[lesley21]

Hi Everyone,

I have just started a food diary after a bad day yesterday, not only were my feet burning but my face and lips started to burn, that scared me a bit. Does anyone else do this, I would be greatfull for any suggestions. Do you think this is a good idea. I am not diabetic but was thinking gluten.

would love to hear from anyone, thanking you again

Lesley

[plgerrard]

I think it's a great idea. I started one about a year ago. I was diligent for about 2 months, then slowly started to slack off, until I completely forgot about it. I'm going to blame the meds on the forgetfulness

Since I started reading posts on this forum, I have been reminded of so many things I once started, and have slacked off on. So, I appreciate your post, because it is yet another reminder of something I need to revisit.

When I was actually keeping my diary, I made 2 entries a day. The first in the morning I recorded the pain meds from the night before (Hydro or OTC), any RLS or muscle spasms during the night, time I woke, difficulty waking, pain level, and whether or not I was experiencing the twitching in my hands when I woke. I'm not sure if the twitching is related to the SFN or not, but it is like electric shocks that actually make my hands twitch, and occurs on a semi-regular basis, but only for about the first half hour after waking. And, finally, if my husband reported a restless or restful night I also recorded that.

At night I recorded my activities during the day, pain level, energy level, any naps necessary, and diet. It was fairly easy for me to record my diet at bedtime, because I am pre-diabetic and keep to a fairly regimented diet. One of the things I noticed was that I had my worst nights when I went out to eat for either lunch or dinner. Even though I was careful about menu selection, it is impossible to know what ingredients are used in preparation.

Thanks again for your post. I'm dragging my diary out of the bedside stand today. I hope I can be more diligent this time around.

[mrsD]

Yes, a food diary can be very revealing.

Also consider an elimination diet. If you suspect something, like gluten, go gluten free for a month. Log your responses. Then reintroduce it... if it is a culprit, you should really react when it is reintroduced.

This is how I found potatoes for myself.

Another big culprit is MSG in foods. VERY common, and it can have major effects on the nerves.

[lesley21]

Thanks plgerrard and Mrs D, Writing down the pain levels is a good idea, I had not throught of that. I do watch what I eat anyway even through I am not diabetic. not being able to exercise much and trying to lose weight I have to. But I am looking a other exercise options, like ti chi, swimming, and stationary bike riding.
I had also throught of trying gluten free for a while and see how that goes.

Thanks again for your help and wise words

Lesley

[mrsD]

The nightshade family of veggies can cause intolerances in some people. Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers.

Also some foods release histamine:
This can cause redness and tingling, often mistaken for PN.

http://www.michiganallergy.com/food_and_histamine.shtml

For example I get foot symptoms from highly concentrated tomato sauces. Some don't bother me like Bertolli. But Ragu is a big offender.
Sometimes a little bit of a histamine food is okay, but additive amounts will cross some threshold and give symptoms.
Some food intolerances don't show up for a day or two or longer, so take that into consideration.

Some food intolerances can be blocked with H2 antagonist drugs along with a antihistamine.
H2= Zantac (ranitidine), Pepcid, Tagamet (but not proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec).

Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Benadryl are better than Claritin (which I think is useless)

The gluten thing cannot be blocked by drugs, as it is an autoimmune response and is best dealt with by avoidance of the offending gluten peptide.

[plgerrard]

Originally Posted by lesley21

But I am looking a other exercise options, like ti chi, swimming, and stationary bike riding.

Something I found that works great are resistance bands. I found them at Walmart with a 3-pack of the different strengths for around $5. When I worked, I travelled with my job and they were great because they could fit easily in a suitcase.

I just googled, and found this site that gives a really good demonstration of how they work:

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com...exercises.html

The only problem I encountered with them was that the strength in my hands is so bad, I had difficulty grasping the ends of them. What I really needed was to be able to wrap them around my hands several times, but the ones purchased at Wally world weren't long enough. I eventually found a place where I could buy a roll and cut to the length I needed.

[nide44]

poor man's 'Bow Flex"

[rscowboy2005]

[QUOTE=lesley21;629749]But I am looking a other exercise options, like ti chi, swimming, and stationary bike riding.

*** My wife introduced me to aqua-aerobics and I love it. The pool where we go is probably the warmest of all in the city. The water helps support me and I get a good workout. Swimming is too solitary and eventually boring for me.

[lesley21]

[QUOTE=rscowboy2005;629932]

Originally Posted by lesley21

But I am looking a other exercise options, like ti chi, swimming, and stationary bike riding.

*** My wife introduced me to aqua-aerobics and I love it. The pool where we go is probably the warmest of all in the city. The water helps support me and I get a good workout. Swimming is too solitary and eventually boring for me.

Funny you mention Aqua-aerobics, I rang up this morning and found out about times and prices so I think I will give it a go, I was going to go to my sisters for a swim but it has been raining here none stop so the water will be to cold.(sunny Queensland) and the aqua-aerobics is inside so I think that would be better.

Thanks again Lesley

[Joano]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Yes, a food diary can be very revealing.

Also consider an elimination diet. If you suspect something, like gluten, go gluten free for a month. Log your responses. Then reintroduce it... if it is a culprit, you should really react when it is reintroduced.

This is how I found potatoes for myself.

Another big culprit is MSG in foods. VERY common, and it can have major effects on the nerves.

According to Dr. Russell Blaylock in his book about excitotoxins, MSG goes by many other names in food products in an effort to hide the fact that MSG is being added. Some of these are Carrageenan, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed protein or caseinate, autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, natural flavors, sodium caseinate and calcium caseinate, protein concentrate, protein isolate, seasonings, etc. There are probably more, but these are pretty common.

My feet have been burning much more lately, and I finally checked the label on the shaved turkey container which I'd been eating for lunch for several days; sure enough, it had carrageenan in it!