Hello everyone,

I have had an increasingly miserable 5+ weeks on IP with increasing digestive distress and hormone fluctuation. After eating the packets or drinking the RTD I would have bloating, digestive upset, the big D, fatigue, belching, gas and began to itch breaking out in rashes.

The hormone fluctuation symptom was breast tenderness that hasn't gone away yet.

To make a long story short, I had a hysterectomy in 07 leaving only one ovary and cervix and haven't tested in the perimenopause range yet. In 05 I had my gall bladder removed.

I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel (bowel and bladder spasms) and given a prescription for Hyomax which actually works well for bladder spasms. For a while I thought it was the Hyomax affecting my system adversely. I just ended up having the second partial bowel blockage caused by adhesion's in a year which made issues even more confusing in terms of how my bowels felt. When the ER found the first blockage they also found an adrenal nodule which after testing by an Endocrinologist isn't active, I was also tested for type II diabetes (neg) and my Thyroid was tested (neg).

I went over my eating journal and talked weekly with my coach trying to figure out why I was miserable on the program and getting worse. I read posts here on the forum trying to see what adverse reactions others have had and how they dealt with these issues - not finding an answer that fit my symptoms.

I noted someone had mentioned a Soy sensitivity so I looked it up and began to read on Soy. After reading enough to be dangerous I figured it was time to stop using the IP packets with Soy as a test.

The first thing I noted within 24 hours was that I wasn't bloating after eating a non soy packet, the gas and belching was really reduced, my bowels began to get firmer, my gastro tract was no longer gurgling so loud I was embarrassed to go out in public and the itch/rash began to go away. After 4.5 days without using any products with Soy I am almost symptom free with the exception of still having breast tenderness which is beginning to calm down.

I found this article written by Michael P. Ciell, R.Ph of IP called: IMPLICATIONS OF SOY-PROTEININ THE HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN DIET
http://www.joy2life.com/General_Info...ons%20Info.pdf
which does address some questions but in the case of an allergy/sensitivity to SOY we need to be aware it does happen. The good thing is that there are some packets that don't contain Soy so I didn't have to go off the Program.

If I have missed information posted by anyone on Soy sensitivity or allergy I would love to know where to read it or how others have dealt with this on IP.

My weight loss kind of stalled with the last two weeks being a 1 lb loss. I will try not to be discouraged and see how it goes after eliminating the soy products and hoping that the stall was due to the inflammation from the bowel adhesion and digestive issues from Soy.

Another question I have concerns those that have had their gall bladder removed and any issues with digesting certain foods. Before IP I had a heck of a time digesting some foods, after starting IP this has gotten much better and I can tolerate most of those foods I couldn't before such as celery, onions, lettuce, broccoli, green peppers, and tomatoes, because I can't try nuts while in Phase I, I'm not sure about them yet. So there is a major plus to IP helping in other ways

Sorry to make this so long, thanks for reading and I hope everyone has a wonderful IP day.

PS, should this be under FAQ's?

I, too, have a food sensitivity and have stopped using the soy products which leaves me with Strawberry pudding since the RTDs are too expensive to ship and the 4th product doesn't have all 8 essential amino acids. I hope this has changed with the new products but I haven't seen any literature on them. (PLEASE, somebody. POST THEM.)

The point, I guess, is that it can be done. And my allergist said that a LOT of people are soy sensitive, they just don't realize it because they don't eat it very often unless they get it in a ready-made product they're used to eating. Good luck. I admire your perseverance and, once you feel better, things will happen a lot faster, I think since you don't have any autoimmune issues.

And no, please don't post it under FAQs. This is a question for everyone, not a FAQ, and should ideally go in the Daily thread.

Thank you Linden, I had hope that someone knowledgeable like yourself would answer.

I definitely feel better not consuming the products with Soy. So far I'm only using the Wildberry Yogurt Drink, Jello, Choc Drink and Peach Mango Drink which I had on hand. I'm pretty happy to know that I can stay on the program even if I'm limited in choices

We can exchange products at our Living Well Center if we don't like them but with my husband also doing IP, he tolerates the Soy just fine and all the products with Soy he can use (and the likes them all).

So far I haven't tested positive for any of the immune issues that run in my family, predominantly Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I was surprised to note after reading up on Soy just how many store bought products have some form of Soy in them that I wasn't aware of.

For me, the challenge was trying to eliminate other health issues as the cause for digestive distress before I could pin it on the packets because of the dx of IBS and taking a very strong medication for that which has it's own side effects even going as far as writing to the Manufacturer when my Physician and Pharmacist couldn't answer my questions, was very happy to get a response from the Manufacturer that was written for my Doc and Pharmacist

If members don't mind, I'm going to try to post additional information in this thread about Soy sensitivity so those struggling like myself can see if this fits before deciding to go off protocol.

My coach has been helpful but due to my specific health challenges (the IBS being medicated), we were looking more at veggies and changing up how much to eat and when.

Mayo Clinic PDF on Soy Allergy:

http://www.foodallergyangel.com/docu...%20Allergy.pdf

An Article at Live Strong about Adults Developing Soy Allergy (lots of good information at this site):
http://www.livestrong.com/article/35...ergy-symptoms/

One of the items mentioned here really hits home with me, the digestive upset because in my case I was trying to medicate the DU with Hyomax which wasn't working, then adding fairly large doses of Advil for the inflamed feeling which wasn't working because I continued to ingest products with Soy:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/35...soy-allergies/

I would like to be clear that I'm not advocating anyone quit using Soy products. I would like to share my situation and perhaps help others (or get help from others) on IP who might find themselves wondering about symptoms that are not consistent with how the majority are feeling and the information we are given about how we might feel in the first few weeks of starting IP. As I mentioned IP does have products we can use without Soy.

I am feeling much better after Soy elimination, my energy is picking up, no more sinus congestion or dry throat, no rashes and best of all the digestive system is feeling so much better. Light at the end of my Soy sensitivity tunnel

A very helpful resource about food allergies and intolerances:

USDA Resource List on Food Allergies and Intolerances for Consumers:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/allergy.pdf

Also, people with soy allergies or sensitivities should not eat soybean oil. I have a friend who has tons of food allergies, and soy is one of them. It's unreal how many products (pretty much every single commercial salad dressing, for instance) are made with soybean oil. You may want to look for that on labels too once you go off IP.

Thank you Walking2lose. I was surprised after reading quite a bit just how much Soy is in commercial products. I'm wondering if this hasn't been going on for a long time in terms of my IBS which may simply be a case of Soy Sensitivity instead of actual IBS. I know that food with MSG in it causes my tongue to swell. After eating out in the past year I tell my husband, there must have been MSG in the food because my tongue is swollen. Yikes, it is kinda scary in a way, now that I am more aware, I will be much more careful.

When I see the doc on the 9th, I'm definitely going to see if I can get referred for food allergy/sensitivity testing. Being on IP has helped because my diet is journaled and easier to identify foods in the past 6 weeks that might be an issue (mainly soy in the IP Packets).

You're well on your way to becoming #1-knowledgeable. The sources you site are great. The soy issue, for me, spelled my last hope of ever eating "prepared" packaged foods because I've known for years that I'm food sensitive to corn -- in all it's manifestations. So what processed food that doesn't have soy usually always has corn oil or corn starch, or frequently, both with a little soy added in for good measure. Fortunately, I like to cook.

Hi Linden,

I didn't notice any food intolerance's or sensitivities in myself until after gall bladder surgery (not for stones, inflammation/polyp). For me after surgery I began to notice I couldn't digest certain foods and I felt lousy. The problem with that was the multitude of tests for things like bile leak, slowed digestion, dumping syndrome, you name it, I had it, with the exception of food allergies.

I did get a referral to an Immunologist/Allergy Center and he basically told me he didn't think I had food allergies and that he suspected Lupus (negative test). He gave me samples for Rhinitis due to nasal drainage issues and mucus in my throat. I simply don't understand how food allergies or sensitivities weren't a top of the list elimination through testing.

The sinus drainage issues have really cleared up, as well as the mucus after stopping all forms of Soy. What I found interesting was the literature showing that Soy sensitivity could cause the Rhinitis

I hope my visit with a new doc on Wed will open the door to a better Doc/Patient relationship where listening occurs on both sides, the dx of IBS just seemed to be an easy out when food allergy testing should have been a simple routine test to eliminate other possible causes. The drug Hyomax used to treat IBS is very strong and is commonly used to treat Parkinson's, it also affects your ability to sweat or control body heat, some serious issues with that drug

Corn was another thing I couldn't tolerate after my gall bladder removal, I couldn't digest it, it made me feel ill after trying to eat it. I love corn, especially fresh on the cob

Appt with my coach tomorrow for weigh in (the scale still hasn't budged), will bring these other issues up and see where we can go. One of the physicians overseeing IP has an allergy clinic in Spokane, so I might be able to get some good information before I see the new Doc on wed (fingers crossed).

Thank you for replying, I enjoy your posts.

I've got my fingers crossed, too. You've done the homework, it's time to get an A.

Hello everyone,
I too have been searching for more info on possible allergens in the IP foods. After about 5 weeks I have developed a rash on my torso and arms. As I do have other food allergies, I believe this is also a food-borne allergy. Unfortunately, my coaches are not at all knowledgeable or helpful. Generally, I try an elimination diet to pinpoint the suspected allergen. I have not really been able to obtain sufficient information on ingredient lists to try to eliminate particular foods. I need to know which particular protein base is in each of the foods I eat:

Omelet plain or fine herb and cheese
Vanilla drink (milk box)
Milk chocolate bars
Soy puffs chocolate
White cheddar crisps
Dill pickle crisps
Caramel nut bars

This is basically all of the foods I was eating when the rash started and up until now. I otherwise feel very well on the diet and would like to continue but the itchiness, scratching and rash are really becoming a nuisance. Any help with info or where to find it would be most helpful.

Thanks

Tumbalone
Don't rule out the artificial sweeteners, too
Your best bet is to get the ingredients from the box. If you don't have the box,your coach should be providing you with the label info of the products you purchase.

I cut soy protein and gluten.

I can't tell you specifically what the particular protein base is other than the only ones of these that don't have soy are the Omelet, vanilla drink, and White Cheddar Crisps. All of the restricted IP items have soy except the White Cheddar and Sea Salt/Vinegar chips.