Question
Has anybody heard of this: (or anything like it)?
I know I tend to ramble a bit, but please bear with me.
For many many years I have had severe allergies. I have just recently been diagnosed with sjogren's syndrome. I am also very tired all of the time, and I have depression and anxiety. I am hypoglycemic as well. I also have irritable bowel syndrome.
My allergist has now decided that this is ALL due to my diet, and the fact that I eat carbohydrates. Food is the root of all evil, according to him.
So he has put me on a very very restricted diet with absolutely NO carbohydrates. None at all. I am basically eating meat, chicken and fish, as well as certain vegetables and fruits. No spices, no sauces, no dairy, no grains, no potatoes, no rice, no oils, no seasonings, no eggs, no sugar, no sugar substitutes, etc...
:EEK:
I am having very bad symptoms as a result of this diet. I am feeling like I am going to pass out, I am getting terrible stomach aches (too many veges). I am getting VERY VERY depressed and anxious over this. I am having panic attacks and crying all the time. My dr says this is all part of the "withdrawl" because I am "addicted" to carbohydrates. He says it is the same as if an alcoholic stopped drinking. I don't believe that. I know my own body, and I say that this is as a result of my hypoglycemia (plus, any normal person would feel somewhat sick without any carbs) and my IBS is acting up because I am eating too many veges. He says no, it is all a result of not eating carbs anymore. He calls it a "withdrawl". He says that this is GOOD because in a few days I will be past these symptoms, and then I will lose weight and feel like a new person. I don't know whether to believe that.
I guess what I am asking is, has anyone ever tried to do something like this? Has anybody ever even heard of this? Is it successful? How can I cope with the terrible anxiety that I am getting from not being able to eat the foods that I crave? As it is now, I am sitting here crying. I AM SO SICK OF EATING MEAT! I JUST WANT A STUPID FREAKIN PIECE OF BREAD!

He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

hereubb/frown.gif
:EEK:
I am having very bad symptoms as a result of this diet. I am feeling like I am going to pass out, I am getting terrible stomach aches (too many veges). I am getting VERY VERY depressed and anxious over this. I am having panic attacks and crying all the time. My dr says this is all part of the "withdrawl" because I am "addicted" to carbohydrates. He says it is the same as if an alcoholic stopped drinking. I don't believe that. I know my own body, and I say that this is as a result of my hypoglycemia (plus, any normal person would feel somewhat sick without any carbs) and my IBS is acting up because I am eating too many veges. He says no, it is all a result of not eating carbs anymore. He calls it a "withdrawl". He says that this is GOOD because in a few days I will be past these symptoms, and then I will lose weight and feel like a new person. I don't know whether to believe that.
I guess what I am asking is, has anyone ever tried to do something like this? Has anybody ever even heard of this? Is it successful? How can I cope with the terrible anxiety that I am getting from not being able to eat the foods that I crave? As it is now, I am sitting here crying. I AM SO SICK OF EATING MEAT! I JUST WANT A STUPID FREAKIN PIECE OF BREAD!

He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

hereubb/frown.gif
:EEK:
I am having very bad symptoms as a result of this diet. I am feeling like I am going to pass out, I am getting terrible stomach aches (too many veges). I am getting VERY VERY depressed and anxious over this. I am having panic attacks and crying all the time. My dr says this is all part of the "withdrawl" because I am "addicted" to carbohydrates. He says it is the same as if an alcoholic stopped drinking. I don't believe that. I know my own body, and I say that this is as a result of my hypoglycemia (plus, any normal person would feel somewhat sick without any carbs) and my IBS is acting up because I am eating too many veges. He says no, it is all a result of not eating carbs anymore. He calls it a "withdrawl". He says that this is GOOD because in a few days I will be past these symptoms, and then I will lose weight and feel like a new person. I don't know whether to believe that.
I guess what I am asking is, has anyone ever tried to do something like this? Has anybody ever even heard of this? Is it successful? How can I cope with the terrible anxiety that I am getting from not being able to eat the foods that I crave? As it is now, I am sitting here crying. I AM SO SICK OF EATING MEAT! I JUST WANT A STUPID FREAKIN PIECE OF BREAD!

He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

hereubb/frown.gif
:EEK:
I am having very bad symptoms as a result of this diet. I am feeling like I am going to pass out, I am getting terrible stomach aches (too many veges). I am getting VERY VERY depressed and anxious over this. I am having panic attacks and crying all the time. My dr says this is all part of the "withdrawl" because I am "addicted" to carbohydrates. He says it is the same as if an alcoholic stopped drinking. I don't believe that. I know my own body, and I say that this is as a result of my hypoglycemia (plus, any normal person would feel somewhat sick without any carbs) and my IBS is acting up because I am eating too many veges. He says no, it is all a result of not eating carbs anymore. He calls it a "withdrawl". He says that this is GOOD because in a few days I will be past these symptoms, and then I will lose weight and feel like a new person. I don't know whether to believe that.
I guess what I am asking is, has anyone ever tried to do something like this? Has anybody ever even heard of this? Is it successful? How can I cope with the terrible anxiety that I am getting from not being able to eat the foods that I crave? As it is now, I am sitting here crying. I AM SO SICK OF EATING MEAT! I JUST WANT A STUPID FREAKIN PIECE OF BREAD!

He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

hereubb/frown.gif
:EEK:
I am having very bad symptoms as a result of this diet. I am feeling like I am going to pass out, I am getting terrible stomach aches (too many veges). I am getting VERY VERY depressed and anxious over this. I am having panic attacks and crying all the time. My dr says this is all part of the "withdrawl" because I am "addicted" to carbohydrates. He says it is the same as if an alcoholic stopped drinking. I don't believe that. I know my own body, and I say that this is as a result of my hypoglycemia (plus, any normal person would feel somewhat sick without any carbs) and my IBS is acting up because I am eating too many veges. He says no, it is all a result of not eating carbs anymore. He calls it a "withdrawl". He says that this is GOOD because in a few days I will be past these symptoms, and then I will lose weight and feel like a new person. I don't know whether to believe that.
I guess what I am asking is, has anyone ever tried to do something like this? Has anybody ever even heard of this? Is it successful? How can I cope with the terrible anxiety that I am getting from not being able to eat the foods that I crave? As it is now, I am sitting here crying. I AM SO SICK OF EATING MEAT! I JUST WANT A STUPID FREAKIN PIECE OF BREAD!
:EEK:
I am having very bad symptoms as a result of this diet. I am feeling like I am going to pass out, I am getting terrible stomach aches (too many veges). I am getting VERY VERY depressed and anxious over this. I am having panic attacks and crying all the time. My dr says this is all part of the "withdrawl" because I am "addicted" to carbohydrates. He says it is the same as if an alcoholic stopped drinking. I don't believe that. I know my own body, and I say that this is as a result of my hypoglycemia (plus, any normal person would feel somewhat sick without any carbs) and my IBS is acting up because I am eating too many veges. He says no, it is all a result of not eating carbs anymore. He calls it a "withdrawl". He says that this is GOOD because in a few days I will be past these symptoms, and then I will lose weight and feel like a new person. I don't know whether to believe that.
I guess what I am asking is, has anyone ever tried to do something like this? Has anybody ever even heard of this? Is it successful? How can I cope with the terrible anxiety that I am getting from not being able to eat the foods that I crave? As it is now, I am sitting here crying. I AM SO SICK OF EATING MEAT! I JUST WANT A STUPID FREAKIN PIECE OF BREAD!

He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

hereubb/mad.gif
He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

He says I only have to do it for 2 weeks, or maybe a little less, but I have only been doing it for 4 days, and I feel like I have been doing it for 4 years. I cannot handle this. For many years, food has been my only comfort, my only solace, and now he took that away. I am on edge because of that, not because I am having a withdrawl from carbs. I have tried to explain this to him, but he is unwilling to hear it, and he doesn't believe me. I KNOW MY OWN BODY, AND THIS DIET IS NOT WHAT I NEED! Yes, I need to lose weight, but I do not need something this radical. In a way, I almost do not want it to work, so that I can go back to being happy, and I can prove my dr wrong.
I don't have the time to be hypoglycemic and get stomach aches and depression and anxiety. I have a full life, and I cannot even live it while this is going on. I am a 21 year old college student, and I am actually missing all of my classes because due to the fact that I am hypoglycemic and I am not eating ANY carbs or sugars, I feel too sick to move, let alone go to class. When I was eating carbs, I did not have half of these symptoms. Help, I don't know what to do.
Plus, now I feel like if this diet does work, then that means that all of those years that I was sick, it was MY FAULT for eating carbs (highly unlikely) and that I made myself sick.
I might just be rambling here, and I hope you can all follow me and understand what I am trying to say.
Has anybody ever had success with something like this, and can you sympathize with my symptoms? Right now I really just need a few words of encouragement, because I am literally about to have a nervous breakdown. (yes, I do see a therapist and a psychiatrist who are both working with me on this). Please help me. I really really need some support. I feel so alone, like nobody knows what I am going through, cause nobody has done this before. My friends all try to understand, but my so called "best friend" doesn't even want to hear it. Please, I am going through a really bad time right now. I need friends.
Thanks,
Elyse

:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

hereubb/frown.gif
:*( so sad
[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

Hi purple2067:,
Lots of people have gone on a no carb diet. That you have had severe allergies, I agree with your doctor about your symptoms probably being from what you eat.
After two weeks, you can reintroduce foods slowly and see which ones affect your allergic symptoms. It is worth it to try! It won't take long.
If you can't tolerate all those veggies, you probably have not been eating enough all along! Drink plenty of water every day but not while eating, to help keep your bowels deal with the roughage.
Your depression may let up when you get rid of all the sugar you have been on. Be sure to tyake B complex vitamins daily to feed your nerves.
Food is not evil, but too much carbs and sugars will cause a severe imbalance in the body. Sugars feed candida, yeast and fungus, so we can get over growths in the body.
But I do empathize with you, since going off sugar and carbs is very hard to do and hurts! We are not used to it! You can do this though! I think it is worth the pain and effort and that you will be glad later!
I usually am on the Thyroid Board. Drop over and let me know how you are doing!
[This message has been edited by Tree Frog (edited 10-01-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Tree Frog (edited 10-01-2002).]

Answer

Hi again, purple2067.
That you are hypoglycemic with irritable bowel syndrom indicates that you would do well to listen to your doctor, so your body can heal.
I think you will find yourself feeling way better than ever.
I know what you mean about depending on food for comfort, but you can train yourself to get comfort from other healthier sources.


Answer

It sounds similar to the diet recommended by Elaine Gottschall in Breaking the Vicious Cycle. I know of a number of people with various digestive disorders who rave over the results of cutting back the heavy-duty carbs.
Wheat in particular can be very irritating on a sensitive digestive track. With IBS, it would be something to consider cutting out as much as possible all the time.
There are carbs in vegetables, so if you are eating lots of veggies, you are getting carbs.
If you cook up cauliflower and mix it with some onions, it is kind of like mashed potatoes.
Hang in there! Two weeks really is not that long in the larger scope of things.

Answer

One more thing, sorry for all the posts:
What causes hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia can occur for a number of reasons:
Delaying or skipping a meal
Eating too little food at a meal
Getting more exercise than usual
Taking too much diabetes medicine, especially insulin, sulfonylureas, or meglitinides
Drinking alcohol
(Make sure you eat enough food, often enough.)