Hi alt

Catra is right....people often don't really mean to hurt you that much, they just haven't a clue, and they really do think a bad back or earache is the worst pain has to offer...unless you are actually in labour or just lost an arm. They can't imagine a worse pain, certainly not one that you have all the time with no obvious wound... We aren't thrashing and screaming every minute. I mean, we don't have cancer do we?

I try to think of the general ignorance and misunderstanding as just another symptom of CRPS that I have to accept and make my way through as best I can. I didn't ask for it, I can't do much about it, I just have to endure it and hope that it gets easier with time.

It's hard though. You want to change their opinion, you want to educate them, but if someone can't hear what you're trying to say, they just won't. So what can you do? You can go mad trying, reasoning, showing, talking. You can annoy them by going on about it long past any initial interest. Or you can shrug and remember that one day, something will happen to them and they will realise that life just isn't that simple. Maybe they will regret their attitude. Maybe not...

As far as the pizza goes, I'd steer clear if I were you... The cheese is dairy, which can cause issues if you are sensitive, the wheat is well...wheat, which is a pretty common thing to have a problem with...and the tomato is pretty acidic on a sensitive stomach. Plain foods are best until you know some more, although that's really hard about the rice. I too thought most folk were good with rice. Was is plain rice?

Try not to get completely empty, it's not good for you in lots of ways, and it means when you do eventually have food, your gut goes into overdrive to try and get those nutrients into your bloodstream quickly. Little, regular and simple is probably kinder. Try some softish cooked veg (raw veggies might be asking a lot right now), fish, chicken etc, and steer clear of anything spicy, heavy, rich, creamy, etc. Anything too nice as I used to think of it Processed foods can be tough on a delicate system as they contain so many hidden ingredients and additives.

I know it's a nightmare and must be driving you mad, but keep plodding on - hopefully between you and your docs, you'll be able to find a diet you can eat safely. At one time I couldn't eat any wheat, barley, bran, gluten etc, couldn't tolerate anything dairy, and couldn't eat anything processed. It was awful. But in time I found things I could eat without the pain and other nasty symptoms, and it's been worth it a hundred times. I'm never tempted to 'cheat'! I'm lucky now to have got some dairy back, still not milk or cream though...

I'm thinking of you and have my fingers crossed for some better news. Take careof yourself.

Bram.