Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[eKatherine]

Uhmm. speaking in Rachel's defense, if I may, telling her to chill isn't exactly the kindest way to go about things. Rachel is and has been under stress for a very long time (as I'm sure you know) and for her this thread is personal because of the way it has evolved. It's not just about serious health issues but about supporting people who are REALLY struggling with their health through humor, laughter and jokes and camraderie. I think if people are overwhelmed by the thread, they can pick and choose what they read or not read at all.

Rachel, I'm sorry but I felt the need to defend you and others who have gained so much from this thread.

This thread is a blog of Rachel's self-discovery. No one who has not been reading every day can possibly "pick and choose", as clusters of health posts are lost in long pages of bonding posts. No offense was meant to Rachel, but she clearly sees it as a personal blog herself.

[Simply-V]

If anyone wants to know about what happens with my Dr. appt. I'll be happy to share in pm's. Those of you who have supported me from the beginning (or the middle)....you know who you are and of course I would never leave you hanging.

I'm just not gonna discuss my personal saga publicly anymore as it will only dramatically lengthen this thread. Personally, I felt its better to have the info here (even if it has to be waded through) then to not have the info. at all....but apparantly others disagree.

OK.. that seems like a drastic reaction. Rachel, people like myself, are on this thread reading because of your situation and because we want to learn more about causes of these types of issues. For you to bail out now, is much like handing us a book to read which you ripped out the last chapter.

Please post your results and findings. Its the "on topic" thing to do, as well as would spur on useful conversations about what to do next.

[Mtndog]

This thread is a blog of Rachel's self-discovery. No one who has not been reading every day can possibly "pick and choose", as clusters of health posts are lost in long pages of bonding posts. No offense was meant to Rachel, but she clearly sees it as a personal blog herself.

It is a thread of self-discovery for many people including myself. I never would have figured out that not only was I soy intolerant, but intolerant of ALL legumes, because of someone on this thread. I'd still be in excruciating pain that felt like fibromyalgia.

[Simply-V]

This thread is a blog of Rachel's self-discovery. No one who has not been reading every day can possibly "pick and choose", as clusters of health posts are lost in long pages of bonding posts. No offense was meant to Rachel, but she clearly sees it as a personal blog herself.

Look, I'm all about supporting Rachel and her health issues. I in no way mean to bring negativity here. However I do see eKatherines point of view and was trying to explain that view in a very non-judgemental and non-attacking way. yet, people keep taking it personally.

Enough said on the subject from me. This debate is offtopic and useless other than to further upset people which isn't needed or wanted by anyone.

[Simply-V]

Baked chicken (I usually roast a chicken, with nothing else, because onions bother me, peppercorns bother me, canola oil bothers me, etc.), seasoned with either sea salt (no corn), or some lemon juice. Plain steak with a little bit of sea salt. Some strawberries, apples, bananas. Water. 100% apple cider from an orchard near my parents house. Some lettuce, cucumbers. I have been making this little "italian ice" treat (i'll post the recipe later) with sugar, water, and lemon or lime juice for a treat. Boiled shrimp with lemon juice. I was eating some grapes and walnuts but one of those was bothering me and I've stopped. Steamed brocoli. Let me add...I am not exaggerating when I say I am not eating anything else. No other prep or seasonings. (I knew it was bad when I got sick off a steak, cooked with nothing else on my parents grill, in foil, with clean utensils, with sea salt and pepper, and sauteed mushrooms and onions over top. Since then, pepper and onions are out. Haven't re-tried mushrooms. Steak is ok, thank god). The stomach pain, abdominal pain, burning, spine tingling and arthritis symptoms are just too bad. (Lectins apparently bind to everything, including other organs...which would make sense...?!) So I'm on a MODIFIED caveman style diet because I can't even handle all veggies and fruits. Ugh. (And no, I know you all want to know, I'm not cheating, life is THAT bad...I just want an answer!)

Because I eat so limited, I am pretty sure I'm not getting any corn now, which is so frustrating, because it was such a big part....and def made me feel better, just not "there" yet. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Laura,

I've been told by many that once you go gluten-free, that those antibodies stop being produced. Which if you get tested for the antibodies while on a gluten-free diet, your results should be negative.

Your comment that you can't possibly be getting into corn now.. well. you can. (this is just FYI stuff that you probably already know from the Delphi site, but others here may not be aware of)

Chicken & Steak - Citric acid (from corn) is often sprayed on our meats to clean them. It is not listed as it is considered a processing agent not an ingredient. It does affect the corn allergic/intolerant though. It is often missed because people just aren't given that information.

Strawberries - most are wash in a citric acid wash. processing aid so its not labeled either. Frozen organic strawberries seem to be mostly safe though.

Apples - coated with wax which is often corn-derived. The wax is nearly impossible to remove completely and can cause cross-contamination issues.

Lemons & Limes - even though used for juice, these are also coated with corn-derived waxes. Make sure to scrub thoroughly with baking soda before cutting into, to prevent cross-contamination.

Cucumbers - also often waxed. so same issues with cross-contamination even if you peel it. Scrub with baking soda first.

Shrimp - I've had a tough time with shrimp. I believe they're also sprayed with citric acid cleaner during processing. I no longer eat it.

Grapes - sometimes coated with waxes and often sprayed with citric acid. I have not found an efficient way to clean these so they're corn-free

Walnuts (& all nuts) - shelled walnuts are often coated with an edible film which is corn-derived. I belive this is also a processing aid. Nuts in their shells are safe, but take more effort to eat.

Pectins btw are often corn-derived, or use corn derivatives in their processing.

I buy 50% of my veggies/fruits at a Farmer's Market where the dirt is still on them. I'm also very particular as to where my meat comes from.

My family also has a history of thyroid. My mothers side (Mom & her only sister). All my levels are normal, as were my mothers. She was only diagnosed because she developed goiters (Hashimotos). Things for me right now are pretty stable, except oops's with corn derivatives. If things go bad again, I'll be persuing this area again more vigilantly with a Dr Russel Roby of the Roby Institute.

I avoid a lot of the same foods as you do. Its not easy. And boy would I like to find a cure. Which is why I'm staying tuned, I think.

Oh I forgot to add. I used to think I had issues with onions, but it was just my body was so taxed that the irritant in the onions that makes you cry.. would set off a reaction. They're also hard to digest. Now that I'm off the other IgE food allergens I didn't know about initially, I eat onions with no problems.

[elisabet]

Hi Rachel,

I hope you will post your test results here,I personally learned a lot from this thread and your different theories .

[AndreaB]

Simply V,

Wow! I'm not corn intolerant but this is interesting that many things have corn on them.

Rachel,

Please continue posting here. I'm sorry for additional stress. Take a break and come back next week, after your doctors appointment. We love you and you are in our thoughts each day.

[happygirl]

x

[Simply-V]

I called both Perdue and Tyson and they said that they don't use any corn in processing or in their ingredients. So, what do you think?

Andrea-Corn is the devil. It sucks. It is in everything. Think gluten. Multiply times 1 billion. I'm not joking.

I wrote a nice long response to this.. hit "post" and my internet went down so it got lost.. Now let me try to re-create it.

Yes corn is the devil. *laughs*

Unfortunately it has many minions.. One of which is Tyson. They don't label corn very well. There is corn in every single one of their products. Avoid like the plague. (Another is Kraft)

Contacting companies is not very fruitful most times. As most companies have no clue (and most people who answer the phone have less of a clue) about what is corn and corn derivatives. They generally just look for corn starch and corn syrup in the ingredients. You have to specify the derivatives yourself or most don't know to check. I also have to specifically ask about processing aids, cross-contamination issues, dedicated lines, and even what kind of cleaner they use on the equipment. Enrichments, flavorings, and vanilla are also places I have had to specifically ask them to check with their supplier, or they give me a glib its "corn-free". Also companies will try to tell you that they've processed the corn out of things (ethyl alcohol), which I still react to those as well. It all depends on your sensitivity.

Perdue, I haven't tried it, but if I remember right several on the Delphi site said they had reactions to it. So use caution.

I only use Foster Farms chicken. They're a kosher meat supplier, and I know they're not the only kosher chicken brand, but I don't know names of others. I buy all my meats at Costco as they are the safest "grocery" store bought meat I can find for me. They sell Foster Farms chicken. I react to regular grocery store bought meats, even the minimally processed meats. I have not found a safe pork.

Hope that helps.

[DingoGirl]

Rach, you have to do what you feel is best for you,but I personaly think you should post your test results and keep this thread going. If the thread is to long for the complainers, they will fade out as it gets longer

I totally agree...I am so sorry it's stressing you, Rachel....and frankly, I don't know why you or any of us has to defend this thread. We are doing what we want to do, choosing to be here, and shouldn't have to explain ourselves to anyone else, because we have maintained a very caring and supportive environment in between the research posted and all the humour - we have not purposefully excluded anyone. Readers don't need to be here if they don't want to, but I feel we are entirely welcoming for all who want to participate. Obviously the longer it's gotten, the more daunting it is to newcomers....but we have created a community here, and we shouldn't have to stop it because others don't like it, in my opionion.

Recently a very controversial discussion ensued, very heated, and you know something....that topic, if broached at a cocktail party or among acquaintances/friends, would create the same kind of stir and the same impassioned responses: some would get very upset and leave...some would sit quietly and wait for tension to pass...some would belabour their points until veins popped out of their foreheads..... and someone most likely would gently step in and steer the conversation to more benign topics. This is what we do to maintain civility, in real life, and in cyber-life. And, real conversations and cyber chats ALSO veer off course and off-topic. We shouldn't have to defend the fact that probably one-third of this thread is goofy...why should anyone care? we're here on our journey, to support not only Rachel, but each one of us who wants to join in. I have found it to be a very safe and caring place and just the thing I reach for several times a day - I did take a break of a few weeks for a while - only lurked, but was welcomed back when I returned.

This thread is a blog of Rachel's self-discovery. No one who has not been reading every day can possibly "pick and choose", as clusters of health posts are lost in long pages of bonding posts. No offense was meant to Rachel, but she clearly sees it as a personal blog herself.

Rachel's "blog" - - I think that sounds mildly offensive, really, and I don't know WHY it needs to be categorized or labelled..... I don't think Rachel intended that when she started, she made a discovery and posted it, made more discoveries, those of us who like to read it still read it, and others fell by the wayside, and newcomers have joined....but it's been about ALL of us, not just Rachel...and I don't think she, in her wildest dreams, knew that it would become this....I think it's pretty unprecedented on this forum, and I am just happy to have been a part of it, and I do hope that we won't let stress or criticism or nay-sayers contribute to its demise. Please. I don't think we should quit this thread due to complaints or pressure of others...we're not doing anything wrong. If the discoveries and information is too difficult to find (yes, it is), people can post questions, or can pop in this very thread for help, as Laura just did.

Rachel....take a little break, come on over to the "forty" ish thread - - anybody can come, male or female, any age - Cecile wishes she could change the title, because we welcome anyone who wants to play...and we're happy to say, on that thread,

we talk about NOTHING.

I've gotta go walk these dingos. See y'all later.

[AndreaB]

I totally agree...I am so sorry it's stressing you, Rachel....and frankly, I don't know why you or any of us has to defend this thread. We are doing what we want to do, choosing to be here, and shouldn't have to explain ourselves to anyone else, because we have maintained a very caring and supportive environment in between the research posted and all the humour - we have not purposefully excluded anyone. Readers don't need to be here if they don't want to, but I feel we are entirely welcoming for all who want to participate. Obviously the longer it's gotten, the more daunting it is to newcomers....but we have created a community here, and we shouldn't have to stop it because others don't like it, in my opionion.

I agree Susan.

I haven't had the time to try and defend the thread and figured it would pass...eventually.

I'm sorry for the pm that added to the stress Rachel.....had I sat on it for a day I wouldn't have worried about it.

[rinne]

Excuse me, did someone say blog? I think perhaps they've lost their way, this is no mere blog, this is Rachelville.

Our official greeter seems to be absent and our president is taking a well deserved rest after so brilliantly articulating the hearts of many of us so just let me say that everyone is welcome here as long as they promise to leave the purple bats alone. I'd like to suggest that means play nice.

Thank you Rachel, I know it took great energy on your part to do that, I hope you will rest now and do the things you need to do to take care of yourself, whatever that is.

Perhaps some of you are not so ill, I don't know but some of us here are very ill, some of us are so ill that the innocent cruelty of thoughtlessness is beyond us. When I read words absent of kindness I feel it in my gut, I feel sick. I know that there is no ill will intended but it is not enough to not intend to hurt, when we really know someone is ill we make the effort to support them not challenge them.

[AndreaB]

There have been a lot of good posts, Rinne, your's is another one.

I just wish I was articulate enough to speak up. I'm one of the healthier ones in Rachelville and I could have piped up....just don't usually have much time during the day to articulate that well.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Speaking about blogs, you can have one on this board:Open Original Shared Link.

[CarlaB]

Look at the bright side ... how many months and how many pages before there was a little turmoil in Rachelville???? Now, where's TheDave, he was always good at bringing some humor around here .... at least we all were entertained by his flirting!! I need to hear about the purple glittery bats, and the non-pooping geese ... a little fantasy entertains my mind and distracts me from the fact that I'm stuck most of the day doing nothing and resting. I feel that this has become a place I can be around others having trouble getting well, with our healthy mother Andrea to tell us how good we're doing in between answering newbie's questions. I feel that even if life isn't giving me the opportunity to FEEL like a constructive member of society right now, I can do what I can do from this armchair and have a little fun mixed in there! In fact, with my adrenal fatigue, laughter is one of the prescriptions for healing.

I know that other parts of the board miss out on our experience if we limit our posting to here ... that's why it's so important, and just as this has come up in other threads, while we're staying in our utopia and being entertained, we need to help those newbies who have questions. All this R'ville experience can be shared on other posts ... even while we continue to sit here and brainstorm and laugh together. I NEED the fun to break up the reality.

[AndreaB]

This thread has given me much laughter, many friends, and more compassion.

You guys have stretched my boundaries in good ways. I've learned lots and hope to learn more.

[happygirl]

x

[AndreaB]

Don't leave me now, people!

We'll leave the light on for you. (as in, we won't leave)

[Guest Robbin]

What a sad day this has been.

Rachel, I want you to know that I have been greatly helped by this thread and just knowing there are others who were like myself, still searching for a way to regain their health has been a comfort. I have some validation when I read of others' struggles, some support that is lacking with some family members who have lost their patience with all my problems and think of me as a hypochondriac. When I would read about the struggles that you all have had here, and see that for the most part, you are having the exact problems I am, it makes me feel a little less alone.

What is the problem with just posting a question if you can't figure this thread out? How hard is it to just ask? If you don't like the chit-chat, just ignore it.

Susan, you are right about the "hot topic" that exploded on here. A community of people is the same online or in person. I apologize if I offended anyone, I sincerely did not mean to. I guess I need to count to 100 before I post anything from now on--wait, maybe 500...Hmmm.....Was I the one with the "veins popping" at this "coctail party" , dingo-girl? Lol.

Rachel, everyone needs to take a rest sometimes, you have never taken a rest from this struggle. Get some relaxing time, take the Dave rock climbing, and come back soon. We love you and will, as Andrea says "keep the light on" . Take care.

[DingoGirl]

ROBBIN - dear girl, I wasn't meaning anyone specifically...sort of thinking, er, out loud as it were. oh please don't take it personally! Thank you for your eloquent post. Well said. And I know, lately, I've been hiding from the world a bit - not feeling like myself - so I can come here, as I unplug my phone and avoid people Still, it's been so comforting to come here. I don't struggle nearly the digestion and food reaction problems that so many of you have had...and yet somehow I have taken great comfort here.

IT would be too sad to abandon out safe place. Rachel, madame President, you are allowed to take a BREAK, or a vacation....but we do hope you will resume leadership again.

Dang, who's Vice President - - is it Patti? And where are the geese??????? scared......I"m scared.....

[Guest Robbin]

..You forgot to say "hold me, please, somebody..." lol.

[DingoGirl]

..You forgot to say "hold me, please, somebody..." lol.

GAAAAAAHHHH!!! left that part out, just testing to see who was paying attention....and there you were!!!

uh-oh.....here we go, getting completely goofy again!! and off-topic!!

[AndreaB]

You guys are so funny.

Mother Hen reporting to duty.....pssstt I have to turn over the computer soon.....behave! Oh, that's right, Dave isnt here...that'll be much easier then.

I think the geese flew the coop.

[dlp252]

Wow, lots of posting since I was here last, lol. Thanks everyone for the thoughtful posts. Thanks V for the info on corn...somewhere back in the beginnings of this thread we discussed corn, but I don't think we ever had such a thorough list, so thanks!

[happygirl]

Donna (or anyone who is interested):

a great list (and its very shocking!)-

Open Original Shared Link