Feeling Horrible...

[humbird753]

Hi everyone - I have been feeling so good since noticing slow step-by-step progress since last early Fall. The end of November I was about to brag about Norman visiting, but as usual in my case, he doesn't stay around very long. But the upside is that I was only having one (occasionally 2 BM's) a day. Not solid BM's, but a long way from WD. I have also been experiencing increased energy and stamina, although I can tell it's not like before I had MC. I eat ALL my foods from home. When I make our evening meal, I make plenty so I can take leftovers to work for lunch. It works very well for me. I have also increased exercise since early last Spring.

Problem started Saturday night. We went out to eat. A local restaurant is under new management, and they have even hired a chef who is familiar with gluten, dairy, etc. types of food sensitivities. I was going to have a steak and baked potato (and brought along my SF/DF Earth Balance butter substitute). I then noticed the BBQ ribs on the menu. I asked the waiter if they were GF. He told me the sauce was not, but he would talk to the chef to see what he could do. The end result was me ordering honey-glazed ribs and a baked potato. I did go to the salad bar (I haven't had any type of lettuce or other raw veggies in a couple of years). Along with the honey-glazed ribs came a small cup of honey mustard. Everything tasted great. The only beverage I had was water. I felt I had found a good restaurant for the occasional meal out.

Before going to bed Saturday night, I had already made 4 trips to the bathroom. Woke up yesterday feeling nauseated, stomach pains, and now having WD. The WD continues today, and a lack of appetite. I am wondering if this one meal could have caused this much havoc with my system, or could it be a flu bug?

Also wanted to mention as I saw it in another thread from Deb - I had 4 slices of mushrooms on my salad.

I thought I was eating safe, but also know the raw veggies could be irritants.

Any shared experiences are greatly appreciated.

I know we're supposed to be tough, but even though I went to work today, I just want to cry.

[Gabes-Apg]

With the combo of eating out (contamination and contact with lots of people ?germs) and eating mushrooms, the combo of these three are very likely to cause this intense reaction...
( and ?? Change of season as well)


Since my move I am having a lot more contact with people in social places, and with young children.
Some of the contact with toddlers, has been when they are a bit poorly, I have noticed the day after my immune system is in overdrive....

I did ponder if I should spray the toddlers with eucalyptus spray on arrival before contact. (just kidding), but I am being a bit more cautious with contact etc.

It totally sucks that we have to be so cautious /alienated.... Albeit it is what it is....

[humbird753]

Thank you Gabes for your post. It reminds me of how much people contact I have from end of January to April 15 (income tax season). I have actually had some clients come in and tell me they were off of work because they're sick so they decided to bring their tax papers in. Not a comforting thought at all!

It does suck, but you're right - it is what it is. All I know is that I want to feel well.

I hope you are settling in well since your move. That's a major change for any of us here.



Paula

[Gabes-Apg]

Last winter, every time someone who was sick, coughing/sneezing would pass paperwork to me, I would spray it with eucalyptus spray and use antibacterial gel on my hands.

Most got the message and would be more cautious.

Subtle is not my forte!!!


I have enjoyed this extended break from working. It has been 6 weeks since the move, I am reading 2-3 books a week, and doing some photography, there is a huge vacant lot of land next door to where I am living, it is full of birds and I may or may not have become a bit of a bird stalker with my camera.
I haven't had this type of extended break to relax and nurture for over 10 years.
Had my first interview yesterday, it is for a part time job.

[kayare]

Hi Paula,

Yes! I know your experience. A meal with just one ingredient that's new, unusual, or unexpected can set me back for a few days. In addition to the G.I. symptoms, I also have extreme fatigue and bodyaches.

Before I made all of my dietary changes, it was very difficult for me to recover. Now, I can recover in a relatively short amount of time. When I realize it's happened, I revert back to a very, very minimal, safe diet.

It's certainly unpleasant. But, I now know that I can recover from it!

I hope you're feeling better soon!

Kathy

[Zizzle]

Sorry abut your setback. I would strongly suspect the ribs. Many, many rib recipes start with a soy sauce bath before cooking, long before any other BBQ sauces are added. I think it helps tenderize the meat. Then the ribs are probably grilled on the same cooking grates as meats basted in other sauces, so there was probably plenty of opportunity for gluten cross-contamination.

[JFR]

I would suspect the sauce too. Just too many ways that a sauce might contain unwanted ingredients. I hope you feel better soon.

jean

[Jeanemcl]

Oh darn....that stinks. Hope you are on the mend soon. Hopefully it is "just a little bug" as my mom used to tell me when I got sick and tomorrow is brighter....keep us posted. I am NOT getting ribs when I go out to eat Thus. Night!! Thanks for the heads up!
Jean

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Paula,

Would totally suspect both the ribs and the mushrooms. Know what you mean by people contact and getting sick. Had a glorious weekend away 2 weeks ago and have been sick since. Everyone knows us there and there were the hugs and kisses and welcome backs. By Monday I was really sick and with my immune system had gotten what was going around. Hard to avoid people but I try to do what I can.

Hope you are feeling much better.

Love, Maggie

[ldubois7]

You may want to go back to a very basic diet until you feel better.

Who would have thought that going out to eat could knock you out like this?

It's not fair, is it?...... but it's the new normal for us! :)

[Polly]

Oh, Paula, RATZ!

I'd say ribs too. And I suspect it may be dairy (casein) you are reciting to. I know for a fact that Outback Steakhouse puts milk in their BBQ rib sauce. (HUH???? Why would anyone do that???) Your restaurant may have made it GF for you, but it still may have contained dairy. Also, at least in my case, I react to dairy within a few hours, while gluten takes 16-18 hours.

It WILL get better. I find that a flare sometimes "takes on a life of its own" and can last longer than I'd like it to. The best thing to do is to eat only your safest foods for now.....and avoid going out to eat. It's sad but true.....there are land mines everywhere when we eat out. Unless you do what I do - I will take my whole dinner with me - no kidding!

Feel better soon!

Love,

Polly

[Leah]

Oh Paula, so sorry for your set back! Hopefully, it will only last a short period of time.
For me, the salad would have done me in before anything else, but we are all different. The sauce for the ribs is a huge question mark. It's always safer to go sauce free. If you ask for ketchup and mustard and mix them, it's actually pretty good on ribs. When I make them at home, I just use a dry rub and bake them slow for three hours. yummy :)

Let us know if you start feeling better. I'm sending good thoughts your way
Leah

[nancyl]

Paula,
I hope by now you are feeling better. I had a similar situation while en route to Florida. We had stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Everything I ordered was on the GF list. One egg, home fries, ham and fruit. Within 30 minutes I had pain and was in the bathroom. This lasted for about two hours. I took about four Diarrhea Stop and things calmed down and other than fatigue for the rest of the day I was OK. I still don't know what caused it. Of course it could have been something from the previous night too.

Nancy

[Sheila]

I'm so sorry, Paula. It is just awful to find yourself back to the same old issues after having been well for a while. I'm keeping a food diary, eating only my own homemade food and still find myself scratching my head when I get a reaction for no apparent reason.

I stopped taking S. Boulardii and feel a lot better, less gas. Dairy is much more of a problem since stopping budesinide. Every time we eat out, Paula, we're at the mercy of others.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Sheila W

[humbird753]

Thank you everyone. I know I won't be eating out for a long time. It all tasted so good, but not worth this. I still feel very nauseated (3 days so far). I went to the store and bought ginger as I read it helps that symptom. I don't have the pain anymore. I can't believe I was in the bathroom yesterday at least 15 times!

So, what everyone is saying is that even though a restaurant promises GF and DF foods, that isn't necessarily the case? So sad.

Seems like each time we stumble we learn.....

Paula