Fear of eating!

[Kara Isabel]

The last few weeks I've slipped back into the fear of eating or drinking anything, especially after 4 pm, since my pain management doc took away my nighttime pain meds.

Does anyone else go through this????

And it seems like some of my "safe" foods are no longer safe, they are starting to bother my bladder. I just don't get it! I think my bladder is more sensitive to digestion or something?

I know I can't starve myself, but the thought of eating or drinking anything makes me panic! Does anyone else feel this way? Or am I just strange?

Love,
Kara

[Roxie2007]

HI! I get the food phobia too. Some times it's like going around in a circle with foods and what causes the bladder pain. It's like just when you 'think' you have it figured out......it changes! It can truly drive you nuts!
You do need to eat though. Some times I just eat rice and a few safe veggies or rice and some grilled chicken. I only drink water now because everything else bothers me. Good luck to you! Roxie

[ICNDonna]

One thing you could try is to sit down with a scratch pad and a copy of the IC diet and actually plan your means for a week in advance. Then shop for whatever you need to prepare those meals. That works for me --- so if I'm thinking I really can't think of anything to eat, the list is there.

Sending encouraging hugs,
Donna

[traceann]

I did/do the same thing Donna does - for all the family meals and special stuff for me. I also always make sure there is individually wrapped chicken breasts, burger patties, steaks etc in the freezer for easy defrosting should I just want to have a plain chicken breast and some safe veggies, etc. That also worked as I could pull out 3 for all of us, and then fix my mom and hubby's the way I would for whatever recipe they wanted, and then do mine seperately seasoned especially for me. And then everyone would get my safe sides etc.

I found it was always best to be prepared for whatever way in advance, that way there was no panic or worries - because I had it covered!

[ponytail]

Traceann you sound so organised! I find that because of the diet and because I don't have a freezer I am having to buy fresh every other day. When I first went on the the candida diet I was not well at all and I was terrified of most foods and lost so much weight. However, I still stick to simple foods because I seem to be food sensitive. kara Isabel, you could try eating as simply as possisble to limit the possibilities of reaction. I don't eat wheat. If I do, I try to stick to spelt wheat as it is more natural and less processed. I don't eat dairy. Not good food for candida and they put so many hormones and anitbiotics into the food chain now that I don't trust dairy. I look at the ingredients of every thing I buy and avoid sugar and yeast which are a hidden ingredient in so many things. I don't eat anything with nuts in now - after recent experiences. I do eat lots of vegetables and some fish. Stir frys are quick and easy. I do eat humous although it contains lemon. Diet is so confusing, but my basic theory is this. Your body is a large food processor and needs energy to process foods and to obtain nutrients. Our bodies are also fighting disease or trying to heal from IC which also requires energy. The less complex foods we eat the easier it is for our bodies to digest and to utilise the energy more towards healing. Try reading a book by Jason Vale called The Juice Masters Ultimate Fast Food or other books by him. He is opposed to fast food and very involved with juicing. I went to a nutritionist for help and maybe Kara Isabel, you could treat yourself by visiting a nutritionist for help. My other thought is that when the body is imune compromised - or fighting infection long-term, it becomes sensitive to things it wouldn't have had difficulty with before. So trying to eat foods that boost your immunity are very important This is only my theory as I have spent many years trying to work it out and I may be wrong of course!! However, I can't believe I am totally wriong.

[traceann]

Oh gosh ponytail thanks for the compliment!!I wish I were organized! lol. It's easy with food cause I love it, hee hee hee

[ponytail]

I don't have any other mouths to feed, but it must be difficult at times to satisfy other people in the family as well as making sure you are eating safe foods for you!

[GriffsMommy]

It can be, but for our family I just try to modify what they're having. For example spaghetti is obviously an inexpensive dinner for the 7 of us but as we no the red sauce is a no no. I just saute up some mushrooms while I'm making everything else and put that on top of my pasta w/ some feta cheese. It's really yummy and I don't have to take any extra time to make it while I'm making the regular dinner.

[Want2BPainFree]

Yes, I'm new to IC diet and I do fear food. I find myself talking myself out of eating in order to avoid pain.

Like all painful situations, physical or emotional, if you are subjected to them long enough, you are on auto-avoid.

I hope you find the will to eat soon and that you won't flare when you do.

[mellusk]

Yeah, you've got to eat. I have the bad habit of starving myself when I'm stressed out, and now, I find that when I don't eat, it makes the flares worse. Your body will react to its lack of nutrients and create a flare in response to that. I'm totally the kind of personality who looks at not eating as a form of control when my life feels out-of-control, which is a very, very dangerous path to go on. Nobody wants to develop anorexia or any other eating disorder on top of the ic. The two will only feed each other at your body's expense.

[Kara Isabel]

Thanks everyone!

Mellusk, I do the exact same thing when I get upset, I don't eat. But I guess I need to be reminded of counterproductive it is, I'm already underweight, I can't really afford to lose any more lbs.

love,
Kara

[kjd]

Kara,
you are not alone. I know how you feel and I went through this too but you need to try to push these fears away as you will do yourself more harm not eating! Even if you nibble on foods to see how they affect you. Been underweight can caurse more health problems and that woudl be the last thing you want!

But remember you are not alone
x

[Katrina]

I often have food fear and even though I don't always think about it I suspect it still effects my lack of appetite...I found out as a newbie that my not eating because of food fear was causing a lot of flares because of stomach acid...even though I don't fear food much with my bladder these days I still have other conditions that are affected by diet and I have gone througha period of time with my IBS where eating period caused stomach pain and gas.

Like some of the others, when upset i don't eat and i am already underweight as well. For me in part fatigue plays a roll since getting up to get food is trip...even more if I have to make it.

The book confident choices gives a lot of advice on planning meals, IC diet, and is good. Written by one of our own and is forsale in the ICN store...and Julie Beyer the author is a regitered dietitian and has IC.

It can help to have some what I call "flare foods" that you love always around. Something that is safe for most and you can eat even when flaring. We all know that at times it can be harder to tollerate foods than others. You bladder may be in a better place but retesting foods is scary!

[Sunnydawn]

water, water, water!
you must drink so that any food, drink, or just stomach acid will be better nuteralized. Try to coat your stomach (in the morning) with fish oil capsules ( great for your hair) and glucosimine with MSM. You could also try quertcin, a gentle detoxer, and aloe vera capsules(all suppliments) I have heard of people doing well with these.(I am going to pick these up at my next GNC visit) I eat three tms before anything ify. Also an ice pack helps take the edge off of those really bad flares for me (try a heating pad on your back with it). Remember excercise and stretching are important as well as reduced stress.
I do really well with subways turkey and roastbeef subs with american cheese,lettus and no condiments, only oil and salt ( together it tastes like I do have condments on it!!) Afterward
I feel great, I think its the oil that really helps!
you could also try my mexican food recipe under the diet & IC thread