Seriously sad Enterolab results

[tcbolander]

So I got my results back yesterday and I have no idea what to eat! I've been reading through things but since everyone is different I thought I would post.

Of course I reacted to Gluten, Dairy, and Soy which I have been off for about 6 weeks now and am doing so much better. Eggs though were super high for me which shocked me because I've never reacted to them!

I didn't have any +3's which is nice but my +2's were Oat, Corn, Rice, Chicken, Tuna, Walnut, Almond, and Cashew. THEN my +1's were Beef, Pork and White Potato.

I also know I react heavily to refined sugars, legumes of any kind, raw fruits and some raw vegetables. Seriously...seems like the only thing I can eat is turkey and sweet potato! Deep breath...moving on.

So, here are my questions:
1. Can you ignore the +1's
2. Is it ok to take a few weeks and work yourself down?
3. Is there any kind of bread or milk that would fit my results?
4. I have never had a reaction to rice or chicken. Is it possible the results could be wrong?

Thank you in advance. I'm trying really hard not to panic.

[dhouts]

Mine were similar to your results. For protein I now eat pork, turkey, lamb, duck. For non dairy, I switched to coconut. I use it in my coffee, whip it up and it's delicious. I've cut out bread because gf bread is generally made with products that we can't eat. Should I find something made with red potato flour, I might try it. Currently, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, cooked soft carrots, and cauliflower are my go to veggies. My bf combines several berries and pear or apple and simmers them, he adds a little sugar but you can add stevia. I eat a little bit at a time and I'm not reacting.

I've tried eating out and I've discovered that it's a challenge. Last night, after my boyfriend had food poisoning, we've decided to eat at home and do things not centered around food or bring our own. He's cleaned up his diet because of my needs and now he's reacting to my non safe foods. Interesting, no?

I understand that you can alternate the 1+ foods, but I don't. Chicken is a 1+ for me but I omitted it. I'm pretty sure that I was reacting to it so I've decided not to include it into my diet.

My bf found a vegetarian bouillon at whole foods that is delicious. He made turkey-vegetable soup for me this week that was so good after a bout with a brutal stomach virus. He must make more!

I only drink one cup of coffee per day, after that it's herbal tea with local honey. I've discovered David's Tea, pricey but fresh and delicious. I also drink a lot of water I am religious about taking my supplements; particularly vitamin D, K, and magnesium.

I'm focusing on what I can eat, rather than what I can't. I'm vigilant about reading labels because I worry about the hidden soy in products. I did find a product at Whole Foods called Go Raw, because sometimes I like to have a snack that I can chew! It comes in several flavors, I like the lemon one.

It's easy to panic and feel overwhelmed but there are plenty of foods out there that we can eat and please visit the recipe section of this site that will give you helpful ideas. You're not alone.

[tcbolander]

Thank you Diana for the thoughtful response and ideas on what to eat! It really is overwhelming but you make it sound doable and edible. It is so comforting to be able to come to this forum here at the beginning and find people who KNOW and have succeeded.

I haven't checked the recipe section! Being new I forget there are things like that on the forum. I'm grateful it is winter coming and I can eat soups and porriage made of vegetables I can eat. And it is very interesting that your BF had a reaction to eating out. It makes you wonder how many people are wandering around with inflammation and not even aware yet that a disease could be brewing in their body.

I'm grateful again for your response and ideas. I have so much to learn but the biggest thing I need right now is patience with myself and with my body. Love from the forum helps a ton too! xoxo

[tex]

So, here are my questions:

1. Can you ignore the +1's

That depends. What was your overall score on the "11 other antigenic foods"?

2. Is it ok to take a few weeks and work yourself down?

Yes. In fact Dr. Fine recommends doing that.

3. Is there any kind of bread or milk that would fit my results?

Besides the coconut milk, there is hemp milk, but many of us seem to have problems with the hemp milk (perhaps because of the fact that hemp is a legume). Note that most of us who are sensitive to almonds and even almond butter, can use almond milk without any problems. I wouldn't guarantee that it is safe for you, but there's a good chance that it may be.

Bread is a tough one because most breads contain a lot of ingredients and the odds that we will not react to one or more ingredients is relatively slim for those of us who have many food sensitivities.

4. I have never had a reaction to rice or chicken. Is it possible the results could be wrong?

That depends on your overall score for those 11 foods. If it's below 10, you can disregard all of the results. If it's above 30 or so, even some of the 1+ foods will probably cause problems.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

take it a meal at a time, figure out some safe breakfast options, then work on dinner or lunch etc...
a good motto is 'progress not perfection'

re the milk - what do you want to use the milk for?

bread - similar to tex's reply, I am skeptical if there would be a commercially available safe bread for you. you may be able to make savoury paleo muffins (if you use the search function you will find LOTS of discussions and recipes for this - egg free too)

re the question as to whether you are reacting to rice and chicken - are you currently taking any medications that would be reducing your inflammation reactions?
how often were you having them?

[tcbolander]

Thanks Tex!

My mean score was 28 so I'm close to 30 but not quite there. That is great to know about the Almond milk. I purchased some Flaxmilk to see how that is.

I've decided I'm cutting out all the 2+ for now except the rice. The 1+ I'm keeping for now although I will probably end up eliminating nightshades in the future since I've heard they have a strong correlation to inflammatory arthritis (which I have).

Questions on nuts: It says to avoid Walnuts, Almonds, and Cashews....does that mean I need to try to avoid all tree nuts or just those three? Also, I know peanuts are a legume but do people with MC react to those like they do other legumes?

Thanks again for your response. I know you've probably answered the same questions a hundred times but there is so much data out there (and in the forum) it is hard to navigate so I really appreciate your time!

[tcbolander]

Hi Gabes.

"Progress not perfection" is a good motto and one that I have struggled with my entire life. When I do things...I'm in it 100% so moderation is a struggle and "perfection pending" really messes with my OCD. I'm working on it though.

I just really like milk! I love hot cereal so I'm trying buckwheat this week and will want milk with it. I also just found a Vegan Tapioca loaf of bread online so we will see how that tastes. If I can have bread and milk...I can fill in the blanks. Isn't that funny how we build our meals around certain things?

I am going to give up the chicken but I'm keeping rice for now (my pet chickens will be thrilled ). I am not on any medications as I've been waiting for a rheumatology appointment for a few months and I stopped taking my NSAIDS when I was diagnosed. My appointment is still a month away--there is a real shortage of Rheumatologists here in the Phoenix area. I'm just looking for any kind of relief and if eating better will make my joints feel even a little better--it is worth whatever I give up.

Thanks!
Tory

[Gabes-Apg]

I would be cautious about the buckwheat cereal - it has a high fibre content (which is not ideal for MC'ers)
the other issue is the handling and processing of buckwheat, it is high risk for contaminates of wheat
given that you reacted to oat, rice and corn, I would be very cautious about any type of grain

keep in mind that gluten free breads are not the same as wheat bread. Majority are ok toasted, but dont work so well as a sandwich.
and many breads use soy based gums to bind the bread (especially vegan products) double check all the ingredients.

I have been gluten and lactose free for 16 years, and gluten, soy, dairy, yeast free for 7 years. It is hard to remember a time I was reliant on them. The other aspect to life with MC is that protein, namely animal protein is the priority to optimise healing.
I would encourage you to spend your energy finding available protein sources that settle well and that you can incorporate into your eating plan.

removing triggers and increasing magnesium intake with good quality magnesium will go along way to helping joint pain, most people here can be 'pain free' within months of giving up main triggers and resolving magnesium deficiency.

[tcbolander]

Fantastic advice Gabes. Thank you!

[tex]

Questions on nuts: It says to avoid Walnuts, Almonds, and Cashews....does that mean I need to try to avoid all tree nuts or just those three?

Hopefully only those three. The reason why EnteroLab tests for antibodies to those nuts is because they are the most likely to cause problems.

Also, I know peanuts are a legume but do people with MC react to those like they do other legumes?

Yes, at least that's true in most cases. A reaction against peanuts at the end of the summer, a year ago, was the first clue that I had become sensitive to soy (and other legumes). Roughly 10 years ago, l tested negative to soy. But after the peanut reaction (my gut stopped working, and digestion completely stopped), an EnteroLab test showed that I am now sensitive to soy.

While I was writing my previous post, the thought occurred to me that there might be a simple reason why so many of us have problems tolerating hemp milk. It doesn't seem to actually makes us sick, or trigger D (in most cases), but it commonly causes minor to moderate bloating, and sometimes minor aches and pains or headaches. So I quickly looked up the keywords "hemp" and "legume", and the first thing that popped up were articles about "sunn hemp", confirming that it was a legume, I immediately thought, "Bingo!", and I didn't look any further. But as Rosie pointed out to me in an email, there are 2 different groups of plants referred to as "hemp". And while sunn hemp is indeed a legume, the plants in the cannabis genera are not legumes. And of course hemp milk is made from cannabis seeds. Thanks Rosie.

Quinoa is another GF alternative for cereal. However many members here seem to have problems with it. It is commonly cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains that are added during the drying process to help speed up drying. If those added grains are not completely removed (which is difficult), the Quinoa is cross-contaminated with gluten. If you decide to try quinoa, always choose a Kosher product, because those are certified gluten-free.

I hope that some of this is helpful

Tex

[tcbolander]

Tex, this is all so very helpful! I appreciate all your kind responses as I start my healing journey. The hope you all give me is powerful.

[ldubois7]

Tori,

I did eat nuts (soaked & dehydrated and then made into nut butter) while I was healing. Dr. Fines office suggested that I try other nuts (then what they test for) so I did hazelnuts, pumpkin & sunflower seeds, & macadamia nuts. I only did them in small quantities, but I needed the protein & fat.