There’s No Cure, but There Is Relief for Me

Heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion … I feel like a walking Pepto-Bismol commercial. It seems that even water has the ability to cause heartburn — and here I expected it to put that fire out.

I have been a sometimes-vegetarian for years, but recently I decided to ditch anything besides honey that comes from animals. Not because it isn’t delicious and not because I am overly sensitive about our environment, but because some things cause pain and suffering in me. Food can be a lupus trigger, and I have decided to figure out if I can find remission or at least some relief through my little pie hole.

I started an elimination period upon my return from a trip last month. A few years ago, I did this when I was still a meat-eater. Honestly, I hated it. I was a good cook, but I was also a surf-and-turf kind of lady. I had no clue how to make vegetables taste flavorful outside of a hearty salad … served alongside a steak!

This time, however, I’m giddy with excitement, partially because I have spoken with so many autoimmune warriors who have gone plant-based, and they have either gone into remission or are finding a higher level of relief from the symptoms that can rob a person of life. I wrote a column about feeling a bit apprehensive regarding my hope of finding remission, and a commenter gave me hope by speaking about their experience. I read that comment at about 3 a.m., and I became so excited that I wanted to shout! However, my neighbors may not have appreciated that.

I arrived back home on Oct. 29 and hit the ground running with my elimination diet. I have been sharing my journey with friends on social media, but I’ve decided that perhaps I could help others eat better and also talk about what I am feeling by starting a public Facebook page. I try to upload to it daily. In the short time that I have been eliminating and adding foods, I have gained much more energy. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had a tummy issue.

I tease and tell people that I became a vegetarian by mistake, and that’s almost true. In the beginning, I was in so much pain and had so much fatigue that I would not eat. I started buying fresh fruits and veggies because they could be eaten raw and while lying down. I started noticing I was regaining some energy and strength, and an accidental vegetarian who sometimes ate meat was born.

This time, I am very methodical about what I am doing and I am determined to avoid anything that I know will cause me pain, no matter how delicious it is when going down. Goodbye nightshades and so long white flour, you will be missed. I am, however, learning an entirely new way to cook and eat, and it’s bringing me relief.

Have you considered going plant-based? I’d love to hear your journey. Here are some of my recent meals and drinks. Enjoy!

Looks like a turkey burger, doesn’t it? It’s quinoa and cauliflower. Yummy!

Fresh pineapple juice with orange, a squeeze of lime, turmeric, and ginger sweetened with agave.

Lettuce wraps with sweet potatoes, leftover 15 beans, mushrooms, and romaine lettuce.

15 bean soup with brown rice pasta. (Photos by Kellie McRae)

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Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.