The Petite Filet has not been physically well in some time. Because some of her problems came about right after we were married, we joked (though it wasn't funny) about how she was probably allergic to me, or to marriage, or both. It's coming up on six years so she's built up at least some immunity, right?
Let's step back in time for a brief trip down memory lane, a road paved with daggers of pain and quackish doctors ...
Doctor No. 1, aka Baldy Hedgehog
He attributed the PF's stomach ailments to being a "gut reactor" and having too much stress. In essence, her problems were all in her head. He rarely listened to her when she described the problems. That's when we knew it was time to move on to
Doctor No. 2, aka Sprinter Balldribbler
He listened to the PF quite well, but his staff was not helpful at all. Because the support staff is who we dealt with most of the time, this was not meant to be for long. Anyhow, because the problems seemed digestive-related, he referred her to
Doctor No. 3, aka Friendly Colonstretcher
He is a great specialist, and if I could spell his specialty you'd know exactly what he does for a living. A colonoscopy (gulp) found that the PF was not having any sort of digestive problems at the time. But he referred her to
Doctor No. 4, aka Gynosaur Cooliosis
A great "female" doctor, he said the symptoms seem like endomitriosis (pardon the spelling). Only surgery would let us know for sure. It turned out that was the case, and with a few zaps of the laser, most of it was gone. If you don't know about the disease, it is actually quite common in American women and can be exacerbated by the hormones injected into our food. While it doesn't necessary prevent pregnancy, enough of the growth on certain parts can make it difficult. We were told it would eventually grow back, and that if we did want children, maybe we should take a stab at it. Little did we know just how quickly we'd get pregnant, but we felt ready as we could be. We'd been married for three years (both at age 25), so why not? We were blessed with the Cutlet, still a blessing 2 years and counting.
Doctor No. 5, aka Hippy Roundmelon
Here's a great primary care physician with a great staff (go figure!) and he actually listens. The PF went to him because of nagging headaches she kept getting. That problem solved, she seemed to be doing fine until it became quite clear she couldn't eat about anything without having a reaction. After living on Immodium AD for three weeks, her mom referred her to
Doctor No. 6, aka Dr. Trippy Feelgood, Naturalist
This guy is apparently one of only five in the country who specializes in the sometimes freaky form of medicine he practices. It is very natural, herby and organic especially the diagnosis but the PF said his explanations for her problems seem to make the most sense. What's the word? She is allergic to wheat and several other things that is unfortunately a major ingredient in about 70 percent of the processed foods in this country. She is also lactose intolerant, but also allergic to the soy milk (all the hormones) we replaced dairy milk with years ago. He gave her a temporary cleansing regimen that's supposed to clean her out (and but good), and then gave her a temporary rebuild supply of supplements.
I like the temporary. Nobody wants to live life on a bunch of pills. However, the allergy is possibly forever, and that means we'll have to radically change the way we eat. No more happy fun time with flour tortillas and loaves of normal bread. The best thing I can do is support her. We both found that we eat a lot better without "bad" things in the house, so we'll do an even better job at being selective at the store.
The moral to the story, according to Dr. Feelgood, is that the allergies are part genetics and also attributable to SAD (an annoyingly clever acronym that stands for the Standard American Diet). Most of us (be honest) eat like total crap, and may have developed allergies to the very things that pass our lips without knowing it. Sounds like doom-and-gloom at first, but we're going to give his advice a whirl. It can't hurt at this point.
For now, the PF is feeling rather icky thanks to a two- or three-day detox period. Then, with the right food and support, I hope she'll finally be back on track. Wish us luck. It's an emotional strain because she just wants to be "normal" and eat "normal" stuff. But I hope we can find our own brand of normal that benefits all of us. Really, looking at what is out there for the eating, being abnormal seems like an easier and easier choice to make.
Good luck to her - is it that celiac-something or other? I've heard of it and I know it's difficult, if that's what it is.
So, so sorry for the PF! I can feel for her. My allergies are upper respiratory/asthma and itchy throat glands, but allergy reactions anywhere are a beyotch. It is weird that I see a lot more people with various allergies nowadays and makes me wonder just what we are doing with our food and our air and our water.
I had a friend once who was fine with wheat products as long as she did not drink milk or have sugar with it. Wheaties are rather nasty without either.
I would be curious to learn what final diet regimen works...good luck, guys.
I hope this works for her. While it must suck not to eat bread products (my favorite!), hopefully she'll be back to her old self. It's definitely something to think about, examining my own diet. I eat like crap too.
Ugh! Sounds like quite a journey! I hope that she starts to find some relief soon!
You know Kate at katespot, right? You may want to stop and ask her a question or two! Her little one has many allergies, food and otherwise, she is quite well versed on the subject!
Sounds just like my stepdad. He went years with out a solid #2, and went through a million test before they diagnosed him as having celiac spru...basically can't eat anything with wheat in it. That in combination with his diabetes...well, lets just say his tastebuds have learned to have an imagination. He can basically just eat meat and potatoes. However, my mom has gone to great lengths to learn to cook semi normal food with rice flour and potato flour. (It's gross...but he never tells her that)
Sorry...cut off too soon. I hope that isn't what the PF has...and that she can feel normal again soon. However, if it is...she'll be ok, and learn to adjust...after all, she has you :)
I can't believe the PF doesn't have a heart attack about you posting her 'lady problems' on the interweb.
It's probably due to all the smelly running shoes you leave around the house. I use that excuse. Hope you both feel better.
I hope she feels better soon!
One of my best friends is allergic to yeast, chocolate, and shellfish. CHOCOLATE!
And you wouldn't believe how often yeast creeps up in foods we eat.
I hope you both enjoy your healthier eating lifestyle. :)
That sounds dreadful. But hopefully this new diet will be just the solution!
My cousin was just diagnosed as allergic to wheat. I hope the PF starts feeling better.
Wow, that does sound like quite a journey. Doctors can be clueless dolts when it comes to "female" problems. I've found female doctors tend to be more knowledgeable and helpful, call me sexist. If you haven't, already, you might want to read "The Yeast Connection," which advocates cutting out yeast, wheat, and sugar, because they fuel the growth of a germ called candida, which causes alot of problems, for men and women. Also, birth control pills of all things. If she's on them, and wants to try cutting them, I"d recommend "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler (sp?) It advocates natural birth control, which sounds a little kooky at first, but I've been using it for several months, and it's been effective, and very informational, if a little bit of a pain to learn. In any event, I'm glad the PF has such a support system! The first few weeks without sugar (or other good stuff) are tough, it helps to have someone who'll do it with you. You stop wanting the stuff after a couple of weeks, and as an added bonus, you sure will lose a butt-load of weight! ;0)
Good luck! Hope PF feels like herself again very soon.
Both my aunts suffer from Sprue or Celiac Disease (an allergy to gluten). When my doc was looking for an explanation for my tummy troubles, my Aunt Jan sent me this link: http://www.csaceliacs.org/. They've helped her immensely in getting on a diet where there is food she can enjoy. It also taught her to look for the hidden glutens in food products. Another thing that she learned was that bleached wheat-based foods were better on her system the raw wheat-based foods. Good luck to you all.
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