You may know, you may not, but I have had a long-ass issue with my health that no one seems to be able to pinpoint. I had been seeing an MD who specializes in bioidentical hormone therapy who diagnosed me with severe adrenal fatigue and estrogen dominance after a slew of tests. The working theory was that I have a "sensitive system" likely from having had a rather severe case of mono at age 15. Back to back pregnancies combined with no sleep for more than 1.5 hours at a time for 3 years led to a severe "flare up". If you want more details than that, I have other logs that detail the whole nasty mess.
Well, since bioidentical hormones are now all the rage, my doc is too busy and I can't seem to get an appointment. Well, when I do, it has been cancelled now twice. Since I pay out of pocket to see this doc, I figure God is trying to tell me something.
Fortunately, the internist I had been trying to get as my PCP for 2 years just reopened her practice. She is a functional medicine doctor, believes in complementary medicine, and has a great no bullshit attitude. She is big on diet and not so big on medications.
Since seeing her, I have stopped taking all cortef and hormone treatment, except armour thyroid (but that's probably next). And I really don't feel any worse since stopping them. I have also added dairy-free to my diet (I was already gluten-free). She has discovered that I have a leaky gut, multiple food intolerances, and a rampant candida infection. I also had an abnormal liver enzyme level. I have since had additional bloodwork and am scheduled for a liver ultrasound on Friday. But I'm confident that it is all related to the gut health issue.
Candida is a yeast that is normally present in our bodies, but when it overruns the system, there are serious health effects. It is very tied to asthma and allergies and food intolerances. If my gut isn't filtering out things like it should, then my liver gets overtaxed doing more of the work.
So, my treatment is an antifungal medication (for 2-3 months likely) ... and a yeast-free diet. Well, what does that entail, you ask. Let me tell you ... NO sugar, NO vinegar (did you know that this is in freaking everything!!), NO mushrooms, NO yeast, NO pickles (vinegar), NO olives (if packed in vinegar), NO alcohol, hard fruits only (apples, pears, barely ripe bananas), and no gluten and no dairy (which I was already doing). I started the antifungal today. I slowly build up from one capsule daily to four daily over the course of a month. Apparently there can be some pretty nasty side effects as the yeast dies off. (The medication prevents it from growing, and the yeast-free diet starves it.) Let's hope it's not too too bad.
But from what I have been reading, this could very well be at the root of all my issues. It becomes a vicious cycle ... strong antibiotics -> kill off beneficial bacteria in the gut which keeps the yeast at bay -> yeast overgrowth -> irritates the lining of the gut causing inflammation -> inflammation allows increased permeability, allowing larger food particles that are not fully digested to pass into the blood stream -> body attacks said food particles and a food intolerance is born -> you keep eating said food (to which you are intolerant because you don't know any better) -> gut environment remains in a state that continues to allow for yeast overgrowth.
A great book that I have been reading is The Food Intolerance Bible. The recipes suck, but the explanations of everything are great.
Anyways, the purpose of this log will be more food-related than training-related. (Sorry John!) I need a place to get ideas about recipes ... a place to report compliance ... and a place to vent.
Things I need to do ...
1. 8+ hours of sleep each night
2. Take my digestive enzyme before each meal.
3. Chew chew chew. (I seem to inhale my food, which can apparently be part of the problem since digestion starts in the mouth with chewing, and I don't chew my food very well.)
4. Follow gluten-free, dairy-free, yeast-free diet to a "T".
5. Exercise. Do some sort of exercise each day, be it yoga, walking, yardwork, housework, or resistance work.
6. Stress relief. Keep my stress levels down. Should be easier in the summer. (Ha!)
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So, to start things off, here's a couple of experiements lately. Since I can't have ketchup, mustard, or A1 sauce (or mayo) unless I make them myself since all have vinegar, I have been experimenting with different salsas. I'm particularly fond of this one ...
Salsa Fresca
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 small jalepeno, seeded and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of one lime
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
Mix together in a bowl and let sit for a bit to let the flavors mingle.
Mmmmm.
And since a girl can't go through life without chocolate ...
Sugar-Free Chocolate
1 bar of 100% cocoa
liquid stevia (I have dark chocolate flavor)
raw almonds, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
chili powder, about 1/8 - 1/4 tsp
In a double boiler (or glass pyrex set in a pan of hot water) melt chocolate (it helps if you grate the chocolate first). Add stevia to taste (I used 4 droppers-full and it's not particularly sweet). Add chili powder to taste. Add almonds. Stirring the whole time.
Pour out onto a parchment paper lined dish. Cool in the 'fridge or freezer. Cut into serving-size pieces and enjoy.
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I'm betting the GI problems I had for the bit after the really strong antibiotic I had to take after the accident was nothing compared to the crap you deal with, and so I feel for you cuz for me it was bad.
So, a great recipe for grass is … well, I'll let you know when I has one.
By the way, will ya frickin get better already? I swear, this forum is turning into a whole pile of somehow messed up peeps.
3. Chew chew chew. (I seem to inhale my food, which can apparently be part of the problem since digestion starts in the mouth with chewing, and I don't chew my food very well.)
Oh, Julie!
What are hard fruits? so no strawberries, blue berries, etc? nectarines?
Hopefully all this restriction will be temporary and effective!!!
Quote:
Fortunately, the internist I had been trying to get as my PCP for 2 years just reopened her practice. She is a functional medicine doctor, believes in complementary medicine, and has a great no bullshit attitude. She is big on diet and not so big on medications.
What is functional medicine? Complementary medicine?
How do you find such a doctor?
wheat grass juice - tastes just like grass only grassier
I hope you do well on your new program and that the liver enzymes sort themselves out. I went on an elevated liver enzyme hunt once - we decided it was ibuprofen (for a migraine) taken in the days before the test. But not until after we ruled out scary stuff.
Hi Julie! I really hope this solves your health problems. Lucky you're doing this diet during the summer when you can find an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies. Otherwise I would be dying without all that stuff! Good luck to you.
Hi Julie! I really hope this solves your health problems. Lucky you're doing this diet during the summer when you can find an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies. Otherwise I would be dying without all that stuff! Good luck to you.
Amen! I am very thankful for that. We belong to a CSA in New Hampshire and the produce is always amazing .... so there's that. Plus I've discovered that I really love latin/cuban cuisine ... lots of fresh lime juice ... makes great marinades and abundant use of fresh veggies/fruit.
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I'm not sure it was much of a recipe, but I made lime/ginger chicken a while back using lime juice, crystallized ginger, and a touch of honey with some chicken stock. Also the tandoori chicken recipe that I've been using calls for lime juice. Just let me know if you want any more information on those. You didn't mention meat(s) in that list so I'm not sure what's on your 'okay list'
If you want any ideas on recipes, let me know. I did meat, leaves & berries for quite awhile, I'll just need a reminder on what is on the OK list. Like butter- dairy & offlimits or pure fat & OK?
Meats that are okay for me = chicken, turkey, pork, fish, shellfish
* I am allergic to beef ... I am afraid to eat other meats like lamb, buffalo, elk, etc. since I don't know if they would give me the same reaction that beef does. Ham is a no-no right now because of the way it is preserved.
Butter = not allowed. Nor is any goat's milk or cow's milk product. No casein, so some non-dairy products are also out (some vegan cheeses use casein). All other fat sources okay like oils, avocados, olives (as long as not packed in vinegar).
Nuts = avoid peanuts and pistachios as they tend to have a high level of mold. All others are okay like walnuts, pecans, macadamias, almonds, and hazelnuts/filberts.
No sugars at all ... so no honey, maple syrup, agave, HFCS, white table sugar, or any products containing any of the above. Stevia is okay. Artificial sweeteners are not okay. (I miss my diet coke!)
Veggies = all okay except mushrooms; make sure they are not over-ripe (which would then have increased mold and yeast). No dried veggies like sun-dried tomatos.
Fruits = stick to hard fruits like apples and pears; citrus is okay; soft fruits or over-ripe fruits I need to avoid. No dried fruits (mold/yeast again).
Condiments = fresh herbs are fine; NO vinegar. Citrus fruit juices are fine for sauces, marinades, dressings (lemon, lime, orange). Avoid dried herbs/spices when possible. (I've purchased new bottles of the things I use the most.)
Grains = no wheat, barley, rye. No gluten. Things like quinoa, buckwheat, and rice are fine. Stick with whole grain instead of white.
So, see ... there are lots of things I CAN eat!!
Etana, a functional medicine doctor is one who looks for underlying causes of disease and focuses on health promotion. The focus is more on biological systems instead of organs themselves. My doc is a regular MD, an internist. But she also has an interest in treating her patients from a functional medicine perspective. She is a big proponent of diet and exercise instead of just writing prescriptions and really seems to know her stuff. She is not big on herbal remedies or homeopathic remedies, but on supporting individual biology with nutrition (supplements if necessary). I did not seek her out because she was a FM doc, but rather I had heard several good things about her from various sources (RNs that I work with, several patients, and friends) but when I originally tried to see her a few years back, her practice was not accepting new patients. She had recently reopened her practice and here I am!
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Oh yea, and a workout this morning courtesy of the TRX.
Rest periods were about 1 - 1 1/2 minutes.
A. TRX rows 3x12
B. Mini-band side stepping (green) 3x12 each direction
C. KB Snatch 8kg 2x12 each side
D. KB OH walk 8kg 1x150 feet each side
E. TRX assisted OH BW squats (ATG) 3x12
F. TRX pushups 3x12
Followed it with some foam rolling and some good stretching.
Duncan is really restless again. Diarrhea in the house again (he's been having diarrhea steadily, but outside). It was all this weird jelly-like stuff (*gag* maybe mucous?). He appears to be in some large degree of discomfort. I have a call in to the vet.
Off to my yearly mamogram shortly. Oh joy.
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Julie...this is one of the hubby and I's favorite recipes from cooking light, I imagine you could use the uncanned chiles or beans if you have to and I have always made it without the cheese and it's awesym! I'm not sure if it meets all of your criteria but it looks like it might...maybe??? I've also substituted ground turkey breast for the chicken, and cut down the amount of beans and pureed them to cut down on the carbs...but...you can have beans right??? Anyway...just wanted to post it, I know it's not exactly a summer meal, but it's really yummy! Hope it helps...
My last mammogram I went to the newly opened Women's Health Center at Hoag. It was like a spa. A dressing room with nice wooden door and a fluffy robe to wear when walking down the hallway to the room for the test. They certainly were doing what they could to make your experience at the WHC (for whatever reason) comfortable.
Corn is okay for me ... and thanks for the recipe Kristen ... I'll scope it out. I'm pretty good at modifying if needed.
Just had a great meal with a cuban marinade on my grilled chicken, a yummy salsa, and steamed broccoli. I chewed and chewed and chewed each bite until is was liquid. I did nothing other than sit and eat (no reading, watching TV, etc.).
Mammo was okay ... hurt a bit this year for some reason. Must be where I am in my cycle (day 10) but I'd have to look back at last year's calendar to see where I was then. Ah well. My mammographer (is that what they are called?) is great. Her name is Chris and she's really efficient and gentle. The place is nice ... not really spa-like, but not super-clinical feeling either.
Dog is still restless ... more diarrhea (outside thankfully) ... trouble getting up from the floor ... head hanging ... panting. Oh boy. I don't think it's good. Still awaiting a call from the vet.
Report Card for Today: 1. Sleep = 7.5 hours last night. I stayed up too late on JPs. 2. Digestive Enzymes = I took them before breakfast and dinner, but didn't really eat lunch (just a few handfuls of almonds) as I was nauseated and not hungry. 3. Chew chew chew = breakfast was a shake. I did well with the almonds and dinner, so Yes. 4. Follow gluten-free, dairy-free, yeast-free diet to a "T" = Yes. 5. Exercise = Yes 6. Stress relief = well ... maybe not so great with the whole dog thing. I've cried a few times. Maybe I'll meditate before bed.
I guess I give myself a B- today. I'll do better tomorrow. More sleep tonight ... enzymes x 3 ... and less stress.
Of course, tomorrow I'm having a minor surgical procedure on my feet. I am very prone to ingrown toenails on my big toes ... and so I am having my nails fixed. It's hard to describe the procedure and I'm not sure what it's called.
Anyhoo ...
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