| Author | Message | ||
| Sheri Donaldson |
I have not felt well for a long time...I think this is my problem...I feel I have a reaction to anything I eat..Not sure what is going on.. Where do I start??? I'm very confused!! Thanks Sheri | ||
| Byron
|
Start by ordering the inexpensive cookbook from Deb it's great and it has a whole lot of information and all the right foods in it! That would be my first step until the book comes in don't eat anything man made even though some non-man made foods have MSG in them too! | ||
| Sheri D. |
Byron... Thanks for responding...I have the book on it's way..I just hope it gets here soon and I can get some answers..But before I found this site I came across the book online and soon figured out the one I have coming is the old book...I see now on this site the is an updated version..Do you think I should order that one too??? I was really bummed after I figured that out.. The weird thing is it doesn't matter what I eat I feel all loopy and floaty..Yesterday I ate an organic apple pealed and I got the shakes so bad and just felt weird after that..Little hard to breath..It was kinda scary.. When you started all of this did you go through withdrawls??? That is kinda how I feel...I was taking quite a few supplements and was eating fairly good...But I have stopped all of those and seen an improvement within a couple of days..My stomach has went down a lot! Ususally my stomach looks about 4-5 months pregnant...Very uncomfortable.. This is really difficult...I hope it gets better cuz I am just starving all the time and then I feel even more weird when I am really hungry... Any more addvice or suggestions you would have I would love to here it..Or anyone else?? Thanks, Sheri | ||
| Emily
|
Hi Sheri, I can sympathize how difficult this is at first. Before I truly eliminated all msg from my diet I felt sick all of the time, it didn’t seem to matter what I ate. My initial reaction to msg comes 5 hours after I eat and lasts for 4 days for a mild reaction and a few weeks for a larger dose reaction. Because of this my stomach was always sore and the pain increased when my stomach was empty. I am now pain free and feel better than I ever have. My health has increased significantly, I have more energy, I feel more refreshed in the mornings, but best of all no more severe stomach pains. The best first step is to start a food journal and start the diet Deb lists on her website. Record everything that you are eating (include brand names of products) and log how you feel throughout the day. You will soon see a pattern and can eliminate the foods that are bothering you. I hope this helps, good luck! | ||
| Byron
|
Right now I have been struggling this past weekend really bad and I have not had MSG in 3 1/2 weeks so i'm righ there with you | ||
| Sheri |
Hi.. Thanks Emily and Byron... I just got my book! So excited to make something I made a dessert receipe...Well all I did was lick the spoon...10 min. later..My pain increased..I was yelling at my kids...my throat hurts and my head..plus my stomach has a knot in it...oh and my nose stuffed up( so did my sons) So obviously I got something in there...I used the florida crystal cane sugar..I think that is what did it...I need to get ..is it G&H pure cane sugar??? We have been doing the no sugar diet for a while...so I was trying to treat my kids to a nice dessert...Big mistake... It is really hard cuz I don't have a grocery store close to me to go get the stuff that I need.. I know I just discovered this all happening..But I know this has been a problem of mine for a very long time...maybe my whole life.. But in the last month I think it has just gotten out of controll... I do hair...I have been around all the chemicals my whole life cuz my Mom did hair too...I am now having reactions when I work too...When I do a chemical service my face just gets like it is on fire! and then that night I am pretty sick feeling.. I just don't know what to do...I could just bawl! Thanks again.. Sheri | ||
| MEMorrisNJ |
Deb A reported a while ago that she had some other folks claim they reacted to Florida Crystals. You can do a search within msgmyth.com to see if there are other posts on this subject. Look for search under Utilities. | ||
| Byron
|
Yes me and my mom get very frustrated i had to come home sick today from school for no appearent reason??? I found out corn is naturally high in MSG and that made me mad after i ate it.......this diet is very frustrating and my mom keeps on acidentally poisoning me with stuff and i get really really down but i'm teying to hang in there by the way Fresh amrket and Wild Oats are the best grocery stores you can go to everything else you wont find much?? | ||
| Sheri |
Thanks MEMorrisNJ... I forgot that I used organic bn sugar too...But I have put the FC sugar on some bn rice and had a reaction to it then..but wasn't sure if that was what it was...So obviously I can't have that.. I'm going to buy some other sugar and see what happens.. Thanks againg.. | ||
| Sheri |
Byron...I have a Trader Joes and maybe a Fresh Market about an hour away.. I don't get to go there much...I think the Wild Oats is about 2 hours away...I have never been there before.. I posted to you on another thread I think about the whole corn thing...I have a real problem with corn..I'm hoping I can eat the corn out of my inlaws garden this summer though..I am going to give it a try... Thanks for listening..I wish I know more so I could help you...I just want us to all feel well... Sheri | ||
| Anonymous |
Fresh Market, Wild Oats, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's --- sure they have good stuff but watch out for all the processed foods that they have in boxes, cans and in the freezer department. Stick with fresh vegetables and meats where they can't add in additives. Organic is best but not totally necessary so you don't have to shop in health food stores if they aren't around you. | ||
| Sheri |
Thanks Anonymous... I am just feeling like I can't eat anything... I ate home grown eggs and an organic bn. rice cake with organic butter this morning for breakfast and 10 min. later my nose was running and my throat got all scratchie and I was exhusted...and pain increased..stomach bloated.. I always read the lables really well...I have found stuff like lettus and stuff for a salad that I am fine with from Trader Joes... But I am hungry and feel like I can't eat anything... Now I was cleaning my windows and my arms just kill...and my nose wants to get stuffy... Now that I know what the problem is..I think back to all the reactions I had and didn't even realize it.. I think I just got use to feeling rotten all the time... Sheri | ||
| Emily
|
Hi Sheri, your brown rice cake may have been the problem; a safer option would be plain brown rice. You may want to start with very, very simple meals with just a few ingredients (like a simple caveman diet). It is easier to track what you are eating so you can easily eliminate the offending foods and determine what local food brands your body can tolerate. I still try and keep my meals very simple and I only introduce new food items into my diet one at a time. | ||
| Sheri |
Emily ..Thanks.. What do you mean by a plain brown rice?? Just a bowl of brown rice? Not a rice cake?? Sorry I sound stupid...but I just started all of this..It is really confusing.. Thanks for your help! Sheri | ||
| Emily
|
Hi Sheri, it is important to find unprocessed foods. A rice cake is more processed than regular plain rice. Try buying long grain or short grain brown rice in bulk or at a health food store. Put 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of water in a pot with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. of cane sugar (optional). Bring to a boil and then lower heat to lowest setting, cover and let simmer for 40 minutes until cooked. I usually make a large batch of rice, then freeze in 2 cup portions in freezer bags. I know a bowl of brown rice is boring to eat, but it’s important to eat simple meals at first until your body recovers from your last reaction. You can add a few steamed vegetables like broccoli to the meal to make it more interesting. Be sure to wash the broccoli well before cooking it. | ||
| Lisa Marie |
Hi Sheri, It may have been the butter. I reacted to that at first, and I was using (stupidly) Land of Lakes butter. Find one which ONLY lists cream/salt. I try and find one from a LOCAL dairy in the area I am in. In Arkansas, I use Hyland Dairy, and in Southeast Mo, I use Prairie Farms Dairy. Do NOT use unsalted butter, as it has more bad things in it. Have you tried Deb's week long elimination diet on the front page? I use only Lundberg brown rice (altho' I have read here where others are safe) I add a touch of salt and 2 Tlbsp. Extra Virgin olive oil before I bring to a boil. All of this is trial and error. In the beginning, do not add more than ONE new item to your diet per day. That way you will be certain what caused the reaction. I lived on brown rice, brown eggs, Farmer's market veggies (and only one new one a day) and Shelton's frozen turkey for the first 2 weeks of my diet. If you are dying for something green, which I was, the broccoli suggestion is good (fresh, not frozen). You can find 'organic' Romaine lettuce which comes 3 heads per pack in most stores. I put the extra virgin olive oil on that. I haven't seen Deb reply to your post yet. Sometimes she says that it could be your supplements which are doing this, so cut out as many as you can at first. She also stresses thorough reading of the first 80 pages of her book. Good luck and keep posting please. | ||
| Sheri |
Emily...Thanks for your suggestions...I did that but I think I over cooked my rice..I just get hungry in the afternoon and want to grab whatever is in front of me... Lisa Marie...I am using the organic butter and yes it is salted and the only inged. are cream/salt...And that is the rice and rice cakes that I have are the Lundberg brown rice... I didn't think it was good to eat the same thing all the time?? I have cut out all of my supplements about a week ago...Once in a while I take a barly grass...It is JUST barley grass juice (NOW brand)..and then I was taking Threelac (probiotic) which I haven't taken that much lately...None today..I think I am going to give up on that one and order one that I read about on here and give that a try...I really think I need a probiotic.. Wouldn't I benefit from the greens supplement..It does seem I feel better when I take it...It said on the box ABSOLUTLY nothing else added... I really need to find a cal./mag. supplement that I can take too...I think that would help alot.. There are 2 things that I did before I started all of this that I miss really bad and I don't know if it is ok to have...I love to eat raw almonds...and I drank a tart cherry juice from Brownwood acres...It says it is all natural...What do you guys think??? I really miss the almonds cuz I always have a hard time going to the bathroom and they seem to keep me going...So now I have not went much and I am not feeling the greatest...I know it is not good when you are fight toxins and yeast to not have reg. bowel movements... What is there to do naturally for constipation??? You guys truely are a life saver for me!!! I was about to give up cuz I felt so bad every day...I would just pray and pray to myself everyday to just make me better... I have 2 little kids and I really want to take them for a bike ride and live a somewhat normal life...I'm sure you guys know the feeling.. I will get reading the book tonight..I will start at the front..I have a tendency to jump around..  Sheri | ||
| Emily
|
Hi Sheri, you are correct, it is very important to vary your diet and not eat the same thing day after day. Eventually you will get to that point but right now you need to have a simple diet until you learn how to cook without msg. Like Lisa Marie stated, please start with Deb’s week long elimination diet. It is at http://www.msgmyth.com, click on the link called “Test yourself for MSG toxicity.” Deb lists on her website “this is not typical of our diet. We have many choices that you can learn about, but during this time, the newcomers lack information about the hundreds of sources of hidden MSG. This diet is safe and easy to follow.” For a calcium, potassium and magnesium supplement, a few people on this site take Tri-Salts from www.needs.com. | ||
| Sheri |
Thanks so much Emily..I was trying to stick to that diet...But I have a hard time...I like to snack... I will check out that cal./ mag. How long til you guys started feeling better??? I can tell a little difference already...But I know it will take a while to get it all out of my system and I need to just stick to the diet..LOL THanks again.. Sheri | ||
| Emily
|
My journey took several years. When I was 17 and just leaving for college my sensitivity started. I was so sick every time I ate and it continued to get worse through out the year. I went to several doctors but no one could figure out the reasons for my symptoms. Then a miracle happened and a nursing student suggested I eliminate msg from my diet. It took a week or two to feel better but after eliminating just monosodium glutamate from my diet I felt so much better. However I didn’t know about all the other names free glutamate is listed under so I continued to get sick from time to time (how I wish I had this website and Deb’s book back then!). Over the years my sensitivity steadily increased and at the same time my knowledge also increased and I continued eliminating hidden sources of msg. I am now extremely sensitive and avoid all forms of free glutamate. Everyone has a different story and a different reaction but for me if I accidentally get “poisoned” I have strong pains for several hours, then uncomfortable pain for a few days to several weeks depending on the dosage. Hang in there, you will start feeling better soon. Just do your best to stick to the diet and keep your food journal and record how you feel throughout the day. I love to snack as well. Deb has several great recipes in her book for snack foods. I precook most of my food and keep our freezer stocked with snacks and treats. I also cut up fruits and vegetables and keep them in the fridge when I need something quick to eat. Deb’s cracker recipe is a favorite at our house. | ||
| Sheri |
Emily...Thank you so much for all of your help...It sure is nice to have someone to talk to...Especially one who doesn't think you are crazy!! I have been to several dr. in the last few years and all my test come back fine...Except for the arthritis I have had in my neck for a long time now.. Do you think that now that I know what is going on should I contact my dr.??? Is there really anything she can do?? I know my son is having a problem too...He's 9...He has been so sick off and on since he was in preschool...He now has terrible allergies..So I am going to put him on the diet when school is out...I already have cut way back on their sugar...but he still has waves of spells...his ability to read goes up and down...sometimes he reads really good and then he can't even say the word The... So I just need to be patient..But thanks again for all your help.. Sheri | ||
| Lisa Marie |
Sheri, Have you also eliminated aspartame? I don't mean to offend you if you have, but I just wanted to be sure. I gave that up at the same time as the MSG. It is important that you keep a food journal in the beginning so you can refer back to it. (even eating the limited diet you should write down the things you feel good on) You will be surprised at how rapidly you will be able to add things and increase the relm of what you eat, but it will never be like the 'before' time. It took me all of 3 weeks to feel better-I actually felt worse the first 2 weeks. It was uphill after that, unless I got 'poisoned' accidentally, which did happen. It still happens occasionally, for instance, if something I am used to eating changes ingredients. Even with things you rely on you still have to read the labels. Drink lots of water also. | ||
| Sheri |
Lisa Marie..I do avoid aspartame...I only drink water that is really filtered..and I don't think I get it anywhere else... I was just thinking about how sick my 9 yr. old has beent through out his little life...He takes a med. that has aspartame in it..Singulair chewable...I am not going to give this to him anymore.. I think he has a sensitivity and I am going to really watch him...I only pack his lunch for school...But I can sometimes tell if he sneaks something from someone else.. I feel bad cuz my kids will say..Why can't we have sugar anymore?? They are getting better but it is hard.. I have been keeping a food journal for a long time now...Like since Dec...Just to see what was what...But I could never tell anything from it..I just always felt bad no matter what.. Now though..I think I will be able to tell...It has been about a week and I can tell already.. Is it common for things to just bother you a little and then go away??? Like I ate a few raw almonds tonight( couldn't help it!) and then my tongue burned and my stomach bloated...But then after a little while I seemed fine...I should probably still avoid those right?? My stomach is getting bloated cuz I can't go to the bathroom...It is getting worse..That is why I decided to eat the almonds...I thought I could get a little fiber from them.. I got through about 15 pages of the book tonight...That was a start..I will read more tomorrow.. Thanks for all your help!! If you think of anything else let me know. Sheri | ||
| Lisa Marie |
Sheri, Here is amy aspartame story. For about 6 years, I noticed that I had to actually lie down about 5-6 times a day. I would just get SO tired, and sometimes lightheaded. When I went off MSG I had read that you also have to stop aspartame. I was doing Deb's elimination diet, and so also stopped aspartame at the same time. As an insulin dependent diabetic, I had been drinking about 3-4 diet sodas a day. The first 2 weeks on the new way of eating, I developed a splitting headache. At first I thought it was because I also stopped coffee and tea-(I drink certain kinds of coffee and tea now, but not in the beginning)-Well, I started noticing that I wasn't tired. After a month, even my husband said you aren't having to lie down. The other thing was that before, I would have to search my mind for words, and I would forget many things. Suddenly, and it really was after the first 4 weeks, I wasn't forgetful and I wasn't stumbling over words. As a diabetic, I never believed all the warnings about aspartame, but NOW I am positive the stuff is poison. You may have posted this, but have you been tested for celiac disease? Exercise works best for me as far as constipation. Plain walking, or aerobics. I hope you figure this out! | ||
| Sheri |
Lisa Marie I am so glad that you are feeling better!! That is great! No...I have never been tested for the celiac..I was suppose to go for stomach test and I decided to take matters on my own...I have spent so much money going to the dr. and getting no answers (as I'm sure you know)..I think my dr. was just running test cuz she didn't know what else to do... So I quit going to the dr. and just said forget it..and started changing things myself..Doing lots of reading! I have been on a fibro board for a couple years getting ideas there.. I have seen some improvement with my stomach over the last few months with diet change...I think once I get some things under control I will watch the whole wheat thing... I know I have a problem with corn! So I avoid that.. Thanks for your help! | ||
| Dee 1950 |
To all of you.... I've been reading all the posts that I can, and want to add something else. I noticed a number of times that one of you has posted that you eat what's on the diet, and you're still hungry. There is NOTHING in the cleansing diet that should limit the amount you eat. If you cook brown rice in the morning, make up little baggies or plastic containers of brown rice and refrigerate. Then, throughout the day, pop those babies in the microwave and eat away!!! EASY, good for you, and you avoid the additives. And yes, DO vary your diet. It makes it easier to stay on the diet, and is much better for your health. I went on the cleansing diet 15 years ago and was able to determine MSG and Aspartame were the culprits. Now I am healthy, happy and able to contribute to society (something I couldn't say 16 years ago!!) | ||
| MEMorrisNJ
|
Great reference to find other references on celiac disease: http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2132 Before the doctor did any invasive testing for this (e.g., endoscopy), I would INSIST on the blood tests they have available now for celiac disease. | ||
| Five |
Rice is very high in carbs. If you have a low sugar problem you will be in big trouble eating a lot of rice and nothing else. Also you should do some research on microwave ovens. BAD! |
