| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 01 2009 : 03:57:29 AM
I have had a really rough night. Sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, achy, tossing/turning....you get the idea. 
I've been diagnosed w/a variety of ailments including type 2 diabetes (on januvia), high blood pressure, fibro, arthritis (a couple of herniated disks to boot), diverticulitis, migraines, and allergies. I've been on all kinds of meds (some that are now FDA blacklisted) and my medicine cabinet looks like a small pharmacy. I'm overweight by about 50 pounds on a 5'2" frame...and even though I'm curvy (always have been)..now I'm mostly round. That cute little hourglass shape I used to have in my late 20s has turned into an apple (and it's not in anyone's eye....) I've tried every diet and then some. I'm hopelessly addicted to carbs and often use food as a comfort for my stress... My liver enzymes are high...there is all this "inflammation" in my system but the docs can't find out why and it's been this way for several years. I won't let arthritis specialist give me any more of those kinds of meds. I'm in constant pain. Some days are better than others. I stopped my naproxen because it was playing havoc with my gut.
I'm only 49...some days I feel like I should be 80. I have a cane, splints for my wrists/ankle/and right elbow, pain meds, pain cream, and pain patches. Now I don't use these all at once or all the time...but I seem to be using some combo of them routinely.
So, I'm reading at 3am about an anti-inflammatory diet. There's a list of IF foods out there that combines the glycemic index with foods that are rated for their inflammatory properties when eaten. I lost a lot of weight while on Atkins several years ago and know I do better with no/low carbs but I struggle to stay with it. I'm thinking I need a better plan. I am really good at taking care of everyone else but myself on a regular basis. My home situation is about to get much more stressful in the coming months and I need to get a handle on this before then...or I'm afraid I won't be able to hold up to the pace/needs of my family.
Anybody else have any experience with anti-inflammatory foods as support for chronic pain??? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 18 2009 : 7:20:48 PM
I may have to Alee. I'm just hopeless lately. Stress is SUCH a trigger with me. I start out good in the am then as the day drags on my willpower diminishes. (BTW, 1 chocolate chip cookie has about 150 calories...) Although, I did hit the health food store today and bought a bottle of tumeric/bromelain. Both are anti-inflamatory and the bromelain is supposed to help with digestion. It was 20$ for 90 caps which is about a month's supply! :-( Maybe I'll do the raw thing for the rest of the week to see how that goes. Local farmer's market tomorrow afternoon. I can pick up some "goodies"...
Also, I've been plagued by these "sniper headaches" of late. They are not a migraine or a regular tension headache...I know what those feel like, I've had them all my life. These little buggers hit hard/fast and really make me need to find a place to rest. Best is home for tylenol/aprin mix and an ice pack and about an hour's rest. Then, I feel better.
The other thing that went "weird" is my pinky on my left hand. Suddenly, it hurts like the dickens and fails to hit those left keyboard keys when I want it too....This fibro/arthritis thing is so darn tricky. |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 5:12:36 PM
How are you feeling today, T? I am feeling great! I ate cataloupe and a banana for breakfast. I had cantaloupe for a snack and I have had a little bread. I ate a tomato yesterday and will eat another today. The b-12 vitamin is completely AWESOME! It is a sublingual and they used Cherry Juice to sweeten it. It tastes more like candy than a vitamin!! I seriously recommend the 70% raw food plan! I am already feeling more alert and energetic!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 4:51:48 PM
Thanks Sharon...I've heard that about tomatoes but I don't seem to "feel" the impact like that. I try to exercise. I try really hard to NOT let the pain stop me. I seem to have a fairly high threshold and spend a lot of time just "toughing" it out, it's just that it's constant. I never have relief. I can't remember the last time I was pain-free. It takes a minute to get going in the morning especially...I really need that shower to limber up. Once I'm moving I don't dare stop for sure! Once I do, I'm done. That's the hardest when I'm just laying there trying to relax and then I focus on the pain. Lately, it's invaded my dreams. I was dreaming the other night that I was having a spinal tap (I've had several) and woke up crying just to discover I was really in pain in my lower back. My massage therapist has been trying to help release some of that lower back muscle memory. From my new age days, I recall that intense low back pain is caused from feeling like you have little/no support. (got that right...sometimes)
Alee..how's your "raw foods" coming? |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Aug 07 2009 : 11:34:03 AM
T,
I'm sorry you and the other gals have so many health issues to deal with. I have friends with Fibro and they stay clear of nightshades (tmatoes, peppers, potatoes) because it triggers pain for them.
I know it's hard to give up sugar. I grew up with it as a staple in our home. I try not to keep sweets in the home and bake on occasion. It's hard not to give in to temptation.
We eat fast food maybe 2 times a year. I used to eat it all the time. As soon as I stopped I dropped 7 pounds and no longer had stomach problems. I was previously diagnosed with IBS and was on meds. I have been drinking Raw Cow's Milk and make yogurt from it, sweetened with a little agave nectar and fruit and it has also helped my digestion.
The thing that has helped me most is to not buy junk food, not have it in the house. If it's there I will eat it.
I have neck,shoulder, back and hip injuries from a car accident. Exercising (even though it's not very high impact) helps me to deal with the pain.I notice on days that I don't work out that I hurt worse. Maybe there is some low impact type of workout you can do. I use a recumbent exercise bike and ride about 10 miles 4-5 times a week and I do arm weights (only 5 pounds,started with 2 pounds though:))
I will be praying for you to be able to stick with your diet and I will also be praying for healing for you!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| Tapestry |
Posted - Aug 06 2009 : 3:28:09 PM
Chocolate dipped potato chips....OOOOOhhhh nooooo now I have another craving...LOL. I do get all kinds of other household help "treats" so I can't complain at all. Is my fault mostly. I could say NO. I just have trouble making my lips form the word..laughing. I do try to eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Usually have a salad or sliced fresh veggies every day and yesterday had fresh peaches, cherries and strawberries. I need more activity more than anything.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 06 2009 : 12:56:02 PM
No I don't normally eat a raw foods diet, and the article mentioned that you only need to go to 70% raw. So you eat raw fruits and veg during the day (breakfast and lunch) and have some with your cooked meats or whatever for dinner. I bought lots of fruits and veg to try and the sublingual B12 (sublingual was recommended).
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 06 2009 : 10:31:57 AM
That's interesting. Do you normally just eat raw foods? I take a women's 50+ and then add a "super" b complex already. I suppose it's worth a try. Detoxing and all. Trouble is...I couldn't stick to just a raw foods diet. I love my hot soup in the winter and a big bowl of oatmeal. That's the same with the Atkins....I can't eat all that meat all the time and I miss pasta! I need to have a variety or I'm going to binge on something unhealthy cause I'll feel deprived. Would be nice to get a little 10 lb jump though. Make me feel like I was at least moving in a positive direction. |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 06 2009 : 06:50:24 AM
I read an article last night at work that had studies behind it that said if you switch to a 70% raw food diet, you can drop up to 15 pounds healthily in 10 days! It said that alot of the foods we eat confuse our bodies and our liver and kidneys are busy doing things they aren't meant to do instead of doing the metobolic processes that detox and cleanse the body. They also said it was VERY important to supplement with B12 if you do this. So today I am stocking up on B12 and fresh fruits and veggies.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 06 2009 : 02:37:57 AM
Oh Cheryl!!! I was just thinking that last night as I was VERY stressed out (by home stuff/teen) and sat stuffing my face with mint chocolate chip ice cream and searching the internet for a Fry Bread recipe! I know what you mean about the choc. Now, I can't say that it's his fault at all cause I've always loved choc and sweets BUT....I do keep it around for him and it's soooooooooo darn handy!!!! And of course, once you eat the sweet, you need to find the salty....the best? Chocolate dipped potato chips. Yep. There. I said it. Now prior to my "changes" pre-m was the worst on the sweet/salty.... now it's just an underlying theme.....ah well.... Or donuts. When I was pregnant with the little guy...my doc said, :"T! Donuts are NOT a food group!" Not so bad nowadays. And, don't you wish that treat could be somebody else doing the dishes...or a load of laundry...or allowing you a half hour in the tub without a question regarding "where's my whatever"???? |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 05 2009 : 6:01:48 PM
I can handle that....! :-) I love tomatoes.
Tonight's dinner was Szechuan Beef and Bean Sprouts (with rice) serves 4 (and it did serve only 4)
1lb eye of round steak
1/4 chicken broth
1 T soy sauce
1 T Szechuan sauce
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (left these out)
4 plum tomatoes, cut into 8ths
2 c fresh bean sprouts
1 T chopped fresh cilantro
Cut the beef against the grain in strips.
Mix broth, soy, S sauce, and pepper flakes in bowl.
Mix in beef and let sit about 10".
Drain beef; save marinade.
Brown beef in a skillet or wok.
Add tomatoes, bean sprouts, and marinade to skillet/wok.
Stir fry till veggies are heated.
Sprinkle w/cilantro.
Makes 4 servings.
I made rice to go with. And yes this does feed about 4 people. I served it with fresh fruit for dessert. My hubby's brother stopped by for dinner and he loved it. Boys...well...oldest son so-so...youngest no way too spicy (and I left out red pepper but used a regular pepper blend) so he had left over spaghetti. Hubby wasn't home but I think he would have wanted the red pepper flakes so I could have added after serving boys. I like spicy too.
I used soy sauce in this but usually I sub in Braggs Liquid Aminos for my soy sauce...waayyyy less sodium. And my chicken broth was organic "no chicken" chicken broth (ha ha when cooking up beef) I also added a clove of garlic..well..because I LOVE garlic!
Overall, this recipe would way overshadow the rice in the IF department...but rice is high carb.
The recipe as written for 1 serving is 200 calories and 6 carbs. If you are looking for exchanges it would be 1 veg, 4 lean meat, 1 fat. (w/out the rice!) This is a great recipe if you are looking to add iron as well. Iron is more easily absorbed when you mix it with foods high in C (like the tomatoes)... Of course I'm thinking you could add other veggies if you liked like some pepper(s).
I probably won't serve it again though...just because it didn't go over well with the boys. |
| Tapestry |
Posted - Aug 05 2009 : 5:48:37 PM
I had to check back in on this thread and see how things are going. You know what my biggest diet problem is? My hubby...LOL. He loves to cook and does 99% of it around here. I can beg him not to buy me sweets but does he listen? Ummmm nooooo. He'll come home from work and hand me a candy bar..a Hershey's bar with almonds of course and says "here honey, you deserve a treat today." He's all heart that man and I've gained a ton of weight in the 5 yrs we've been married. He knows I have absolutely NO will power when it comes to chocolate. Do any of you gals who have inflammatory issues crave chocolate? Since being diagnosed with fibro 14 yrs ago it's been a big problem for me. I never had much of a sweet tooth before that and was slim. Now....blimp city.
Alee I love hearing about tomatoes helping with inflammation. I also know they contain lycopene which is really good for your heart. I've read in Dr. Peter Gott's newspaper column online that a diet with no sugar and no flour will help you lose weight and feel better. I guess the thing that bothers me so much is gosh, I know I've tried lots of diets and the bottom line is I just need to change how I eat and portion control. It's just so danged hard :(
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 05 2009 : 4:34:12 PM
I just read that eating a fresh vine ripened tomato every day can (over 6 weeks) lower a certain inflamitory chemical in our bodies by up to 34%!!! WOW!! Go tomatoes!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| Annika |
Posted - Aug 05 2009 : 09:40:23 AM
I have hypoglycemia and can relate to the low blood sugar thing, I'm also hypothyroid and have other metabolic and digestive issues...Now my liver is not doing so well, even though I've cut out red wine that my doctor told me to drink some years ago...I'm having a devil of a time losing weight and having enough energy. Fumes and smoke make me ill and I completely feel for you. By all means sugar and hfcs are evil and cause a lot of trouble. I hope you find your balance and the right life change/diet for you...I've been worried about you and hoping that the anti-inflammatory diet will help you feel better.
If you like it, green tea is good for you in a number of ways and makes good iced tea. =) Take care ok?
*hugs*
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 05 2009 : 08:47:45 AM
When I was doing Atkins...I did just that! I don't know...grazing...cows...moo.... Just call me "Daisy" LOL
When I'm at work though it's terrible! Some days I don't find time to eat at all! I know I have to carve out the time but.... I guess when they find me keeled over in the hall or in the parking lot between buildings, they might take a task or two off my desk! Other days it's just the opposite and I eat too much of all the wrong things. I try to stay out of the teacher's lounge around any holiday or PT conferences. It's a mine field of "goodies". Usually by the coffee too. I'm taking a small 4c pot to my office this year. Then I can have flavored decaf blends or hot tea whenever I want AND avoid the sugar bombs! :-) |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 04 2009 : 8:26:03 PM
T- I know when am in a low blood sugar swing, I get really sensitive to scents and other things. You know what I think? I think you might want to try the Small-Meals-every-two-hours strategy. It really helps keep the blood sugar at a more even keel. That is what I ideally try to do.
*hugs*
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 04 2009 : 4:31:16 PM
Alee, I can be sensitive depending....I am very conscious about what I wear scent-wise so it's really noticeable when someone else has perfume on or whatever. I did have a problem on the bike a couple months ago where I had to have my hubby pull over because I thought I was going to be sick...(behind a very large truck)... I think it may have been paired with low blood sugar too. I can't do heavy perfumey air fresheners either. AND, of course I have a ton of airborne allergies.
Amiee (love the finger lakes area BTW) I followed a macrobiotic diet back in my youth. I was hanging with a group that was all about that.. Pritiken too. I gradually moved back into a vegetarian diet and went vegan for about 3 months. But I just didn't feel right. I was constantly in a state of anemia. I added back in chicken and fish eventually but when I got married (about 19 years ago) to a carnivore....I went all the way back to eating all kinds of meat. It's funny...my oldest (almost 16) never had meat until he was about 3... but it's my little one (9) who leans towards not eating meat. |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Aug 04 2009 : 08:13:33 AM
StarMeadow, I think you are on the right track with the anti-inflammatory foods. About 10 years ago, I met a woman who had lived with MS for many years. She ate a macrobiotic diet and credited that with her continued good health and lack of side effects. The way she explained it to me then, the point was avoiding inflammatory foods (apparently a macrobiotic diet is essentially the same thing). So there's a testimonial for you, even though it's at second hand.
I have a hard time resisting carbohydrate rich foods myself. And I'm trying to scale back on them because my father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a few years ago, so I figure there's a good chance he will have handed down that genetic makeup. We both love italian bread!
The best quick and easy switch I've found is simply trading white for whole grain in just about everything: whole wheat bread, brown rice, or quinoa. Essentially no difference, but there you go: a whole grain, lower carb version of the same thing.
(But I don't know how they stack up as far as anti-inflammatory effect).
|
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 04 2009 : 07:21:54 AM
Teresa- are you also sensitive to odors?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 03 2009 : 7:31:23 PM
And Alee, they were! Did about a 1/4 cup olive oil, w/1 crushed clove of fresh organic garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar...toss w/veggies...sprinkle w/crushed pepper/sea salt...roast.
OK...so if I add up all my veggies....asparagus, brussel sprouts, garlic clove, eggplant, zuchinni, olive oil, garlic salt, black pepper...and my fruit salad...cantalope, strawberries...then subtract my blueberries (and the ice cream cone I had at Mc Donald's) I end up with a positive 402. Of course in the carb department the ice cream cone complete trashes a day (if on induction for Atkins) and the fruit is a second runner up with 22 cho's. BUT the roasted veggies came in at a nice low carb of 8.5 total (including the garlic and pepper seasonings) Oh and I did grill up some delightful polenta which I couldn't find on the IF list but in the carb dept. the 4 small slices were almost as bad as the ice cream cone (and equally as tasty).
As I have read today...In the meat department...interestingly enough, beef sometimes comes in better than poultry. For example 3oz of 80% lean ground beef has an IF rating of -5, whereas a 3oz chicken breast hits you for a -23. BUT 3oz of duck is 26 and the same with goose at 38. And here's another jaw dropper...an Italian sausage?....23 but 3oz of turkey breast -106!!!!
Fish of course is a good thing...especially cold water wild caught fish. A nice 3oz piece of Arctic char will get you 622 on the IF scale but if you want to have a piece of Atlantic cod you'll only net 71. Remember that farm raised fish is eating a (primarily) grain based feed. Whereas your wild caught fish is eating, well, other fish. I think that is why your garden variety poultry is so high. The book does not distinguish between your back yard poultry that is eating bugs/worms/etc, from the big farm birds that are eating a grain diet. Eggs are also in the negative range but not horribly so (-43). Again eat it with something that is anti-inflammatory to balance out it's negative effects.
It is, if anything, a "thoughtful" diet. In the end, I suppose...if you just cut out the sugar and white carbs, you would be way ahead of the game for sure. However....I am still going to pursue this for a bit to see if it lowers my pain threshold at all.
Thankfully I get a massage tomorrow. Oh...and I've added back into my day a multi and a B super... Those are the ones I take routinely with my Rx meds.
OH and Marjean...this is going to be extremely important to try to stay healthy with this because I've taken up riding the motorcycle...whew! There are SO many smells and they are all right there in your face and coming at ya at 60 miles an hour!!!
Thanks all for the kind words and encouragement!!
|
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 03 2009 : 11:43:52 AM
Yum! Your roasted veggies sound delicious!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 03 2009 : 09:06:47 AM
Alee you are such a sweetie! OK..so I've had coffee, pizza, and a diet coke so far today...the diet is still in "infancy"...but I've been going through the list of foods and picking out foods I like that have good anti-inflammatory properties. Later I intend on having roasted veggies with spices (of some ilk) and water...I really need to drink water. Oh and cantalope was a surprise too. Right on par with strawberries. And red cabbage is somehow better than green... And brussel sprouts & asparagus...nice! So that's going to be the roasting... the sprouts, asparagus, onion/garlic, and 1/2 a fresh cantalope. Spice to be determined.
Judith...I had no idea they made tumeric "pills"...good to know. |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Aug 03 2009 : 08:20:45 AM
T~
I know what you mean. A few years back I was in a fight with a lupus diagnosis and it was really kicking me around. I introduced chlorophyll, enzymes and probiotics to my diet and really gained my life back. I trade in 13 different RX drugs to taking either algae or barley for the chlorophyll, a broad based enzyme, and a probiotic (acidophilus and bifidus). I really like Jordon Rubin’s products (Garden of life). I am finding too that eating more raw foods allows my body to have to work less and has more time to heal. Best Luck to you…
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/RFBlog/
www.twitter.com/RuralFarmgirl
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Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 03 2009 : 01:23:47 AM
T- How is the new diet helping? Are you feeling any better yet? I sure hope so!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 02 2009 : 7:45:20 PM
I've read the Paleo diet book...yeah I know that sugar and white carbs are no-no's but they are sooooo yummy! Tonight it was fresh homemade minestrone soup. (I went to the farmer's market today.) I cut back on the potatoes in the recipe and also the pasta. It was all organic though. I HAD to eat well tonight cause after the farmer's market I went through McDs for an iced coffee and burger! (They say that confession is good for the soul....)
I can't say that following a new diet is not about losing the weight...cause I really, really, want too BUT, it's not the primary goal right now. Pain control...that's the goal.... (that could be a t-shirt). When I lost all my weight (almost 30 pounds) on Atkins...I did feel better, I'll admit it. But there were other people at work "dieting" too...a few doing weight watchers, one at medical weight loss, one doing sugar busters, and a couple of us doing the Atkins thing. And we all lost about the same amount of weight...only the sugar busters gal kept hers off...why? Because she never went back to eating the way she did before she took sugar out of her diet....the rest of us...chunko... Then I had another child at 40 and that weight that crept up on me...stayed around.
Oh and Cheryl...I did see a specialist years ago about the whole candida thing. I was even taking different kinds of meds to help with that...it was primarily to help control my migraines (which were at their height in my late 20s early 30s) Didn't work. There is a book out there though about that...hmmmmm...let me think...the Yeast connection or the Yeast syndrome...something like that...but it's certainly worth a look see again... |
| nubidane |
Posted - Aug 02 2009 : 08:27:18 AM
Google the Paleo or Caveman diet. You can eat all the meats, veggies(except potatoes & beans), fruits & nuts you want. No sugar, no grains etc. My sis' friend had debilitating arthritis & follows this diet & has NO PAIN now. She also lost 20 lbs(even though she was already thin)
My sis also follows it & always had heartburn, & now does not.
I have been also doing it this summer except for July, when I was studying for a huge exam & working 12 hr days & grabbed a few of the bad things..Mostly Matzo bread, which I love, most people would cheat with a piece of chocolate cake..but I cheat with Matzo bread. weird I am.
Anyway, sugar & white type carbs are BAD BAD BAD for imflammation. |
