a little beaten up, but still kicking.

After my sorbitol adventure, I came down with a virus...that gave me a horrible stiff neck, sore throat and ear pain. I couldn't face the sun either without feeling like throwing up. Since this was on the side of my past shingles (which were in my right neck and arm), I think that is what it was.

After two days in bed, and some Chloraseptic throat spray and antihistamines and Robitussin DM, I slowly got over the worst.
I still have some stiffness in the neck, and will be going to the doctor soon. Not much to do about it now however.

Hershey's did send me some coupons, which my husband brought up to show me on labor day weekend. $9.00 worth. I won't be using them for me, but he wants them for HIS candy fix (he is a chocoholic).

I am now reading ALL labels looking for sorbitol. So far I am finding it in liquigel forms of vitamins and pain relievers. I like my Aleve liquigels very much, but when a person starts to consume several products with this hidden in them which are NOT labeled dietetic...well, someone has to blow that whistle.
I have long known that diabetic sugar free products often have sorbitol in them, and even children's candy... sugar free PEZ has it. (my son had a reaction to that when he was 4 yrs old and still remembers it!)

A quick search this morning on Sorbitol IBS gave me these hits:

http://www.foodintol.com/food_intolerance/hot_ibs.htm

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/gi/dynami...rbitol_pr.html

Given that IBS seems epidemic today, one would have to wonder why? Food ingredients, is my guess. Also food borne organisms in our food chain would be suspect too. These might compliment each other making the problem worse.

After my sorbitol adventure, I was reacting to all fructose products. Even sugar in my tea. So I have removed all fructose for now and am back to almost normal.

Thank heavens for Smart Balance peanut butter (which does not have added sugar). I subsisted mostly on this daily, and have lost at least 15lbs (maybe more) and gone down one size in clothing (I, like Oprah, have a varied wardrobe! )
I could call it "The Peanut Butter Diet" LOLOL