Nutty Meatfruit

Crohn's After All

2009-03-08T22:51:00.005-04:00

My appendix was inflamed (and removed); there was a lot of other activity in the RLQ ... but I have Crohn's Disease, for sure.

NOT Ulcerative Colitis?

2009-01-09T19:05:00.007-05:00

Huh?

Well, I've failed to respond to Colitis treatment. Symptoms got worse with Crohn's treatment. It doesn't even seem to matter what I eat, or when. But the pain and malaise persist.

A ha! The CT scan did not illuminate my appendix!

Has anyone heard of chronic appendicitis presenting like IBD?

Back to Basics

2008-12-15T10:29:00.003-05:00

Mmm. SCD Introductory Diet soup. I can eat this, if nothing else ...

No Heat!

2008-12-14T09:21:00.002-05:00

Areas of the Northeast (including mine) have been without electricity since midnight on Thursday, 11 December. On Friday we were at home with running water, fireplace and gas stove; yesterday we headed to stay with my family. I am not feeling well; could not eat and experienced a rigor lasting two hours last night. Either there is a connection between UC and body temperature regulation, or I am just responding to stress and infection. Either way, this whole situation is definitely not good.

Winter Heat

2008-12-11T19:29:00.010-05:00

Here it comes. That old familiar RLQ pain. Stiff, achy low back. The uncomfortably heated hips, thighs, knees. Fever, night rigors. The fatigue and general malaise.

Since my Jinxy July post, I have been fully preoccupied with an exciting--and excruciatingly stressful--project at work. Now commuting five days a week, I am less vigilant about avoiding grains and sugar, but not carelessly so. I still eschew all nuts, corn syrup, coconut, soy, and various other fruit allergens (due to OAS or oral ulceration).

For months, I have been treating low back pain with prescription Motrin. Initially, taking at certain points of my cycle only. Then, almost daily. I realize now that I have probably been denying the inevitable ... an Ulcerative Colitis (UC) flare-up.

The body DOES have a way of making stop and pay attention. Thank God for that!

GI doctor called in a 14 day course of Cipro on 10 Dec.

Jinxy

2008-07-16T10:18:00.001-04:00

Is it every time I post "all's well" that something breaks down, or does it just feel that way right now?

Nut-free Meatfruit

2008-07-12T13:02:00.007-04:00

I am happy to report that my health has been relatively cooperative during this eventful professional and personal phase! I avoid all nuts and feel so much better for it. Accidentally ingested some peanuts the other day. Intolerance re-confirmed (ugh).

Experiments with seeds, grains and starch have been somewhat unscientific--usually performed when I'm virtually starving but all I can scavenge is a bag of blue corn chips--or when my salad doesn't satisfy but those French fries promise an unctuously substantial conclusion!

Potatoes and onions seem to make the nose run; corn makes the tummy rumble; and tomatoes and soy result in a fat, tingly tongue (see Oral Allergy Syndrome). There are myriad other foods I avoid for similar reasons--too many to list--but fortunately, none of the reactions are bad enough to really bring me down!

To reflect present diet: this blog's banner shall change, though the URL remains the same.

SCD, Nut-free

2008-06-23T17:56:00.000-04:00

Cross Reactions

2008-05-03T09:51:00.004-04:00

Oral Allergy Syndrome OAS. Sounds a lot like me!

No, Nutty, No Soy.

2008-04-24T15:53:00.007-04:00

No dairy. No corn. No strawberries, raisins, coconut or nuts. No soy.

Pretty soon it'll be no itchy jaw. No tingly tongue. No tight throat, bloated belly, itchy eyes or runny nose. No--well, you get the picture.

I have been venturing into a non-SCD™ world and getting some curious insight to my food allergies.

Sixy Baby

2008-04-13T14:43:00.011-04:00

I link to this lovabl-ogger and what results? A meme tap!

Six words to describe my essence:

adaptable
considerate
expressive
grateful
incisive
inquisitive

I debated whether to put these in sequential or alphabetical order. That fact pretty much affirms that I chose the correct 6.

I tag Bean Mama, Alicia, Jilluck, Shannon, Susan, and Lynn Barry.

Roasted Toasted Spring Chicken

2008-04-07T18:07:00.011-04:00

Roasted Toasted Spring Chicken

Ingredients:
4 skinless Chicken thighs
Honey
Pinch of each: Cayenne Pepper, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Ground Cloves
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
Dried Parsley
Olive oil
3 Apples
2 Tbsp Toasted Head Chardonnay (plus more, for drinking)

Method:
Marinate Chicken thighs in Oil, Lemon juice, Honey, Salt, Pepper and Spices for 1/2-1 hour.

Heat oven to 375°.

Completely brown marinated thighs in a bit of oil over high heat. Remove Chicken to oiled baking dish. Pour wine into hot skillet; scrape up brown bits and stir to thicken.

Chop Apples and arrange on and around Chicken. Pour wine glaze over chicken and sprinkle with Salt, Pepper, and Parsley.

Bake, uncovered, for one hour.

No News

2008-04-05T09:43:00.003-04:00

Hard to believe that two months have passed since the CT Scan. Everything is just fine right now. I am still following SCD™; avoiding nuts as much as possible; and staying busy with non-health issues like work, home, etc. Thank you for the inquiries!

Nuts!

2008-02-25T08:43:00.007-05:00

It seems to be consensus among my medical care providers that the discomfort I feel stems not from a disease of the GI tract - UC is healed with diet and energy therapy.

Unfortunately, I continue to have bowel symptoms - somewhat improved with the new probiotic, but present still. Am I back at the beginning, with a catch-all IBS diagnosis?

Is it allergies? My neck and jaw itch from time-to-time. Blood results showed very low intolerance for pecans and white rice; I wasn't advised to do skin pricks or further testing at that time.

I keep trying to go a day without nuts, but I break down in the late afternoon when I crave a crunchy protein with my coffee! Could coffee be the culprit (gasp!)? I shall ask my Primary about an Exclusion Diet and if she thinks it's right for me.

Bless the Pollinators

2008-02-13T21:34:00.004-05:00

Get some of these beauties before the price of stamps goes up ... again.

Layer Cake

2008-02-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

Mmm ... if you can, you should.

Simple Swordfish

2008-02-11T09:46:00.000-05:00

Simple Swordfish

Ingredients:
1 or 2 1" thick Swordfish Steaks
Lemon
Garlic Cloves, chopped
Fresh Parsley, chopped
Sea Salt and Pepper, freshly ground
Olive Oil

Method:
Combine Lemon zest, Garlic, Parsley, Salt and Pepper.
Chop each Steak into 4 or more pieces.
Coat Swordfish pieces in Olive Oil; rub with zesty mix.
Marinate in glass dish for 15-30 minutes.
Heat oven to 425°.
Bake Fish on broiler pan for 15-20 minutes then broil for 2-5 minutes.

Cat-free!

2008-02-01T15:23:00.000-05:00

Scan result is negative for disease! Ultrasound confirms that my pain results from one of those "other things," not GIT-related. I believe this condition is relatively easily remedied; I wait for a call from my primary care physician.

Glow-tini

2008-01-29T19:17:00.000-05:00

Evidently the center of my LRQ pain lies precisely at McBurney's point. This symptom is consistent with--among other things--Crohn's and subacute appendicitis. Subacute is not the precipitous, "exploding" variety of appendicitis we commonly hear about. I have also experienced what my Gastroenterologist calls a "rigor" (brief but scary shuddering episode followed by a sweat) - this event usually indicates a systemic infection. More news after CT scan tomorrow, I hope. Additional UA and blood to be submitted on Thursday.

I'll be tipping back a couple of contrast cocktails later on. Nôtre santé!

Update 31 Jan: Results due tomorrow, 1 Feb 2008.

Eight Legged Dream

2008-01-18T10:54:00.000-05:00

I am chasing a slippery, malicious, pinkish-purple octopus around my house. One minute he is cradled in my arms, the next, gone. I search the baseboards, the cabinets. I venture to a dirt-floor basement (this is not my house) and wait to catch some movement among dusty boxes and crumpled blankets. It finally occurs to me that it may have simply gone. I tell myself to accept that it is gone, and that I must try to go on with life without the fear that it may be lurking.

If dreams have meaning, what is this about?

Does this squishy mass of arms represent my intestines?; does the elusive nature of it mean the disease is gone, or is simply hidden?

Related fact: Octopi creep me out, big time.

Some Web results ...

"OCTOPUS - symbolizes the spirits of the Underworld and mysterious otherworldly forces."

"OCTOPUS emotional entanglement
OCTOPUS emotionally engrossed
OCTOPUS hands everywhere"

"The sea octopus represents a chaotic, eight-legged vortex of flesh and confusion. If you see one in a dream, it may be a sign that you should avoid careless infatuations or juggling relationships. If you are eating an octopus, you have recently put a period of romantic turmoil behind you."

"The eight legs, with their suction cups, can represent clinginess or grabbiness. They can change color like a chameleon, and so can represent changing moods. They can inspire fear in some people, and fascination in others."

"To see an octopus in your dream, signifies that you are entangled in some difficult matter or situation. Or it may mean that you are overly possessive and too clingy in a relationship."

Curious, no?

Footnote:

This is the most adorable octopus ever. Handmade in rural Kenya. I was going to post a photo at the top of this post, but was too freaked out by Google's image results. I refined my search to "octopus toy" and came up with this knit sweetie.

The Good News

2008-01-17T19:02:00.000-05:00

I called my Gastroenterologist's office this afternoon to find out whether they had received any test results.

They had ... and the results are all good!

B₁₂: normal. Iron: normal. Sed Rate: 3 (normal range is 0-20). C-Diff: negative. WBC not present in specimen!

I am doing something right!

So ... why all the pain in my lower right quadrant despite SCD, Vitamin D and Pentasa? I have accepted the Doctor's recommendation to try Entocort® EC, a new type of corticosteroid used to treat Crohn's Disease. I'll have been on it for about a week before my next office visit.

Most Useful

2008-01-13T20:27:00.000-05:00

"Do not eat after 7PM! Eat lots of plain toast and pasta! Avoid raw vegetables! No gluten! No dairy! Eat only fruit before 10AM!"

With a diagnosis and (healthy) recommended diet, I jumped off the dizzy-making food-go-round. I simplified my repertoire of meals and got serious about cooking gear.

My pick for Most Useful kitchen purchase of 2007 is the 12" Le Creuset® skillet - we use it 1-3 (or more) times every day. It took some time to get used to the weight of this cast iron baby; indeed my wrist still aches after a vigorous sautée--oh, why I don't use our All Clad® stainless pan for sautée? Proper choice or not, I've simply assigned my loyalty to another.

A close second place for Most Useful is the 7" Wüsthof Santoku. That knife outsharps all others--except its Very Useful paring companion.

Did you make any noteworthy investments in your kitchen last year?

Savory SCD Meatloaf

2008-01-06T18:51:00.000-05:00

Savory SCD Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 lb. Lean Ground Pork
1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
¼ cup Almond Flour
1 Egg
4 Cloves Garlic
¼ Small Onion
Pinch Rosemary; Pinch Thyme
Olive Oil
1 tsp Coarse Celtic Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper

Method:
Heat oven to 375°.

Mince Onion and Garlic and heat together with a bit of Olive Oil in small frying pan. Remove pan from heat.

In medium mixing bowl, combine Egg and Almond Flour. Add Salt and Pepper. Crush dried Rosemary and Thyme between your fingers, sprinkling over Egg mixture. Use clean hands to completely incorporate Ground Meat and mixture.

Form a giant meatball and pat gently into stone or ceramic pie dish. Do not press to edges, merely flatten the ball. Pop dish in oven and bake for about one hour.

Note: The Egg and Almonds give Savory Meatloaf a slight crust - reduce temperature and extend cooking duration for a thoroughly moist meatloaf, if preferred.

Testing 2008

2008-01-03T19:29:00.000-05:00

I have submitted blood for B₁₂, Red Blood Cell Sed Rate, Iron and Iron metabolism (I have a genetic marker for hemochromatosis). Specimen will be dropped at the lab tomorrow for Gram stains to detect C-Diff A/B and White Blood Cells. In the mean time, I am advised to continue Pentasa, restart superdose of Vitamin D, and find a good probiotic.

Pentasabbatical

2008-01-01T12:40:00.000-05:00

A week or two after my 7 month followup, I had a fairly severe flare-up. I finally decided that the benefit of my SCD conversion cannot be fully realized if constantly impeded by inflammation. I consulted my primary care physician. She congratulated me on my success with reducing symptoms through diet and lifestyle change, but agreed most emphatically with my intention to try a prescription drug. She reminded me that chronic inflammation may increase one's risk of cancer, and that I am already in a higher-than-average risk category for my age. I swallowed my pride and made the call (I think admitting you need help is the First Step?). My Gastroenterologist called in Pentasa toute de suite.

Both doctors said that this anti-inflammatory shall allow me to eat "normally" without symptoms. SCD was compulsive, but is now optional.

I narrow my eyes and raise one brow. I resolve to stick to The Diet ... then I get brave.

I test the flora with former irritants such as soybean oil. No problem. Rice. Corn. I consume a bit of sugar, and ... I survive! There is nothing I can't eat! But I am conservative. I follow SCD guidelines most of the time (knowing that it is not effective without strict devotion).

The initial dosage seems to work immediately after consumption, but discomfort recurs before the next dose is due. After 4 weeks, he increases dosage by one pill. It works!

Then ... we approach Christmas. No treat is left unsampled.

I start losing sleep again around 26 December. I admit that I may have brought this gastric avalanche upon myself, but ... I was encouraged to eat "normally" and enjoy the full effect of this medicine. Perhaps it is simply not the right one for me. Or perhaps I just need to ride this one out and be kind to my system (read: cut the nasty complex carbohydrates).

Ouch. The saga continues.