A shift in my reason to be here...

misskerouac
misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
edited November 2024 in Motivation and Support
I started MFP in November for the same reason as most....to lose weight.

In mid December I woke up one morning covered in hives. They got worse, and worse. From my scalp to my toes.

I lived with it for a few weeks thinking it was something external but after a while I knew it had to be something else. Went to the doctor and they referred me to an allergy specialist as she was pretty sure it was something I was eating, I got an appointment....in October of 2012.

So I went to seek other help. Went to a naturopath (would have been my first choice but they are quite pricey) and they put me on an elimination diet of no wheat/dairy/eggs/citrus. As well I need to take this rice protein powder supplement and UNDA drops to help detox my liver to help get rid of the hives. After a few week the hives improved DRASTICALLY. Still a bit here and there but 1000X better than before. And also I FELT so much better.

I had blood taken yesterday to get a food panel done and in 2 weeks i'll finally find out what it is I'm intolerant too.

So this has got me thinking in a new way the last couple months, I still want to lose weight, and am slowly, but now tracking my food, exercising, getting enough water and sleep has come to be a much bigger part of my life.

I was sort of forced to think of this as a life change, which is good. I am realizing how important it is to listen to my body and take cues. I need to listen when it needs a bit more sleep, that if i'm hungry i might actually be thirsty, that if my stomach doesn't feel good go back to my diary and look what I ate (is there something there that has made me feel bad before?).

Anyways, I want to thank all my MFP friends for being supportive and helpful while i've been going through all this. It's not an easy task to be told you can't have wheat, dairy, eggs, or citrus (i've learnt wheat is in frigging everything). But you all have made it bearable.

:)

Replies

  • CharityPearce
    CharityPearce Posts: 215
    Good luck finding what is making you ill. I agree that MFP should be about a lifestyle change, even if weight is the main reason you're here. Health is so often linked to nutrition, and this site is awesome for tracking that for any reason. : )
  • 1996gtstang
    1996gtstang Posts: 279 Member
    bacon would be a safe bet
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    bacon would be a safe bet

    bacon is ALWAYS a safe bet lol

    I looked into "eating for your blood type" but it said I should avoid bacon. That broke the deal for me.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    Good luck finding what is making you ill. I agree that MFP should be about a lifestyle change, even if weight is the main reason you're here. Health is so often linked to nutrition, and this site is awesome for tracking that for any reason. : )

    Thank you! I can't wait for my test to come back. I just don't want to have to avoid wheat, dairy and eggs if it's only 1 or 2 of those things that I actually need to avoid. I mean, bread is delicious!
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    I'm sorry you're going through all of this! I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have to change everything you eat so drastically. I hope when you get your results back you will be able to add some stuff back in. You have such a great attitude about it already :smile:
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I'm sorry you're going through all of this! I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have to change everything you eat so drastically. I hope when you get your results back you will be able to add some stuff back in. You have such a great attitude about it already :smile:

    Thanks :)
    I'm trying very hard to just accept that it's what has to be done.
    I had a 3 day break this past weekend as that stuff needed to be in my system for the blood test and I thought it was going to be awesome, nope, my stomach felt AWFUL and my skin went back to being horribly itchy and covered in hives. So that was a nice little reminder to stay on track lol
  • gemiwing
    gemiwing Posts: 1,525 Member
    Good for you for a great mindset change! I got used to eliminating foods after about a month of feeling SO much better. I hope your tests come back super fast!!
  • Fayve
    Fayve Posts: 406 Member
    I'm so impressed with your dedication in all of this! I'm so interested to see what the results bring back, and I hope you can figure out a plan that brings some long-lasting relief sometime down the line :)
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I'm so impressed with your dedication in all of this! I'm so interested to see what the results bring back, and I hope you can figure out a plan that brings some long-lasting relief sometime down the line :)

    Yeah right now it's just frustrating because I'm trying to "make do" so to speak. Once I know what specifically I need to cut out I can start working on looking for more alternatives and learning to cook accordingly. The panel is 96 (If I remember correctly) different foods, so it'll be interesting to see the results. It tests each food and tells you to "avoid" or "moderate" it or if it's ok to eat.
  • marz1pan
    marz1pan Posts: 120 Member
    I'm really glad we're MFP friends, and it has been awesome having your supportive presence. I completely understand where you're coming from -- MFP has been a tool for me to figure out what in the hell I'm eating that's causing me extreme abdominal pain as much as it has been about weight loss. I hope you're on the verge of figuring it out.
  • Symphony6
    Symphony6 Posts: 116 Member
    Can't wait til that panel comes back and you have some answers!!! I have really felt for you the last month, having to find alternatives that are not so easy to find, and toughing out life with those hives. You have done a great job, girl!
  • SmallerBecky
    SmallerBecky Posts: 177
    I'm so glad you went to a naturopath--that is what I want to be "when I grow up" (I am already 34)! I hope you find out what is ailing you. Yes, wheat is in soooo many foods and I have a friend who has celiac disease. I can't imagine trying to cut it completely out of my life! That has to be very difficult! Good luck to you!
  • vabrewer33
    vabrewer33 Posts: 185
    I am gluten and dairy free (allergy to both) and it is tough in the beginning but after a while you will find things to eat. There are sooo many more choices for gluten and dairy free people out there. I know more and more stores are adding "gluten free" sections to their shelves with helps a lot and health/natural food stores also carry a lot of gluten/dairy free foods. You can add me and if you need any help at all with food choices with limitations let me know! I've had this for 6 years and I'm pretty much a pro now :) Good luck!!
  • rima933
    rima933 Posts: 151 Member
    You are doing a really good job and being very patient. I love the way you are handling it with such a good attitude! Happy that you are my friend.:smile:
  • 2hmom
    2hmom Posts: 241 Member
    Sounds like you will get some answers. I lnow so many with allergies,celiac disease and lactose intolerant,we probably all do. Good luck.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    Thanks guys! You all have been so patient and supportive!!

    I'm getting better at finding gluten free stuff. And I'm getting used to just not having bread. You can find wheat free bread, but it's hard to find it without egg and dairy too. I found one but it had about 20 chemicals in it so I didn't even bother.

    Cheese is tough. Soy cheese is gross. But I'll get used to not having it eventually.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    Sounds like you will get some answers. I lnow so many with allergies,celiac disease and lactose intolerant,we probably all do. Good luck.

    It's funny, when I was looking into eating for my blood type it seems a lot of the stuff i'm having trouble with I shouldn't be eating anyways, so maybe there is some legitimacy to eating specifically for your blood type, at least for some people. I'm going to compare my test results with my blood type foods and see how it correlates.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I'm so glad you went to a naturopath--that is what I want to be "when I grow up" (I am already 34)! I hope you find out what is ailing you. Yes, wheat is in soooo many foods and I have a friend who has celiac disease. I can't imagine trying to cut it completely out of my life! That has to be very difficult! Good luck to you!

    I would love to always see a naturopath instead of my regular doctor but my insurance only covers 200$ a year. And doesn't cover any products, only services, so it gets kind of expensive. Right now for this, I don't mind paying, everything is slowly getting better and I feel better. I just wish medical insurance would recognize how beneficial it is to see a naturopath instead of just taking drugs.
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