The following is a message that I sent to karen in the wee hours of the morning when I was feeling terribly frustrated. She suggested some things but also suggested that I post for everyone to see....
Karen,
Hi there, its DeAnna. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed. I read your reply to my post and thought I'd ask a few more questions:
When you track food in a diary, when can you expect a reaction from a trigger to occur? right away, 24 hours, 48 hours? Im bloated nearly every day so its hard to know what the cause is. Plus, I eat a fairly restricted diet anyway. I found great relief from the bloating while on the South Beach Diet, until a year ago. My problems started as painless bloating and then I developed some cramping in the usual L lower quadrant. I had excision surgery (but with a laser???) from Camran Nezhat in California and this was only 2 moths ago. While the pain was terrible afterwards (for about 6 weeks), I was told that it was still postop pain. The pain HAS gotten better but I am back to terrible bloating that has kept me from enjoying life. I am totally embarrased by how I look. Also, have gained some weight above and beyond what is normal for me. Im up 20 lbs since last year (I was a size 4 then). Of note:
-My thyroid level was normal
-Ive been on probiotics for 1 month solid
-Ive cut out caffeine and dairy completely (doing coconut milk) and I have been limiting my red meat. I dont eat gluten but have slipped a few times on snacks made by my housemates (which I used to not ever subject myself to)
- I also try to limit large, heavy meals with starches because it makes me feel instantly worse.
- My colonoscopy was completely normal AND proved that I wasnt "backed up" also, I had no food for over 24 hours and was still bloated just before the procedure.
- ive been on BCP's non stop for 8 years. Im worried about ovarian cancer a bit(because of my symptoms) but they havent noted anything abnormal on my ovaries during my lap or U.S.
- What food allergy test did you do and who performed it? I have read about the Elisa Act but there is some controversy over it and i cannot afford it right now.
- Have you tried any supplements that have helped particulary well with your bloating? you mentioned some vitamin supplements that you liked and you had mentioned some GI/digestion supplement.... has it helped?
- I had my vitamin levels checked and vit b was VERY low
- Im having my hormone levels checked next week and I know that low progesterone levels can lead to weight gain, but bloating?
My thoughts:
Should I try increasing my probiotic to 2 xs a day? Should I try fiber supplement, a liquid diet for a bowel rest period, a colon cleanse OR should I just be more patient since its just been 2 months since my lap? IM SICK OF THIS!!!!!!!!! I cant take it anymore, seriously. I feel like not eating at all
Im also worried that the adhesions on my bowel (that he removed) could be back.
Wasnt too impressed by Nezhat, unfortunately,.... have you heard any good things about the others on the "specialists" list?
Any ideas or thoughts would be MUCH appreciated. Ive been to several docs from GYN to GI that have proved to be total idiots so Im totally at a loss for what to do. (Cant afford all the alternative stuff right now)
D
In addition to the above info, I have been tested for H Pylori and celiac disease and am negative for both.
Also, yesterday, I DID have a cup of decaf and I have been drinking coconut milk alot.... so now Im cutting these out to see if that helps> Really, this has been going on for such a long time and on a regular basis that it makes it tough to know what it is. I may do some sort of cleanse and limit my intake to fruits and veggies and very little protein as Karen had suggested.
As far as getting digestive supplements from a practitioner... would that be a naturopath/MD?
And what is body brushing? Self explanatory
or is there a method to it? Sounds relaxing.
Thanks everyone
or is there a method to it? Sounds relaxing.
