The intolerant Tomato

[petek]

For much of my life, well at least the last 40 out of near 60 I've suffered from continuing almost daily bouts of gastro intestinal distress that has at times severely limited my travels, work etc.  Years and years ago I went to the docs and had allergy tests, tried elimination diets, scopes up and down the ying  yang to try and figure out what could possibly be causing it.  I guess I didn't eliminate my favorite food or at least not for a long enough time because last week I tried again and started with anything containing tomato anything.  I dearly love my pasta and tomato sauces, lasagnas, pizza, BLT's. I don't think there was every hardly a day gone by I didn't eat something with some sort of tomato in it,   but now being on my 7 day tomato free diet I cannot believe it.. it's like 80-90% better so far. Fingers crossed..     I can't believe after all these years I may have finally figured it out, just sorry it took so long.  Does anyone else have an intolerance for tomatoes? 

 

[Practigal]

Nightshade

Yes, a good friend of mine (Italian) figured out when she was about 25 that after all those years of eating tomatoes in various forms she had a real issue with tomatoes. In fact her problem was bigger than tomatoes, it was an issue with all of the nightshade plants (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers and some others). Now that you have figured this out you must be in a state of complete bliss. Enjoy!

 

[washer111]

I've recently found out something similar in my case - although it sounds as though your problem was a lot worse, and now you're much better.

What I think I'm dealing with is IBS, but batteries of tests from the doctors have done nothing but make me wait in a room, with "samples," giving blood and whatnot. More of my problem might be emotion, so that is my next direction of attack.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

My mom's a retired R.D. (Registered Dietician) so I have a bit of a different perspective than most. That said....

 

Petek: I'm shocked that nobody ever did a micro-analysis of what you eat, ingredient-by-ingredient. Good for you for finally figuring it out yourself, but ... Damn! Wasn't that what you were paying professionals for? 

 

Washer111:  I agree with giving up on approaches that've yielded no positive results. I'm doing that myself. I've found for me (and I think most medical lit says the same) emotions/stress/my own responses often add fuel to the fire but are not the cause of the fire. There's probably an underlying physical cause. Maybe try again with a different doc once you've gotten the emotional piece handled? Just a thought.

 

Good luck to you both,

Jim

 

 

 

[washer111]

Another suggestion:

There is a medication for IBS sufferers based on Mebeverine Hydrochloride, IIRC. Often sold under names like "Colese." My last visit to the doctor yielded a prescription for this stuff.

Unfortunately, while it did initially work miracles and really helped things out, the effect wore off eventually (I understand this is possible with products like Imodium, but this product stated you couldn't develop a tolerance). So in the end, I was taking 3 tablets a day, only to have... Continuous flatulence and a 'routine' that went down the toilet. It never came back. Suffice to say I'm not impressed, and not taking that medication again.

We had leads perhaps on Heliobacter, and a course of medication and subsequent resampling found that was gone, but not my problem. There was also the foray into ant-acid tablets via prescription. A big "NO" there too.

In the last year, I have started "hiccurping," a big hiccup (like my stomach breathing) and a whopper of a burp. This seems to be accompanied by some sensitivity in the upper-belly area, right lower than the ribcage. So there is a chance the acid problem is resurfacing.

Anyway, I'll see. Hopefully this post wasn't too much for the "regular" AW forums!

 

[petek]

Well I woke up this morning feeling great.. I had a cuppa coffee which can often send my stomach into a tailspin, and nothing, so I had a second cup, nothing...  Hopped on the motorcycle and went out cruising around. Stopped in at a Subway and grabbed a footlong egg salad sub and figured I better go home and eat it. But then I though,, no. my stomachs feeling fine so me and my sandwich headed for the beach and I ate it on a pic a nic table. When I was finished I'm waiting for the first sign of trouble and ready to rock and roll  home.. but nothing, not a burble. So off I go on the bike for some more cruising around. I hit the gym about 6 pm and when I was done I figured I'd scoot over to the river to see what was happening and grab some fries and a hotdog.  I've never been able to do that and not be back on the bike heading home within 5 minutes of finishing.. but nothing again, no rumblings, no nothing..    Fingers still crossed.. I haven't felt this good in decades. 

 

[circlew]

Glad to hear you found out what was causing the trouble. If I eat too much tomato sauce I will have issues too.

 

[chachp]

I have IBS

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">Was diagnosed about 10 years ago.  Tried the meds and basically the same results that they stop working.  As I am one of those who is always looking for ways to avoid meds I went the route of diet to relieve myself of the issues (no punn intended).</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">For me, I cut out most high fat foods and that made a huge difference.   No more cramps and the other unpleasantness that goes along with this disease.  I later found the blood type diet which I have posted about previously and that has made a huge difference.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">I really don't remember the last time I needed anything for my IBS because I have avoided the foods that cause it to flare up.  I still cheat every now and then but at least I know what will happen when I do.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">I avoid the high fat foods and eat the things that are suited to my blood type and I'm doing just fine.</span>

 

[joe_in_philly]

Congrats, Petek! It is a great feeling when you are able to make such a connection between food and your body's reaction.