For those interested, an update on tummy troubles

[Hunter's Moon]

In short (for those who don't want to read the whole thing), I've been eating more and slowly getting better with the help of a Nutritionist.

 

Longer version: Scheduled an appt. with Nutritionist and wasn't supposed to get in until Jan. 5th, but we got a call (during the week our power was off, so thank goodness my cell was on at that minute) and we got in last week.

 

Her biggest worry was my weight loss (45 lbs. since May) and my current weight (130 lbs.) is a bit low for my build. I've added in aged and sharp cheeses without issue (though they are expensive! :glare:) and with the help of Beano, I am able to eat all the fruits and veggies I want. She has me eating yogurt or kefir daily and is pushing calcium and iron (anemic). I was also started on a multivitamin. She helped us understand some of my food allergies better (I know those with a soy allergy can tolerate soy oil and lecithin, but I avoided it if I could because I thought it may bother me eventually. She set me straight on that.)

 

She tried to put me on a nutritional supplement (Pediasure, Ensure, etc.) but they ALL have legumes (the one without soy protein had peas :glare:).

 

I've been enjoying normal meals and slowly adding in trouble foods (I plan to add tomato sauce soon).

 

I also decided against gluten-free because the small intestine biopsy was normal and adding in more fruits and veggies has made me feel almost 100% normal again. If I still notice issues, I will drop the gluten, but for now everything is slowly getting better.

 

We assume I'm lactose free as I can tolerate the sharp and aged cheeses but others bother my stomach, so we won't be doing the 3-hour lactose test with the GI.

 

These past 6 1/2 months have been tough. A few months ago, we thought I was getting better (about July-ish) and then it went down hill again and I just completely shut down. I was eating minimally and not nutritionally at all. I just wanted the pain to stop and eating rice, corn flakes, and potatoes kept it at a minimum. In the back of my mind, I feel like a failure for not trying to add more nutrition in then because I see that it is helping me now, but I was so scared to touch any food that even seemed remotely harmful (to my stomach). Food was my enemy because it either made me feel sick or could be lethal (allergies). I developed anemia and vitamin deficiencies and am just blessed that the specialists I saw didn't say it was in my head or an eating disorder. It was a scary, lonely place and while I'm ashamed at how much food scared me, I am so grateful to be where I am now, on the other side of it.

 

The prayers, well wishes, and suggestions have been a blessing and I really appreciate it.

[Jean in Newcastle]

This nutritionist sounds like a blessing. I'm glad that you are getting the help you need. I'm praying that you will continue to get better.

[Susan C.]

About cheese, the older it is, the less lactose it has. I'm lactose intolerant and can eat some cheese. I just have to be careful and not overdo it.

 

If you can get raw milk, the live enzymes eat up the lactose (or something like that). When I lived in California, I could drink all the raw milk I wanted. In fact, I would buy a half gallon (Calif. is the only state where you can buy raw milk at the grocery store) when my belly was bothering me and work through it over a day or two, and would feel much better after that. (real milk dot com will tell you where to get raw milk)

 

I'm so glad you are going to a nutritionist and that you are getting better!

[Harriet Vane]

This nutritionist sounds like a blessing. I'm glad that you are getting the help you need. I'm praying that you will continue to get better.

 

:iagree: