Migraine Update: One step in the right direction

Yesterday I had a dreaded Doctor's Appointment. It has been amazing to me to watch how I psyche myself out before going to the Doctor. I am so "convinced" that it will not go well that I play mind games with myself, imagining the worst, to try and figure out what I will say and how I will handle it. I'm really starting to see this negative thinking in myself and looking forward to the day when I don't go down that road anymore.

So a few weeks ago after another hellish week of period migraines, I made this appt. with Dr. J who I have only seen once or twice. Even though he was the first Doctor to ever mention a headache clinic to me, let alone the possibility of sending me there, I was still mentally convinced that it would be a bad appointment. I took my moral support with me (hubby) and tried to be hopeful while FILLED with anxiety.

The appointment started off w/ hubby advocating for me that we are serious in finding some causes and something that will help. Yes, I'm a big girl and can speak for myself but it is very important for me to have him articulate on my behalf that we are not happy with the way things are going for me.

Dr. J had taken as much time as he could before the appointment to look over my files and see what had/hadn't been done/said in the past. He had 3 suggestions. Did you hear that? Options!

Suggestion #1: Send me to Kaiser Permanente's Headache Clinic in Salem, Oregon where a nurse practitioner excells in treating headache patients. ( I was raising my hand saying ME, ME before he could say anything more!)

Suggestion #2: Send me to a local neurologist who is new. He is supposed to be pretty good and if that doesn't go well, do Suggestion #1.

Suggestion #3: Start birth control (hormones) and skip the placebos (a.k.a.) never have a period.

I have an OB/GYN in a few weeks so we can discuss Suggestion #3 with her. I don't want to jump on the pill willy-nilly without doing my homework first. My body has been a chemical guinea pig enough!

Even though I wanted to jump on #1, he suggested starting with #3. He thought I could get in right away, but unfortunately I made an appointment today and its not until June 13th. Yikes! I may have to call him and discuss pain management options to get myself to June 13th. But hey, at least I'm going. I have options and we have a direction. Going, Options, Direction....these are all mental health pick-me-ups when the pain gets bad.

Yeah!!!!! I saw my last Kaiser Dr. for 4 years and he never mentioned the headache clinic once. He totally acted like my migraines were a fact of life. Granted, he never said that, but he didn't try to do anything to figure out what was going on. Yes, he sent me to a neurologist, but it was more like in his mind, my headaches were the neurologist's problem not his.

One good thing I got from that Doctor though, was Imitrex shots. I got my first one last August after 12 days of headache. My daughter and I were supposed to go on a special camping trip, and that morning I woke up on the 12th day with yet another migraine. In his office, I was given the shot which worked quickly. A nurse who gave it to me suggested I ask for my perscription to be changed from the Imitrex tablet to self-injections. She had lots of migraines before menopause and said that I had just seen proof that they worked for me and their efficiency. Since I grew up receiving weekly allergy injections for 7 years during my childhood, I saw giving myself a shot as a viable option. I proved to her in the office that I had guts enough to do it (had to practice) and went home a much happier girl. So, I can't say that I got NOTHING out of this Doctor. It's just to say, that his time was up.

Thank you God! Thank you Dr. J. I know that it's not definite that Mr. Neurologist will have any answers but I am willing to try. I will keep you posted.....

Wheat-Free Monkey Bars

I saw a great recipe for Monkey Bars over @ bakingsheet. Since it calls for all-purpose white flour and I cannot have that on my low oxalate diet, I decided to replace it with 3/4. white rice flour and 1/2 c. rye flour. I did leave in the chocolate chips, it calls for 1/2 c. Next time I would put in less, it would still taste chocolatey but not be cheating so much. Chocolate is a high oxalate food and I am not supposed to eat it. I figured one snack all week wasn't going to kill me. I've been drinking my water and being very, very good.

Here's what the family said:

Papa D: It was good.

Meyers D: It was really good.

TSE: I would definitely have it again.

Max-Ay: It was really really yummy and I want you to make it lots and lots of times.

Now, I thought that was a pretty good report, coming from kids. Especially when I used a rice/rye flour combination. It tasted like I had just used whole wheat. I was quite shocked at how good it turned out not having used white flour.

For the original recipe, or to make my version (just make sure to adjust flour ingredients) go see the Monkey Bar recipe @ bakingsheet.

Low Oxalate Recipe: AmerIndian Crockpot Beef Stew

I was looking in the freezer and saw a couple packages of stew meat. Since I usually put celery and potatoes in my stew, and those are high oxalate vegetables, I thought I'd experiment and create a low oxalate stew that was still loaded with vegetables that are O.K. on this restricted diet. * **Here is what I came up with.

AmerIndian Crockpot Beef Stew:

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. stew meat
2 turnips, peeled and diced (about 3 c.)
1 c. acorn squash, peeled and diced (about 1/3 of an acorn squash)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small sweet onion (about 1 c.)
1 c. diced red pepper
1 c. diced carrot
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsp. white rice flour
1 c. organic beef broth (without soy if you can find it)
1/2 c. burgundy wine (if you don't usually add wine to your stew, I suggest you start!)
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tsp. Garam Masala
1/4 tsp. mild curry powder

Directions:
Place stew meat in crockpot and stir in rice flour until well coated. Pour in beef broth and wine. Add bay leaves. Next add turnips, onion, red pepper, carrots, acorn squash and garlic. Sprinkle seasonings over the top and stir well. Turn crockpot onto Low and cook 6-8 hrs. Or, turn crockpot onto High and cook 4 hrs. Serves 4-6. Serve with fresh, hot Dark Rye Bread or steamed white Basmati rice.

*The Garam Masala and curry powder could be doubled, although it had a great aroma while cooking, these flavors weren't very strong. So if you are looking forward to a kick of Indian flavor, I would suggest doubling the amounts. We eat our stew w/ a dab of horseradish, so I won't bother with adding more spices. I liked it just the way it was. THANKS TO SPICEHUT FOR ADDING A NEW TERM TO MY VOCABULARY!!! AMERINDIAN.

**This was so delicious. I'm not gushing over myself here, but I can't believe how perfect it was on the first try. My husband confessed that he never liked potatoes in the stew anyway, and much preferred this. My ten year-old daughter practically licked her bowl clean. Obviously, this will be the new stew recipe at our house!

Low Oxalate Recipe: Curried Spanish Lentils

Tonight's dinner was a Low Oxalate curried lentil dish w/ Indian-Spiced Tenderloin Steaks.

The Curried Spanish Lentil recipe was adapted from one found on the package of Trikona Spanish Lentils. I left out the tomato, celery, lemon rind and black pepper because they are all High in the oxalate category. I left in the onion and carrot which are medium in oxalate content and the recipe doesn't call for a lot of them. The storebought chicken broth I used has soy which is in the High category, so homemade broth would have been much better. Papa D is not a curry fan, and this is a little curryish, but I think he would eat it again if I waited at least a month. He loved the tart apple and said it would be tastier if more appple were added. I was also expecting it to taste more coconutty, so I may add more of that next time.

Low Oxalate Curried Spanish Lentils ala Cameradawktor:

Ingredients:

3/4 Tbsp. curry powder (mild or hot)

5 diced baby carrots

1/4 c. diced onion

1/4 diced tart apples with peel removed

1 Tbsp. butter

1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 c. chicken broth

1 medium bay leaf

3/4 Tbsp. white rice flour

1/4 c. coconut milk

Directions:

Wash 1/2 c. of beans well. Soak beans 2 hrs. Drain.

Saute lightly (do not brown) the onion and carrot. Add butter, oil, flour and curry powder. cook for 3 minutes. Add soaked lentils and chicken broth with bay leaf. Simmer 15 minutes. Add apple and simmer another 15 minutes. Stir in coconut milk immediately before serving. Serve over steamed Basmati Rice. Servings 2-3.

Low Oxalate Recipe: Mango Tropical Fruit Smoothie

This morning I was looking forward to trying a Low-Oxalate smoothie for breakfast. I just combined some fruits that are considered low oxalate and came up with what I think is quite a yummy recipe. My ten year-old daughter and five year-old son also had a taste and they are hooked! Next time I will have to double the recipe..

Low Oxalate Mango Tropical Fruit Smoothie:

Ingredients:

1/3c. plain, organic honey yogurt

1/4. pineapple juice

1/2 c. frozen mango cubes from Trader Joe's

1/4 c. golden raisins, soaked overnight in water, then drained

1/2 small, ripe banana

Directions:

The night before, soak raisins in water, enough water just to cover them. Cover w/ plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature, draining before using them in smoothie. *This makes the raisins easier to digest, adds fiber to a pretty fiber-less diet as well as adding sweetness. Also, soaking them creates thousands of healthy bacteria and enzymes for the body.

In a blender of food processor, place all ingredients. Pulse or puree for 1 minute. Serve in tall beverage glass. Makes 2 c. or 1 serving. You may need to double this for the kids to enjoy too!

Low Oxalate Recipe: Swedish Rye Cookies

I was at Win-Co Foods today buying items for my new Low-Oxalate diet. As I was getting dark rye flour in the bulk section, I noticed a free recipe. It was for Swedish Rye Cookies. As chocolate and cocoa are high oxalate food items I've been wondering what shall fill my sweet tooth. I have to be honest, I've had better cookies. But these had a nice shortbread texture and were slightly sweet. Great for an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee!

Swedish Rye Cookies, Recipe from Win-Co Foods:
*CameraDawktor has changed flour ingredients to make it low oxalate*
Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. rye flour
3/4 c. white rice flour
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. water
*CameraDawktor added 1 Tbsp. 1/2 & 1/2

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar. Stir in rye flour, rice flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well and add enough water and 1/2 & 1/2 to moisten dough. Roll out onto floured board a 1/4 in. thick. Cut into 2 1/2 in. rounds. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 12-14 min. or until slightly browned.

**I would try using Sweet Rice Flour instead of plain white rice flour next time. I purchased this in a box at an Asian Market and is very sweet. I think it would improve the flavor of the cookie.

Low Oxalate Recipe: Salad with Blue Cheese & Roasted Red Pepper

Here's a salad I made for my lunch today. Low Oxalate Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing & Roasted Red Pepper:

Ingredients:

1/4 c. shredded iceberg lettuce

1/4 c. chopped hearts of romaine

1/4. chunk of red pepper

1 Tbsp. crumbled blue cheese

1 Tbsp. ranch dressing

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees and place chunk of red pepper on pan. Roast for 15 min. or until desired roastedness.

In the meantime, place 1/4 c. of each green on salad plate. Top with dressing and crumbled blue cheese. Place roasted red pepper on plate next to salad. Enjoy. Serves 1.

Low Oxalate Recipe: Rye Toast with Havarti and Avacado

Here's a Low-Oxalate Recipe I came up with for my lunch.

Rye Toast with Havarti and Avacado:




Ingredients:
2 slices dark rye bread
Best Foods Mayonnaise
2 slices Havarti Cheese
Spike (seasoning)
1/4 c. thinly sliced avacado
Directions:
Place two slices of dark rye bread on baking dish. Turn oven on to 350 degrees. Spread thin layer of mayonnaise on top of bread and lay one slice of cheese on top of each slice of bread. Toast in oven for 5-8 min. or to desired toastiness. Sprinkle w/ fine dusting of Spike seasoning. Divide the 1/4 c. sliced avacado between each piece of toast and put on top. Serve warm, serves 1.

I Should Be Excited....

I should be excited today, I had been hoping for exacatly one year, that some Doctor would tell me WHAT I should eat. Yesterday that day came, then why do I feel like crying?

I'm not going to go into as much detail as I should on this post, because I have to go to the grocery store and buy things I can eat on a Low-Oxalate Diet. Now, if you look at the link, you may think to yourself that this is very restrictive. Well, Dude, I have restricted my eating 80% more drastically than this, on my own, trying to affect my migraine frequency. (At that time it was 3+ times per WEEK!) So really, this should be easy. It just takes some thought as to what I put in my mouth. If there's one thing I've learned on this journey, it's that food is just food. It's just something you put in your mouth to keep yourself alive. When I make it more than that, I get a weight problem! Because damn it, some of it tastes sooooo good!

Anyway, back to the Low-Oxalate Diet, during the time that I was being my own Doctor, because none of the "supposedly" real ones w/ the degrees could help me, I went on an allergy elimination diet. I played around with what foods I did/ didn't eat for months. It finally got to the point where I looked in the fridge and just stared. I was hungry but afraid that what I would eat would cause me pain. I was down to white rice and maybe a couple of other things. When people said, "My, you've lost a lot of weight, tell me how you did it, I want to try it." I would respond, "Well, it's the diet of pain and suffering and you really wouldn't want to try it. It's just not very glamorous. And I wouldn't tell them I ate just rice."

I thought, during this time (also the time before I realized I had about 8 giant kidney stones waiting to come out), that I wished a Doctor would just tell me what I could safely eat. Never thinking it would take ANOTHER PROBLEM to make that happen! I'll describe the kidney stone experience another time (if you check the link read about Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy & Ureteroscopic Stone Removal) but I recently did a test to determine why my body was making so many large stones at such a young age. He discovered that I am having a problem with Oxalate and need to restrict it.

So why am I hoping that this will help me with my migraines? Because many foods listed on the do not eat list are similar to those to avoid with migraines. And since it would seem that no Doctor has done a damn thing to fix me (Hence the title, the Dr. is out!) I have to become my own Doctor (cameradawktor) make my own decisions about my health while hoping and praying I will find some common link between my big 3 problems: allergies, migraines and kidney stones. Don't tell me there's not a link...I just don't want to think about that right now.

So I got my wish. Dr. "MNIL," (some of you will hear this story, you know who you are) has sent me my list of what to eat. I should be happy. I should be rejoicing at a prayer answered. But strangely, I already feel exhausted and I haven't even started this new way of eating. I'm sad, sad that I have to be different than you and watch what I eat. Grumpy that I had to take yet another Imitrex shot in the middle of the night.

So, if you've come from my Trouble blog and you really don't want to hear this, don't come back. This is just a sometimes difficult part of my life that I have to deal with and I need a place to store information and sort things out. Since I'm my own Doctor, hopefully I can find myself some answers and encourage myself. This way, I won't bog everybody down on my main blog.