So, I finally went to a nutritionist. That is funny, I hate food, but I went to someone to tell me what to eat. I had to. With all my food restrictions I feel like I eat all the same things over and over again. Boring. It was nice to have someone listen to me and all my food issues and not think I am a freak. Well, that and the fact that I am paying her helps.
We originally corresponded by e-mail. I had told her that I had gained 50 pounds in the past 20 years. She asked me if I could do stairs since they are located on the 2nd floor. WHAT!! I’m not THAT heavy…well, she didn’t know that 20 years ago I was underweight and probably look “normal” now to everyone else but me. When I met her, I had old ugly feelings come out. She was so tiny, like a little pixie. There I am following her back to her office like Godzilla chasing Tinkerbell. Arrgh, Arrgh! I was in her office for a good hour and a half going over my history with food starting as far back as I can remember. From grazing off TV tables as a toddler , to the Mommie Dearest scenarios in high school staring at my dinner on the table until it was time to go to bed (my parents took pictures, they thought it was funny), ending with my husband leaving me in Whole Foods (he really did) because I wrinkled my nose at his dinner suggestion. She reviewed my food diary/log I had kept for the past two weeks. Some days I did real well with eating(yea!) and other days I wasn’t eating enough. She also said I tend to eat the same things all the time. Duh, that is why I am here. I need help. I am going back to see her next week for my updated food meal plan. She is putting together a list of all the foods I can eat with suggestions on when to eat them.
The next day I went and saw my allergist for my once a year check in and epi-pen refill. She checked me out, said I didn’t look too bad but was obviously suffering during this ragweed season. I told her about my newest symptom in grocery stores; I can’t go down the bread aisle or anywhere near the pastry department without having heaviness in my chest and it feels like I have inhaled spikes into my lungs and nose. She whipped her head up from taking notes and said “that’s not good”. Well I didn’t think so either. (For all my dislike of all food, I actually graduated from pastry school a few years back. I do like making cakes and treats for family and friends and occasionally sell a cake/pie or two around the holiday season.) The Dr said that I need to stop baking right away….well, that isn’t going to work out for me this year. I have desserts to cater on Friday for a party of 150 people and then there is the holiday tea at church where I run the kitchen. So, so, so, they drew blood from me to do further testing and I am going back next week for the skin tests. Great. Let’s find out how allergic I am and let’s see what else I can’t eat. This is becoming really kooky.
And the results are in! I have new food allergies to add to my growing list: barley, oats, bananas, avocado, kiwi, and of all things, carrots. I knew I didn’t like them for a reason. Now where do I go from here? I just ate my lunch, arugula salad with grilled chicken and balsamic dressing. My face is all red and splotchy. This is madness. All foods I can eat and have a reaction to that??!! Maybe it’s time I consulted a different doctor. I feel bad because I really like my allergist. I don’t know what anyone else could tell me. If I am testing positive with a skin/blood test, what is another doctor going to say?
As I have said before, it would be so much easier to take a pill for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with 8 glasses of water a day. Since that isn’t happening any time soon, I guess I will muddle through this mess I am in looking for solutions. I’m afraid that one day I will have the BIG reaction and have to use my epi-pen. Actually, that is what my daughter is hoping for…..any excuse to stab me with a needle. For a nurse, she really doesn’t have any bedside manner with her mom!! Until then, the battle with food continues………..
No comments:
Post a Comment