Looking for a different alternative to improve my hearing, I visited a naturopath (for the first time ever) last week. That was a different (ahem) experience. Not surprisingly, he wanted to modify my diet by reducing/eliminating for at least 1 month or longer:
- gluten products
- corn
- caffeine
- sugars except for small quantities of honey or maple syrup
- red meats and shellfish
- tropical fruits, citrus fruits and strawberries (in effect, I'm supposed to eat fruits available from this continent which are effectively apples, pears and peaches ~ peaches are out of season)
- cow dairy products
- soy products (ie: tofu)
- nuts
I've not been a happy camper. My food groups have been decimated. I'm not opposed to eliminating caffeine or reducing sugars or carbs. Modification of my diet is probably good for me. I am more concerned about eliminating dairy and many of its substitutes (ie: almonds, nuts generally) and reducing fruit options.
It is incredibly difficult finding gluten-free products that don't have corn as a substitute. Even Quaker's Oatmeal has gluten. I went shopping for a "seed butter" and came across sunflower seed butter which, of course, has been processed in a factory so it may have some peanuts in it.
I've cheated by eating Quaker's Oatmeal for breakfast with a swish of maple syrup. I ran out of skim milk on the weekend so ventured into rice milk (as soy milk isn't a substitute). I poured it on my oatmeal this morning and decided I'll pass on the rice milk tomorrow so that I'd just have oatmeal with some maple syrup. I've significantly reduced my consumption of gluten products, caffeine, sugar but also fruits (because I'm discouraged from eating kiwis, bananas, mangos, any citrus, any melons, strawberries ~ so much for eating the colours of the rainbow).
I'm at the brink of throwing in the towel on the naturopath methods.
Meanwhile, I visited the Ears/Nose/Throat specialist last week to inquire about why I am experiencing hearing problems with my left ear (since the end of January). He confirmed my suspicion that it might be that otosclerosis has commenced in that ear as well. I was quite surprised to learn that he couldn't actually see the otosclerosis in either ear but made a presumption based upon my audio-test results. I was shocked that I could undergo laser surgery on my inner ears based upon an educated guess.
Never mind. I'm just being grouchy. Would you mind eating a few carbs for me?
This is incredibly interesting, MJ, and even more so as I'm on a cleanse-detox diet this week! Very glad the herbs are helping you! But not fun to have your diet so drastically reduced in options. Doing this detox, I can't have gluten/carbs. It's very difficult to find gluten-free options for breakfast where I am, it's been very frustrating. Eliminating some of the "badies" in our diet can't hurt, or at least reduce them. I really hope you can find a balance that works. Food is meant to be on the joys of life after all! The experience with the ears/nose/throat guy didn't seem to positive... Will you get getting second opinion there too? I do hope the condition is not going to your other ear too... Thinking of you! ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteI think you need some good quality dark chocolate.
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I'd be grouchy, too. Just wondering, how have you been feeling other than your hearing? Did changing your diet make you feel any different? (Other than the grouchy)
ReplyDeleteI'm also curious to learn more about what the laser surgery would do for you. I too, would be concerned that it is based on an educated guess.
I've been easing off on the caffeine instead of going cold turkey. I haven't been successful eliminating all gluten products; I haven't noticed much difference by eliminating gluten aside from some weight-loss (which isn't a bad thing either). I haven't noticed much difference & I had eliminated most dairy products as well. As the doctors hadn't ordered allergy tests, I've been doing an informal version with reducing these products to see if there are allergens. It could be that I need to reduce them for a longer time-frame (which is why the naturopath has indicated to not expect any changes until the passage of at least 1 month).
ReplyDeleteThe surgery is called Stapedectomy. My understanding of it is that the surgeon uses a laser directly into the ear with the purpose of drilling a hole in the bone caused by otosclerosis. The surgeon then places a tiny metal piece into the ear to prevent the bone from re-fusing. There are risks to the surgery: permanent profound deafness, loss of taste, vertigo, etc. I understand that most undergoing the surgery have otosclerosis in both ears so the surgery on one ear occurs one year after the other so that the surgery isn't performed on both ears at once.
Seriously, I'd cover your carbs for you- but as you know, I'm strictly liquids-only until at least Friday. Might prove difficult at Cheerios windup in the Italian restaurant tomorrow night ;(
ReplyDeleteI saw a naturopath regarding my ailments a while back... same recommendation - I think it is their blanket suggestion. Of course I tried but maybe I was mentally challenging it, so it didn't work. I went down to 104 pounds to boot. Time for ice cream.
Nothing wrong with eliminating caffeine and trying several dietary adjustments, though. Keep me posted, Mrs. Grouchypants.
PS. At least you can have solids. I would kill for some Quaker oatmeal right now.
I am eating all your carbs and fruits, but unfortunately I am *not* experiencing weight loss.
ReplyDeleteAdditions to the restriction menu: root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, parsnips, beets, turnips). I've also discovered that the 7 or so supplements included are homeopathic.
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