Day 47 / GAPS

My copy of the Gut and Psychology Syndrome book arrived today. I ordered it after conducting a series of experiments testing illegal starches and grains, to see if they truly do trigger anxiety for me. The answer is very clearly, yes. Here’s a review of my experiment:

Thursday afternoon: Ate a burger with a wheat bun

Thursday evening: Blood sugar crash complete with shaking, sweating, nausea, panic (what I affectionately call ‘Red Linz’ because I get so charmingly irritable)

Thursday after dinner: Feeling on edge and anxious for no particular reason

Thursday bed time: Laying in bed with every muscle in my body completely tense. Restless, nightmare filled sleep.

Friday: I don’t eat any illegal foods today. I do experience some anxiety based on a real and upsetting event, but I am able to calm down after talking it out and finding something else to focus on.

Saturday morning: Ate oatmeal with breakfast, but ate no other illegal foods this day.

Saturday evening: On edge most of the evening. Nearly had a panic attack over a small event that turned out to be nothing. Couldn’t calm down. Slept restlessly.

Sunday morning: Ate oatmeal with breakfast, but ate no other illegal foods this day.

Sunday afternoon: I felt restless and agitated, my blood sugar felt low too.

Sunday evening: Became panicked and hysterical over nothing specific, couldn’t calm down, so I took an anti-anxiety pill which helped me to calm down and fall alseep.

Monday: Ate nothing illegal.

Monday evening: Calm, good energy today. Fell asleep on my own, slept well.

Tuesday: Ate nothing illegal.

Tuesday evening: As in tonight. Calm, good energy today.

I’m no scientist, but I see a pattern. I tend to naturally worry, but when I avoid starches and grains, I can manage that worry much easier. I don’t get upset by small things, but if something real does upset me, I can get over it quickly.

I am fascinated by this because this was not a result I expected when starting down the SCD path with John. I look forward to learning more from Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride on the link between diet and psychological conditions.

PS. Update on John’s cramping pain that seems to originate in his transverse colon. He told me it was better today, but still bothersome, and worse when sitting than when standing. He seemed really tired today as well. BMs haven’t changed. So we will see.