Frustrated and Depressed

[arizwldcat]

Every time I think I'm on the road to recovery, I have a setback. This time it's not quite clear what caused it. I am eating meats (usually turkey, pork, beef, bacon (sparingly)) Last week I was talked into going to Chick Fil A by well meaning friends. They have grilled chicken nuggets, and usually their french fries are okay for me. So that's what I had. That was Friday. Sunday I had a normal BM, then WD one time. I was okay the next day. Then, my husband grilled chicken for me Wednesday night. We haven't been having chicken very often. The next day, I had one normal BM in the morning, followed 2 hours later by WD, one time. I was okay for the rest of the day. Same thing today (Friday). I am guessing the chicken is the culprit. I cook my rice in chicken stock that I buy at Costco. Have been doing that since October, with no obvious problems. So, could it be just the brand of chicken? We used Foster Farms frozen breasts from Costco. I was under the impression that meat wasn't really a cause of my problem.I also had a small piece of avocado on Wednesday and Thursday; had had avocado before without any adverse reaction. Maybe that was the problem, though? I have also stopped by B complex supplement, as supplements have been causing problems for me.

My Enterolab results did say that several things were in the 1 category, like chicken, tuna, corn, oats, potato. Wayne (Tex) looked my results and said that I should probably continue avoiding the big 4 (gluten, soy, dairy, eggs) and keep track of some of the others, like corn and oats. I haven't even felt ready to try corn and oats yet. I've been eating white potatoes every day since day 1 (Day 1 being October 11, when I started my G, D, E, and S free diet) and I don't think they're a cause of problems.

Did this happen to anyone else? Normal and WD happening on the same day? For extended periods of time (several days)? I can't seem to get to remission and stay there. I keep thinking I need to just stick to the basic foods. But it's been 3 months. Shouldn't I have had more progress by now? It's so depressing to think I'm getting better (several days of normal) and then hit the WD once again.

Guess I just need to whine.

[tex]

Kris,

Your overall score on the 11 other antigenic foods (including chicken) was 15, so the chicken could certainly be a problem. Looking at the label on the Costco's chicken stock shows onion juice concentrates (onion is a problem for many of us when recovering) and natural flavor (which can be almost anything). Of course the problem might simply be the chicken used to make the stock.

You say "Same thing today (Friday)." Do you mean following having chicken (or rice cooked in chicken stock) the previous day (Thursday)?

A normal BM (first BM in the morning) followed by WD is a transition stage that happens to some of us when going into or out of remission.

Tex

[arizwldcat]

Sorry...by same thing, I meant the normal bm followed by watery d 2 hrs later, and then no BM for the rest of the day. I avoided chicken after Thursday’s WD, didn’t eat my rice as it was cooked in the chicken stock.

Well, hopefully, this is a “going into” instead of “coming out of” remission. Feels like I just keep going forward a little then backward, and never really stay in remission for more than a few days.

[Gabes-Apg]

i would also check the other ingredients of the stock - there might be some other minor ingredients that are causing these slight intermittant reactions

Also - rice (depending on the brand and type of rice) may have excess arsnic and other chemicals
why have rice? it has next to no nutritional value compared to having well cooked safe vegetables

[T]

I have the same problem and have concluded broth and stock have to many spices but we don't think it tastes to spicy and with me I have been diagnosed with bile reflux and acid reflux (to many Dr's) so I suspect to much acid in my stomach try making your own broth like bone broth I have been going through the same thing as Tex said (In and out of remission) first BM impressive but the next 2 was A let down
hang in there and keep fighting we will all get there in due time I refuse to give up.

Terry

[arizwldcat]

Terry, Gabes, Tex thanks. It helps to know that others are having the same experiences..it’s our “normal”. Will keep on keeping on. I was hoping I’d be better off by now. Leaving on our cruise in 3 weeks. Oh well. Focusing on other fun activities instead of food.

[brandy]

Kris,

I would suspect any foods from Chik Fil A to be gluten contaminated as they sell a lot of foods that are "breaded by hand" at each local restaurant.
https://www.chick-fil-a.com/About/Great-Food, They also sell a lot of biscuits although it is tough to tell if they are made local at each restaurant or shipped in premade.

Generally the following types of restaurants are problematic for us due to gluten flour settling on "gluten free food options" making us sick: pizzarias, restaurants that make their own biscuits and baked goods, and restaurants that sell a lot of fried foods that are breaded locally. Gluten free chicken nuggets and GF salads are typically contaminated with gluten dust at these establishments.

Safest products to order at Chik Fil A would be coffee, iced tea and for those in remission lemonade.

PS. If you are having any solid stool you are on the way to recovery. Think positive.

I am in remission but restaurants are problematic. I've never had problems at Outbacks and Five Guys. I stopped going to Ruby Tuesdays because it was a crapshoot. I'd react about 50% of the time.

[arizwldcat]

Thanks, Brandy :) I hesitated to go anywhere but home to eat while I'm still reacting, but my friends feel like they can help me by taking me to a restaurant. I keep telling them I am okay eating my same old same old because I am pretty sure it is helping me heal. Any time I go out, I worry that I will have a reaction. I am a bit worried about the cruise, but I hear that cruise ships are very good about dietary restrictions. Hopefully, this one week one set me back too far.

[tex]

Hopefully, this one week one set me back too far.

With any luck at all, it may help. Stress is a big part of this disease, and as you point out, cruise lines are very good about providing safe food for passengers with restricted diets. This will allow you to get away from it all and relax without having to worry about anything.

Tex

[carolm]

Hi Kris- I’ve started steering my friends toward activities other than eating- shopping, museums, or just going out for coffee where they have the option of getting a snack and I can pass easily. Sometimes if headed to a restaurant I’ve just said ‘I’ll go with you guys but I really need to play it safe this week. I’ll just probably get a drink. I can’t afford to get sick this week”. Over time they get it. I know our friends mean well but taking us out to eat while we are struggling to heal can be very counterproductive.

It does get better. I’m in remission and do well at fine dining restaurants where the chef and staff are savvy about food sensitivities and cross- contamination. It just takes time to get there. Don’t hesitate to tell your friends what you really need. They just want to spend time with you and will flex to what you need.

Enjoy your cruise- it sounds great!
Carol

[Janie]

Like you Carol, I find upscale restaurants are better choices. Now if I can get my friends to go there instead of the junk places. But I am in remission and eat out once in awhile so steak and seafood are the best places for me.

[arizwldcat]

Thanks, Carol and Janie. I’m happy to eat at home these days, but sometimes you can’t (when traveling, for instance), so it’s good to have plan