sqbr: pretty purple pi (default icon)
Sean ([personal profile] sqbr) wrote2008-11-11 05:28 pm
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Getting the bad news

So I FINALLY got to a recommended chronic fatigue specialising GP today. He started by asking what the "Dr" was for, and then when I said maths his whole face lit up and he started fanboying maths (apparently he seriously considered majoring) which was a nice start. He took my history and unlike all the vague handwaving I've gotten from other doctors was all "Ah, I know what's wrong with and how we can fix it" which was both encouraging and discouraging (I'm not sure anyone can be that sure with chronic fatigue)

Anyway, he gave me some vitamins and stuff to take, and suggested a gently increasing course of walking, and then said "Hmm. You say you're intolerant of dairy. Well, you should cut that out completely and also cut out gluten"
"Really? Are you sure? Because it never seems to affect me"
"Trust me"
"And..you mean cut them out completely? Not even skim milk?"
"Yes, sorry, even a little bit can set it all off again"
"But! But!! ...man, this is going to suck, I'm hard enough to feed as it is"

And I went to the supermarket, and it does suck. There do not appear to be any cake or bread mixes (or actual cakes or breads) which don't replace wheat with soy and or milk powder. All I could find was plain flour and rice cakes :/ Are there any high fibre gluten-free grains apart from brown rice and amaranth? I eat a lot of whole grains. Any other gluten-free-living advice would be nice, I may have specific questions after I have a chance to rest and think about it more (shopping was TIRING)

He was fairly understanding, since he has trouble finding gluten free stuff himself. I'd fight it more but afaict it's pretty much the first thing everyone suggests for chronic fatigue :/
Also he said I should try to make sure my meat is organic
Me: "Does kangaroo count?"
Dr (with pained expression) Kangaroo?
Me: Why, is that bad?
Dr: How can eat something that can give you a hug?

Heh. That is SO not my first consideration with food right now :) (And yes, it turns out he's vegan, though he made no attempt to get me off meat or eggs and pretty much implied I should keep eating lots)

Oh, and if you want the doctors details it's Dr. Alastair Nuttall, 6 Burgess Street Midland, 9250 6977.
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[personal profile] alias_sqbr 2008-11-12 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
I also can't have coconut which sadly seems to be a common ingredient :(

Anyway, thanks. We're going shopping tomorrow, and our shopping centre has both Coles and Woolies so will check them both out.

I can see me eating a LOT of potato...

*looks at alternative bites and is hungry..*

[identity profile] tevriel.livejournal.com 2008-11-12 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
I also can't eat coconut. It's actually easy to avoid too.

Gluten-free shopping - even with the added twist of soy-free - is mostly a matter of practice. I found it easier than I expected I would to go gluten-free. Once you get in the habit you can do it kind of on autopilot.

PS Dick Smith's OZ-E-CHOC is a hot chocolate/chocolate milk mix that's gluten-free (a rare thing!) and is probably soy-free though I haven't looked. If you find rice milk difficult to get used to (I know I had trouble with it when I tried it) chocing it up might help. ;)
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[personal profile] alias_sqbr 2008-11-13 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
I actually don't mind rice milk too much, I think once I got used to skim anything tastes ok :) My tummy doesn't 100% like it though, for some reason.

I've already had a fair amount of success just following people's advice here and wandering around the supermarket. Tonight I have access to a car so there will be much buying of interesting looking things :D