is fine eating all the good stuff. Repeatedly getting sick due to foods you know bother you will get old. It does get easier and you will find substitue treats. My dessert tonight was frozen blackberries blended in Silk chocolate almond milk. It was almost like ice cream. It satisfied my sweet tooth.
I've found some foods I simply can't have in the house because I will eat them during moments if weakness. That list is dwindling now too since it is easier to view foods as a poison once they've knocked you on your butt a few times. The severe cravings go away too. It does take your body time to adjust. Once that happens you can work on the mental part of it.
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
-
brookevale
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:15 am
- Location: United States
Had my colonoscopy this morning. Prep wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be. I mixed the miralax with part water and part coconut water. I think that helped. I could only get a few words out to GI doc before I passed out from anesthesia. He decided to do an endoscopy as well. Everything looked normal except two 5mm polyps in sigmoid colon. Multiple biopsies were taken so I'll have to wait for results. In the discharge summary, he recommended the following tests: serum, chromogranin A level, 24 hr 5HIAA level, serum protein electrophoresis, and urine protein. I looked these up but wonder if any of you are familiar with these tests or had these tests.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Strongly believe I have a form of MC that began to flare December 27, 2013.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
HI Brook,
In the beginning, I went through food cravings and withdrawals. It takes time and patience but they eventually pass. Some of us actually end up eating better than we ever did in our lives. Your food tastes and preferences will change. I don't crave sugar now and I like foods I never liked before. Your comparison to addiction is right on, like an alcoholic who drinks knowing he'll be hungover in the morning, we sneak some pizza or popcorn... LOL!
Hang in there because it gets easier,
Cory
In the beginning, I went through food cravings and withdrawals. It takes time and patience but they eventually pass. Some of us actually end up eating better than we ever did in our lives. Your food tastes and preferences will change. I don't crave sugar now and I like foods I never liked before. Your comparison to addiction is right on, like an alcoholic who drinks knowing he'll be hungover in the morning, we sneak some pizza or popcorn... LOL!
Hang in there because it gets easier,
Cory
CoryGut
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Hi Brooke-
I don't post much here but I truly feel this site/group of folks changed my life!! I'm GF/DF/SF. You will go thru all the stages...denial and anger were my biggies, believe me!
Not to get too graphic but..i can give up ANYTHING food wise if it keeps me from pooping behind bushes or in bedpans in my car (ya, I work in a hospital...it only took me a few years and a few accidents in the car to get smart..).
I know it's tough to not be able to eat "what all the other kids are eating"..be that at home/work/a professional sports event or happy hour w/friends. You are different, will be different forever but once you get some control over this thing..you won't want to cheat. We all say that..but it's true. You will find things you can eat!! My coworkers are even hopping on board and thinking about me..we had a retirement party/potluck last Friday night and half the food was made with me in mind..bless them!
HockeyMom
I don't post much here but I truly feel this site/group of folks changed my life!! I'm GF/DF/SF. You will go thru all the stages...denial and anger were my biggies, believe me!
Not to get too graphic but..i can give up ANYTHING food wise if it keeps me from pooping behind bushes or in bedpans in my car (ya, I work in a hospital...it only took me a few years and a few accidents in the car to get smart..).
I know it's tough to not be able to eat "what all the other kids are eating"..be that at home/work/a professional sports event or happy hour w/friends. You are different, will be different forever but once you get some control over this thing..you won't want to cheat. We all say that..but it's true. You will find things you can eat!! My coworkers are even hopping on board and thinking about me..we had a retirement party/potluck last Friday night and half the food was made with me in mind..bless them!
HockeyMom
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are"-Teddy Roosevelt