Food allergies and chronic fatigue

Hi, I am a 31 yr old female. I have been suffering from intense fatigue for the past 8-10 years. I have done quite a bit to clean up my diet, in the process discovering that I have food allergies/intolerances to dairy, eggs, and gluten (among other things). When I am not eating these, I feel better, but I have been pregnant/breastfeeding for the past 6 years, and I am feeling more sluggish now even with those diet changes. I also feel like my body is in need of some of the nutrients from these foods - especially dairy. I am somewhat new to homeopathy, but strong believe that it can work for food allergies. What suggestions would you make for remedying a dairy allergy? Here's my other info ...

1. Describe your main suffering?
Intense fatigue - it feels like a great heaviness on me. It is not continual. It seems very sporadic depending on the day, but lately I have realized that I think it is linked to my oxygen intake, which seems to be much worse on humid days.


2. What other physical sufferings do you have in your body?
I am overly sensitive to lights/noises/stimulation. I have facial outbreaks, especially when I have dairy and/or sugar. I have had some liver troubles in the past, and I feel uncomfortable lying on my right side (it feels like the springs in my bed are pushing into my side). My digestion is generally not very good - especially if I combine fats and carbs together. I have whitish dry skin on my elbows, knees, ankles and feet. I also have a light white coating on my tongue. When I was nursing I had an overproduction of milk with both of my children, and they were both extremely colicky (there seemed to be a link). I generally have more energy throughout the day if I can workout in the morning. I am a good weight right now, but I have had struggles with weight in the past and struggled with bulimia in high school. I developed a lump in my lower back (above my right SI joint) about 15 years ago. At the time the doctor said it wasn't anything to worry about. It has grown slightly, since then, but not much (about the size of a penny). However, about 6 months ago I developed another small lump in my right forearm (sunflower seed kernel size). Around that same time I got what looked like a pimple on the right side of the edge of my upper lip. It never popped or went away, and now it is just a tiny hard mass. It's barely noticeable to anyone else.



3. What mental sufferings / feelings do you have associated with your physical sufferings?
I am generally a pretty positive person, but when my physical symptoms are bad, I tend to become very depressed and introspective. I also tend to fear death or physical pain.


4. What exactly do you feel when you are at your worst?
I feel like all I can do is lie on the couch. My thoughts are very scattered, and I feel guilty about not taking care of my family the way that I would like to.


5. When did it all start? Can you connect it to any past event or disease?
I think that I have had a lot of health issues throughout my life (eczema as infant; strep infections as a kid; antibiotics; lots of environmental allergies and drugs to remedy); however, they became much more debilitating after puberty. I started gaining a lot of weight then, became bulimic around then, started struggling with asthma as I played sports. I remember always being tired as a teenager, but had the ability to push through it. About a year after I got married and moved to a new city I really felt the crushing fatigue that I couldn't push through.



6. Which time of the day you are worst?
Afternoon - around 1-3pm
and sometimes again around 6-7 pm

7. What are the things which aggravate your suffering and which are those which ameliorate the same?

Worse - Stuffy, damp environment; after eating (a lot of bloating and low energy)
Better – fresh, clean air; while eating


8. Do your think your sufferings have relation to any external stimuli (like, change of place) or any internal biological changes in the body, like, menses (in females)?
I think there is a huge relation to hormones - I am pretty sure that I am low in progesterone (because it counters prolactin, and I have too much prolactin). I also take an herbal supplement to increase Dopatone, and I feel significantly better mood-wise when I take this. I also feel much worse if I am in a humid environment and much better in a dry, cool environment.



9. When do you feel better, during hot weather or cold weather, humid or dry weather?
cool dry weather, but I don't do great in the extreme cold either.


10. Describe your general mental set up? I tend to be fairly positive and like to encourage others. I am probably a bit judgmental of others because I also hold myself to high standards. Very Indecisive.

- How do you feel before or during a thunderstorm?
I usually enjoy the thunderstorm - I really like the feeling of when the cool wind comes blowing in

- Do you like being consoled during your tough times?
Yes, however, I struggle receiving consolation because I tend to withdraw during my tough times. But yes.

- Are you sensitive to external stimuli like smell, noise, light etc?
yes

- Do you have any typical habit or gesture like nail biting, causeless
weeping, talking to one self etc?
no

- How do you feel about your friends, family, your children and especially your husband / wife?
I feel guilt over not being able to give them more because of my physical condition. I love them so much and want to give them the best. It frustrates my husband that I can't do everything that we'd like to do as a family, which makes me feel guilty.

11. What are your fears and do you dream of any situation repeatedly?
Fear of the pain associated with dying, or with debilitating injuries; fear of not being able to breathe; people close to me dying/having painful injuries


12. What do you crave for in food items and what are your aversions?
Cravings: sugar; all dairy; pizza; lettuce/salads
Aversions: olives; pork; celery; liver


13. How is your thirst: Less, Normal or Excessive?
less

14. How if your hunger: Less, Normal or Excessive?
normal, but I often feel hungry after eating even though my stomach is full and bloated.

15. Is there any kind of food which your body can’t stand?
I have a number of food intolerances, but I am still able to get them all down.

16. Is your sweat normal or less or more? Where does it sweat more: Head, Trunk or Limbs?
Sweat is normal, trunk

17. How is your bowel movement and stool type?
constipation - anywhere from once a day to once every 3 days (and I feel terrible at 3 days!) well formed, but on the harder side.

18. How well do you sleep? Do you have a particular posture of sleeping?
I sleep well (when my children don't wake me in the middle of the night - which was a nightly occurrence for almost 4 years straight). I sleep best on my stomach with my arms above my head. I will also sleep on my left side. I can't sleep on my back, and I feel like the bed is digging into my side when I lie on my right side.


19. Do you think you are able to satisfy your sexual desires in general?
yes

20. How do you think you are different from others, if at all?
I have a strong faith and belief that God allows me to go through difficulties for a purpose that will benefit me or others spiritually.

21. What medications have been taken earlier by you to treat the diseases and do you have any particular symptom surfacing after the medication?
No meds - I have taken some Nat Phos cell salts to try to help with dairy and sugar. They seemed to be helping a little (I didn't have as drastic of symptoms upon taking it); however, I gave the rest of the bottle away and haven't ordered a new one yet. Also, the Nat Sulph cell salts have seemed to help a little with my breathing in hot/humid places. Prior to being pregnant (about 7 yrs ago) I had taken a combo of Ashwaganda/Rheumania/Licorise Root, which helped my energy greatly!


22. What major diseases are running in your family?
none


23. Describe, how do you look like? Describe your overall appearance
I have read hair, white skin, brown eyes, and freckles. I tan very well for being a red-head. I am short, athletic build, carry more weight in my hips/thighs. Small waist.

24. (ONLY FOR FEMALES)
not pregnant

If you are not having normal menstrual cycles, please answer the following questions:

- Are the periods early, regular or late in general? How long do they last?
Early (I think I am ovulating early, and then having a 12-14 days lutial phase)

- Do you suffer from any kind of physical or mental discomfort before, during or after the periods?
I am usually mentally overwhelmed and depressed right before and at the start of my period. Low energy often during period. I also have bloating during period

- Is the flow scanty, normal or excessive?
Normal

- Is the blood thick bright red or pale watery?
thick bright red

- Do you notice any clots in the flow?
Yes, sometimes