Since the end of February this year I have been working with my naturopathic doctor Stephanie Trenciansky to help alleviate my chronic stomach issues. I already was a non-meat eater and a non-gluten eater but there was still something bugging me enough that I had to talk to somebody about it. My doctor had given me dicetel for when my stomach was upset, but she never actually worked with me to get to the bottom of it. So during Christmas when I went a bit wild HELLO WINE,CHEESE, COOKIES and CHOCOLATE, I made my way through my entire prescription of 50 or so dicetel.
So that was a good short term solution that still left me fairly miserable. So off I go to “Dr. Steph” in Langley to try and find a long term solution. We do the vega testing which shows I can’t eat anything. While I didn’t quite cry, I wasn’t exactly jumping for joy. Going on this diet meant a significant lifestyle change. No sugar, no booze, HELLO, no chocolate, no coffee, no wheat, no many many other things.
So I just got off the phone with Dr. Steph this morning . After a re-test we always do a follow-up call where I get the usual question. How are you feeling? I’m feeling great. How are you sleeping?Awesome. Your stomach? Excellent except for the cioppino incident. What was that? Oh, Capers puts tamari in their cioppino and I didn’t read the ingredients . And? Well it was disturbing and painful for several days. It reminded me of how I used to always feel. So when can I eat cheese again? Never. Really. Why would you want to? Because.
Because. That’s exactly it. Because it’s habit. I actually realize I don’t really miss any of these things. Truthfully, the longer you’re on the diet, the easier it gets. One because you feel so damn good and two because things are re-introduced into your diet the longer you’re on it. So, for example, I can have chocolate once in awhile. Excellent. Coffee too. And I discovered I can eat kamut which I didn’t think I could. Also rye. Hey, things are looking up.
And the only time I actually cheated was with alcohol. First there was the spontaneous and accidental “how did I drink those two double vodkas so fast” incident followed by the hell I feel like having a drink incident. I take probiotics twice a day and something else called phenolic medicine. This is the first year I haven’t had allergies and I feel like a million dollars. What else can I ask for? So I don’t get wheat, cow dairy, or sugar anymore. I can deal with it.
hello,
I am interested in trying this diet too–what exactly do you eat?
thanks
Joe
Hey Joe, Thanks for asking. I was just going to do a follow-up to this post. I’m now six months into the elimination diet but it turns out there are many things I can eat that I didn’t think I could.
So I do eat fish and seafood, I drink coffee now, it turns out I can have goat cheese, chocolate 74% or higher,kamut, rye and oats. It might sound strange but this all makes a big difference. I’m on a maintenance diet now so I’ve figured out pretty much what i can and an’t have. For breakfast I often have smoothies made with vanilla soy, blueberries and half a banana, or kamut, gluten-free or rye bread with almond butter or an egg. I eat pasta with different sauces, indian food, japanese food (I use bragg instead of soy because of the wheat in soy sauce) I eat really well actualy and in six months I haven’t had any stomach problems. It’s crazy. One thing I’ve learned is to avoid all processed foods with sugar. I didn’t know this but a diet rich in dairy, processed food and sugar helps to de-stabilize sensitive stomachs by allowing bad bacteria to grow. This makes your stomach even more sensitive to foods you otherwise might be okay to eat. That’s what happened to me. I’ve honestly never felt better and when I think of changing back I just remember how crappy I always use to feel. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions if you need more help.
I weighed 300 pounds two years ago. One day I just decided to stop eating what I believed made me fat. I skipped gluten, dairy , anything refined or processed, sauces, sugars, salts, anything carbonated, juice (no matter how natural), and only ate a portion of chicken breast or fish once a week. I ate mostly beans, all veges and fruits, and REFUSED to eat anything after 6:00 p.m. If I became hungry I would guzzle water with crystal Light. I also walk, jogged and conditioned my body for 2-3 hours a day every day for a year. The first month, I lost 30 pounds.
I did the elimination diet for 6 months about 2 years ago. I felt so good and lost a bunch of weight. It was easy to lose weight and that wasn’t even my agenda. I just wanted to feel better. Now, I’ve forgotten everything I learned and here I am awake at 1:46am because of terrible heartburn. And I know it’s because I ate a bowl of yogurt at 8:30pm! I’m so jealous of those people who can eat anything they want and whenever they want. I used to be that person. I miss all these yummy foods and I want to eat them but they make me sick. Hmmmm…I sure can be stubborn about it! Thanks for listening to my venting. Any tips for support in how to get back to the – can eat barely any foods diet!
Hey Claire, I went through that for a long time. I LOVED yogurt, milk, cheese, baguettes, saltless butter. Now for the most part I know what the end result is so it’s much easier for me to stay away. I don’t want to feel sick. I also went to a naturopath who really helped me sort out what I could and couldn’t have, I can eat chocolate (above 75%) and I indulge myself with the things I can have. Sugar doesn’t really work for me so I bake with zylitol or other substitutes. You just have to find the stuff you really like that makes you feel good and eventually you’ll find yourself not craving those other things. I know how you feel though, a gigantic caesar salad and numerous truffels did me in for a while at Christmas. Good luck!
I so appreciate your response. Thank you.
I’ve never heard of zylitol. Obviously a sugar substitute? I’ll have to google it. Chocolate…I can’t eat it unless it’s in the morning or early afternoon and just a bite or two. What do you mean by “above 75%”? Looking for foods that are in my diet is a good way to stay focused and positive rather than what I cannot eat. I’ve been focusing so far on trying NOT to eat dairy, gluten, red meat, cruciferous vegetables, apples and many other fruits, chocolate etc. So, now I can see that I can now focus my attention on what I CAN eat: berries, gluten free pastas/breads/cereals, quinoa, most vegetables, fish, stevia etc. It’s an interesting attitude shift. Thanks again.
I’m looking for a gluten/dairy/candida free support group. Does anything like this exist? I’ve been seeing Dr. Dawson in Fort Langley and she has really helped me a lot. Now, I just need to get back on track and I think it would help to surround myself with others who ARE on track and who ARE inspired by the foods they can eat. Thoughts?
Claire
The doctor that I went to go and see is in Langley. I don’t know of any support groups. I ended up getting a lot of help from my sister who also went to see Dr, Trenciansky and who also helped sort out her health issues.
I’m happy to chat with you on or offline. I understand now that for me, this is a way of life. When I came back from Christmas in Toronto with my family I ate a bit of dairy (I never eat anything that’s on ‘bad list’ except for alcohol which I do have occasionally. It was a harsh reminder that I will never be normal and that I can’t eat what I see other people eat with impunity, It sucks but it’s how it is. I don’t eat meat either (by choice) which complicates things especially when we go out but we just deal with it. Feeling lousy is worse than anything.
Hi,
I’ve suffered from stomach issues for years now. Pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas and bloating. It was awful. I would have an episode (it would usually last a few days to 2 weeks) and stop eating. I would drink Aloe Vera juice until the symptoms subsided and then go back to eating normally. My usual diet consisted of meat, fish, seafood, dairy, grains. Well last year the effects of these foods (not all but some) culminated into a severe attack that caused me to be hospitalized for 2 days. I now found myself in a situation where I could only keep down vegetable broth. It was depressing. I lost over 40 pounds in the span of a month and a half and the doctors tell me there is nothing wrong with me. I’ve been scouring the web to find other people that have similar stomach challenges. Through the process of elimination I’ve determined that I can’t eat any kind of meat, dairy, gluten and eggs. When I try to return to eating the way I did before the reaction is immediate and violent. The stomach pain is unbearable followed by nausea and vomiting. My blood pressure is low and I’m anemic.
I’ve started on iron supplements and I’m finding things that I can eat and enjoy eating but I’d really like to speak to a doctor that can understand my issues so as to explain them to me instead of making me feel like I’m crazy. Do you believe one doctor actually told me to go out and get a hamburger and a baked potato with the works. Wow, that’s deadly advice for someone like me.
The episodes aren’t so frequent anymore as long as I stick to what my tummy seems to be able to tolerate. But I’d still like to know what’s wrong with me. Any suggestions of where I can go for sensible answers? Thanks
Hi there,
My doctor (who actually is a great doctor) wasn’t really able to help me. She gave me dicetel to deal with spasms and pain, told me to avoid dairy and use lactaid if I ate dairy and sent me for a celiac test. The celiac test proved I wasn’t a celiac. Lactaid only works sometimes. I was ready to pull my hair out with frustration. My sister finally said to me ” why does what you have need a name. Just don’t eat those foods.” Of course you and I both know that’s all easier said and done…but truthfully since then I’ve just accepted that I have food intolerances that are very very real. My naturopathic doctor tells me that my body is like the canary in a mine…the moment something is wrong it shouts in anger. Now I just accept all of it. I know (even if other people think I’m being fussy) that I absolutely can’t eat cow dairy, gluten or much/any sugar.
I now manage all of my pain by not eating those foods or even thinking I can eat them. I have a limited but great diet and I find great things to eat on the internet (whole foods has great recipes). I don’t want to give advice because I’m not a doctor but I would find a naturopathic doctor and an open-minded western doctor and try and work with them. I KNOW it’s frustrating. For so long I thought it was in my head too but it’s not. Good luck. Keep me posted. Tess
Hi,
I just came across your blog post when I was researching on phenolic medicine for candida. Guess what!! I went to a naturopath in langley too- Dr. Sleigh – and I first discovered I had candida around 15 years ago – it has been quite the journey since then. I even started a website ( http://www.yeast-infection-answers.com ), because I’m sure there are many, many of us out there that are dealing with this. Lately, I’ve really gotten into reading gluten-free blogs for food ideas – (isn’t it really all about the food!)
Anyways, thought I’d share my story – good luck with your journey.
Lisa
I’m certain this query has been asked one million occasions, so if I’m in forum violation for any explanation, I apologize, and feel no cost to take down this post. I curious about p90x for myself. I have a friend who owns the DVDs and this kind of and has told me i’m welcome to utilize it anytime I wish due to the fact he knows Now i’m beginning a journey to lose weight. However, just after reading alot on it, many people say p90x–even for individuals semi-fit–’kicks your butt’ and has you sore for times just after. Is that correct? I admittingly am horribly out of form and don’t want to have into anything I can only do 5-10 mins of at a time. Is there one thing superior or ‘less intense’ that any one would recommend to go with, or is p90 the way to go and just make myself handle it?
Have recently been diagnosed with SIBO (Small intestine bacterial overflow). No gluten, no sugar, no soy, no starches and extremely limited carbs to avoid the chemical sugar transformation that happens. I’m incredibly frustrated. The only sweeteners allowed are saccharine and honey. I can’t even have Jell-O. Any advice would be highly appreciated because I really don’t think I can eat like this for the rest of my life.
Hi Leslie,
It is super frustrating when your diet is limited like that. Has your doctor said this is a lifetime diet? I personally found my doctor somewhat unhelpful. I went to a naturopath who put me on probiotics and a diet which much like yours was intended to reduce the bacteria that seems to love to live in my gut. My sister had a similar thing so I learned a few things. For example, no sugar was okay by me – I substituted agave or xylitol instead – then i just started looking for low sugar/no sugar recipes for baking. I could eat pasta etc except I have a wheat allergy so I substituted with rice pasta and now I actually mostly eat quinoa pasta. What I did learn over time though was to find a few recipes that met the restrictions of the diet and to love them. There are heaps of sites out there that can offer you great recipes as well. The other thing is I’ve discovered that feeling good is a million times better than feeling bad so when I stray from my diet (which I recently have) I feel awful – Now I’m used to my diet and I’m okay with it except for the occasional cheese binge. I would try and fine a dietition or a naturopath to help you out. AND I would absolutely find out if this diet is a lifer or if you simply have to a)get healthy by doing this diet for a period of time (let’s say 3 months) and then can modify it slightly – example get healthy enough so if you do have pasta once in a blue moon it won’t affect you. Feel free to write again if it’s of any help to you.Tess
Tess,
I can absolutely relate to physician frustration too. Just got the results of a coloscopy from last week and I apparently also have a precancerous polyp and IBS on top of mild gastritis. Do I call a dietitian? I have no clue about how to proceed.
Also, does anyone have experience with oregano oil? Thank you in advance.
L
Hmmnnn – I would call Dr. Trencianski – She is located in British Columbia but she helped my sister when she lived in Kuwait. She is a naturopathic doctor and I went to her when I was in abject misery. My doctors had failed me and just wanted to give me pills. She’ll offer you the structure you need to find out what’s going on and help you find a maintenance diet. http://www.drstephonline.com/ She’s awesome. If she can’t help you she might be able to find someone who can help you. Let me know how it goes.Good luck!
I really appreciate the referral site, Tess. Thanks. I’ll write immediately.
Let me know how it goes. Good luck! Hang in there!!
It also helps me to know folks who practice a program of food recovery and who can share their experience, strength and hope….and recipes.
I attend Overeaters Anonymous meetings and feel supported by others who have been observing abstinence from foods which we consider to be hurtful to us, for me that list is wheat and all forms of sugar. Also Food Addicts Anonymous has a program of recovery which offers support, too. I can’t seem to maintain a prolonged observance of abstinence without support. I also look to the Internet for recipesbwhich give me delicious safe choices…..there is a lot of books, but the Internet is right at my fingertips!
Welcome to the world of health through best choices for yourself!
I’ve just read your blog and I am quite fascinated. I have had stomach problems for months. I am a vegetarian and diabetic and have recently started a gluten free and lactose free diet and this has really helped. I have just discovered that i have Candida Lusitanea My GP in the UK has no idea so I do not know if it is the same problem as yours. If I eat even some cheese or wheat I am ill for days.
Hi Brian,
I have the same thing. I can now eat goat dairy in small qtys but cow dairy and wheat make me quite sick. Are you taking probiotics for candida? Bacteria – which you have and which I have also had can also be a great source of discomfort. Good luck. You CAN feel better
Follow-up
It’s been nearly a month since I wrote this original post and my brain is stuffed with new knowledge. Here’s what I’ve learned;
1. It wasn’t only SIBO. I also had a massive Candida infestation and H. pylori on top of gastritis, colitis and borderline diabetes.
2. Most of the above issues are now gone or being addressed with diet and a drastic change in my lifestyle, as follows.
a. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in 8 oz. of water taken twice a day. This changes your blood chemistry from acidic to alkaline. Bacteria, viruses and fungi HATE alkalinity. There was a Candida holocaust and I was slightly sick for about 18 hours the first day I began drinking the ACV. I wasn’t prepared for what came out in the bathroom. It looked like little curds of cottage cheese. Thousands of them. Organic, raw, unpasteurized and unfiltered ACV works best. If the taste is too icky, just add more water and sweeten with Stevia or Xylitol. Kind of tastes like apple-ade with a slight tang and is actually refreshing now that it’s warming up outside. Sugar just feeds the critters in your innards. ACV will also get rid of that stubborn acne rosacea.
b. One large tablespoonful of coconut oil taken internally twice a day. I cannot tell you how impressed I am by this stuff. It’s antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral in addition to being a completely organic nutrient with lauric acid (the enzyme in breast milk that gives babies immunity from errant diseases until they’re weaned), a replacement for every hand, foot and face lotion and a much better mouthwash than anything you can buy at the store since it kills all the germs in your mouth, between your teeth and on your tongue. Just let it melt in your mouth and swish it around for 10 minutes before brushing your teeth. It’s also the only product that visibly removes nicotine stains on tooth enamel every, single time. Cats, dogs and horses also benefit. Paloma the Terminally Starving passed a huge hairball a few days ago and is lively and playful again. Her coat is incredibly soft as well. Best to use organic virgin coconut oil and this is always solid at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or use for cooking. You can melt a glob in a separate container and place it in hot water to use as the oil component on salads and the taste is very mild, which is a good thing since I absolutely despise coconut otherwise.
c. Juice fasting is not a new concept. It involves liquefying an array of vegetables and fruits with high nutrient density and giving your intestines and bowels a break so your body can concentrate on other things besides digesting food. Kale, spinach, romaine lettuce and kohlrabi have the highest density of nutrients and those basic greens can be mixed with other vegetables and even fruit to make different flavor combinations depending on your specific palate and physical needs. Beets and beet greens help to detoxify your liver, but lest you run out and just buy a bunch of beets be warned that they also contained a lot of sugars and any one root vegetable has to be mixed with 3-4 non-root vegetables to provide balance. Please do your own homework. There’s a ton of information on the Net and on YouTube. I recommend a website called http:\\www.fatsickandnearlydead.com in addition to the documentary by the same name.
Thanks for the great information!! Have noticed that I seek fermented food couple times a week, and knowbthat Sally Fallon has recommended it in her book about subversive eating! I appreciate your sharing!
Fermented food is also highly alkaline and very good for digestive issues. I’ve been craving saurkraut and pickled herring, which is odd because I was never crazy about either of those before.
Hi Leslie, thanks for sharing all this great information. Would you mind if I post it as a blog post? I am so happy that you have found a way to feel and be healthy! Tessa
No problem, Tessa. Post away.
Before I forget, I wanted to relay a basic juicing recipe;
Mean Green
1 bunch of kale (4-6 leaves with stalks)
4 stalks of celery
1 cucumber (peel first unless they’re English cukes)
2 Granny Smith apples (core removed due to pesticide concentration)
1/2 a lemon (peel removed)
ginger root
I’m now on Day 5 of a juice fast and feel unbelievably good. Sleeping much better without apnea and waking up refreshed with a ton of energy. Am also losing a bunch of weight (almost 20 lbs. already) and my skin is beginning to glow with significant reduction in pore size. Bathroom breaks are more frequent due to drinking eight 8 oz. glasses of water (either plain or with ACV) a day on top of almond milk and six 16 oz. glasses of juice. I can promise you won’t be hungry simply because your stomach is always full of something and vegetables take up more room than the same quantity protein or fat.
I did transition into this liquid diet for two weeks by eating a diet of primarily vegetables, cutting out caffeine, chocolate and sugar and sticking to the selected carbohydrate diet recommended for SIBO. Since I’m still very determined at this stage, I’m going to set my target for a 10 day juice fast. If all’s well upon reaching that goal, I’ll be going for 30 days. Will keep you apprised.
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