Collected Thoughts

So I have been mostly good about eating the IC elimination diet. But this week has been stressful, I didn't have a/c for three days, well for upstairs, downstairs was fine, but I was sleeping on the couch.

So there have been some times when I ate something and didn't realize there was a forbidden ingredient. Like the Wendy's chicken sandwich that had (what tasted like) a ton of pepper and I had a minor flare of pain.

Or today when I was just frustrated and doubting if this will work. So I had a hamburger with mustard, mayo and pickles (all on the list) and fries with ketchup (tomato products can be a trigger) and a rootbeer . Oh and a slice of lemon cake on my break.

and I'm in pain. My very hard to describe yet still painful side pain - back. Burning sensation when I pee is also back.

So now I know eating all those things a BAD BAD idea. I'm not sure if all the things are triggers or some of them. But I'm goign to try one more week of bland eating and then start adding things back. Black pepper is going to be my first test. I already have it planned - I'm going to cook some chicken and season it with salt and pepper. I've been day dreaming about it.

What Iv'e been cooking has basically been some form of veggies with some chicken and pasta. I was using Ricotta, but still wasn't feeling great so I looked on the label. Vinegar. I checked at the grocery and they all have vinegar. At the natural foods store I found one with "cultures" but I also found ricotta insalata which was milk and salt so I might try that. I also found some fresh cheeses but they listed cultures and since yogurt is on the avoid list I think I'll be avoiding these as well.

For cheese right now I think I'm down to cottage cheese and mozzarella. I am really trying to look at this as an adventure, I really am.