Post by Erin on Apr 12, 2014 17:24:24 GMT -5
** Much of my story is already on my blog, Enjoying this Journey, so I will just excerpt and link to those posts along the way. All of my blog posts regarding autoimmunity specifically can be found here.
February 2013:
I started out by changing my meals to follow a "primal" blueprint in the hopes of easing psoriasis. Psoriasis is something I have had since I was five years old, it has taken me a long time to be able to not feel so ashamed about it and feel less uncomfortable discussing it. This is probably due to a lot of childhood teasing, but that's anothertherapy session diary entry entirely. 
Here is an excerpt of my blog post: Why Primal?
A while later I learned about this crazy thing called "autoimmune protocol" and discovered that I still had much to learn. Humbled, I continued to bury myself in blogs, podcasts, and webinars about food and its effect on {and role in} autoimmune disease.
Here is an excerpt of my blog post: How My Diet Change Has Changed
I began to see changes along the way, which was encouraging. So did my husband. Since I do the majority of the cooking in our home, he and the kids eat what I eat.
I began to keep track of all the changes we have experienced along the way. Here you can see the Changes We Have Seen Since Eliminating Grains {and many other foods}.
I don't remember when, it was maybe 5 or 6 months after being super strict with the elimination protocol I decided to reintroduce some foods. I reintroduced chocolate and coffee, but I didn't go crazy with them by any stretch. They were still enjoyed in heavy moderation. From time to time, I would try to reintroduce nuts. Almonds at first. My right hand flared horribly in protest. I heeded the warning... but later on, I tried another nut. Again, my right hand flared. So I backed off. I still had coffee and chocolate occasionally. Overall, I felt like I had a good handle on things until I tried dabbling with nuts again.
Am I perfect? HA! No. I recognize that I do better without certain foods. I recognize that I could very well have been lying to myself about how I could "handle" coffee and chocolate. I recognize I had days where I felt like following the AIP was the biggest burden and others where it was no big deal at all. I fully admit that I have eaten foods I probably shouldn't have {I don't like applying the word cheat to foods} and my body has reacted. Sometimes violently... like that time I made pistachio French macarons with bacon dark chocolate ganache with my eldest nephew. I indulged and spent the wee morning hours hugging the toilet- the following day I was miserable and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. They were stinkin' delicious, but SO not worth it for me. Speaking of the French macarons, I actually have another batch in the oven as I type this, but they are a gift for my nephew. I'm not eating a single one. You have my word on that.
I have fallen into the gluten-free trap before and climbed my way out. I have had my fair share of AIP Pits and Peaks along the way. That could be why I am not big on "paleo" baked goods. Treats for my husband and daughter {not my son yet} every now and then, sure. I have coconut macaroons, buttercups, and even an acorn cakelet recipe on my blog. But I want the majority of the recipes I share to reflect how we eat day to day.
Cut to February 2014:
I had pecans again. MISTAKE. Here is where I own up to the fact that I didn't follow the suggested reintroduction steps at all with these "reintroductions". I can only hope that my transparency will help someone reading this - maybe they will learn from my mistakes. Looking back, I shake my head at myself for being so ignorant. Instead of starting small {read: stage 1 reintro foods} with a pastured egg yolk, grass-fed ghee, snap peas... heck, even just black pepper! I jumped right to the foods that I missed the most. I honestly think the nuts are what did me in. This flare was so bad that I made my first ever appointment with a rheumatologist. As I sat in the orthopedic group's waiting room I kept my worried mind focused on filling out the paperwork. It wasn't until I brought my papers up to the receptionist and sat back down that I looked around the room. Next to the receptionist I was the youngest person there. Then I heard my name, I grabbed my things and nervously smiled at the nurse who led me back. After a lengthy talk with the doctor, showing him the pictures I took, and a physical examination he was able confidently conclude what was going on. And so I was given two new diagnoses; Psoriatic Arthritis and Raynauds.
An excerpt from my blog post: Autoimmune Protocol Update and New Diagnoses
I have since had a follow up with my rheumatologist and he had nothing but great things to say. My blood work {even my vitamin D levels after winter were in range!} and x-rays looked great and he told me to keep at it. "Whatever it is you are doing".
You can see my recap of my rheumy follow up in this vlog {yes, I vlog sometimes - eep!}.
Currently:
I feel great. No, really! I started taking Prescript Assist on top of nibbling on my ferments. I've also been supplementing magnesium. I haven't had new psoriasis flares or joint pain. And my toes only turn blue when it's too chilly in the house and I haven't put socks on yet. I typically bend our otherwise strict "no shoes" rule and wear my sheepskin lined boots around the house to keep my feet nice and toasty. I still struggle with carving out time for yoga... I am hit and miss. But I have gotten much better at guarding my sleep. I usually get eight hours - granted, that's interrupted because my son nurses overnight. I think once he is done nursing at night {whenever that is} my quality of sleep will be sitting pretty. I do want to get those blue light blocking glasses for myself though... it's on my ever-long list.
I can only hope things improve from here!
February 2013:
I started out by changing my meals to follow a "primal" blueprint in the hopes of easing psoriasis. Psoriasis is something I have had since I was five years old, it has taken me a long time to be able to not feel so ashamed about it and feel less uncomfortable discussing it. This is probably due to a lot of childhood teasing, but that's another
Here is an excerpt of my blog post: Why Primal?
Primal, eh? So you're on a diet?
First, let me just say, I detest the word diet. It has a heavy implication tied to weight loss. Yes, many people have welcomed a primal diet to reach some incredible weight loss goals. And I commend them sincerely. For me, this isn't about weight or wearing a bikini {pardon me as I chuckle heartily at the thought of that - yeah, not happening}. For me, it is something that weighs greater than any baby weight, any bad eating habits ... it is the sheer thought and hope of ridding myself of something that literally has plagued me for near my whole life. Something I have brushed off time and time again as no big deal, erecting walls of self defense so I don't get hurt when I think someone is staring at my scalp. Dreading going to a hair salon with every ounce of my being because of those infernal black capes that they drape around my neck. Actually avoiding shaking someone's hand because my skin feels like sandpaper. This "diet", if it eases my pain, both physical and emotional, would bring a happiness beyond anything I could ever fully express. P.S. this paragraph alone reminds me of why I have never openly talked about psoriasis with people.
First, let me just say, I detest the word diet. It has a heavy implication tied to weight loss. Yes, many people have welcomed a primal diet to reach some incredible weight loss goals. And I commend them sincerely. For me, this isn't about weight or wearing a bikini {pardon me as I chuckle heartily at the thought of that - yeah, not happening}. For me, it is something that weighs greater than any baby weight, any bad eating habits ... it is the sheer thought and hope of ridding myself of something that literally has plagued me for near my whole life. Something I have brushed off time and time again as no big deal, erecting walls of self defense so I don't get hurt when I think someone is staring at my scalp. Dreading going to a hair salon with every ounce of my being because of those infernal black capes that they drape around my neck. Actually avoiding shaking someone's hand because my skin feels like sandpaper. This "diet", if it eases my pain, both physical and emotional, would bring a happiness beyond anything I could ever fully express. P.S. this paragraph alone reminds me of why I have never openly talked about psoriasis with people.
A while later I learned about this crazy thing called "autoimmune protocol" and discovered that I still had much to learn. Humbled, I continued to bury myself in blogs, podcasts, and webinars about food and its effect on {and role in} autoimmune disease.
Here is an excerpt of my blog post: How My Diet Change Has Changed
I chose a primal diet, knowing that much of the "gluten free" foods were lacking in nutrient density. Plus, I wanted to get as close to a whole foods diet as possible. Simple enough, right?
I was so wrong.
The more I read about autoimmune disease and diet, I learned about cross reactive foods. Meaning foods that my body may think is a gluten and react as if it were a gluten. I also read about foods to eliminate to fix my "leaky gut". Eliminating dairy and eggs. So my diet was chiseled even more.
Meat, wild caught seafood, nuts, veggies, fruits, berries, coconut. Coffee. Occasionally a chunk of delicious dark chocolate. Even more occasionally a mini glass of wine.
Several months ago I read about autoimmune protocol paleo and saw that once again...
I was so wrong.
I was so wrong.
The more I read about autoimmune disease and diet, I learned about cross reactive foods. Meaning foods that my body may think is a gluten and react as if it were a gluten. I also read about foods to eliminate to fix my "leaky gut". Eliminating dairy and eggs. So my diet was chiseled even more.
Meat, wild caught seafood, nuts, veggies, fruits, berries, coconut. Coffee. Occasionally a chunk of delicious dark chocolate. Even more occasionally a mini glass of wine.
Several months ago I read about autoimmune protocol paleo and saw that once again...
I was so wrong.
I began to see changes along the way, which was encouraging. So did my husband. Since I do the majority of the cooking in our home, he and the kids eat what I eat.
I began to keep track of all the changes we have experienced along the way. Here you can see the Changes We Have Seen Since Eliminating Grains {and many other foods}.I don't remember when, it was maybe 5 or 6 months after being super strict with the elimination protocol I decided to reintroduce some foods. I reintroduced chocolate and coffee, but I didn't go crazy with them by any stretch. They were still enjoyed in heavy moderation. From time to time, I would try to reintroduce nuts. Almonds at first. My right hand flared horribly in protest. I heeded the warning... but later on, I tried another nut. Again, my right hand flared. So I backed off. I still had coffee and chocolate occasionally. Overall, I felt like I had a good handle on things until I tried dabbling with nuts again.
Am I perfect? HA! No. I recognize that I do better without certain foods. I recognize that I could very well have been lying to myself about how I could "handle" coffee and chocolate. I recognize I had days where I felt like following the AIP was the biggest burden and others where it was no big deal at all. I fully admit that I have eaten foods I probably shouldn't have {I don't like applying the word cheat to foods} and my body has reacted. Sometimes violently... like that time I made pistachio French macarons with bacon dark chocolate ganache with my eldest nephew. I indulged and spent the wee morning hours hugging the toilet- the following day I was miserable and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. They were stinkin' delicious, but SO not worth it for me. Speaking of the French macarons, I actually have another batch in the oven as I type this, but they are a gift for my nephew. I'm not eating a single one. You have my word on that.
I have fallen into the gluten-free trap before and climbed my way out. I have had my fair share of AIP Pits and Peaks along the way. That could be why I am not big on "paleo" baked goods. Treats for my husband and daughter {not my son yet} every now and then, sure. I have coconut macaroons, buttercups, and even an acorn cakelet recipe on my blog. But I want the majority of the recipes I share to reflect how we eat day to day.
Cut to February 2014:
I had pecans again. MISTAKE. Here is where I own up to the fact that I didn't follow the suggested reintroduction steps at all with these "reintroductions". I can only hope that my transparency will help someone reading this - maybe they will learn from my mistakes.
Looking back, I shake my head at myself for being so ignorant. Instead of starting small {read: stage 1 reintro foods} with a pastured egg yolk, grass-fed ghee, snap peas... heck, even just black pepper! I jumped right to the foods that I missed the most. I honestly think the nuts are what did me in. This flare was so bad that I made my first ever appointment with a rheumatologist. As I sat in the orthopedic group's waiting room I kept my worried mind focused on filling out the paperwork. It wasn't until I brought my papers up to the receptionist and sat back down that I looked around the room. Next to the receptionist I was the youngest person there. Then I heard my name, I grabbed my things and nervously smiled at the nurse who led me back. After a lengthy talk with the doctor, showing him the pictures I took, and a physical examination he was able confidently conclude what was going on. And so I was given two new diagnoses; Psoriatic Arthritis and Raynauds.An excerpt from my blog post: Autoimmune Protocol Update and New Diagnoses
I tried to reintroduce pecans. Delicious little devils... I ate a handful - two days in a row. On the third day my left toes were swollen like sausages, inflamed, flared {psoriasis}, hot to touch, hard to move/curl, and quite tender. After conferring with some fellow AIPers, I sought out a Rheumatologist and made an appointment. Two weeks out. I made sure to take pictures {I'll spare you the sausage toe pictures - no worries!} to show him. And I immediately 86ed pecans as well as chocolate or coffee. Yes, I stripped my allowed foods down yet again. I wanted a clean slate to give my body time to recover.
Two days later, the swelling in my toes was reduced greatly, which was such a relief. But my right hand started to act out. I spent the next several days babying that hand, partly because of the weather. My skin started to break and bleed. I lathered it with olive oil put on one of our food service gloves {with the fingers snipped} and my knitted handwarmers. It's been two weeks since this crazy flare and my hand is finally looking somewhat normal.
Two days later, the swelling in my toes was reduced greatly, which was such a relief. But my right hand started to act out. I spent the next several days babying that hand, partly because of the weather. My skin started to break and bleed. I lathered it with olive oil put on one of our food service gloves {with the fingers snipped} and my knitted handwarmers. It's been two weeks since this crazy flare and my hand is finally looking somewhat normal.
I have since had a follow up with my rheumatologist and he had nothing but great things to say. My blood work {even my vitamin D levels after winter were in range!} and x-rays looked great and he told me to keep at it. "Whatever it is you are doing".
You can see my recap of my rheumy follow up in this vlog {yes, I vlog sometimes - eep!}.Currently:
I feel great. No, really! I started taking Prescript Assist on top of nibbling on my ferments. I've also been supplementing magnesium. I haven't had new psoriasis flares or joint pain. And my toes only turn blue when it's too chilly in the house and I haven't put socks on yet. I typically bend our otherwise strict "no shoes" rule and wear my sheepskin lined boots around the house to keep my feet nice and toasty. I still struggle with carving out time for yoga... I am hit and miss. But I have gotten much better at guarding my sleep. I usually get eight hours - granted, that's interrupted because my son nurses overnight. I think once he is done nursing at night {whenever that is} my quality of sleep will be sitting pretty. I do want to get those blue light blocking glasses for myself though... it's on my ever-long list.
I can only hope things improve from here!
