The Day I Realized That Sulfites Are Were Making Me Sick

As far back as I can remember, I didn't feel well. Here are just a few examples.

I always seemed to feel tired. Rarely did my stomach not hurt. I couldn’t run in the fun run like the other 4th graders. In order to avoid PE in high school, I took a bowling book study. I slept more than all my siblings. Walking upstairs was tiring. Sometimes for no reason, I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. Being lightheaded when I stood up was almost normal.

The symptoms were normalized by everyone, including me. We led with the narrative that I was lazy. Still, something in me felt like there had to be a reason I was so different. So, in my late teens and early 20's, I made several appointments and spoke to many doctors to have my symptoms evaluated. Some worked me up for anemia. Some attributed my symptoms to anxiety or being a busy medical student. While others just blew me off.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Angioedema in 2008. While I knew that my triggers included physical and mental stress, I still had flare-ups that I just could not explain. Many times a year I would have severe abdominal pain and with nausea and vomiting all night. I remember a friend commented on how prone I was to get the ‘stomach bug’. I agreed because I didn't have a better explanation.

In 2012, my husband and I took a trip to Napa. We enjoyed wine, cheese, dried fruit and mimosas. That night, my stomach felt like it was exploding from the inside and that my whole world wasn’t spinning. I was sick all night.

When I got home my brother asked me about my trip. That one question changed my whole life. He made one of the most impactful statements of my entire life. See, my brother is an incredibly intelligent, analytical, and brilliant person. He said “You doctors are all dummies sometimes. It’s not a food. It’s a common link. There’s a common link in what you are eating that is making you sick”.

I immediately consulted Dr Google, researching wines. I thought maybe it was the tannins in the wine. A search for tannins ultimately led me to discover sulfites. When I looked at a list of foods that contained sulfites, I was hit with a MAJOR ‘aha’ moment. Going down the list of sulfite heavy foods I thought, ‘yes, yes, yes…’. All the foods on the list had made me sick.

That morning I had woken up just expecting a normal day. Within a few hours, my whole life changed. Going low sulfite was one of the best decisions I've made for my health. Now, rather than feeling tired all the time - I've got tons of energy to raise my kids, work, exercise and live my best life. I ran my first mile at the age of 40. I go up and down the stairs all day. I still love to sleep but now extra sleep is for fun.

By sharing my journey and insights into managing sulfite sensitivities, I hope to empower others to identify their triggers and enjoy a healthier, more fulfilling life free from discomfort.