Celiac diet

I am almost done with my 2 week trial-celiac diet!! On Saturday, I can eat whatever foods I crave...yet that doesn't mean I should.....

That wonderful choice would probably cause the same symptoms I've been having for almost the past five years. Some days and months were better than others, but both of us would like to find answers and get me feeling better...FOR GOOD! That doesn't mean I won't get sick, cuz life is always unexpected. But that doesn't mean that I can take control of my health and only eat foods that won't bother me.

At least, my blood work came back normal and I don't have celiac disease...yet. Hopefully, I'm just gluten intolerant! These last two weeks haven't been the easiest for me and many days were tearful and quite a struggle. But I also know that I couldn't have done it alone. Many other people have given their love and support to me on this new journey and I appreciate them all so much!

A Long Anticipated Answer!

My blood work came back normal last week and I am neither lactose intolerant or celiac!! But there is still a chance that I am gluten intolerant meaning my body can only so much gluten before I become sick. Is this a possible answer? After almost 5 years of not feeling good and running numerous medical tests, yes, I believe it is!

Although most medical test are 95% right, there still leaves that mere 5% that could change things. With that in mind, we've decided for me to do a strict 2 week celiac diet. At first, I didn't think it would be such a big change in my diet until I realized how many foods have gluten, modified food starch, and natural flavoring (only to name a few name variations). Once that realization hit home, it was extremely hard both for me to eat, but also to watch others eat at the same time. There's a difference in feeding you and your spouse but when you a little child who watches you eat, that's a totally new ball game! It also doesn't help with the funnest month of the year with all the Christmas festivities and yummy!

Plus, my mom and Trent both agreed I won't have to do my 2 week lactose free diet until January! So I can enjoy all the yummy Christmas treats after this Friday!! Over the past week, I've been quite careful on what I've eaten and cooked separately for my family! Most dishes weren't too hard to separate or we just fed Chloe something different than me and Trent. My aunt Ann has also been a wonderful help to us in guiding us to specific foods and answering lots of questions! A big , special thanks to wonderful family and friends who support and love me every day and will always be there as I face this new adventure!!

Dr's appt

Yesterday, I lucked out and had the chance to get into a specialist here in Bountiful. I figured I was pretty lucky especially since you usually have to wait weeks to see one! My wonderful mother left work early and came to my appointment both as another set of ears and also to entertain Chloe! We weren't sure what to gain from this visit as we had lots of questions and unsure what route to take now.

As I sat talking to the P.A., I felt like I was getting somewhere even though the P.A. couldn't diagnosis me with anything. We figured that before I went in, but just wanted more help in what direction to take now. The  P.A. gave me lots of handouts to read and gave me a few options of what I wanted to do. He may not have been to diagnosis me quite yet, but definitely gave us a lots to think about!

Last night was a hard night for us both, I won't lie to ya. Diet and lifestyle changes are easy to talk about until it comes to the 'doing' part. I just hope and pray that Chloe and any other future children aren't affected by me and my diet. Trent is such an amazing husband and I couldn't ask for anyone better. I just pray that we'll be able to make it through the next 4 weeks without many tears or frustrations especially with it being the holiday season!

Not milk?

From my other blog, you've probably discovered that Trent and I hate making decisions especially when they make a huge difference in life. But we've also realized that my health is important and you can't always sit on the fence when it comes to food and health. So we decided for me to go on a lactose intolerant diet and see how I would feel overtime. Either I would avoid milk products (doesn't count cooked milk) or I would take a lactose intolerant pill with the dairy item.

Like many people say, you have to go off a certain food for more than just a few days. So in attempt to avoid dairy products, we figured I could give this a try...it wouldn't hurt, right? Well after a couple of weeks, we came to the conclusion that it might not be dairy products that sorely affects my stomach. At the store last week, we picked up a 1/2 gallon of skim milk for me to try (and for Trent) so I could experiment with a little milk. From what I can remember, I haven't had milk for a long time. 

I only had about a 1/2 cup of milk plus then we made a fruit smoothie with a little bit of milk, too. As I tried not to focus on the experiment and play with Chloe, I never really experienced much nausea or strong heartburn like I would with no milk. Funny, uh? So two days later, I gave milk a second shot and pretty much felt the same way. My stomach reacts to everything I eat, just some foods have a stronger reaction than others. Lately, I've been getting some strong impressions (or promptings) that maybe I'm not lactose intolerant. 

Oh, the joys of trials, but hopefully we are getting somewhere soon!!

New specialist

Last night was another hard night which makes me want to go back to a specialist even more. Dinner was yummy. I avoided the grated cheese and only had a few oatmeal (non-chocolate) cookies with fresh fruit for dessert. But on the way home from my sister-in-law's house, I almost told to Trent to pull over in the HOV lane (sorry, if that's TMI).

The only problem with going back to the Ogden specialist is that they've already done most all the tests they can. So in talking to my mom last night for a few minutes, she suggested we find a new and closer specialist for me to see. We are guessing that I'm lactose intolerant but still feel there are other foods that affecting me. If you know of any good digestive specialists in the Bountiful area or Davis county and would recommend them, please comment below or let us know! Thanks :)

Cheese vs. sour cream

Why is it that dairy food just tastes so good? I just love the taste of ice cream, yogurt, a big glass of milk, and don't forget all those dips made with sour cream!!

As that thought went through my mind, it never dawned on me now that cheese wasn't on that list. Yes, I do like cheese on casseroles and definitely with Mexican food, somehow there's a limit to how to much. My sister and Chloe LOVE cheese, especially when it's grated! Whenever Trent or I say 'macaroni and cheese' to Chloe, she perks up and goes crazy until she gets some. Yet I've never been that strong desire for m&c or lots of cheese. With this big transition happening in my life of no dairy, I just don't have any more cravings for cheese or even sweets. Silly, I know...but hopefully it will pay off soon!

On the other hand, sour cream is a totally different story. Even though, it's not that healthy, I eat celery and carrot sticks better with dip, but now I'm learning to eat them plain. But it's those those baked potatoes and Mexican food, that I reluctantly give in to that creamy sour cream! I also can't eat any spicy foods without putting a dab of sour cream on to help reduce the hot taste!

Maybe I'll just stick with avoiding cow's milk and the cheese for now! Cuz I don't know what I could do without you, sour cream!

A Possible Answer...maybe?

I'll be upfront and honest in that the last few weeks haven't been easy when it comes to planning, preparing or eating meals. But one thing I've learned is that Heavenly Father is very mindful of my current struggles as well as others. 

Some days or meals haven't been easy to conquer and I've been ready to give up. Yet, I stumble on a blog or see someone else who has worse challenges than I do which brings me back to the reality of life. I should be grateful for what health I have and that I was able to bring a beautiful little girl into this world healthy and strong. Many other sick people, near or far, aren't able to find potential answers to their illness due to financial reasons, locations, or whatever circumstance! Luckily, I have a great sister-in-law and cousin who both recently discovered their solutions along with many other friends as well. 

Both Trent and I have had mixed feelings in going back and forth about various food groups or even specific foods. A few months ago, we mad a list of specific foods that we knew affected my stomach to some degree but I didn't stick to it very much. When you strive to eliminate a certain food in your diet, it's just like breaking habit....it isn't easy. Frustation might be a better word, at least for me that is. So let's fast forward about a month ago, when we decided to take a different approach which still wasn't easy, but I knew I had to do something. 

With lots of prayer and struggles, we've come to a possible answer that I might be lactose intolerant. I know, I should be shouting for joy in that we found something that might work...however, sometimes Heavenly Father only gives us answers little by little. I may be lactose intolerant but there are still a bunch of other foods that make me sick, some worse than others. There's a good chance I can keep the lactcose intolerance under control with some lactaid pills. But for everything else, I've started keeping track of what I've eaten and its effect to me. The last two nights didn't turn out that great, but we hope to have an idea of what the food was and better luck next time! 

A lot of people have come up to me or Trent and expressed their concern for me and my health. Thank you all so much! We appreciate all your love, support, and prayers! It's a lot easier on me as I know that I am cared for and not alone! Hopefully, this is a little step onto our big, new adventure of diet change.

What to do?

So, my second attempt of a dairy-free diet didn't go very well...it lasted a few days, maybe if even that. Diets are so hard especially when you got to feed a husband and child, too! Ok, so I probably shouldn't blame it all them cuz I know all this diet thing is based on me and what I do for myself.  It's just so emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically hard. Lately, I've been tired with occasional headaches and ringing ears. By the time Trent gets home from work, I'm almost bushed from the day and keeping up with my cute Chloe-bug!

Good thing that husbands and wives work together in many aspects because I would never make it every day without him! He is the 'pick-me-up' and keep me going in the afternoons! Over the last month of so, we've been making dinner and doing dishes together (he usually finishes up) which has been fun and a lifesaver for all of us!

Back to my diet, I've haven't drunk any real milk in the last few months that I can remember. There are a lot more foods and dishes that have milk or dairy products included that I originally thought wouldn't...which is where I probably get more frustrated! After only a few months and realizing how hard it is to eat dairy-free, I have more respect and give high regards to those who are celiac, lactose intolerant, or even both! Most days I start out dairy free but because I eat so little and still feel sick, I end up eating some type of dairy by bedtime!! Frustrating I know! Hopefully next week is better!

Second attempt

As I mentioned in my previous post, this dairy-free diet only lasted almost two weeks...but it seemed like a long time! I've never been good about having self-control when it comes to eating and avoid various foods until recently. Sweets, cookies, and candy just don't appeal to me like years past. I can usually find (and talk myself) into something healthier or just don't take one. Now that I get an upset stomach after eating such things, it's much easier. However, it's been harder to avoid chocolates and tomato products (including salsa and chips)! Every once in a long while with dinner or as an indulgence, I eat a chocolate yet knowing that I'll regret it later. I have started cooking more with tomatoes lately only because they are used in a lot of things and the focus right now is more on dairy products. A couple months ago, we made a list of foods I upset my stomach which includes various things. Yet, if I were to avoid that list plus these current foods, what would I be eating?

Today is day one of another dairy-free diet, in hopes, that I will last longer than before. I'm currently at a roadblock now that everything I eat upsets my stomach which makes me nauseous and/or tired to a point....some more or some less. We hope this discouragement won't last long for either one of us as we both face this hard struggle everyday. I enjoy eating with Chloe during the day and sitting up with my family at dinner...it's just that I eat way less than I used to.

Last night, my wonderful sweetheart gave me a blessing right before bed to help calm my emotions and body. Heavenly Father will always be with me no matter how sick or discouraging I might feel. I am a special daughter who He loves and cherishes. I could feel my Father's love and support as I listened to the blessing and felt tears on my cheeks. He knows I can handle this trial, as hard and frustrating as it may be...but He will never leave me comfortless. After Trent finished the blessing, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and gave him a hug for a few minutes. No words, just the Spirit.

A big, special thanks to my wonderful in-laws who raised a loving and supportive young man who honors his Priesthood and little family! I know you both don't see him a lot, but you've given me the ultimate best and true gift I found five years ago!! Thank you :)

Ugh!!

Yes, I totally gave up this week in eating dairy-free and paid the price for it! It was late Sunday night when I got way nauseous and then everything went downhill from that! Maybe it is milk products that affect my digestive system; however, we still wonder if it is more than just dairy too.

Oh, how the joys of trial and error are so discouraging and not fun! It's like I try to eat occasional meals without dairy and then I still feel sick....ugh!

Some of me just wants to go back to the specialist and say run more tests, please! (It's been a couple of years since the previous ones). But deep down inside, I know I need to do better on my part of experimenting with a dairy-free or gluten-free. Neither one is easy and requires a big sacrifice on my part  especially when it comes to feeding my family. The specialist did tell me that even if they run medical tests, their results could come back as negative whereas if I tried it on my own, it might be positive. Silly I know, but it does make sense.

Chloe is in a phase right now that she's better at eating meals when at least Trent or I are eating with her. I love eating with Chloe and teaching her how to share - which doesn't make this diet decision any easier for me. Anyways, I still have been feeling tired and very nauseous this week plus I've been having ringing and popping ears. When we went in for Chloe's 15-month apt, her pediatrician and I talked about how our ears are connected with our jawbone/teeth which would explain why she keeps sticking her fingers in her ears. So, that makes more sense to me now how all my dry heaves cause my ears to constantly ring and pop! Not cool!

This morning, I told Trent that as hard as it was, I need to make a bigger effort to continue on with this dairy-free diet. So hopefully when I start back on Sunday, I can last longer than 2 weeks and only introduce one food in at a time. If that doesn't work for about 3 or so weeks, then our next resort will be gluten-free! One day a solution will come....one day!!

Cheese or sour cream or what?

Last night for dinner, Trent made us homemade Navajo tacos with the wondrous help of our bread machine. He also was willing to let me cave in and have cheese and sour cream with it as well. Let me make it clear that he isn't controlling what I can and cannot eat....but he is the stronger of us two when it comes to this diet. Some days have just been pure hard and he's willing to support me in whatever I choose to eat. Anyways, the two-week mark of my dairy-free diet is actually today, but we decided to give dairy products a try once again.

Wait, I know what you're thinking. Aren't you supposed to introduce one new food at a time? Yes, you are but I just couldn't help myself and knew it would hurt me later in the evening. Which it did, unfortunately. :( Lately, I've been getting headaches and faint ringing ears which is related to GERD but last night was differently. Chloe was asleep and we were getting ready for bed when suddenly I had the urge and the strong dry heaves (and taste) of dinner. All I told Trent was 'run and get my a bowl, fast'!

Anyways, I will spare you the details and get to the point. I didn't end up throwing up, just a few spits here and there. But I was so ready to crawl in bed and get some rest. Hopefully today can be a restful day as I'm already with going for a walk and ready for a long nap. Maybe I should go back to a dairy-free diet including sour cream chips. But than again, I still have been sick for the past couple weeks with eating no dairy....why? That's what is so frustrating. The next alternative I have is going gluten-free which would be a lot harder.

So for right now, back to the dairy-free diet it is - maybe for another week or so. Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions....sometimes I wish they would be so easy!!

Sherbet & patience

"You never know what (or who) you're missing...until its (or the person) is gone."
  --a gold star to whomever knows the author!

To be honest with myself, it hasn't been an easy week with this dairy-free diet...especially when I realized that sherbet contains milk. :( Lately, I haven't been too much of an ice cream or sweets fan, but more often now I've had some sherbet or a few cookies. Then as I was telling a family member of my diet, she mentioned that sherbet contains milk.....and there it went! NOOO!! Luckily, I didn't blow up in front of this person, but totally damped my outlook on this diet.

Some days, I have just snacked throughout the day and then made dinner for Chloe and Trent. Although deep down inside, I know I need to eat better meals but sometimes it's so easy to let the frustration to win. I love the look on Chloe's face as she is reading a book or knocking a tower down because even the tinest thing creates a huge smile!

As today is Sept. 11th, it's made me also reflect on many people who have lost loved ones from the hijacked planes, falling Twin Towers, the damaged buildings or sites, and many others who gave their life to rescue another friend in need. I shouldn't really complain much when numerous people have bigger problems than me or their lives have been affected in such a big way like 9/11.

We all have our different challenges in life - some we face as a country, a family, or just as an individual. Faith and patience are two characteristics that I struggle with most. Yet hopefully, I can focus on them through this dairy-free diet just like America's faith through these tragic, but humbling tragedies.

No cravings yet!

It's almost been a week of this dairy-free diet and I'm proud to say I haven't craved anything so far....but I know they'll come!

Although, that doesn't mean I've thought about missing out on yogurt or chips/veggies with dip. Chloe had macaroni and cheese the other day and luckily I'm not too fond of the box style, so it wasn't a problem!
Lately, I haven't been too good about avoiding sweets and cookies - unless it contains chocolate then I'm better at staying away. However, that doesn't mean that I still don't have my chocolate stash for a much-needed day of indulgence. When I was in the hospital with Chloe, my anut and uncle brought me a box of Mrs. Florence's chocolates - which I save for only special or needed days!

Otherwise, my goal is to have a dairy-free diet and very few sweets on a rare occasion. We originally made a list of foods that both bother my stomach and one big item is anything tomato-based. As we've researched dairy-free menus, it's hard to plan and cook tomato and dairy-free plus my huge list of foods. I haven't been as strict with those foods this past week in order to focus more on dairy products. Maybe as time goes, I'll eliminate a few off and on. Anyways, it's been an OK week and having to realize that answers don't come as fast I as want them to...but for now I must do my part in eating dairy-free. Thanks to a wonderful husband who always reminds me to be strong!!

Dairy-free diet

Now that many things have calmed, my GERD decided to come back and cause more trouble. It's been a hard few months for both Trent and I knowing what food(s) will upset my stomach a little bit or a lot. Back in spring 2010, I was diagnosed with Grade B esophagus and then hopefully it was cured (I ended up pregnant soon after). So with this factor in mind, it's important for us to realize that my esophagus has already been damaged and to be careful.

Early June, I went back to the digestive specialist and he put me on an anti-acid medication along with a probiotic. Most of the time, I've been good about remembering to take them until a few weeks ago. Maybe its just me, but going on vacation always throws my daily routine off. Anyways, as I'm trying to take them, I just seem to be having more upset stomachs and exhausted after dinner.

I've been quite good and avoided chocolate, most sweets, and my acidic list but that doesn't seem to be enough. Luckily, enough my recently new sister-in-law recently discovered she's lactose intolerant so that has helped a lot! My only concern in going lactose intolerant for me is having self-control with Chloe and dairy products!

We hope that a dairy-free diet helps heal my stomach and esophagus overtime so that I can slowly start eating milk products and other foods, too. (There are more foods besides dairy that we've discovered cause higher levels of acid). If this doesn't work, our next resort is doing a gluten-free diet or if all else fails back to the specialist.

Trent and I hope this next step really works so that I can start feeling better soon! This trial hasn't been easy, but we know that we aren't alone....Heavenly Father and others will always be there!

A little introduction

As many of you know, I've been having digestive problems for many years...pretty much since my senior year of college. Since I was diagnosed with GERD back in spring of 2010, things have been under control and feasible until recently...even being pregnant with Chloe was a fairly good road. We've had some big stresses in the past 7-8 months of jobs, moving, housing, tight finances  - all of which hasn't helped my health. Yet, Heavenly Father knows how much I can handle and lately we've been blessed with some major blessings.

It's not going to be easy to start more strictly on this GERD diet or life style change. Oh, how its been a rocky start with lots of tears, nauseousness, and research. I've eliminated various foods for a couple days here and there, but nothing straight for one, two or even three weeks straight.

Please understand I'm not trying not to whine or complain....I'm just asking for a strong support group that will be there for me when I fall or slip in naughty foods when I'm not supposed to.

Hopefully as we start on this long journey ahead, we'll be ahead to find foods that my stomach can handle and will like....as there is no real solution or cure for people with GERD. I would love any suggestions or tips that you want to send my way!! I also hope you'll come back often and enjoy living (or reading) this journey with me!