A Different Life...depressing Sometimes.

[jaykay]

Hi everyone,

I am not positive if I have an allergy for severe sensitivity to wheat...but I stopped eating bread/pasta/cereal/cracekrs, etc, and my skin cleared up for the first time in years, and my GI issues improved 90%. It is like a prayer was answered, because NO doctors could help me, and I went to a lot. They all said IBS. Psh.

I know I am lactose intolerant but I just use lactaid milk. I tried so many acne meds and none helped until I cut out most wheat. My GI system is very sensitive...I can't eat the wheat based foods, or milk, but I also cannot eat avocados (especially WITH bananas...it caused me to get very sick when the two were eaten together), I can't eat a lot of corn or beans, either.

It is depressing to me sometimes when I DO want to eat normally with my friends but if I don't stick to my fish/vegetables or whatever I know I will pay. My gut is not 100% healthy, still. But my life is a lot more manageable now, knowing what I choose to NOT eat helps me feel better. I finally don't feel sick at least ALL the time.

But there are times my gut still acts up and it can be embarassing if I have to run to the bathroom. Although my quality of life has greatly improved, I don't like feeling bad about it sometimes, still.

Can you give me any advice? I am really open to hearing from everyone and how you cope/deal with having such a difficult issue in your life. I am just so happy when I am feeling healthy, but it really limits the "food" part of my life. I am completely willing to give up many foods, but sometimes you think you've done well but still end up with GI issues, and that's the part that depresses me. Especially now that I'm dating again! I have to be sooo careful, especially if we go out to dinner!

Thanks.

[tictax707]

Hi everyone,

I am not positive if I have an allergy for severe sensitivity to wheat...but I stopped eating bread/pasta/cereal/cracekrs, etc, and my skin cleared up for the first time in years, and my GI issues improved 90%. It is like a prayer was answered, because NO doctors could help me, and I went to a lot. They all said IBS. Psh.

I know I am lactose intolerant but I just use lactaid milk. I tried so many acne meds and none helped until I cut out most wheat. My GI system is very sensitive...I can't eat the wheat based foods, or milk, but I also cannot eat avocados (especially WITH bananas...it caused me to get very sick when the two were eaten together), I can't eat a lot of corn or beans, either.

It is depressing to me sometimes when I DO want to eat normally with my friends but if I don't stick to my fish/vegetables or whatever I know I will pay. My gut is not 100% healthy, still. But my life is a lot more manageable now, knowing what I choose to NOT eat helps me feel better. I finally don't feel sick at least ALL the time.

But there are times my gut still acts up and it can be embarassing if I have to run to the bathroom. Although my quality of life has greatly improved, I don't like feeling bad about it sometimes, still

Can you give me any advice? I am really open to hearing from everyone and how you cope/deal with having such a difficult issue in your life. I am just so happy when I am feeling healthy, but it really limits the "food" part of my life. I am completely willing to give up many foods, but sometimes you think you've done well but still end up with GI issues, and that's the part that depresses me. Especially now that I'm dating again! I have to be sooo careful, especially if we go out to dinner!

Thanks.

Welcome!! My first post was very similar to yours. I totally understand your frustrations about trying so hard and still ending up with (sometimes embarrassing) GI issues. I also understand the anxiety because of dating too! My advice?

1) Pat yourself on the back for making the commitment to your health and figuring out what you can do to make it better. And I mean seriously! Do something special for yourself - buy a new pair of shoes, an outfit, get a mani/pedi, a day in the park in the sun with a book... SOMEthing. Do this every now and then - be sure not to lose sight of the positive! I am beginning to find that having a little reward system every now and then actually does help alleviate some of the anger & sadness I feel when dealing with my food issues.

2) Remember the big picture - which you seem to be already doing... This is not an easy road, but you are totally worth it. Keep sticking to your guns. Also remember that these food issues don't define who you are. When you want to eat "normally" with friends, you can find your own sort of "normal", an easy go-to "normal" food that your body can handle with a few questions to the server at a restaurant along with showing them your gluten free/casein free dining cards (I got mine from triumph dining - very helpful!). Having it not be "such a big deal" is such a relief, but does take a little bit of time to get the hang of talking to servers effectively. Ultimately the good will outweigh the bad, and time will make this more of a natural choice.

Hang in there!!

[luvs2eat]

Feeling better is the best thing... but allow yourself to grieve a little too. Even 9 years later... sometimes I look at the Chinese buffet restaurant and feel a pang of loss... even while I'm telling myself that I'm SO much better off not being able to eat so many things that are really BAD for me.

If you're not feeling 100% w/ all the stuff you've cut out... consider going completely gluten free and see how much better you feel!

[CMCM]

Hi everyone,

I am not positive if I have an allergy for severe sensitivity to wheat...but I stopped eating bread/pasta/cereal/cracekrs, etc, and my skin cleared up for the first time in years, and my GI issues improved 90%. It is like a prayer was answered, because NO doctors could help me, and I went to a lot. They all said IBS. Psh.

I know I am lactose intolerant but I just use lactaid milk. I tried so many acne meds and none helped until I cut out most wheat. My GI system is very sensitive...I can't eat the wheat based foods, or milk, but I also cannot eat avocados (especially WITH bananas...it caused me to get very sick when the two were eaten together), I can't eat a lot of corn or beans, either.

It is depressing to me sometimes when I DO want to eat normally with my friends but if I don't stick to my fish/vegetables or whatever I know I will pay. My gut is not 100% healthy, still. But my life is a lot more manageable now, knowing what I choose to NOT eat helps me feel better. I finally don't feel sick at least ALL the time.

But there are times my gut still acts up and it can be embarassing if I have to run to the bathroom. Although my quality of life has greatly improved, I don't like feeling bad about it sometimes, still.

Can you give me any advice? I am really open to hearing from everyone and how you cope/deal with having such a difficult issue in your life. I am just so happy when I am feeling healthy, but it really limits the "food" part of my life. I am completely willing to give up many foods, but sometimes you think you've done well but still end up with GI issues, and that's the part that depresses me. Especially now that I'm dating again! I have to be sooo careful, especially if we go out to dinner!

Thanks.

I wish I had a "magic bullet" bit of advice....but it took me a certain length of time to come to terms with how I have to eat now. I eventually reached a place where I know exactly what I can eat to feel well, and I've made peace with that. As a former emotional eater, that was hard to break but I think you'll eventually get there. I think it all changed from "I can't eat this" to the more peaceful attitude of "I could eat that but I choose not to eat it because it makes me sick."