Wheat wheat, go away

My daughter has had sinus "issues" ever since she was 3. Even before. ALWAYS a cold. And the last few years it's been ONLY sinus pressure. No sore throat, no ear problems, no anything but drainage CONSTANTLY. She's had her adenoids taken out, she's been on every medicine known to man (over the counter and prescrip) and has been to the Allergist twice to rule out dust, cats, pollen, grass....the normal allergies. Nope, she's not allergic. *ahem*

And it's not like her symptoms come and go with the weather. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter - she's usually best in Summer, but just barely. It's not a weather thing.

A friend of mine mentioned recently to me that her son had the same symptoms and when they cut wheat out his diet, he cleared up like that *snaps fingers*. I never thought of allergies manifesting in sinus related issues. Duh. I don't know why.

So, we are going to try this. No, we haven't been to a doctor yet - because I know they'll just make her do what I'm making her do: Keep a food journal complete with how she's feeling throughout the day (really stuffed up after lunch? Not so bad in the morning? Write it down) and then routinely eliminate one possible food group for a set period of time and see how that goes. Once I think I know what the culprit is, I'll search out an Allergist and we'll take her.

We are starting with wheat. She does eat a lot of bread (and so do I *sigh*) so I told her we'd do it together. Just got back from the 2-hour grocery store trip to try and stock up on non-wheat type snacks and food. *reading EVERY label and realizing everything we eat has wheat....* We can still have cereal (corn flakes and rice krispies, thank you) and we'll adjust what we're having for dinner the next few nights (meat and potatoes or taco night instead of bread-heavy stuff like pasta)...I'm REALLY hoping we've found something here and if it's not wheat, then at least it's something else food-related. Maybe milk. Maybe something more specific.

All I know is I feel SO bad for her always sniffing, blowing her nose, sounding like she has a clothespin on her nose....and constantly having a hard time breathing, etc. And I'm also sick of doctors just telling us to get a vaporizer for her room, drug her up with whatever cocktail is the current fad, and she'll get over it.

Whatever!

The one thing that HAS helped has been her netti-pot - it's a sinus rinse and she hates doing it, but it does clear her out temporarily.

Wish us luck - and I hope I do not turn into CRANKY KELLY this next week or so by not having my bread/pasta/wheat items which I know I have too much of. Oh hell, I will. I figure it's only fair she has someone do this with her and besides it's better for me, anyway.