Case History: Connie's story

Connie was diagnosed with endometriosis in May 2006 at laparoscopy. She had been in severe constant abdominal pain since February 2006. During the operation black endometriosis spots were found all through the pelvis along with swollen arteries. There were two cysts and the uterus was enlarged. By June 2006 Connie's pain had gotten worse. Hysterectomy was suggested or GnRH analogs to place her into menopause.

The pain LHS hip was horrendous, tramadol and volteral only dulled the pain and Connie was immobile and dare not move. A sigmoidoscopy showed that the bowel was fine.

Periods had always been reasonably healthy with regular cycles. Over the past five years, premenstrual syndrome had got worse, with seven days of bloating, breast pains, tiredness, irritable and mood swings. Connie knew that wheat always triggered abdominal bloating and irritable bowel symptoms for the past sixteen years. She had two normal pregnancies, twenty and seventeen years previously. Both her daughters were diagnosed as being lactose intolerant, but the doctor never tested Connie.

Stress had been high for six years and as a result energy was low - worse when in pain. Sleep was fractured. Digestion varied according to painkiller intake (tramadol and co-codomal), as many pain killers cause constipation.

Connie followed a healthy eating life plan for 5 months, we began by treating digestion with acidophilus and digestive enzymes. Foods excluded from the diet were wheat, refined sugars, coffee, chocolate, citrus and yeasts. Thyroid function test were fine. Cooked vegetables were eaten whilst raw vegetables caused abdominal problems. Potatoes were also found to be a problem. They are a part of the deadly nightshade family - tobacco, potato, tomato, peppers and aubergines. Sweet potato, yams, parsnips and other root vegetables, green leafy vegetables, pulses/legumes and red-orange vegetables were fine to eat. All fruits other than citrus were tolerated, and nuts, seeds, berries, lean meat and fish were okay to eat.

Nutritional supplements used over the five months included fish oil and a multi vitamin - mineral, selenium and vitamin E, chromium and iron. All the pain had gone, energy was fine and Connie was able to exercise again. Sleep was normal and deep and Connie woke refreshed. If wheat was eaten by mistake, hidden in foods an immediate result was fatigue, bloating and aching joints, the next menstrual cycle was painful.

Connie now says that she feels fantastic. Nutritional therapy has made an amazing difference. If one member of the family has an allergy or intolerance to a food research shows that it is 40 to 70 per cent likely that another member of the family will have an allergy or intolerance so it is important that the GP tests everyone.