Maryw88

My food issues began several years ago.  I am a self-diagnosed celiac.  I have been tested for allergies and have none. I first discovered gluten was a problem a few years ago then discovered soy, casien, corn, chicken, coffee and even peanuts made me sick as well.  The best part is that I feel the best I've ever felt. I know I am finding my health again and I feel normal most of the time.  I've learned how to find/cook really well and am happy most of the time. 

 

Here is where I need some help:  I really miss eating in restaurants but I am terrified of doing so.  Corn is in EVERYTHING.  I can tolerate very small amounts (talking vitamins) but I have trouble with things like iodized salt.  I am very scared to eat out but I really miss it.  I am 28 and live in Chicago.  Best city for food ever!  I am very happy but it feels fairly isolating not to be able to go out. 

 

How do those of you with similar intolerances do it?  Do I just need to wait a couple years for my gut to heal?  Do you bring your own food? 

 

I'm feeling hopeful enough to try new things.  Help me figure it out? 

How do you heal a leaky gut? I am intolerant to many foods now. Including most grains (I can eat rice), citrus, soy, dairy, tomato, chicken (yeah....chicken), peanuts, chickpeas, potatoes. I went gluten light (thought it was gluten-free, oh the learning curve) two years ago after much frustration with the medical community. I didn't even consider celiac as a possibility.

Since then, my symptoms got worse and worse. I get all the digestive problems, horrible acid reflux, migraines, and brain fog. I finally went completely and strictly gluten-free about 4 months ago. I also cut out dairy and soy at the same time. Just started cutting out corn. This has helped dramatically. However, I am still having reactions and I am scared of developing more and more intolerances.

I am at the point where the medical community can't do much for me. It is not an allergy and I can't make it past 3 days on a gluten challenge to get a diagnosis. I am doing an endoscopy in a month but I doubt it will show anything as I've been gluten light for a long time and gluten-free for awhile.

So, I am trying to move on from the need for a diagnosis. Even the celiac specialist I am seeing agrees I am having a gut-immune response which he believes is leaky gut. So, that means I have something to go on.

So, what can I do? I was going to start probiotics. I would love some allergen-free (including CORN-free) recommendations. What else have you found helpful? I really just want to start focusing on healing so throw your ideas my way! Thanks everyone!

--Mary

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows of any active support groups in the Chicago area. I am near Evanston too. I would love to get together with some people going through the same things.

Hi all,

I am so fed up. I am trying to be patient but I don't know what to do. I went VERY gluten free about 1 month ago but have been gluten light for 1 1/2 years (I thought I was gluten-free....I didn't know better). So, I haven't been 100% gluten-free for very long. I also figured out about 6 months ago I react to soy, and 2 months ago I react to caesin. I also have a problem with nightshades, vinegar, beans, corn, rice, quinoa. EVERYTHING! I seem to do ok with many leafy veggies and fruits. Red meat, fish, and shellfish. Thats about it.

I am currently trying to do the GAPS diet and am even reacting with that. Apparently chicken and chicken broth are intolerances as well. I can't handle the 1 tsp. of fermented veggie juice. I get D with that too. I have no idea what to do. This diet is terrible and not actually helping.

I have terrible stomach pains, burning pains. alternating C and D depending on the food. I get tingling and numbness in my mouth and arms if I eat an offending food. I can't afford to continue the intro to GAPS honestly and its not helping.

SO, what to do!? Do I just need to be more patient. How long did it take for those of you with similar issues to see changes? I really don't want to do GAPS or SCD. They are miserable and ineffective for me. Is it related to stress? I feel like I am so focused and stressed about all food. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. I honestly do not know what I would do without this forum. It has been so nice to see others making this work and reading about your experiences.

Thanks everyone

Hi all,

I could really use some advice here. I am very frustrated and to the point of not wanting to eat ANYTHING.

I figured out I am at the very least highly gluten intolerant, I believe I have celiac disease. Since I found this out I have also discovered a severe soy and caeisin intolerance. If this wasn't frustrating enough, since I've cut these three culprits out of my diet I keep developing other sensitivities. I have been gluten low for about 1 1/2 years, but I only recently decided I could have celiac and went strictly GFCFSF.

Intolerances include: caeisin, soy, peanuts, coffee, citrus fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower, most beans. I am beginning to suspect corn, quinoa, and eggs.

My primary care physician doesn't believe I have celiac disease, she tells me I have a "sensitive system." She helped me get my severe Vitamin D and B12 deficency under control, but told me I was fine after that. I tried to reintroduce gluten to get tested by another doctor but was violently ill. I also have acid reflux and burning or discomfort after every meal even on a gluten-free diet.

Basically, how do I stop this!? Will this get better on a gluten-free,CF,SF diet? I have been looking into the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as well as a rotational diet but I don't know if I am just not being patient enough with my gut? Will this get better without more drastic dietary change?

Sorry for the long post, I am just very frustrated and honestly, lonely. No help from anyone in the medical field is SO FRUSTRATING.