No Dairy for Kerry

I recently went to see a new internist.  With all my negative experiences over the years with doctors, I expected only the worst.  My plan was to just get anyone as a new internist, as the present one was in his 70’s and his wait times were hideous, like more than two hours.

I arrived on time for the appointment, and the doctor was running on time.  That was good after the last guy.

She took 40 minutes for my first appointment.  She got a complete history of all the various things that are wrong with me.  She advised that since I have fibromyalgia, my body was inflamed.  Yeah, OK, I know that.  Then she says, “therefore, you shouldn’t eat dairy, as it further inflames the body.”  OMG.  A doctor discussing health and nutrition.  That’s an oxymoron.  Doctors usually know nothing about nutrition.

She went on to say that I should change my diet to vegan or modified vegan, that is allowing some chicken and fish, depending on where they come from.

She further told me to watch a movie called Forks Over Knives.  I highly recommend this movie.  It gives the scientific reasons why one should consider a vegan diet.  Basically the science shows that diets high in animal protein cause cancer.

I was totally blown away by this doctor.

My husband and I left her office and headed for our favorite Italian restaurant in downtown Seattle.  Oh, oh.  Italian, cheese, dairy.

OK, I want to feel better.  So I found something without cheese.  That means that I can no longer have the four cheese penne dish that I loved so much.

We discussed what the doctor had told me, and I made a decision to at least try what she suggested.

I have been 85% to 90% off dairy for two months.  My life has changed drastically.

I have way more energy.  Way more.  The brain fog has cleared.  It hasn’t gone away, but I can function better.  I sleep better.  I had woken up in the night and stayed awake for several hours off and on.  That rarely ever happens anymore.  My feet are numb, the numbness got better.  Before going off dairy, I had profuse sweating during the day.  I had a bit of pain, but it quickly resolved.

The worst thing that had bothered me was that my nose ran constantly.  It was hideous.  It was like a water faucet.  That is 90% better.

This doctor also advised me to give up caffeine, as it inflames the body.  I’m working on that.  The headaches are horrid.

This has not been easy.  But I did it. I did it slowly, but with deliberation.  I became willing to be willing (to be willing, to be willing, etc.)  I showed up, and God stepped in and helped me with opportunities and giving me the strength to change.

If you have read some of my earlier posts, you know that I believe that when a person is ready, the Universe/God is there to help.  Things have just fallen into place.  Non-dairy yogurt appeared, then I decided to switch to gluten-free oatmeal.  It appeared.  I was eating cheese and fruit for a snack twice a day.  hummus and vegetables are now my snack.

Some of my friends were worried I was doing too much too fast and it would cause me to have a fibro flare.  But that didn’t happen.  I did what I was comfortable with.  I didn’t push.  I showed an eagerness to try, and things just fell into place.  Thank you God!

Now the next thing I’m working on is exercise.  That’s another blog.

The art for this post is an abstract that I enhanced before cropping.