Determination

Photo courtesy of matley0

When I started the Paleo diet I read in many different places that people (like me) with autoimmune disease that want to go Paleo should really also cut nightshade vegetables out. Nightshades include white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and goji berries. I've read a handful of articles about nightshade issues but I just love potatoes and tomatoes and couldn't bare the thought of giving them up! Plus I didn't really feel like they were causing an issue for me.

But the more I cut out of my diet, the easier it is to see what foods trigger a reaction, and I started to notice some things. Most importantly, the rash is still bugging me. Not as badly, but definitely there and flares worse some days than others. I'm strictly gluten and dairy free and have eaten only a tiny amount of sugar in the past month and a half. So what the heck is it? I also noticed that I've started having some acid reflux, which is totally new for me. Seriously, does it ever end?!? My wish is for one full week of feeling completely healthy. I swear I'm not a hypochondriac! Not at all. But you really can't ignore itchy red bumps, I can't make that stuff up... and one day at lunch I literally almost regurgitated my food so suddenly. I've never in my life experienced reflux. I don't ever throw up. Where is this coming from??

I've started paying attention to when these things happen. A night of a really bad rash flare I had eaten tomato sauce. The day I almost lost my lunch - salsa. But I don't always eat tomatoes, so how is this happening so often? Oh wait, the salad dressing I eat almost every single day is made with tomatoes. Ugh. So I'm going to give it a shot for the rest of the month. I have my next docs appt scheduled at the end of the month and obviously if the rash is still bugging me I'll have it checked, but maybe, juuuuust maybe, this will be the last piece of the puzzle. I hope so!

Other than those two things, my health is phenominal after going Paleo. Seriously, I feel great and my stomach literally couldn't be better. I've never had such a calmn, fully functional stomach in my life! I have more energy, I am sleeping better, the rash heals faster lol. Well, wish me luck on this next step!! I'll definitely keep you updated.