What should I be eating??? I'm at my wits end

Since my digestive system decided to shut down on me about a year and a half ago (POTS) I've struggled immensely! Previously, other than a gluten allergy, I had zero digestive issues, ever. I used to enjoy food so much. Eating has always been a joy and I've never struggled in that realm. Now I get anxiety just thinking about going to the grocery store. I lost 20 pounds a few months ago from gastroparesis. I feel like I have had an eating disorder forced on me. But I still love food!!

I eat veggies, eggs, cheese, meat, corn. That's pretty much it. But NOW my doctor put me on an anti histamine diet (I love my doctor) so I'm even more flummoxed because there's just so much I can't eat now. Like aged cheese, mushrooms, fermented foods, peanut butter etc.

Also, I'd like to fast every once in a while to give my stomach a break but I'm so undernourished and I become STARVING - think that might be the mycoplasma.

So my question is (lol): should I just be doing smoothies? Like green powder w/ collagen? What's the easiest way to get calories and nutrition that is at least moderately more enjoyable than an IV drip? I know broths are great but the issue is I live with two vegans (just worked out that way) and I just haven't mustered up the courage (or energy) to do broths yet.

Thank youuuuu!

Is your doctor just guessing with these foods or did you test for them ? the reason I ask is corn is a major problem for a lot of people right under wheat in North America . both of them are covered with chemicals as with all North American non-organic grains.

Hey, Salamander,

I have struggled with gastroparesis, too, and POTS and SIBO and MCAS and everything you mentioned. All the fun acronyms!

You're going to have to accept being bummed out about loving food for a while. It's garbage, but that source of easy joy and satisfaction is elusive. FOR NOW. And I feel you. Food is excellent.

I have MCAS, and it took me a long time to figure it out. I don't have "classic" MCAS symptoms like skin issues and indigestion. For me the main symptoms were brain fog and an overall increase in any form of inflammation. This made it very hard to figure out for me. After I started quercetin and a low-histamine diet, I have not had brain fog or pressure headaches since, for about a year now. Kombucha and other fermented things made my world go 'round, and I hope to reintroduce them one day, but they definitely were the worst for me. I have added citrus and leftovers back in and do fine with those, as far as I can tell. Overripe bananas make me react, too, but not yellow ones. You will figure out which things to add back in.

Sounds like your doctor is on her game, but are you certain that your probiotic supplement is low-histamine strains exclusively?

You also can try freeze-dried stinging nettles, DAO, bromelain, and other natural treatments for MCAS. The prescriptions, like ketotifen and cromolyn sodium, actually seem to be well-tolerated and possibly worth a try. (I don't say this often about drugs.) OTC antihistamines and PPIs are helpful for some people as well. Treating MCAS (if you have it) can make a huge difference.

I think you're right about smoothies being your best bet for now. Keep in mind that many broths, including bone broths, are very high-histamine. Also very ripe fruits, especially berries. And yogurt.

Slather everything in coconut oil.

Early on in my illness, my Lyme specialist (functional medicine) diagnosed me with SIBO from a stool sample. I have since learned this is not a great representation of the small intestinal flora, and I had no symptoms of SIBO, but I did feel somewhat better after treating SIBO with herbal medicine (berberine, artemisinin, olive leaf, black walnut, and wormwood) because I think those herbs did a lot for my overall pathogen load.

Also some enzymes can cause reactions in those with mycotoxin sensitivity.

I don't dispute that your gut may need some TLC, but don't forget that gastroparesis (like POTS) is a form of dysautonomia. It's neurological, not digestive. Be sure you are focusing hard on your neurological health, moreso than GI issues. Are you doing any practices (meditation, DNRS, etc.) or taking any supplements for neuro support and healing?

Is your POTS well-controlled?

Some people find relief from MCAS and other environmental and dietary reactions when their nervous systems are in better condition as well.

There is a definite neurological and digestive connection. Serotonin after all , comes from the gut. Not coincidentally , my gut feels the best in the summer when there’s the most light and worst in the winter when there’s least amount of day light.

If it’s hard for you to figure out what foods your body agrees with then it’s time to go back on illumination diet and start from scratch again and introduce foods very slowly. For me for grains that would be rice and for meat that would be basic uncoated chicken and for veggies that would be green beans. I’ve eaten that meal so much in the past that I am literally tired of it but I know I can depend on it when I need to.

As far as a tasty meal that’s almost like junk food but isn’t, I figured out how to make some very healthy tacos for myself Using untraditional ingredients starting with Siete wraps which have zero grain in them but taste great.

I do get burned out with food prep as I imagine almost anyone who eats healthy does , the convenience of just going to fast food is such a timesaver but you pay for it in the long run. I truly envy people who are healthy on the inside and the outside and can still eat just about anything that is a very low percentage of our population.

We also can’t forget that Lyme lowers the immune system for those that have had their immune system’s measured / tested , they can see this. Because of this it’s quite possible that we are more likely to get overgrowth of candida /gut yeast and SIBO. The immune system can also be related to the big question as to why do some of us get chronic Lyme while probably a majority of people do not -possibly because our immune systems were never quite perfect to begin with , Which is why we got chronic Lyme,and Lyme then just made it worse. This is a good reason to maintain a healthy diet for your gut even after lyme is gone since our immune system starts In the gut. Doing our best to keep our immune system as healthy as possible is the number one thing we can do besides avoiding ticks as much as possible for prevention of future lyme relapses.

Astroman, what do you put in your wraps???

Patty

Awesome! Thank you! I'll try different "smoothie" like drinks!

That makes sense and helps me understand the mast cell response better!

Smoothie Suggestion:

Brenda’s green smoothies are good, nutrient dense, and not sugary. I did this for a while and they helped. If I ever have a home and a kitchen again, I will do these again.

I don’t care for parsley, so I used cilantro in place of that. I also liked to add a 1” chunk of fresh, peeled ginger for a spicy kick. Sometimes I added a pinch of lime salt.

If an orange is too much sugar for you, you could substitute another fruit or leave it out altogether.

Recipe here https://realfoodrebel.com/super-healthy-green-smoothie/

Brenda’s articles here. Lots of good stuff. http://realfoodrebel.com/

Thank you, Astroman. Very creative.

Fortunately, searching, 'anti histamine diet recipes' produced many results. Ayurvedic drs recommend eating, 2 main meals & as many (healthy) snacks as you want for 12 hours then water fasting for 12 hours. I love ProOneZyme product & take them every morning on empty stomach. Not sure it would work for you but may be worth looking into. Seeing that enzyme deficiency syndrome causes symptoms such as histamine intolerance.. Hulled hemp seeds provide a complete protein source IF they're allowed for you. If you're doing blender drinks, you could try adding 'super foods' powders like amla or whichever ones are allowed on your specific diet. Hope you find success & healing with this new diet.

Post Edited (BlackTara) : 1/23/2020 5:46:52 AM (GMT-7)