Last month I shared two posts about my mysterious stomach issues. You can catch up here and here. Since those posts I've made some progress in regards to ealing myself but I'm not 100% back to normal yet. This is how things have went so far.
I was finally talked into going to the doctor after much refusal. I made an appointment and didn't have much expectation out of the visit.
I walked into the doctors office on a rainy Thursday afternoon. I was seen quickly and the doctor ordered some blood tests to start from there.
I got the blood work done the next morning and waited a few days for the results. By this point in time I was already beginning to feel a bit better so I hoped that it would be all uphill from there and I wouldn't need to proceed with any doctors or help.
I got the blood work back and to my surprise my iron levels were low. What?! I eat a very healthy diet filled with plenty of iron rich foods. I didn't understand and I was frustrated. The doctor prescribed me an iron supplement but I didn't get the prescription filled because iron supplements are known to cause constipation. So after that I ditched the doctor idea completely and decided to, once again, try to fix things on my own.
I began taking a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses each morning with some oranges. The tablespoon of molasses on it's own is way too much for me to handle currently. I just make a smoothie with the molasses, oranges, and ice. I drink it up first thing after I have my lemon water.
Doing this has done wonders for me, I think.
For the most part my stomach pain has gone away, I'm not super tired, constipation isn't too much of an issue, and my appetite seems normal. I really want to credit the iron for this. I plan to keep taking it each morning and see if I can get back to feeling like myself again completely. I really, really hope that this works.
If it doesn't I'm not sure what route I'll take. I would love to go visit a naturopath but they're pretty expensive and not something that I'm able to afford at the moment. I've also considered taking a probiotic or trying other "at home" remedies. I really don't want to go back to the doctors though just because I don't feel as if my problem was addressed properly and I don't think I'll get the help I want there. I want to heal myself, not be prescribed a medicine to manage whatever the underlying issue is. With that being said, I don't think that doctors are bad or unnecessary. There's definitely a time and place for them but I don't feel as if I'm in a spot where I'll benefit from that. But who knows! Things happen and change. So, we'll see. This is just where I'm at in my life at this time.
So that's that!
Blackstrap molasses saving my life, or at for the time being it is! And that's what I've decided to keep doing. If it stops working, then I'll decide where to go from here from the options I listed above. And if it keeps working then I'll share an update on that as well. So stay tuned! And if you have any advice or tips, please let me know!
Now onto the fun stuff!
WHAT I ATE
BREAKFAST
I made the best ice cream of my entire life for breakfast this morning after having my orange juice and molasses drink! This was AMAZING. So amazing that I'll be sharing the recipe here hopefully tomorrow!
SNACK
For morning snacks I had a peanut butter cookie Larabar and then a bottle of kombucha a little later on.
LUNCH
A messy, but very tasty lunch! I had some leftover curry that I made and added in a few potato slices and lots of zucchini. Almost forgot to take a picture, but I did manage to get a shot of half of it thankfully!
SNACK
Pre workout Clif bar. I was going straight from work to workout with my friend so I had this on the go. This is my favorite Clif bar ever. So sad that it's only a seasonal deal even though I stocked up what will hopefully be enough to get me through until the holidays!
DINNER
My go-to dinner lately! Potato fries, romaine, and zucchini. I dipped this in some bbq sauce and love this combo so much!
I'm finishing up this post and sipping on some peppermint tea. But that's it for the day!
Let me know what you guys have eaten today! I'd love to know. Also, remember that this is just one day of eating for me. Each day is quite different and that's okay! While looking at these type of posts it's important to realize this and never compare your own dietary choices to mine or anyone else's. Eat what makes you feel good and eat as much as you need to satisfy your body!