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.