Wednesday, October 03, 2012

So that's what it is...

Despite all the physical problems I was having, I didn't understand why I should have developed an intolerance to so many kinds of foods, especially to lactose and gluten. A lot of things that I tried to eat caused problems and I couldn't figure out why they were because it was always so unexpected. I was down to eating a few basic foods but if I stuck to them, I did very well. 

Not being able to work it out on my own, I went to my very knowledgeable GP yesterday and proceeded to explain the whole story. His conclusion was that I suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and after I got home, I googled it and found a respectable website where it was alll explained. I can only conclude that my GP was right because now everything makes sense. 

Lactose is one of the things that all people with this syndrome have a problem with and they share other foods as well but a lot of it is very individual and you have to find out for yourself what agrees with you. I have basically done that already and have my own diet that works. 

My GP suggested that I try one food that didn't agree with me to see what would happen. Maybe I wouldn't react to it as strongly now. It was worth the try.

Full of optimism and goodwill I ate some toast and at first thought that the reaction wasn't too bad and that it might be worth it in order to be able to eat it. I did come to regret that thought and suffered from what I won't describe here for the rest of the day and my system is now, this morning, still not quite back to normal.

That experiment did bear results in the sense that I found out that I was not just imagining that I couldn't eat certain foods and that my body reacted according to the script although I had not wanted it to. I thought I had the power of my mind to stop it from happening. 

It's very comforting when you're not groping in the dark and grasping at straws and coming up with fanciful explanatuins of your own. It's good to have the right answers.I suppose I should trust the professionals more and not try to solve all of my problems on my own, although that did wotk up to a point. I do have to give myself a vote of confidence.


3 comments:

Rob-bear said...

Well, I'm glad you and your doctor solved a puzzle, but I'm sorry you have the puzzle to solve. Best wishes on staying healty!

Wisewebwoman said...

Wow, what a learning experience you had.

My daughter is gluten free and dairy free and bean free due to her MS and can detect even the slightest amount in her body.

yes, listen to the people who know best and your body knows best.

XO
WWW

Anonymous said...

I have a friend with IBS, and she can pretty much eat anything most of the time. But sometimes the smallest bite of something that she hasn't eaten for a while will set her system off and that's it for the day. Sounds like your body is a little more predictable than hers!