OS ways and Poor Health

lessonlearned

I am an entirely self taught cook too Elona. My school didn't do cookery lessons and mum didn't like me messing up the kitchen. And tbh she wasn't really interested in cooking, not exactly a domestic goddess bless her.

Plus of course I began my lifelong battle with stomach problems when I was just a child and in those days it never occurred to anyone that food could be the culprit. When I refused to eat something or developed stomach pains my parents just put it down to either being "emotional" or attention seeking.

CC. Polly is right, I have done quite a bit of experimenting with foods.

I finally began to understand that my stomach problems and also other problems like migraines, fibro, joint pain, thyroid malfunction, adrenal fatigue, hay fever, rhinitis, repeated bouts of infected tonsils etc were all interconnected and that there had to be an underlying cause. My body was sending out enough hints and signals but it took me a long time to connect the dots.

Years of prescription stomach meds hadnt helped. At first they just masked the symptoms but eventually they made matters worse. It was like a nuclear arms race, constantly switching meds, upping the dosages, just trying to stay ahead of the game. My digestive system was ruined. The prolonged use of PPIs, which switch off acid production, meant that I had insufficient enzymes to digest food properly so wasn't absorbing enough nutrients.

I started to pay more attention, keeping a food diary, noting which foods foods made me feel really ill. By the time the fibro had taken a hold, my adrenal glands were shot and my thyroid was starting to play up I had had enough. My doctors couldn't help. They had tried to prescribe nsaids for the joint pain but my stomach just rebelled, I was essentially screwed. My GP said if my system couldn't even cope with simple nsaids, the gentlest option, then there was nothing else they could prescribe. I would have to look at complimentary therapies such as massage, Physio etc and pain relieving gels.

So I began experimenting, managing my fibro and joint pain as best I could without prescription meds. Then when I was admitted to hospital with a suspected cardiac arrest, I really began to think about my health. Luckily my heart was fine, they diagnosed a stress attack, exacerbated by GERD. I now know it was in fact my first costochondria attack.

It was at this point I decided to try changing my diet to see if that would help.

Initially I went gluten free by avoiding wheat or buying gluten free products but It wasn't enough, so eventually I went to see a nutritionist. Best thing I ever did. It cost me £80 but it was one of the best investments I have ever made. She just pointed me in the right direction. A total ban on all grains, including rice and oatmeal, no nightshades and no dairy. And a list of supplements to take to replenish all those missed nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

I'm now off all meds and feel better than I have done in years. I have now reintroduced some dairy and some nightshades although white potatoes are still a problem sometimes.

It's still trial and error, and I still make the odd mistake but when I do I just go straight back on to my paleo regime and I'm back to rights in no time. I can manage the odd treat..... some good artisan bread maybe once a week and a bowl of pasta once in a blue moon but I soon know if I've overdone it. Still can't touch rice and pizza is an absolute no no. Even my beloved croissants are now off the menu...

The fibro has been a bit slower to respond but I'm definitely seeing an improvement. I still have some joint pain but pleased to say the acupuncture has helped enormously with that.

I still get costochondria sometimes and that can be very painful but I'm hopeful that too will eventually respond, especially once I have got the stressful business of moving house out of the way...

Still awaiting contract exchange ......apparently it's "imminent":rotfl:

Tink_04

Hi everyone!

I've just been catching up a bit. Sorry I've been a bit MIA the holidays are hard and work has been stressful. My grievance hearing was yesterday and it went well. I proved discrimination based on my disability - will see what they come back with. I'm glad it's over it was such a stress and I'm exhauseted from the fight but proud I did it as ended up having to raise it against the company as HR had sided with the individual so it was a huge hearing and I was terrified.

Have been out on a lovely trip with the kids today but I'm so tired I'm in bed already. Going to have an easy day tomorrow.

I've got all the uniform bought apart from shoes so I'm doing well and DS has had his birthday and a party so he was really happy.

I applied and was accepted for my blue badge too - I had never applied for it before and was certain I wouldn't met the criteria but they were lovely and could see the benefit it would have on my quality of life.

I love alternative therapies - I've never tried acupuncture but I enjoy reiki and mindful relaxation. Think it's good for the soul.

I'm thinking about re joining fat club when the kiddies go back to school as my weight is an issue now and I really want to do something about it.

Hope you are all well

Tink xx

maddiemay

Tink I had been wondering how things were going for you. So pleased that you got through the hearing, it must have been so tough.

Great news about your Blue Badge, hopefully it will make life a lot easier.

I am an advocate of complimentary therapies, I am fortunate that I can pay for some. Currently I see a PT weekly and am gradually regaining strength and more use in my depleted muscles and an Osteopath/holistic healer puts me back together about once a month. I would love to add Acupuncture back in to the mix, having had great success in the past, but cannot stretch to it ATM

Tink_04

Thanks Maddie - I'm still exhausted from it. Will see what they come back with but I'm honestly done now.

DJ has seen the surgeon and is going to have to have surgery on his spine. He will be off work for at least 6 weeks and I'm panicking with how we will cope as he looks after me! We are not sure what his company sick pay is like so we will be tightening our belts in perpetration as we have had a lot of spends lately.

Hope everyone is well- it's freezing today and we are just having a chill out PJ day!

Tink

maddiemay

Oh Tink that is a worry for you both. HM ready meals stashed away would help with the food side of things, but believe me I understand that you do not always have the energy to do this:( Are your children of an age/trainable to be help with domestic stuff, loading/unloading washing machine, dish washer, washing up, laying and clearing the table? sorry, but I have a rubbish memory for detail. Special project help mummy and daddy perhaps.

Sorry if I am waffling pure rubbish, have been baking (helped me keep warm, freezing here today) and I have run out of energy, thinking about a Nana nap, but then probably not sleep tonight.
Take care xx

pollyanna_26

Hi maddie and Tink . I need to catch up after spotting all my typos after my last posts , that's walk away from the keyboard time .
Will be back in a while . Meanwhile sorry to read your post Tink .
polly x

Onebrokelady

Hi everyone,I've just come across this thread and hope it's ok if I join you
I have Fibromyalgia and also have episodes of Trigeminal Neuralgia, I've also recently been diagnosed with Depression but have suffered with it on and off for several years,I started reading the thread from the beginning to see what tips people have posted but thought I would pop in in the meantime and introduce myself,hopefully I will be able to contribute too

maddiemay

Hi Onebrokelady, welcome, so many kind and helpful people around here, I am sure that you will soon feel at home.

pollyanna_26

First of all Tink lets focus on the positives . Well done to you for feeling the fear and doing it any way re the work situation . That's a brave step you took a well deserved outcome . Getting your blue badge too is a big positive . It should make life a lot easier .


Your husbands proposed surgery is obviously needed and now means the carer also will need some care too even for a short time .
My first thought is would your parents be able to help ? I know they have helped during school holidays when you've both been working .
I'm not sure of your age group but I think you're a lot younger than me . My 4 are in their 30s and 40s now . It's highly likely either both or one of your parents are working themselves .
I expect your OH will find out quickly about his employers health scheme . Nowadays it can vary from generous all the way to SSP and levels in between .


As someone who found herself suddenly caring for a family single handed I can honestly say the easy bit financially is feeding everyone . Thick soups , stews , jacket potatoes with leftovers as fillings are well balanced and quick to do .


If the bills are covered you can budget from there .


The main thing is both you and your husband have the help you need personally during the time before he is well enough to help you . If family can't step in it would be worth him discussing the situation with the hospital and perhaps you with your GP . It doesn't mean having loads of people in the house but maybe getting some advice on coping and possibly temporary aids on loan to make things a little easier .


I do feel it's a shame this has come on top of what has been a positive period of coping for you although exhausting . The timing is unfortunate as I well remember the ever hungry ( even though they weren't ) offspring during the summer holidays and the dreaded full school uniform costs not mentioning the shoes they seemed to keep outgrowing rapidly .


Chin up love . Sit together and think what you can manage and we'll try to suggest solutions for those you know will be hard or impossible . There are times I wish I lived next door to posters and could do rather than say something . It's looking like one of those years on OS at the moment , so many struggling in different ways .


polly x

pollyanna_26

Welcome Onebroke lady I think I've seen you over on the Fence thread . I'm glad you've found us in our little corner of OS . I look forward to your posts .


Hoping all is ok with you Wolfy and you're both managing to cope with the changes . If Cookie is still with you she'd refuse to go out here . It's like flippin' Siberia and has been since Thursday , Today has been flannelette bedding on the beds day , unheard of in August but needed along with hot water bottles . I'm hoping it will trigger a return to normal weather neither too hot and humid or the present very cold , wet and the wind blowing a hoolie straight from the Irish sea .


Cranky you and the HT have been in my thoughts and the nightly candle . Not the summer you thought it would be so gentle hugs to you both xx


Hope all posters and readers are ok AOT any further forward yet ? You're another I keep in mind .


I'm about to eat so may be back later if I don't turn into a block of ice .


polly x