Pulse Test-A Simple-Pain Free Way- For Unmasking -Food Allergies

In her fine hub, BlossomSB speaks of being delivered from the scourge of arthritis by following the simple advice of an obscure American doctor of Chinese heritage as found in a library book she ran across.

The book—with the author and title long since forgotten—laid out a drastic but effective method for discovering one’s individual food allergies. Naturally, once the offending foods had been isolated, they could be avoided opening the way for the illness to be stopped at its source--as opposed to merely treating the symptoms. So following the author’s counsel to the letter, she reduced her diet to boiled fish, steamed rice, and water for 3 weeks. Afterwards she slowly reintroduced individual foods to her body and watched for adverse reactions. Turns out that she had developed allergies to coffee, tea, tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums, oranges and sugary foods and severely limiting her intake of these foods would be the price of long term relief. Her testimony http://blossomsb.hubpages.com/hub/Arthritis-Me-and-Coffee is that just such a regimen continues to help her remain arthritis free to this day.

Her story means so much to me because I too am indebted to a little known book for a new lease on my health. Only, I got well first and then found a book that helped make sense of all I had been through. And the fine details of our sufferings and treatment differ as well. For her it has meant giving up coffee for life. Yikes! In my case, I have still been able to safely enjoy a cup or two per day, but things like nuts, potatoes, citrus fruits and sugary foods still tend to bring on some very scary symptoms even after all these years.

Rather than being wracked and raked with arthritis, I suddenly started having bouts of breathing difficulties as a young man. What was so baffling was the total absence of congestion or mucus. No colds, no asthma-like wheezing, no nothing. My diaphragm and chest muscles would simply seize up to the point that I had to consciously work at getting enough air. I had never been one to run off to the doctor at the first sign of trouble, so I did not seek professional help initially. Besides, the attacks always let up after a few hours and did not seem to be serious. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The episodes of labored breathing sessions gradually increased both in frequency and intensity over a few weeks until, finally, a big one pushed me over into a classic panic attack. I had just finished dinner when this whopper came on. I suddenly felt like I was caught in the coils of a giant Boa Constrictor, which gave me a real sense of being smothered to death. For the first time in my life, I hyperventilated:

"breathing abnormally deep and rapidly which if continued for long results in high levels of oxygen in the blood, accompanied by dizziness, chest pain, and tingling in the extremities."

In retrospect, it was the pain and tingling that pushed me over the edge into full-fledged basket case status as I arrived at the emergency room. After all, wasn't breathing difficulty a sign of heart attacks?

Naturally the first step in my treatment at the emergency room was a physical exam. Finding my lungs clear and my heart just fine, I was promptly given an injection with some sort of muscle relaxer. After I had settled down well enough to carry on a conversation, I was interviewed by a psychyatrist for about 10 minutes, tops. His only question was, "Where were you the very first time you can remember the attacks starting?" I told him I was at work near a new-fangled machine which had been installed recently and wondered out loud if perhaps the fumes from the coolant might be bothering me--which he blew off immediately.

His diagnosis: I was suffering from a sub-conscious fear of the new computerized machines that were coming to the work place. The breathing problems were simply a way of externalizing my phobia so it could be dealt with. And of course he offered to take the lead in helping me deal with these supposed fears. Since he netted $300 for that brief conversation, I imagine he would have been very glad to be of service indeed.

I grew up in a culture that rated psychyatrists just above hookers on the respectable professions scale and this shrink with his shoot-from-the-hip bedside style did absolutely nothing to improve the craft's standing in my eyes. It was obvious that I was in bad need of help but I knew in my heart of hearts that I was not afraid of machines. I would be looking elsewhere for answers.

Over the next several weeks, in addition to adopting a strict vegetarian diet, I was treated by both a chiropractor and an osteopathic physician, but the attacks continued. This was putting my ability to hold down a job in jeopardy, so it wasn't looking so good for the home team. Finally it was the advice of a friend, who just happened to be known as a health food nut in town, which proved to be my light at the end of the tunnel. From her own research, she was sure that I was suffering from food allergies. She had heard of a nutritionist in another state who had a unique technique for uncovering an individual's own intolerances and thought I should go see him. Am I ever glad I did!

BlossomSD wishes that she could remember the name of the author who changed her life for the better. I too wish I could give my nutritionist from 30 years ago credit for guiding me back to a productive and enjoyable life. Rather than having me go on a stark diet of rice and fish, however, his plan allowed me to eat anything I liked during the 2 week discovery period--with the caveat that I could have no more than 2 entrees and one liquid per meal. Furthermore, I was to keep a journal of all food intake along with recording my pulse at 30 and 60 minute intervals. His belief was that all allergic reactions, whether accompanied by rashes or not, could be detected by a spike in the heart rate. As best as I can recall, a reading which was 15 beats per minute greater than my average pre-meal rate of 68 would be cause for highly suspecting the 2 foods or liquid involved.

After 2 weeks I had a follow up visit where we reviewed my food journal together. All foods that had been involved with high readings were tested individually over the next 2 weeks so that within a month I had a clear picture of what foods I needed to avoid.

Several years after recovering from my ordeal, I was delighted to run across a book called “The Pulse Test: The Secret of Building Your Basic Health” by Arthur F. Coca, MD http://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Test-Secret-Building-Health/dp/0942637941 which explained the scientific basis for the simple procedure my nutritionist had taught me. I highly recommend it for the library of anyone interested in taking charge of their own health. There is little doubt that my nutritionist learned at the feet of this man, so I am greatly in his debt as well.

Disclaimer: This testimonial is given for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat disease. I certify that to the best of my ability I have represented the facts as they actually occurred.