This has been a very eye opening week where I think I have finally accepted what I have known for some time. For me to make a change that might not be easy there needs to be something huge that ‘hits me in the face’ so that it will be worse for me if i dont accept then if i dont change.
Well, I have been hit in the face. Figuratively, but looks like literally.
That is me – puffy, swollen-to-huge eyes and what you can’t see – eczema all.over.my.body! My eyes were more painful then they looked and the eczema was near torture.
Almost 2.5 years ago when Babe E was just over a week old we realized that she was not able to tolerate any casein. This meant I had to cut it all out of my diet since she was breastfeeding. At first it was a bit of a struggle. I have been off dairy near my entire life (i was diagnosed as lactose intolerant when i was about 8 years old) and when i went back on dairy and tolerated it fine – it was hard to give it up again. But I did for 2 years eliminated all casein (including whey).
Then I ate it again and everything was fine. The more i ate the more i noticed this pesky rash – but i just ignored it. Cause that’s what I do.
Well, no ignoring it anymore. Last Thursday night i decided to ‘overdose’ on dairy. I ate a lot of it. It was delisious and awesome. Until the next day.
Last Friday I woke up to eyes that were pitch red and puffy and painful and itchy. Covered in eczema all over (the eczema was all over my eyelids as well causing conjunctivitis). All from the casein.
It has been almost a week now and my eyes are slowly starting to look more human. I have had to take a lot of benadryl and ibuprofen and have been in a state of mega uncomfortable.
But there is no more denying it. I have at the very least a casein intolerance (& should get tested for a casein allergy).
Bye bye cheese.
:: What type of reactions do you get from food intolerances/allergies? ::
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: bewilderedbug
June 30, 2011 at 10:39 am
aw. I’m dairy free too if it is any consolation. I so know what you are feeling like! ((**Hugs**))
Twitter: AccustomedChaos
June 30, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Always comforting to know i am not alone! & thanks for the hugs xxo
I don’t have any allergies to date. *knock on wood* I’m sorry you are feeling so miserable!
Twitter: AccustomedChaos
June 30, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Thanks Jessa! This is the first time i have had a reaction like this – hoping it clears up like now!
Have you every considered doing a GAPS diet. I need to prep a little more but we are going to do GAPS as a family. As of right now we (the kids and I) are allergic to corn and soy which are in everything. I know that we could have stronger gut health and most likely wouldn’t go back to eating corn and soy b/c nearly all of it is GMO anyway. I have a very strong suspicion that my endocrine issues are a reaction to gluten.
Most ppl have an allergic reaction to processed milk but not raw milk. Raw milk has lactase in it to help digest the lactose sugar, it is self digesting. This goes for raw cheeses, butters, and yogurts too.
Hey Devan! Sorry to hear this. I had a similar reaction to a vitamin E ointment put on a rashy dry eyelid. Both eyes swelled so shut I had to go to emerg! After thinking it over, and already suspecting a gluten/dairy intolerance, I decided to do some “tune ups” on my digestive system. What Megan above is referring to as a stronger gut, I think. I figured Vitamin E ointment isn’t specifically the problem, its a stressed immune system. It started with elimination diets (don’t they all) but also encompassed a lot of other naturopathic and/or Eastern medicinal ideals. Long story short, yes I’m sensitive to both in large enough quantities, but able to tolerate small amounts of both. No eczema since! I believe the overloaded system is why so many people are now allergic or at least sensitive to so many foods humans have enjoyed for centuries.
All the best!
OMG I didn’t even recognize you in the photo. Looks so painful! I am so sorry you had to go through this. Glad you are starting to feel more human
Luckily I don’t have allergies {knocking on wood}….hope you are feeling better!
Twitter: MamaWantsThis
July 1, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Oh no, so sorry for your discomfort and that pesky allergy.
I stayed off dairy for 4 months last year while breastfeeding my son who has eczema. It was torture – on the plus side, I did lose the rest of the baby weight + more!
Once I went back on it though, the pounds came back. Sigh.
Dairy is evil – but oh so good.
I’m really glad you posted this because I have been letting the casein slip in too and my stomach has been bad and my respiration has been horrible. I know it’s the casein but somehow have been letting it just keep getting into my food! I really had to get back to my strict diet so I can get my body back in order.
Twitter: 2ndchancemoon
July 7, 2011 at 9:47 pm
OMG….I “went” gluten free May 2010 due some severe stomach issues….and within weeks I felt amazingly better and my face (acne) cleared up. About 2 months ago I went dairy free after reading that hormones from dairy might cause hormonal acne (yes, it was back)…anyway, it worked! My face is clear, my tummy is so happy….However, every now and then I test the waters and pay for it…stabbing stomach pains, red bumps on my upper lip and lots of bathroom issues (sorry, i know…gross). Blah, blah, my point is I totally get wanting to try and try again in hopes that you can tolerate anything. Sometimes it’s easy to be gf and df, sometimes it sucks! I hope you feel better soon.
Poor thing! I looked like that once after riding a horse. Let’s just say I never did that again!
You should be aware of the food who have been eating because our skin is so sensitive. Don’t eat much dairy products because i think it is the cause of the allergies. I suggest to have a check up in order to find out what would be the treatments best in your problem.
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