dealing with a recurring infection
Submitted on Thu, Jul. 2nd at 7:22 am by ffellsworth
Not yet begun UltraMetabolism 
Doing the UltraSimple Diet 
I did the ultrametabolism plan for 3 weeks several years ago and again last summer and have tried to limit gluten in my diet since then. however, at times, it is just "convenient"(horrible excuse-- i know!) and with a move to the netherlands it is also culturally a bit more difficult (ie harder to find GF products, meals out, etc.)
In the last 4 months I have had 2 pretty serious bouts of tonsillitis wherein my throat swells up so that I can't barely swallow without much difficulty and pain. I can also feel that my lymph nodes are swollen and during the current episode, I also have pain in my left lower rib cage (which I believe to be my spleen) both in front and in back. Each time, I am prescribed antibiotics which I, against my better judgement, have taken, if only to get some temporary relief! I thought I had mono the first time it happened (I"ve had mono several times already in my life), but a blood test came back negative.
My question is three-fold: Could this be related to food? I haven't kept a good food journal (which i will commence again) so it's hard to say, but it seems that when I get a little bit tired or stressed, I immediately have this throat thing recur.
Secondly, I would really like to work with my doctors here to try to figure out why this keeps happening instead of just tx when it comes along. So, what types of tests should I request? I'm thinking that I really need to have my immune function tested but what, specifically, shall I ask for?
Lastly, what, if any, benefit would removing my tonsils provide? (I can guess the answer, but I thought I'd write just to check) This is, of course, what the surgically-trained otolaryngologists would have me believe is the cure!
Oh, I should also mention that I've just started training for a marathon, so making sure I stay healthy now is a top priority! :-)
Thanks in advance for your advice!
too many questions!
Submitted on Mon, Jul. 6th at 9:18 am by sterhill
Currently beginning UltraMetabolism
Not yet begun the UltraSimple Diet
but I can address gluten - I kept a wheat free kitchen for years and years as my son could not have it. You have to be able to cook for yourself and be wary of eating out. You'd think a steak and a salad would be ok but restaurants frequently 'dust' the steaks with a spice mix containing wheat and of course salad dressings are wheat laden - so you ask that they wash the steak first and you bring your own dressing. Can't do oil and vinegar as some vinegars are forbidden.
It is great that we have moved into a time where everything HAS to be labeled. It was not that way when I started. My son could not have one speak of wheat as he was so allergic. Breakfast was rice and cut up meat with a little butter and maybe peas. When he was older he liked the protein shakes (rice protein) with berries and soy or almond milk. We all became strict label readers and you have to read the label EVEY time you buy as they do change the ingredients. Look at some of the wheat free sites for ideas and understanding. Like there are some soy sauces NOT made from wheat and the Amy salad dressing are delicious. You just have to forage for info.
Plus you can mail order to anywhere in the world. So many people are finding out they are intolerant of wheat that many stores are now carrying wheat free items. Look at all the (pure) rice crackers out now. Germany exports a super Ritz cracker that is wheat free.
It is not easy but it is do-able and if you are allergic to wheat, you will feel so much better.
Cheers,
Sterling