Monday, May 27, 2013

Darn Paprika

I have a confession to make. I love cheese crackers. I'm sure this will be just the first of many foods I will break down over but I was so sad while munching to turn the box around and find out these have Paprika in them. Darn it!  Especially right now I know I can't have paprika and I need to do this right to give it a good shot at working. I want this to work.  I have to keep telling myself that. I want this to work. Let me know when you believe me...

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Introduction

     Last Thursday I broke down and went to a holistic doctor.  Between my autoimmune disorder flares, nausea, abdominal and joint pain I was in a constant state of pain and discomfort.  I found myself afraid to make commitments because I wasn't sure if it I would be well enough to keep my commitments.  I wasn't volunteering at my kids school anymore and I was grumpy.  I mean really grumpy with my husband, my kids, and everyone around me.  I had been to several doctors and the next step was to see the gastroenterologist.  I didn't want to go.  I kept putting it off.  It wasn't just about the cost which I was sure would be substantial, or the time and getting a sitter for my kids, I really didn't feel like they could help.  I had no idea what they would do at this point.  My rheumatologist had already prescribed phenergan (a powerful nausea medication) which I took so much it no longer made me sleepy.  It used to send me straight into a sleepy coma.  So I took what I considered the drastic step of seeing a holistic doctor.  I had a good friend who had seen this particular doctor and had lots of good things to say about her treatment.  I went and although I don't understand the science behind this branch of treatment I promised myself that I would try whatever he recommended.  I was hoping for a parasite.  The kind of thing that could be cured by one or two rounds of treatment and then my life would be all better.  Nope.  I was diagnosed with a Nightshade allergy.  What is a nightshade you ask?  Well me too!  Unfortunately nightshades are a group of fruits and vegetables including: Tomatoes, White Potatoes, and Sweet and Hot Peppers.  My doctor also ask me to initially abstain from garlic and onions.  He said after two weeks I could pick one to add back and then we would see how I do.  I found myself doing a lot of nodding as the disbelief washed through me.  It was like the seven stages of grief first shock, then denial.  I think I am really still in the denial stage.  I will think of something I love to eat and try to comprehend how it will feel to never eat it again.  The doctor says this is not a good idea.  That I should take it one day at a time.   So I started this blog to chronicle my journey.  Hopefully I will become healthier and happier even without my food friends but only time will tell.