Last update: 01.03.2009.
This was supposed to be day 17, but...
I got asked a few times about my situation, and why I follow a diet and if it works.
Firstly to say, it is not a diet in sense of counting calories and restricting food group types (not complete truth - you’ll see what I mean).
Situation:
Since I was 8 (or 10) years I had problem with allergies. Then, at the age of 18 I started getting problem with skin, something that one of the dermatologist called “dermatitis atopica”, (atypical), which in 98.75% cases means that the doctor has no idea what it is (that’s how my GP explaned it to me).
For the past 10 years, I’ve been under stress big time.
The skin problems got worse and at one point I started using the corticosteroid cremes. There was a period when I kept on using them for full three months without stopping until I got told off by my sister (she told me off big time – since that moment I started avoiding my Dutch GP).
Also. I had a few bad infections, so I got and used the antibiotics. I’d say I had those 5 times, usually 10 days treatment, all in the period of 7 years.
Then, last year and this year (2007/2008) the skin problem got super worse. I feel sorry I haven’t made photos of my hands. The skin on my hands was very brittle and it actually broke open and the blood and puss came out of it. It freaked me, my friends and people around me out.
That was the moment when I have finally decided to go and do something.
Process:
I went to the dermatologist, to make the allergy tests. No allergies.
My friend told me about the food intolerance test and I’ve had made one.
I went to “Poliklinika Analiza”, placed in Split, the institution that makes the test. I was tested on 95 different ingredients. Later on I have made some internet research, and found out that the name of the test is ImuPro 100.
There is also ImuPro 200 and ImuPro 300 test.
Results have shown that I have huge intolerance on cow’s milk and all produce made of cow milk; soy and all produce made of soy, cola (including coca-cola), cashew nuts, grape fruit, brown/red beans.
In a follow up conversation with the nutritionist/doctor I got explained what to eat and what not to eat, what to use and how.
The first few months:
My first week was a nightmare. I was completely lost. Completely!
Then the luck smiled at me and I found www.wholeapproach.com site.
That was a relief. I could actually learn something about my condition, and follow some rules to try and get feeling better.
But it was still a nightmare.
I had to get off the sugar and sweets completely. It took me three months to do that.
In that period I counted days when I was without any kind of sugar (fruit included, with the exception of lemons, and sporadic granny smith apples and oranges).
Also, in that period I ate cookies that were not sweetened by sugar, but all kind of other sweeteners (natural). To cut it off completely.
I tried to eat as much fiber as possible, lots of vegetable, lots of granes that I am not intolerant to. Also, because of Candida, it was suggested to avoid wheat and anything made with wheat flour for at least 6 months. Reason, there might have been mould prior to being processed. Also to avoid mushrooms, to avoid vinegar, or anything that came out of the fermentation process (miso, apple vinegar). Also the tomato sauces/juices/concentrates, as there might have been mould on them too.
No dried fruit, as there is a special additive, plus might have been mould on, no ready-made food, no ready made dressings for salad, lots of no, no no’s.
The normal, usual shopping took hours instead of usual max 30 minutes.
I had to read every single product I was interested in to check for the sugar, or milk, or any other ingredient I am not allowed to eat.
That’s when I started following what I eat and tried to make the blog (also for my two friends who follow the same diet)
Since then my only vice are crisps. (From time to time I have a HUGE craving for a “Kettle” natural crisps (potato chips)).
Unfortunately, it’s still going on. But with a bit of will and a bit of persistence it’ll be ok.
In the mean time, I have found the lab in the Netherlands (god save internet!) that does the same test, but much wider – 277 ingredients, which includes additives and food and colouring and all other stuff.
Well, I want that test. It’s called ImuPro 300 Test.
Will let you know how it went.
Only want to add that the problem with food intolerance is that it might show (and might not show to outside – my intolerance goes to my skin mostly) much later.
Right now (03.11.2008.) I have a reaction on something, but no idea on what. It might have been something I have eaten in Vienna (beginning of October), but might be something from the last week…
Ah, just wish me luck.
Here is the newest update (05.02.2009.)
After trillion years and not being sure and being afraid what will happen and if I have developed any new intolerances and if darn CA has been eradicated, here is the result:
CA is gone! Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
Nah, praise myself for being persistent. And being good girl and taking care of myself.
But I have developed new ones. Now listen to this.
The test has four levels.
If intolerant to the ingredients from the fourth level, it's been advised not to use them for a year.
Level three ingredients to be avoided for 32 weeks (8 months)
Level two to be avoided for 16 weeks (4 months).
Level one to be avoided for 8 weeks (2 months).
I have no level four.
Level three: all grains containing gluten, then E412 (Guar gum), Macadamia nut, Peanuts and cranberry (veenbes in Dutch).
Level two: again cranberries (no idea why twice...), complete chicken egg, cow milk, coffee, poppy seed, nutmeg, Brazilian nuts, catfish.
Level two: egg white, egg yolk, agar-agar (E406), almonds, amarath (grain), pineapple, cashew nut, red algae, goat milk/cheese, ginger, honey (mixture), squid, kiwi, black pepper, pine tree seeds, pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds, ricotta, sheep milk/cheese, shiitake mushrooms, vanilla, sunflower seeds.
Basically almost everything that I have been relying on (too heavily, obviously) qua food for the past 7 months. Great! Just great!
Well, I have decided not to be bothered too much.
Yes, I will avoid these ingredients as much as possible, BUT I will not avoid them completely. I simply think my body still needs to recognise these ingredients.
So, for now no milk for me (unless cooked), no bread for me (ok, once a week). And the rest just incorporate somehow.
I am a bit dispirited.
Wish me luck!
01.03.2009.
Confession: I have sinned badly. I ate cakes and cookies and chocolate and bread and honey.
And got the metal taste back! I hate it!
Have resolution, though...
New year of my life, new habits. So, no more sugar, no more alcohol, reduce everything I have intolerance on, and start four day rotation diet.
And yes, I'll make it. I have to, remember? :S
Btw, I hate planning meals! I've been always much better in ad hoc situations (qua food).
Love to you all,
T.
Post je objavljen 25.06.2008. u 16:53 sati.