Tuesday, January 19, 2010

My stomach hurts, what’s wrong?

After a couple of years of mysterious and severe stomach complications, including violent vomiting after nice meals in downtown Chicago, passing out and being hauled off to Northwestern in an ambulance and many evenings lying on the bathroom floor very ill and weak, we searched for answers. After several ER visits and doctors’ appointments we still did not have an answer. My symptoms were not consistent, irregular and frankly, bizarre! Often times after eating out at nice restaurants, my stomach would hurt. I would become extremely bloated and uncomfortable. Sometimes it would come up and other times, I was just in pain. I asked questions, read online, spoke with doctors, but it wasn’t until I started speaking with other athletes, that I really started understanding my struggles. In turn, I hope to create this blog section, to encourage people to share their symptoms and struggles with their stomach woes. Maybe it’s food allergies, IBS, Celiac, Crohn’s, Colitis or food sensitivities. By exchanging experiences, we can help each other live a healthier and happier life!

We look forward to sharing stories, posting questions, discussing thoughts and achieving brighter days!

-Coach Kel

Posted by Coach Kelly on 01/19/10 at 10:03 PM
Living with Food allergies • Stomach Pain? • (0) Comments • Permalink

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Friday, January 08, 2010

I’m feeling better!

Hey Kelly,

Hope you are doing well?  I am doing better.  I put together a plan to deal with the ostopenia, a natural way.  This morning I had some melanoma removed and through blood work, I discovered that I am iodine deficient. Now I’m working to fix that.  I am feeling very grateful for slowly but surely getting answers to my struggles. The positive thing is that I did a VO2 max and my numbers showed significant improvements especially with my efficiency. 

So that tells me that all this internal stuff that I have been working so diligently on for almost a year now is starting to work for me and getting me back on track!  I am optimistic and thankful.  I feel like my insides are starting to match my outside if that makes any sense. 

Thanks go out to you and others who have helped me ask and look at different things that the doctors (I should say general docs) don’t have a clue about.  I have learned so much.  I am sure you and Rob have as well. Good Luck and stay in touch!

Vicki

Posted by Coach Kelly on 01/08/10 at 11:40 PM
Living with Food allergies • Stomach Pain? • (0) Comments • Permalink

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Good resource - Ben Greenfield

Hey Kelly,

Have you heard of Ben Greenfield? I stumbled across some of the research and connections he has done that deal with metabolic testing, hormones and food allergies and how all this effects your performance in training and racing.  I found some useful information and more importantly, it provided validation for my thoughts of what I have been going through. 

I hadn’t heard of Ben Greenfield until I stumbled on an article in Triathlon magazine.  He has a lot of good podcast to listen to.  Here is a link:

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com



You may have noticed that the latest free audio release:  "Everything You Need to Know About How Training Is Affecting YOUR Hormones”

 

Posted by Coach Kelly on 12/31/09 at 11:22 PM
Living with Food allergies • Stomach Pain? • (1) Comments • Permalink

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Monday, November 30, 2009

Reply to Vicki

Vicki,

I am sorry to hear about all your troubles. I am doing my PhD at the University of Toledo in biomedical engineering, in orthopedic related therapies. While I am not an MD or a nutritionist, I am familiar with this stuff from both a professional and personal perspective and may be able to offer some help to you. I am recently diagnosed with Celiac, but have struggled with GI problems and chronic stress fractures.  I now am on a gluten-free diet. I have felt 1000x better since being gluten free but have not had a full running season to see if there is a positive or negative effect on my bones and injuries. I have adapted my training in recent years and have not had a diagnosed stress fracture in 7 years...previously I was averaging 2 per year. I have not seen degradation in my performance, so we can talk about some training strategies from that standpoint if you want.



I read through some of the e-mails you and Kel sent back and forth, so maybe shoot me an e-mail with a brief overview of your journey so far and where you are looking to go, as well as specific problems that you might want addressed. I am happy to help in any way that I can and will seek help from colleagues if need be. Let’s get you healthy and performing where you want to be! I am looking forward to talking with you.

Darcy

Posted by Coach Darcy on 11/30/09 at 11:33 PM
Living with Food allergies • Stomach Pain? • (0) Comments • Permalink

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Sunday, November 01, 2009

Training and Racing GI Woes

Hey Kelly,

I have tried InfinIT Nutrition after speaking with them on the phone for a long time. They were very helpful and able to make adjustments just to meet my needs.  I also have just recently added a mineral complex powder to my drink when I train and race because of a recent discovery that I am almost totally depleted of B, D, Zinc, Folic Acid and my hormones are totally out of whack or nonexistent.  I have learned that I cannot take food on the race course.  I must carry my own, except for bananas. I can eat those!

In a recent race, I battled the swim and was pulled under three times causing me to ingest a lot of water. As I was cranking away on the bike, low and behold my whole intestinal track seized up on me and it was hard to stay in aero.  I tried some salt tablets to help and that did some.  Unfortunately, this made for a longer transition where I sat for awhile to see what I could do. I did manage a slow run.  I am still happy I finished and was only 30 minutes off my goal time. 

I think it would be great if I had some alternatives on the course from the aid stations.  It also would be helpful to be able to bounce ideas off someone who has similar issues and hear what they do about it.  I have done a lot of research and holistic approaches because most docs just tell me to not do triathlons.  The downside is the holistic approach is costly because not covered by insurance. 

So, due to my dedicated and persistent research, I have discovered, I have Celiac and Crohn’s. My discovery led me to encourage my siblings to get tested and several of my siblings found out they too have Celiac. Through research, trial and error, I also learned I am sensitive to lactose and soy.  I may still have more issues, but I’m taking one step at a time.  I’m not sure of all of your intestinal issues/allergies, but sure you have been faced with the same frustrations. I look forward to sharing stories and experiences and helping each other. 



Take care,

Vicki

Posted by Coach Kelly on 11/01/09 at 10:42 PM
Living with Food allergies • Stomach Pain? • (1) Comments • Permalink

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Thursday, October 01, 2009

Food allergies while racing

Hi Kelly,

I just read your blog (via your newsletter) on your IM Wisconsin Race Recap and your stomach struggles and allergies.  I know you probably don’t want to hear this but it is so great to hear that someone else has the same complications as I have had if one thing goes into your mouth that isn’t agreeable to you.  You describe most of my symptoms. I even have vomited on the swim. The stomach and breathing and the severe joint pain – yuk – I know – I have had the same complication!

For example, at Eagleman 70.3, I thought I did everything correctly but the only thing I can think of was that I swallowed a lot of water on the swim.  About mile 45 on the bike, my stomach totally seized up and swelled up at the same time and turned into severe pain.  I did finish, but when I got off the bike before getting into transition I had to stand there before walking into transition area and then I sat on the ground for a few minutes to try and regroup.  I, of course, hate the word DQ so I headed out to do a walk run for the 13.1 miles.  I made it through, but not how I imagined the race would go for me. 



I have finally gotten off the fence and bought my ticket for IM Cozumel.  I am apprehensive about the water and food in Mexico but I will try and be very careful.  I cannot have oats, gluten, wheat, or soy, and I am sensitive to milk products.  Any suggestions on keeping energy up on the run part of the IM?  Salt tablets are working for me and the soup has worked for me on the last half of the run.  I try to wait on the soup in case something doesn’t agree with me.  Coke has worked but not sure if that is good to have the entire run. What are your thoughts?  The last two IM’s I have ended up swelling up like a balloon.  I think I am the only one who comes across the finish line without peeing the entire time and gaining about 5lbs....all fluid.  The salt has been helping with that this season, but I just don’t think I absorb nutrients well.  The wheezing and breathing can get bad especially if it is really humid and I haven’t been perfect with my eating.



Well, sorry to bend your ear, but it’s hard to find someone who has the same food issues.  Most of my friends devour everything on the course and off.  They look at me like I am crazy. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Posted by Coach Kelly on 10/01/09 at 10:51 PM
Living with Food allergies • (1) Comments • Permalink

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