I am thinking of trying to address my chemical sensitivity through trying to eliminate food intolerances (unknown) and getting my gut in order with whatever's necessary eg diet, probiotics, digestive enzymes, betaine hcl... Has anyone had success doing this?

I don't know if this is possible but I'm guessing it can't hurt to try. Many on the net seem to think digestive issues like Candida are at the heart of these DDs... I was told years ago, before things got significantly worse for me, that milk, hazelnuts and sunflower seed were a problem for me which made sense as when I was growing up I drank milk by the gallon, ate lots (too much) Nutella and Galaxy chocolate (each containing milk and hazelnuts) and had fries almost every night (fried in sunflower oil)... The test also identified yeast and corn as borderline intolerances that should be rotated.

At the time I eliminated these foods and basically embarked on a Candida diet. I did improve and was a little better able to tolerate chemicals. However, despite sticking rigidly to the diet, I started to go downhill again...

This new venture to try to correct my digestion will probably be expensive for me (I only have a limited budget so want to get it as right as I can) so I need some advice.....

I have already (for the mostpart) eliminated dairy. I have completely cut out gluten and chocolate (dark chocolate) since the beginning of May and so far I have seen no results.
I have still been eating stuff like dates and cashew nuts....they've become a bit of a crutch since eliminating dairy, gluten and chocolate. I am, at times, ravenous and it's seems only high cal foods fill the hole!

I am thinking of overhauling my diet to eat mainly healthy fats, fish, chicken, turkey, lean beef (limited amounts), beans, lentils etc, limited carbs like brown rice, quinoa, brown rice cakes, (maybe very limited amounts of potato and probably sweet potatoes mostly), lots of veg esp the green stuff and salad, avocadoes, a few eggs, limited low sugar fruits etc...lots of water!! I am thinking of excluding tomatoes as I think, though I love them, that they are problematic...don't know why; it's just a gut feeling! No pun intended! LOL

I am also thinking of taking digestive enzymes with meals and probiotics afterwards to try to help me to digest stuff/ repair my gut if it needs it...

One thing I am confused about is: I have heard that too much stomach acid and not enough present in the same way although it is a lack of stomach acid that can lead to allergies etc I had an endoscopy about ten years ago or more for IBS symptoms and I was told that it looked like I had too much stomach acid. I have since read, though, that you can get rebound stomach acid in huge amounts when you are low in stomach acid....I am confused!

I read that you could tell whether you have too much or too little stomach acid by taking a tablespoon of cider vinegar...if it reduces the burning you had too little and if it makes the burning worse you have too much. Last night I got burning and took a tablespoon of cider vinegar and the burning didn't go away...it maybe got a little worse... But, today I have read that sensitive stomachs can get burning from taking cider vinegar....

I am none the wiser, then, about whether I have too much or too little stomach acid and how to address it...I don't know whether to pick up some betaine hcl with pepsin or not

Today all I have eaten is mackerel and steamed broccoli (eaten nice and slowly, chewed well etc) and afterwards I still got burning and quite a bit or burping even while I was still eating! The burning is from just below my breasts to above my navel...

I have also read about acid and alkaline forming foods and don't know how this fits into the overall picture... Eg, if I think I have too little stomach acid does that mean I should start eating more from the acid forming list of foods??

Can anybody offer any advice? I am so mixed up and want to get this right!! My symptoms seem to be getting worse and I really want to reduce my chemical sensitivity...

Right now, I have a cleanser and moisturiser I can use on my face but each of them has been discontinued and I am having trouble finding skincare that doesn't cause horrendous chemical sensitivity symptoms (I am running out of my little stockpile of my safe cleanser and moisturiser)... It's also complicated by the fact I suffer from ocular and facial rosacea and my skin is highly sensitive and dry.. Furthermore, if I fail to wash and moisturise using my 'safe' skincare I seem to get symptoms which are very close to a chemical sensitivity reaction and the longer I put off getting ready with my safe products the worse I feel...so, just using nothing on my face is not an option. I also do not tolerate plain oils on my face and they make my eyes sting...

Currently, I am taking flaxseed oil, fish oil (Nordic Naturals), Rainbow Light Multi, Pycnogenol and occasionally Barlean's Green Food.... I am also unsure about when to take these esp if I incorporate probiotics and digestive enzymes...do you take things apart of together??

I'm hoping cleaning up my digestion will help but would love advice! I am sorry this is so long..

Thanks! Shelbo
Ps I don't drink alcohol or smoke if that's important..

Try l-glutamine. It's a wonderful addition for healing gut & stomache issues. Here are some other recommendations: raw cabbage juice, bismuth,DGL (licorice),rhubarb,aloe vera juice,fiber,flavonoids,vitamin A,E, C and zinc.
My son has eczema and we just found a product line called MIRACLE II. Soap,Neutralizing Gel, and moisturizer. He loves it and it works almost immediately for rashes and eczema.
I hope this helps! Hang in there, it does get better!

I've been living with candida for MANY years so I speak from experience, unfortunately lots of it. I would stay away from tomatoes and cashews (they're really bad). Try almonds or walnuts. Keep these in the fridge so they are always fresh and crunchy. Last year, I had to go on antibiotics for my helico pylori bacteria....I just couldn't live with the pain. Anyways, after these "deadly" antibiotics, my chemical sensitivities got worse so |I managed to convince my doctor to prescribe some fluconazole for a month. It helped me tremendously...along with my strict diet. Good luck!

Just want to say I will keep an eye on this thread since I have many of the same questions. Wouldn't you think, after 16 years, I'd know more about this??

I did the Candida diet once and didn't feel any better, just had the worst "cold" of my life after taking a yeast killer. I have no outward manifestations of Candida but have a problem with sugar and carbs. Like Shelbo, I'm HUNGRY and I've lost a lot of weight I didn't care to lose as I try to eat food that won't cause me problems.

I want to take the G12 test for my gut but my doctor referred me to a gastro guy. Their office never heard of the test - and his first avail. appt. is December 1st!

Seems like we need a good alternative med doc but where to find one near me is the question. I see Catseye likes Dr. Farr and is having success on his regimen. I've probably tossed more supplements and potions than most people buy. I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend a lot more money right now. It's an expensive time of year for me in other ways.

Anyway, let's keep our fingers crossed for us all.
Marta