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.
