Sunday, September 5, 2010

Impulsive eDiet

I've been doing a lot of thinking since my last doctor's visit. I've kept this long term monthly Migraine chart for almost four years. Prior to going to my last doctor's appointment, I was able to identify some seasonal Migraine peaks which I hadn't notice before. Another thing that I observed on this chart is that the number of Migraines I've developed was never as low as it was while I was doing the elimination diet even during my seasonal peak periods. I think I've seen this before, but was able to excuse it away as other things which is probably partially right.

Although I've been pseudo thinking about the elimination diet recently, I haven't been serious enough to try it again. I've always been someone who has to plan out everything I am going to do and definitely something as big as changing my dietary needs to have every detail planned out. That's what I did the first time I completed the elimination diet.

When I did it before, I tried to do everything as thoroughly as possible so I would never have to do it again. Before that, I had never done any type of diet and knew I would never want to do it again. This first time, I planned it down to the date I was going to start it, the Migraine medication I would change back to for it and my daily food menu. I read everything I could find on the internet and even bought a couple of books to read.

Anyway, I did something very atypical of me today. I jumped into the elimination diet again this morning as a spur of the moment thing. I started seriously thinking about it last night. I gave away the books I had originally used and could only do minimal reading online. I am nervous about the medication I am on now as I always want to nibble which is not a good thing while on any type of diet. Being a planner, this is very hard for me to just jump into, but I felt like I needed to put a stake in the ground and just go for it. Exhale. I know I need to do this again and I figured the sooner I started it, the better off I would be.

Using my suspicions and upon reviewing my charts, I finally came to the conclusion that I really have no choice but to find out if I have any additional food triggers. I really don't want to do this, but I have not been able to identify if I have any other food triggers even if I suspected them.

When I did the elimination diet the first time, I found a lot of good triggers. However, I believe I have developed additional food triggers since then. When I did the diet before, I chose one meal for breakfast, one for lunch and one for dinner along with a snack that I could have whenever I felt like munching. I am doing that again this time because I can't remember how I would have changed it up from the last time.

I want to stick with this basic diet for at least six weeks. Of course this is not the best time to do the diet, but there really never is a good time to start. Since I didn't even know until today, I haven't told anyone about it yet which usually gives me the inspiration to keep going. I don't want to deviate from the diet as I really want to figure out if I am missing any other foods or ingredients that I should stay away from. I am hoping it will be easier to add back this time because I know many foods I won't have to add back since I already know they are triggers.

The other thing that keeps running through my head that really shouldn't be is the reaction of two previous doctors I used to go to. I totally don't understand why, but they were both down on the elimination diet. I know it is ludicrous, but this type of ignorance always baffles me into thinking I must be missing something although I really don't think so.

I don't see how I can justify, even to myself, going to a better Migraine doctor than the one I currently go to if I feel there are still things I should be trying to get my Migraines under better control first. I feel that if I were to go to a different Migraine doctor today and he were to ask me about my diet, I would have to say that I don't know if I have additional food triggers. At that point, I think he would tell me to find out. Unfortunately, he would not be able to tell me what my food triggers are since there is no easy test to tell us. That would be real nice!

So I am jumping feet first into another adventure I have not prepared for. Although I have been down this road before, the road is very different than it was the first time I traveled it. I don't really see another choice for me right now, but I know I need to embrace it.

I know it's only day one, but I think I've already endured my first hurdles while food shopping this morning. Ready or not, I've just started it again...

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6 comments:

Jamie said...

I'm glad you're being proactive about it. I haven't done the elimination diet yet... Maybe I should read up on that more... In any case...

I have gifted you with the One Lovely Blog Award. Check it out at http://chronicmigrainewarrior.blogspot.com.

WinnyNinny PooPoo said...

Have you tried a low histamine diet? I was surprised to find that left overs can be a trigger because of the number of histamines in proteins that are kept over - one reason preserved meats can be a trigger besides the preservatives.

Migrainista said...

A blogger award for you at http://migraine-ista.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-awards.html

I really enjoy your blog!

MigrainePuppet said...

Jamie - the first time I did the elimination diet, I found a lot of good food triggers on it. It really was worth doing it. If you decide to go on the elimination diet, there is a lot of support around here for you.

Thank you so much for the blog award. It really means so much to me.

MigrainePuppet said...

Winny - I'd never heard that left over meats can trigger because of the number of histamines in proteins. I'm going to have to read more about it and possibly try a low histamine diet.

Thank you for always bringing up these great tidbits that add so much and make me think and research into more areas.

MigrainePuppet said...

Migrainista - Thank you for nominating my blog for this award. I am touched as I also enjoy your blog and the variety of content that you offer too.