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For what seems the whole of my 55 years, as long as I can remember, it has been a case of, amongst other things, going from one rash to another, being "allergic" to one thing or another (including coming out in the itchiest itch, hives and welts after being in the sun for even a short period of time), having one set of medical problems after another and getting diagnosis after diagnosis along the lines of "well it could be x or y but we really don't know" etc... etc...
No one knew what was wrong with me, nobody suspected that what I put in my mouth at least 3 times every day of my life was making me very sick. After chopping and changing around with what I ate, it took me about 40 years to think that maybe food could be a suspect and another 13 years before I could get anyone else to agree with my opinion. Excess weight has also been the bane of my life - it didn't matter what I did (or didn't do) nothing seemed to change it. It's only been in the last 18 months since being diagnosed with a salicylate sensitivity as well as other food problems that have I been able to shed some of it and I have to admit I feel better for it. At times I certainly felt that I have had or been through almost every test or procedure known to man - and the majority to no avail! My "knocking on doors" didn't just end with "normal mainstream" doctors etc... - it also included naturopaths, Chinese medicine and acupuncture! It has, over the years, cost me a small fortune! And where did it get me - absolutely no where; just sicker and more frustrated. Some of my symptoms were a lot worse than others at various times. I got sick of trying to think straight (this still happens occasionally) - like trying to think through a cotton wool ball; sick of my heart racing for no apparent reason; sick of being cold regardless of the temperature outside; sick of the trembling attacks which were so very scary as I felt I had no control over my limbs or anything any more; sick of the giddy days when it took everything I had to stop feeling as though I was going to fall over; sick of the blurred vision days and being unable to focus on things properly; sick of the ringing in my ears; sick of this; sick of that; sick of being sick. After being diagnosed as being food intolerant, nothing drastically changed or happened overnight - it just doesn't work that way. But at least, finally, it is acknowledged that I am not imagining it all - it is not just in my mind - it's not just a case of "just get over it". It has taken 18 months to get to the stage I am at now; taken 12 months of daily food diaries; taken being on an elimination diet; taken being on a restricted elimination diet; taken having food challenges which made me quite sick; taken having capsule challenges, to one of which I had a full blown allergic reaction; taken a heck of a lot of will power. But one thing I know now which I didn't know 18 months ago - there is a reason for it and it is a 4 letter word - FOOD! Yes it is food - the wrong type of food (for me) with its "in-build" chemicals which causes me so much grief. But let's face it, once you know who or what the enemy is, you can usually start doing something about it! |