2013 was a whirlwind of a year. So many unexpected opportunities, along with forming connections that I will likely value for a lifetime, all made their way into my year. But with all of the good things, good people, and reasons to be grateful, I am certain that we all, myself included, suffered on some levels, too.
The start of a new year really does not mean anything to me. I am not one for tradition. However, I do love the idea of starting fresh with each new day, as well as each new moment. I try to start every day with a fresh perspective. And in regards to my diet, I feel the same way. If something didn’t work out, or I have a bad reaction, I remember that my next chance to start fresh is my next meal. So even without my own connection to tradition, or resolutions, I do find some comfort in this chance to start a new year. I am curious to find what adventures await me this year.
I participated in the Daily Dietribe Gluten-Free Health Challenge starting last June. That came to an end in November. So my life as I knew it for those six months also felt different. I was starting to make progress with my health. I now seem to be actually building a bit of muscle. This is encouraging. But then in October things started to get weird, and I am back to playing detective with my health again.
I hope to be able to touch base on here once per week. And I also need to get back to doing a better job with my food diary.
Soon after I started the Gluten-Free Health Challenge, I had my Mirena IUD removed. I feel as though my body has not been the same since. And I suspect it still has a LOT of transitioning to do after so many years of being fed some type of artificial hormone. I am not thrilled with the symptoms I have been experiencing. And I have felt more frustration in relation to my cycles than I have in years. But I know in my heart that I did the right thing. And I hope that somehow my body can forgive me, and eventually learn to produce these hormones on it’s own. And perhaps some day I can just feel closer to “normal”. And really if I could just go through menopause and be done with periods, I would actually be much happier.
The new symptoms that I am experiencing during both PMS and my periods (now that I am not taking any hormones) are:
* Histamine intolerance – my threshold for things that I have been eating for 3 years (things that I was eating because of their healing properties) is minimal. I now have to be super careful. No fermented foods, no leftovers, no fruit, and really just living off a list on the fridge again just like when I was on an elimination diet.
* Digestive issues. This is a fun one. The past 3 months, around 5-7 days before I am due to start my period (when I am already in a foul mood due to PMS), I just stop being able to digest solid foods. I have really been fortunate even with all of my leaky gut, gluten intolerance, and other issues, that digestively speaking – I was not having those types of symptoms. But low & behold, that is NOW one of my PMS symptoms.
* More skin issues – weird rashes, folliculitus, severe itching, you name it. It all starts up leading up to my period.
* AND the monthly migraine has returned as well. I had not been having regular migraines since I took out gluten 4+ years ago. Now I get one no fail the day before my period, and it can potentially last 3 days.
I must note that I have stopped getting my monthly IVs of magnesium and Vitamins (due to finances). So I am guessing that this does have an impact. But I have upped my dosages orally (which I don’t know how much I really am absorbing). So I am trying to ensure I am not deficient during this time. But I think I may HAVE to go back to getting the IV at least once per month around 7 days before I expect to start my period.
This is not the most positive, or inspiring kickoff to a new year post. But it is a place to start with documenting where I am now, in hopes of making some productive progress in the coming year.
I do hope to find some information, support, and hopefully some relief to these challenges I have been facing with my body the past few months. I am determined to do what is best, and to find a way to feel better.
FEUD with FOOD 
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