For those with wheat allergies, try sourdough breads. I came across an artical that linked gluten problems with the beginnings of fast rise yeast use. The fast rise strains came out about 1980, and back then nobody was intolerant.
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For those with wheat allergies, try sourdough breads. I came across an artical that linked gluten problems with the beginnings of fast rise yeast use. The fast rise strains came out about 1980, and back then nobody was intolerant.
Omg yep- looking for recipes on making salad dressings without vinegar due to ALLERGIES- and I mean it is listed right there- SEVERAL responses were recommending recipes which use prepared, bottled ketchup and mustard. I will be attempting to make vinegar-less ketchup but I've never seen it without vinegar. (For a good reason having to do with preserving, but if I can make it single use, I will.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Aziara
Surly, try different oils for your dressings! I use things like walnut oil, grapeseed oil, and sometimes a good plain olive oil... Usually I also use vinegar, but I think that could be remedied with either water (added or naturally-occurring in produce), or with lemon/lime/any citrus juice (if that's okay in your diet). I make all of my own salad dressings (literally. I will. not. have. dressing. if I don't make it), so let me know if you want me to dig out some recipes for you! I'm way huge into nutrition (maybe a little too much sometimes).
Yeah, I'll take recipes. :D I don't have enough... because you can never have enough recipes. :D I have a number of other food sensitivities and allergies, but I can adjust things. Unless it's oniony or heavy on dairy, both of which are two of my most severe allergies, and neither can really be sub'd for in recipes which are heavy on them as a main ingredient. (I know, I can make certain dairy subs, like cashew cream, but my daughter is deathly allergic to cashews so they aren't allowed in my house.)
My biggest problem with dressings has been that I really miss balsamic vinegar. I have tried other recipes, and I'm all.. sigh. No balsamic. heh.
Just done with today. Had a show last night and woke up in the middle of the night with sore legs, sore back, headache, everything- hungry but no appetite and everything just made me feel worse. MS, I hate you so much. So. Much.
I just need to vent. So you guys may have noticed I've been pretty quiet lately. I don't talk about my health and personal issues much, but the past several months have really worn me down. I've been so exhausted and several of my illnesses are kicking up, and now I have another that I've developed (or maybe just bad enough to come to light), which I'm currently in diagnosis process for. I currently have 14 different conditions, and at least 4 different illnesses that could each stand alone for me being considered “disabled” on all their own. With those combined and more.. it makes it extremely complicated. I have a lot of things that I have to account for and juggle to keep going on a day-to-day basis. When something flares up badly, or something new comes along, it throws a big friggin wrench in everything and knocks me on my ass. Lately I've barely been able to handle the basics, hardly able to function. Even sleep has gone from the regular "stressful pain in the ass" to straight up exhausting. I've gained weight too cause pretty much all I can do most days is get up and move the couch, then move back to the bed at bedtime. Even getting out of the house for errands like grocery shopping is a triumph. Hubby at least has been super great with helping with everything around the house and errands. He spent his week off making sure I didn't have to stretch myself any thinner by taking care of those things. He even cooked, which he almost never does, because otherwise I just wouldn't bother to eat pretty much at all. So blessed to have him! And of course doctors are always so frustrating >_< That's a whole other rant..
It's just times like these where I'm just in an existential crisis. Like how am I supposed to get a hold on this, let alone raise kids like this one day? Or what happens when as I get older I can't handle my health as well? It's just really scary :( And I feel like I can't talk about it to my friends much. Especially on Facebook and whatever.. people just call me a debbie downer or tell me natural remedies that I've tried and don't work or are just totally useless, then get pissed when I try to explain to them why it doesn't/won't work (that's a whole other rant, urgh). I've learned that if I stay much about my health people will just stop talking to me becuase I'm a "negative person" if I do. Well, so freaking sorry for making you feel bummed out. Imagine how it is living with it! I'm finding some comfort in the Spoonie community.
But it's just really scary, ya know? I'm sure some of you can relate.
Feel free to send me a message whenever you need to Iona. <3 My door is always open for you.
Same here, Iona!
Hey MerNetwork. I just need a rant right now.
Growing up I always had pneumonia. Every year I was hospitalized because it got so bad, I felt like I was submerged in water and couldn't breathe 24/7.
To this day I can not take in a full breath.
It gets worse in the winter because where I live it snows and it's cold and that's what triggers it. Last year was the first year in 4 years that I wasn't hospitalized. It's just coming into fall now and the feeling is progressing rapidly. I'm terrified to be hospitalized again.
I've gone to doctors but they tell me it's active induced asema. Which isn't true (I'm a cheerleader, dancer, snowboarder, singer, mermaid, and so much more. And it doesn't change when I'm being active).
I also have depression. I hate it because I'm always sad and I really hate it because I feel like people make me just another statistic. ["Ohh 7 out of ten kids will have depression" everyone's eyes turn to me] :l
I'm at a really low point in my life. It's hard because I was finally at a high a couple months ago, but I lost a lot of friends and moved away.
I'm trying to turn it around, I'm moving home and staying active, but this low point makes me want to eat, making me gain weight.
My anxiety has also picked up. It's inherited from my mom (as well as the depression). And no one understands it. I will jump at any little sound, I play it out to be a joke because I don't like people knowing. But coworkers have found it really funny and will purposely scare me to watch me shriek and jump.
Thanks for reading this. I just needed to clear my mind a little <3 I love you all.
Be My Hero - I know quite a few people here on Mernetwork (myself included) have depression and anxiety. I know that it seems like loneliness is currently your best friend. Trust me, I've been there more than I like. But we're here, and we have big hearts. <3
Iona and Be My Hero, I'm so sorry you're both going through bad times. I have several chronic health problems, too, that sometimes flare up to debilitating levels. I understand how suddenly and thoroughly that can derail one's life.
Iona, I'm glad you've come to MerNetwork for support. This your community; you have worked for it, nurtured it, and sustained it. We are here for you, just as you are always here for us!
Hero, one of the hardest things about chronic illness and depression is feeling alone. Know that you are NOT alone in this! Several people in this community suffer from those things, understand, and want to be supportive to others. Continue to reach out here; there is some comfort in knowing that you have a pod of sympathetic merfriends.
Here's what I've found helpful when my health problems flare up:
I turn to those who love me for help, hugs, and someone to listen. I never feel that doing so is a burden to them; because they love me, they really want to help.
I also make sure to have a supportive doctor, and that has meant shopping around for someone who is competent, open-minded, and a good listener. Because of the way some health systems are structured, it can be a chore to switch doctors, but it is worth the effort!
When I feel sick, I double down on the things that make me happy. I find a creative activity that isn't physically demanding and absorb myself in it. And if I'm incapacitated and in bed, I let my mind visualize and mentally create. I move forward toward achieving my goals, even if planning and dreaming are all I can do for awhile.
I go outside and absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. I sing to the birds, stare at the clouds, feel the breeze on my face. It reminds me that there's so much life outside the confines of my ailing body.
Above all, I try to remember that health is like the seashore. Waves come in and waves go out, and the seascape is in constant flux. Whatever is happening right now, it will change. Pain and darkness will eventually wash out, and something wonderful will wash in.
Merhugs to you both. I wish you peace for now, and better times to come soon.
Lorelei - thank you <3
Galene - so much is changing in my life. I just need to feel at ease again and I hope this will go down. Thank you for the help and I will definatly try the things you've said. <3
Amazing how alone you feel until you reach your hand for someone to grab <3
FYI, BeMyHero- we have a 'vent about your mental health' thread if you ever feel like talking anything out there, too.
I understand, btw- I was just thinking about last night, how common depression has become (which is terrible for all involved) and how weird it is to, for once in my life, have something considered 'common'. Although my major depressive disorder is ridiculous in how bad it gets (physically as well as mentally, which ought to be considered physical anyway) and I cannot be medicated for it, after 30 years and I've had doctors tell me I'm impressive to still be alive. People say, "Oh, hang in there... those thoughts will pass." Mine never do, and they can't imagine that. The horrid thoughts for me, never stop. Since I was 14. The feeling of an anvil on my chest is almost always there, my blood almost always feel like lead. But after so long, you learn coping mechanisms, you learn to somehow exist with it and even feel happiness when you never thought you could.
But I also have PTSD, and dissociative disorders as well as recurring anxiety (which used to be much worse), and bad asthma since I was a child (I also had pneumonia as a kid, seven times, and more hospitalizations than I can recall although, I haven't been in an ER for it since 2010!), along with these stupidly ridiculous allergies to everything and migraines which take about half my life from me. Even though they've been reduced greatly by my personal approach to my own care.
And Iona, you're right to think it gets harder when you have kids, it does, but I know for me, and for my sister who has an immune disorder, having kids is also something that brought an extra strength. I can't lay there in bed for days anymore, because I have to get up and move and take care of my daughter. My sister has days where she really can't, so she taught her kids to be a degree of self-sufficient while still being cared for. As mothers, we find ways to be parents and take care of ourselves. I think it's possible for *most* situations. I see video of people with no arms or legs caring for their babies, and it always motivates me. I think, well danm... if she can do it, I can do this.
And when I am really feeling the worst of it all, I turn to my heroes for inspiration; Damien Echols, Helen Keller, and Frida Kahlo. If they can get through what they did, and not just persevere but thrive, then so can I.
Having (and treating) a skin condition on your hands can be quite annoying. Can't go swimming until it's gone. It's better not to use contact lenses (on land) until it's gone. I have to be careful not to smear the sticky stuff for my hands all over the place... and if I wrap my fingers in plasters touch screens and touch pads get all unresponsive. Meh.
Ugh, so having been a dancer I've kind of wrecked my feet in general. I've gotten used to it, it's not a big problem, in fact, it comes in handy with my other hobby (reenactment) because I can wear extant shoes.
However recently an old problem reared its ugly head again. My left foot has, once again (because it's only ever the big toe on my left foot), gotten a bad case of ingrown nail.... Or so I thought. But I pulled the nail out, cleaned out the area with antiseptic, and put antibiotic ointment on it, just like I do every time it happens. Then life carried on, and I had a lot of stressful sh*t I had to deal with and I forgot about the toe issue because it seemed to have taken care of itself and it certainly didn't hurt.
And then I noticed something weird. Like, a nasty little bulge going over the nailbed, and then the skin was redder than normal. So ugh, I have to fork out $135 I don't have to go to the urgent care and get antibiotics for it because I KNOW it's an infection. So I get the antibiotics, and the actual swelling of the digit has gone down, but the f*cking thing STILL BLEEDS every single time I wash it (something it wasn't doing before, but rather started last week) Now I'm done with the antibiotics and that weird bulge on the nailbed is still there, and to make things worse, I think I got a spider bite on that same foot, because now the WHOLE foot is sore and swollen, and I can't walk on it correctly, and there's a red, itchy, rash-like patch on top (which is actually how and where the swelling began. I noticed it, thought I had accidentally scalded myself in the shower, and so I put some A&D ointment on it ignored it until about four hours later I moved from where I had been standing at my craft desk to go to the restroom and BAM! realized I had a giant swollen sore foot)
So now I have to likely go to urgent care AGAIN. Fork over MORE money I don't have.... Ugh, this foot will just not let me have a break this month! I really REALLY hope my husband can get me my insurance tomorrow so I don't have to pay out the butt for another visit. Especially since the last time I was there I got practically 100% conflicting advice on how to deal with this stupid thing from the two doctors that saw me. I'd say moving to Canada to be with my husband is looking better and better, but I'm not even sure if I'd have insurance there either because I'm not a citizen like him, and honestly, with my luck I'd get frostbite on the same foot. :doh: But at least he'd be able to carry me in to the doctor instead of me having to walk on this gimp foot.
My health gripe at the moment is that I have recently taken up fencing again after a 5 year break. During those 5 years, I put on about 60lbs. My head still thinks I'm 170lbs and wants my body to move faster than it actually is. It's like trying to push a car uphill. Plus I have tendonitis around my right knee and both my achillies tendons are playing up. I'm frustrated that I'm not able to shift the weight I'm carrying any faster, even though I know it's going to take time.
I know I have to, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself to be patient and give myself time. :mad:
Half the battle is motivation to get moving, sounds like your slaying it Annwyn :) things will pick up xx
I have an awesome coach to support me, and push me on, which helps! I'm always really hard on myself. But I also have to remind myself that I'm only 3 weeks in, as well. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Amy
doc recently prescribed me with birth control. worried if i take it my blood will clot and i'll have high blood pressure :|
How'd that go for you, SeaGlass? Hormonal birth control affects everyone differently, different pills are better for different women... personally, I can't take any hormonal birth control.
Speaking of hormones:
The change in my diet has, as expected, messed up my hormones enough that I am getting really awful migraines during ovulation and right before my period again. But it's not a change I have a choice in, thank you wacky physiology. I spent most of yesterday absolutely out of commission. One of those migraines that leaves you shivering in a curled up ball trying to not cry because even the quietest crying involves sound and movement. It just laid me out. Thank dog my bf was here- not only did he attend to my daughters, whose medical needs right now make her a lot of work (a cast from hip to ankle and in a wheelchair), but he was there for me to. I have a wonderful man.
So here's to venting about health... migraines from hell.
...same here.Quote:
Originally Posted by deepblue
All of yesterday, part of today.
Strange- I've noticed that in the past when you and some others on here had migraines, so did I.
And we don't even live in the same country!
Where's my tinfoil?
lol
Seriously. I came down with the beginnings of it on Saturday night, just laying in bed, my head on my BF's shoulder, I was just fine and then... pain.
Next day started about like that, migraine, but I've been dealing with them since I was 18, so I function pretty well with some migraines when maybe others would not.
But then. omg. Yesterday.
If wearing a foil hat will help, I'll do it.
Hey blue! It's been ok so far. Just breaking out and minor bloating but my body is adjusting to it now :) thanks for asking!
Yikes about the migraine tho :( :hug:
Wow, I just found this thread!
So, like many other mers, I suffer from chronic migraines. Not just the normal ones (which are already debilitating), but mine get so bad that I go into seizures and stop breathing. I have FMLA for it at work, but I'm getting teased at work for calling in so many times. I've been to a neurologist who gives me old medication that had nasty side effects, and topamax. He does a few quick tests, doesn't listen to what I have to say, and pushes me out the door. I've been through a few CAT scans, and nothing comes up. Nobody knows why I have these nasty migraines, but I've been advised from doing pretty much everything I like to do. And when I do get migraines, I have to take a multitude of medication that doesn't work most of the time. (I had to pair it with "mary jane" for it to work). It has hospitalized me three times, and all they do is give me pain relievers and send me home. And then I get a migraine the next day. FML
I may or may not be bipolar. Nobody seems to know. It's either clinical depression or bipolar, and between all of my doctors, they can't pinpoint exactly which one it is. I've had suicidal thoughts since I was 5, and nobody believes me. I pay 30 dollars a session to see a doctor, they do nothing, and I go home with my same regimen of four different medications to fix whatever I have. I don't trust therapists anymore, because the last time I went to one, I was Baker Acted (sent to a mental institution in handcuffs and escorted by a policeman). There wasn't even anything entirely wrong with me at the time, I was just upset because my boyfriend left me in a nasty situation. No therapists. Not ever.
In the meantime, everyone thinks that I have these disabilities to draw attention to myself, that being bipolar or having clinical depression can be "fixed" with a proper diet and exercise routine- no medication. I feel like I can't tell anyone how I'm feeling or what I'm going through because I'm only going to "cry for attention" again.
I would just like to let everyone know that I'm currently at my crappy retail job and starting to get yet another migraine. -___-
It seems so many of us have them!
I'm so sorry about that, Celeste! Just remember you have tons of friends here who support you!Quote:
Originally Posted by MermaidCelesteFL
goodness, I had a migraine this morning, not as bad as some but I get them in all their light and sound sensitive glory about once a month or so since I hit puberty. It might just be me but I found that krill oil helps with my migraines, I started taking it for my ADD and Thyroid and it dulled the ouch considerably
I've been a member of the intractable migraine club for 27 years, many of them quite desperate years. I've taken every preventive that exists and suffered years of miserable side effects, particularly from anti-convulsants.
But I want you all to know, things can improve. I have two excellent neurologists - one locally and one at Mayo Clinic. I believe it takes a really good neurologist to help a patient with severe chronic migraines. Family doctors just don't have the complex knowledge and experience needed. It's also important to be as informed as possible about one's own affliction. I have always been very proactive, reading about the latest research into causes and treatment of migraine. The National Headache Foundation is an excellent, supportive source for this information. I also discovered that chemicals leached from plastics are a huge, hidden source of triggers for migraine sufferers. Once I eliminated plastic bags, wraps, storage containers, and water bottles from my food and water supply, my headache frequency dropped from an average of 3-5 per week to one every 2-4 weeks.
So don't give up hope!
they say when you hang around with a bunch of people long enough you experience the same things. for example, the same period cycles. though i wonder if it applies for migraines too...
I just started reading this from the beginning, not even half way thru the first page and I just want to give everyone hugs. Not sure I can keep going much more.
Ok just got done reading thru everything. Before the replies let me list off real quick, I suffer from depression, social anxiety attacks, ADD and ear problems. My ADD and depression have also resulted in me developing some weight problems recently because I will go for comfort food and when I go do exercise like in the pool because of my ADD I can only swim about 8 laps before I get bored (and I know I can swim more, I did 2.5 miles once in open water on Lake Superior).
Many have also suggested i might have Asperger's. I don't actually but I show many of the same symptoms due to my inability to make friends and because my social skills are that of an elementary school kid. I grew up without friends thru elementary, middle, and most of high school, so when other people developed social skills normally mine was stuck when I last had friends, when I was 5 before I moved.
That is one of the problems with society, even my parents do this, they see depression and mental illness as taboo. Constantly my parents are telling me to never tell anyone or discuss it with anyone. But unlike my parents I am quite an open book. I don't mind publicly saying I suffer from different mental illness issues. I want people to know there are others out there like them and if they ever want to talk about it they can. Thats what I like about this topic and it is said a few times how its surprising but nice to see there are are others like us and we are not alone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilonka
It did kind of backfire once, I was teaching a WSI class and had another WSI instructor sit in on it (she was maybe in her 40s or 50s) and I mentioned in general something about depression and she said something about how depression is a sham and if people tried they wouldn't be depressed. The eyes of one of my students got really big and they all complained about her comment after.
I hope that happens to me. I had a doctor tell me I will probably be on my meds the rest of my life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilonka
I remember watching a video a few years ago about US and Japanese healthcare. In the US, for those who don't know, we actually have sick care. Most of the time you go in when your sick and pay to get made healthy. Not to go all conspiracy theory but since the doctors get paid as long as your sick they don't have the hurry to treat you. In Japan what they do is you pay the doctor when your healthy, then when you get sick they stop getting paid. They have much more incentive to get you healthy and fast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Gosalyn
When did you start your anti-depressents? One of the more common side effects reduced sex drive and so that part may not be helping at all. It could also be you just haven't found the right one. The first two and only girlfriends I have ever had we dated more because we were both lonely (and in my case I never been with anyone and thought that maybe having a girlfriend would mean I would have someone there for me when I needed them and it would be ok if I didn't have any friends). I don't think I ever truly felt I loved them. There have only been two I have truly felt something for, I wrote a little about her on this post, and the other is just too young for me right now. As I had to explain to my dad after my brother started dating a girl a few years after coming out as gay and dating a guy, love is not about the gender but who that person is and what they mean to you. Being bi means your not restricted to just one gender. Maybe for you its just finding the right guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Octavia
You know I have noticed that my jaw hurts more when on my meds, maybe I am doing the same thing too? I am also on some pretty strong stuff (had to get my dosage reduced once because it was above the federal recommended max) and wow you really notice if you miss two days. Like I said before I was told by a doctor I would be on it the rest of my life. Sadly anti-depressents also have some negative sexual side effects, mainly reduced libedo and ability to obtain orgasim, which means I might not be able to do the natural way for having a baby.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Tula
My worse low was also when my "friends" moved away when they graduated from college, including the friend linked post above. I went into such depression food literally rotted on my dorm room floor that summer because I couldn't even work up the will to put it into my fridge or eat it. Literally the only thing that got me going from day to day was teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding.Quote:
Originally Posted by BeMyHero
I saw this post a while back from you which is a few years old and I have seen some of your photos on Facebook and other. You look prety good in those and not in sweats, I take it your doing quite a bit better?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ayla of Duluth
I'm getting a bad case of winterfingers :( It was nearly gone for a few years, but now it comes back with a vengance it seems. I always start to wear my gloves early, even before it gets cold to safe my fingers from getting to cold. But now not even that is working. I'm sitting here now, with fingers that are still ice cold and my skin on my fingers is starting to get harder and turn red. If it progresses even further then I won't even be able to pick up a paper from the floor because I can't feel anything :(
I'm now even wearing my motorcycle gloves outside to try and keep my fingers warm and I'm thinking about wearing gloves in the office too... I just don't know what to do against it as I tried alot already, some things even just make my fingers hurt more.
Aww, Azurin, I know the feeling... My family's got bad circulation, so I often lose feeling in my fingers/toes during cold days! DO you do the thing of "sitting" on your hands, or putting them between your legs (erm, not in the suggestive place)?
There's a reason why my favorite thing to knit is handwarmers, because I need them almost all year -_-;
Yeah, I even hold my fingers next to the exhaust of my laptop, and it works for a while, but when you are working it's kinda hard to keep sitting on your fingers ;)
Having only read through the last page of this thread, I've found a lot I can sympathize with. Thank you for the tip about the krill oil, Phaylenn! I also get regularly scheduled migraines, I just talked to my doctor and I'm going on a Seasonale-type birth control pill to reduce the frequency of the migraines since they keep getting worse and they've become debilitating.
My Beau has the same thing (YIKES!) and taking cayenne capsules helped up his circulation and he's warmer all over now!Quote:
Originally Posted by Azurin Luna
I'm just leaving the office, otherwise I would write more and provide links...Google and Dr. Weil is your friend!
Yea, I tried that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Galene
Things which I believe trigger a migraine for me include:
-processed food (certain unnatural ingredients)
-certain cheap oils (for example on fries that are otherwise ok)
-food allergies (nuts, some fruits...)
-plants treated with herbicides
-too little sleep/disturbed sleep
-contact with toxins
-cold weather
Could go on for a while.
When there are so many factors, it's really hard to pinpoint the actual source in the end.
Even when I avoid all of the above, I still get one or 2 migraines per month (hormone-related), as my mother before she reached menopause, and her mother before (gotta love those genes).
So my hope is age will cure it in the end, but the meantime is going to be dreadful as I can't take painkillers or migraine blockers, they're all on the list of things I'm allergic to. :p
Been having a serious trouble with lack of energy and depression lately, coupled with pretty bad dizzy spells and headaches which has made it really hard to really do anything. *shakes fist* But I've been feeling a bit better, I just feel so out of the loop with everything.
I think I may have malabsorption.
I eat about double of what my supposed needed calories are, even when doing nothing but sitting around.
I had to cut back my training to the minimum.
With the things I eat (fatty nuts, seeds, fries, cheese, loads and loads of potatoes, noodles and dark bread), I should be obese by now, but I'm not gaining any weight.
If I train or swim too long, I even lose weight (which I can't afford).
I remember being able to thrive and work out on normal amounts of food in the past.
I'm scared to try and find out which disease might have caused this, or whether it has been caused by the antibiotics I was stuffed with, or one of the meds I still have to take and absolutely can't stop taking.
And please no one say "lucky you" or some such, you don't realize how scary and painful it is having to eat so much and still being afraid to weigh even less the next day.
(not to mention expensive)