More notes on healing

I've now been on my leaky gut healing diet for 3 weeks (no fructose, no gluten, no processed carbs, no grains, no sugar/sweetener of any kind, no legumes, no nightshades, no nuts, no dairy, no fruit, no spices) and I was on a less limited but still strict diet for about a month before that. I find it easy to stick to - my cravings have all disappeared, and I don't feel particularly hungry. I eat 3 meals and a couple of snacks a day. It's easy to manage as long as I eat at home. In fact, it makes my life much simpler and easier. I eat a lot of protein (chicken, beef) which makes it satisfying, along with plenty of fresh vegetables cooked with olive oil. My snack food is a cooked mixture of quinoa with sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and chia seeds. I drink decaf tea with rice milk, and plenty of water.

I've been gradually feeling better, but the big difference kicked in about 5 days ago - and it's a huge difference. My brain fog is almost entirely gone - not totally, but close to it. I feel like I have my brain back - I can think clearly again, and that's wonderful! My dizziness and orthostatic intolerance have gone, the lethargy has gone. The 'general malaise' - just feeling sick so much of the time - has gone. My energy is up about 15% - 20% - I hope this will improve, but I'm not yet taking any kind of supplements at all, so I'm happy with what I have so far.

My noise sensitivity has improved, though not entirely disappeared. I’m still sensitive to sun. My stomach issues are much improved - no more bloating and gas, regular BM. Still have slight indigestion at times. Mouth ulcers have gone. Generally better able to deal with stress (still some work to be done, but it's improved). My mood has noticeably improved since I stopped eating fructose. I lost 8kg (17 lbs) between Nov-Feb, and have lost a further 5kg (11 lbs) since Feb – the weight loss was needed and is welcome. I feel much better for it.

I still feel very stiff and achy when I get up in the morning – no, it’s not age! My 86-year old mother doesn’t feel this. I still get some brain fog when tired, when talking to people or in a noisy environment. I still have some noise sensitivity, and can still get quickly unnerved in certain situations with only a little more stress than usual. I’m still resting in the afternoons, and still limiting my exercise. I still have some concentration problems, especially when reading; I still have an issue with temperature control – either feeling too hot or too cold very quickly.

I have tested positive for fructose malabsorption. My serological test for celiac disease was negative, but since doing the test my sister was diagnosed positive using the genetic test, so I am now having that done. It is possible to have both ME and celiac disease.

I tested negative on lactose malabsorption and IgG food antibodies – however I have heard that many people with ME (“CFS”) test positive on these. I’ve been diagnosed with ME/CFS according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria, and have been sick for four and a half years. It is generally acknowledged that there are different types of ME, so that what works for one person may not make any difference to another. On the other hand, it would make sense for anyone with symptoms similar to those of ME to get tested for celiac disease, fructose and lactose malabsorption, and IgG food antibodies. In most places your GP (primary care physician) should be able to order these tests.

 Had lunch out with family members today - first time to enjoy eating in a restaurant for several years.