I know I promised Part 2 of Treatments for Meniere’s as the next post, but I got some news today that I wanted to share. It may also go along with the last post.
Today I got the results of my Breath Tests, I talked about those previous posts. They tested for digestion issues, Lactose Intolerance, and Fructose Intolerance (otherwise known as Fructose Malabsorption). I have the later.
This is going to take some getting used to. As you probably know I already have to avoid gluten, this will just add to the things I can’t eat. I knew this may be a problem, but I never knew there would be so many things I wouldn’t be able to eat. I’m shocked actually.
According to the diet my doctor gave me there are only 9 vegetables I can eat. And after doing some research on this disorder on the web, I found that one of those vegetables are not recommended. I will be calling a nutritionist tomorrow morning to get in as soon as possible to help me with this.
Not only can I not eat fruit, and many vegetables, I can’t eat any sugar at all.
I don’t know if this aggravated my Meniere’s symptoms or not, but I’m sure it effected me in more ways than I know.
Life without chocolate…*sigh*.
Picnic with Ants 
Hugs, hugs and more hugs.
Good luck with the nutritionist. And I sighed right along with you when I read “Life without chocolate”.
If you need to vent, I’m always on and off the computer throughout the day.
Maureen
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I´m so sorry for you! I have to check this up, don´t think I´ve heard about fructose malabsorption. I know about diabetes, but with diabetes you can have some chocolate and fruit! I hope the nutritionist can help you!!!
Susanna
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Wendy,
That is tough news to handle. We already struggle with diet issues and your’s is already compounded by other health issues. This is just salt in the wound! Now, having said that, it is a blessing as well. Now you KNOW. It is so frustrating when we struggle for an answer to “why” and usually get no answers. You are also a fabulous cook! This is not an obstacle, but an opportunity to take your creative cooking skills to the next level.
Please let us know how it goes,
Deb
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Oh man, Wendy! This is rough. I guess the good news is you have an answer to at least one of your struggles. I am a dietitian, so have certainly heard of this and many, many people suffer with it. On the plus side, if you “cheat” once in awhile, it won’t kill you. Also, unlike gluten intolerance. a slip up isn’t going to damage your intestines. I have terrible lactose intolerance and I have found that if I am good for a period of time, I can actually handle small amounts of lactose from time to time with only mild repercussions. If I am not careful, though, then I end up with the stomachaches, heartburn, and all the other yucky stuff that goes along with it. I’m sure the nutritionist will be a big help to you. Let us know how it goes!
Have a wonderful day,
Angelea
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Thank you so much to everyone! I have an apt. with a nutritionist on March 23rd. I’ll let you know how it goes!
wendy
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Oh lots of hugs, Wendy. I *certainly* understand how difficult it is to have such a drastic change to your diet. It was the hardest thing I ever did as I still have a very limited amount of things I can eat. I can not eat out at restaurants at all really because there are so many things in foods that I cannot have…that is unless it is a super fancy place and I ask to talk personally to the chef, but we don’t eat at fancy places! 🙂
Are you able to have sugar substitutes like honey or agave nectar? I would have a horrible time not being able to eat any fruit as that is what I relied on when I was detoxing off of sugar! My heart goes out to you in adjusting to this new way of eating. I went through a lot of emotions…anger, sadness, grief, pissed off ect. It is a complete life adjustment. I can’t have friends cook for me. If I co to someone’s house I can’t eat what they’ve prepared unless they make something special for me and I am a freak about it. If my friends go out to eat, I either bring my own food or eat ahead of time.
I can tell you that 10 months after eating this way, I am finally used to it, though it was a process. I was not a cook by any stretch of the imagination and my food plan made me learn and get excited about being creative. As you already are gluten-free you probably have a lot of knowledge under your belt about being creative and experimenting. I hope you find others who also have fructose malabsorption who can help you through! Big hugs
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Thank you Kelly, I’m just so confused right now about what I can eat and what I can’t. Luckily, I haven’t been eating much sugar in a long time, so I won’t have to detox very much. It’s funny though, I’ve been craving something sweet tonight. Probably, just because I know I can’t have it. Supposedly after about 6-8 weeks I can add a small amounts of some things back, but at first I have to be very strict. But no honey or agave ever. Possibly a little Maple syrup (or so I’ve read). Not sure what else. I’ll be seeing a nutritionist next week, I should find out much more then.
Thanks again for your support! wendy
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I have had this condition for over 2 years and am still adjusting to it as it is a fairly hard diet to follow. And it’s incredibly hard not to cheat since it is quite restrictive. Please follow the link for an article written by Sue Shepherd who is a leading specialist in fructose malabsorption. It should provide a basic guidance and give you a better idea.
Click to access SueShepherd_sarticle.pdf
Let me know it’s at all any help.
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thank you Rachelle.
I found that article a couple of days ago, but I think my husband would like to read it, so thank you for reminding me.
I saw a nutritionist day before yesterday. I’m on a strict diet with just foods that are generally safe for 4-6 weeks, then I’ll add in different foods one at a time to see what I can tolerate, and how much.
Thank you so much for commenting, and helping me out.
I’m posting more about this on my other blog. http://www.wendycooks.wordpress.com
wendy
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