Frustrated With My Diet That's Not Working

[Bexxa]

So far I've eliminated: gluten, xanthan gum, rice, and corn. I take a Lactaid pill when I eat dairy. I need to drink milk to take my meds else I will get ill, I also eat cheese and cottage cheese for protein.

My newest symptom: ingestion of ice cream (well, frozen yogurt) results in a severe depressive state to the point where I'm considering doing myself in and crying uncontrollably. Yes, I tried ice cream, because I found a brand that was gluten free and that was without xanthan gum.

Aside from that, my mood overall is unstable. Sometimes I'm up and sometimes I'm down. Today, I'm up. However, the fatigue is doing me in. I sleep too much, it's difficult to pry myself out of bed. My rash is back. Concentration is really difficult in class, memory problems are abudant. I'm spacey, zoning in and out a lot. I'm constantly nauseated. Periodic lightheadedness. Also, my hair is falling out, it's incredibly thin right now. I'm horrified that I'm losing my hair, not exaggerating on the word horrified either. So, somehow I'm eating something that's not agreeing with me. Can anybody tell me what it could be. These are the ONLY foods I ate for the past 2 weeks.

- prepackaged peach fruit cup (no stated gluten, xanthan gum, etc)

- fat free milk

- raw apples

- extra sharp cheddar cheese

- raw carrots

- orange juice

- fat-free cottage cheese

- omega-3 eggs

- smart balance butter

- pepper

- sun dried raisins

- sun dried cranberries

- fat free yogurt

- vegetable soup (no gluten, etc)

- peppermint tea (from a tea bag with hot water)

- diet snapple/occasional diet soda

- water

- one serving Chex (caused problems)

- one serving ice cream (caused problems)

Obviously, that's not alot to choose from. I have no idea what is causing the symptoms. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction?

[amahones]

So far I've eliminated: gluten, xanthan gum, rice, and corn. I take a Lactaid pill when I eat dairy. I need to drink milk to take my meds else I will get ill, I also eat cheese and cottage cheese for protein.

My newest symptom: ingestion of ice cream (well, frozen yogurt) results in a severe depressive state to the point where I'm considering doing myself in and crying uncontrollably. Yes, I tried ice cream, because I found a brand that was gluten free and that was without xanthan gum.

Aside from that, my mood overall is unstable. Sometimes I'm up and sometimes I'm down. Today, I'm up. However, the fatigue is doing me in. I sleep too much, it's difficult to pry myself out of bed. My rash is back. Concentration is really difficult in class, memory problems are abudant. I'm spacey, zoning in and out a lot. I'm constantly nauseated. Periodic lightheadedness. Also, my hair is falling out, it's incredibly thin right now. I'm horrified that I'm losing my hair, not exaggerating on the word horrified either. So, somehow I'm eating something that's not agreeing with me. Can anybody tell me what it could be. These are the ONLY foods I ate for the past 2 weeks.

- prepackaged peach fruit cup (no stated gluten, xanthan gum, etc)

- fat free milk

- raw apples

- extra sharp cheddar cheese

- raw carrots

- orange juice

- fat-free cottage cheese

- omega-3 eggs

- smart balance butter

- pepper

- sun dried raisins

- sun dried cranberries

- fat free yogurt

- vegetable soup (no gluten, etc)

- peppermint tea (from a tea bag with hot water)

- diet snapple/occasional diet soda

- water

- one serving Chex (caused problems)

- one serving ice cream (caused problems)

Obviously, that's not alot to choose from. I have no idea what is causing the symptoms. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction?

I don't have any advice on what's causing the symptoms and without knowing your history, have you had your thyroid checked? For symptoms as severe as you describe, especially the suicidal thoughts/urges, I'd recommend getting yourself to a doctor ASAP.

[tarnalberry]

Honestly, I'd find a replacement for the dairy (there are other sources of protein - I saw neither beans nor nuts on your list, for instance) and see if it helps. Dairy is a common culprit, and you've already identified that you've felt bad after eating a dairy item.

[GottaSki]

You are right. This is not alot to choose from. There is very little protein or fresh produce here. Over half of this list is dairy or processed foods.

Are you getting enough calories daily - at least 1500?

Have you been tested for specific nutrient deficiencies?

Are you taking any vitamin/mineral supplements?

Have you tried removing dairy before - maybe take meds with almond milk?

Can you eat lean meat or fish?

Diet drinks can cause some of your symptoms - switch to mostly water along with some juice and tea.

How did you end up with this list? Sure hope I'm not coming across harsh - just don't think you can get enough nutrients with this list.

[flowerqueen]

I'm sorry to hear you are having a bad time of it at the moment. I agree with other comments already on here. I would definitely get your thyroid checked as those symptoms sound familiar, but it could be a nutritional issue, as the symptoms can be similar - although I'm not a doctor I'm just speaking from personal experience. I urge you to see your doctor as soon as possible as it's a complex issue and needs to be investigated thoroughly. Don't lose heart, there are a lot of us that have gone through bad times and there's always someone on here to give you advice or a friendly ear.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

[nvsmom]

((hugs)). I am sorry you are having such a rough go.

I too think you should go back to the doctor and look for other things... Other autoimmune diseases especially. Hypothyroidism is one but there are others that can affect your mood energy and hair... I think the majority of AI's cause those problems.

I hope you feel better soon.

[ciamarie]

Great replies from the others, but I wanted to throw in my comment that when looking at your list, the one item that jumped out at me as one I had issues with; and that was smartbalance. I've gone back to real (salted) butter, and that's what I'd suggest for you too.

[kwylee]

Have you considered that it may not be the lactose (milk sugar) that you are having problems with on the dairy issue, but the casein (milk protein)? I had a similar problem when I first started. I was strictly gluten free so couldn't understand why I felt so poorly - for me mostly neural disorders. I stopped ingesting dairy and then even soy and that's when I had the breakthrough amazing results.

If you're past the withdrawal stage (feeling worse before you feel better) after eliminating gluten, then you may want to consider eliminating dairy altogether for now to see if you feel any better. But I want to mention that typical butter, cheese, cottage cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, etc., contains casein. The other culprit for me turned out to be soy, which was making me just as sick as gluten and dairy. Read those labels and note that some SmartBalance contains soy. I'm no scientist, but because my symptoms were the same for gluten, dairy and soy ingestion, it would appear that my body was interpreting each of those protein molecules in the same way. From what I understand, it's very common. And if it's not found to be dairy or soy, then there are other food group intolerances that may be causing you continued trouble. But it's liberating to finally wheedle down to what it is so you can feel great everyday of your life.

Also, keep in mind that while you'll never be able to tolerate gluten, many who give up dairy (and soy) find they can reincorporate it into their diet after some months.

[frieze]

So far I've eliminated: gluten, xanthan gum, rice, and corn. I take a Lactaid pill when I eat dairy. I need to drink milk to take my meds else I will get ill, I also eat cheese and cottage cheese for protein.

My newest symptom: ingestion of ice cream (well, frozen yogurt) results in a severe depressive state to the point where I'm considering doing myself in and crying uncontrollably. Yes, I tried ice cream, because I found a brand that was gluten free and that was without xanthan gum.

Aside from that, my mood overall is unstable. Sometimes I'm up and sometimes I'm down. Today, I'm up. However, the fatigue is doing me in. I sleep too much, it's difficult to pry myself out of bed. My rash is back. Concentration is really difficult in class, memory problems are abudant. I'm spacey, zoning in and out a lot. I'm constantly nauseated. Periodic lightheadedness. Also, my hair is falling out, it's incredibly thin right now. I'm horrified that I'm losing my hair, not exaggerating on the word horrified either. So, somehow I'm eating something that's not agreeing with me. Can anybody tell me what it could be. These are the ONLY foods I ate for the past 2 weeks.

- prepackaged peach fruit cup (no stated gluten, xanthan gum, etc)

- fat free milk

- raw apples

- extra sharp cheddar cheese

- raw carrots

- orange juice

- fat-free cottage cheese

- omega-3 eggs

- smart balance butter

- pepper

- sun dried raisins

- sun dried cranberries

- fat free yogurt

- vegetable soup (no gluten, etc)

- peppermint tea (from a tea bag with hot water)

- diet snapple/occasional diet soda

- water

- one serving Chex (caused problems)

- one serving ice cream (caused problems)

Obviously, that's not alot to choose from. I have no idea what is causing the symptoms. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction?

what additives are in the fat free cottage cheese and yogurt to give them the proper "mouth feel", and PLEASE can the diet soft drinks, ASAP.

[shadowicewolf]

Agreed be rid of the diet stuff. They often add sugar alternatives to them that aren't so good for your body.