PamH

Hi again! I'm starting another Whole30 on September 22nd with a coworker and her friend. It should be interesting, since I out-age them by 20 years, 3 children, a 22 year marriage and menopause. Hah. Anyway, I'm looking forward to coming back. I have done a few Whole30 runs in the past several years, but always struggled on Day 15 (often going off track for that day and starting over). My downfall is chocolate or chocolate covered anything (good chocolate; I'm a snob). I'm going into this Whole30 with a commitment to breakfast and a cabinet WITHOUT nuts/seeds to gorge on when floundering. I love how my taste buds burst alive again and recognize the incredible sweetness of a yellow pepper or cucumber. I can't wait! I would start sooner, but my 22nd wedding anniversary is 8/20 and I don't want to worry about what oil my salad is tossed in or what spice blend is on my steak. It looks like the Forum has changed a bit so I'll start browsing. I hope a few of my old "friends" are still here!

You CAN do this! Sometimes you are successful for weeks, sometimes for months, and hopefully then for years. <3 It really is one day at a time.

I don't know if I should post this as a success to Whole30 quite yet (since I haven't technically started), but I wanted to tell people about the health changes I've had over the past few months: I came back to this forum about a week ago, after being absent for maybe a year or so. I've done a few Whole30 in the past few years. I've either been Paleo, gluten free Paleo, gluten/dairy free Paleo, dairy/grain free Paleo, dairy free vegetarian, grain/dairy free vegetarian, or vegan (not super strict with honey, eggs, etc) since 2011. Sound crazy when I write it down. But, about 6-8 weeks ago I developed some pain and fatigue in my lower back. It went down to my legs and up to my shoulders over time. I first thought it was related to my mild scoliosis, but quickly decided it was more. Lying down or sitting for periods of time made it so much worse. Since my mom had polymyalgia rheumatica when she was about my age, I went to the MD on Wednesday for bloodwork (CRP and SED). Bloodwork very normal, except for protein markers low normal. But, inflammatory markers extremely healthy. So, I had decided 2 days before my MD appointment to go back to Whole30 or even AIP eating. I've greatly cut down on sugar (chocolate, especially), cut out coffee, ditched the vegan ways and tried to stay grain free since 1/7. Pain: almost gone! Heaviness in my legs: almost gone! Horrendous stiffness upon waking: almost gone! I'm still not sure what I've done or not done to change this, but I'm thinking the beans, legumes, limited soy protein and grains I've been eating for the past 6 months have taken their toll? Plus, the lack of utilizable protein. So, that's my success! If anyone else here tanked while being vegetarian or vegan (seriously, 6 months max and I tanked), I'd be interested in hearing your story. Thanks! I look forward to getting back to Whole30 when I get back from vacation on 1/19.

I had a CBC and Metabolic Panel run which showed lower protein markers, but everything within normal range. I don't know my MTHFR status, but I have to assume I have something based on what my son's status shows. He has Autism. I was vegan for only a few months, but vegetarian (and sugar gorging) for close to a year now. I think I can turn this around.

Ah, MTHFR. My son is heterozygous for A1298C and C677T. I just have to assume I am one or both. Good point. I do have access to a few alternative medicine MDs in the area.

No doctor to ask. The people I see are so very mainstream. I'll do some research or maybe go to a histamine intolerance blog. I'm not sure about histamines and bone broth but it didn't make me feel good when drinking it. I could always go slow (not my style lol)

I doubt I warrant a biopsy, especially since the scalp tenderness and facial pain is tons better after leaving my vegan diet (FOUR days!) and a visit to the chiropractor. I had a contrast MRI of my head in October 2014 that was clear. I can only imagine I'm being seen as a hypochondriac. I'm ready to just abandon modern medicine and go back to basics. Seems smarter. This last decade has been interesting.

I have to stay low histamine. Bone broth was not my friend last time I tried it. I will work on my gut, though. I know I can take charge of this situation with food choices. Thank you

Ah, oysters. Love them. I assume breaded and pan fried is not the idea? What is your opinion on the smoked/canned vs fresh? Raw? Cooked? No difference?

I would think I do NOT have PMR for sure. I do know there is literature that says you can have normal test results and still have PMR but it is rare. The Giant Cell Arteritis is probably ruled out when you look at the overall test results. Yes, eat for life. Wow

Well, well, well... knock me over with a feather: My SED rate is 8mm/hr (reference range 0-22 mm/hr) My C Reactive Protein is <.5 mg/dL (reference range 0-.8 mg/dL) CBC and Metabolic panel are all within normal ranges except BUN (but I'm super hydrated). BP was 90/60 which is my normal HR was 56 which is my normal Some of the CBC values were on the low end of normal: WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit. I am assuming that is from a vegetarian/vegan/sugar diet for the better part of 6 months? On the Metabolic Panel, total protein and albumin were on the low end, too. My guess is more protein! Today I had a chicken breast. I will keep up with the Whole30 and lower inflammation foods, but I am going to go the orthopedic route to see what is going on. Since I am 50, a long time eating disorder battler, sugar eater and heavy duty exercise freak I might want to get a bone density scan. I broke the neck of my femur years ago from running. Although I don't run anymore, I have been hiking and walking to excess. That, combined with a crappy diet? Only an Xray and time will tell. Younger people, listen up! Bodies will fail if you do not take care of them. sigh Any feedback welcome!

LOVE the chocolate chili. Good idea. I haven't made it since last winter. I've never tried the second recipe, but I eat cauliflower a lot. I actually drank Crio Bru (have their tshirt!) when I first gave up caffeine. I switched back to regular decaf after having a histamine overload problem and thought it might be part of the issue. I really liked it but I think I will steer clear because I'm not sure it likes me. I had a lot of heart palps. Man, this isn't fun. I never used to react to foods. I will find a good way to get through this next month. I go to San Fran in a week so I think I won't be able to stay compliant 100%. I can do the best possible. I will also know my blood test results by then. I'm encouraged my how much better I feel. The aching... the hip pain... the dead feeling in my legs... much less. That is just 48 hours, folks.

I had CRP, SED and basic blood panels run today. I will see what the results are soon. I feel better today already. Amazing, if it lasts. I am committed to Whole30 at the minimum. I know I will struggle with the chocolate and not be perfect. I seriously love dark chocolate, guys.

You are very correct. I have a lot of factors to consider here. I will get the ESR and CR-P blood tests just to be sure. Chocolate and I do need to divorce. Dang, and I thought maybe I would be divorcing my husband in 2016. That's an entirely different set of stressors. It's complicated.

I was also re-exposed to Epstein Barr Virus after my daughter contracted mono this fall. I really, really believe this might have been my environmental trigger... with my inflammatory diet complicating things. I had mono about 28 years ago. The plot thickens.