As a student I did well enough except where maths was necessary, particularly that required for the biochemistry practical classes. Fortunately, I was helped by my very-bright boyfriend, Cary. See picture of us attending the Uni balls which we spent fun time dressing up for. I enjoyed designing and sewing dresses from hand-me-down evening gowns with lovely materials. The studentship allowance that supported me studying was just enough for essentials.
We had classes from 9am to 4pm for the five-day week. I coped by having an hour’s sleep when I got back to the hostel before dinner, and then studying with other students late into the evenings. I usually had a headache late in the day. I used to take a couple of salicylate tablets as aspirin and eventually realized that I got benefit faster if I placed them under my tongue to dissolve. Then I gradually increased the number until I got up to six tablets. At some level, as a student of physiology and biochemistry, I knew that this was not a good idea and decreased them. Years later when I worked out I benefitted from a low salicylate diet, I realised that I had not only had pain relief from the salicylate in the aspirin but was probably giving myself a temporary “high” from using aspirin. The “low” was probably the headache I had the next day. I don’t remember when I heard that my grandmother’s face used to swell up whenever she had aspirin, but that may also have been part of my decision.
The other story of interest related to salicylate sensitivity happened when I went to give blood at the blood bank. A few days later I was called to the office of the Principal of the college to ask why I had such a low blood iron level. The Principal seemed more concerned about my letting down the name of the college by being a student in nutrition whose blood iron was too low, than any concern for me.
Two years later, when I was a student dietitian at Royal Perth Hospital and could eat well in the nurses’ dining room, I ate meat three times a day and after three months visited the blood bank to donate blood. The nice doctor rejected me kindly saying some people just did not manage iron storage well enough to donate blood and it seemed like I was one of these. I took iron tablets during my two pregnancies four years later so my blood iron levels stayed in the normal range.
What was interesting several years later, when I was helping many food sensitive families, was that many of the mothers reported anaemia. What was even more amazing was that on the low salicylate Feingold diet my blood iron levels greatly improved, and my patients also reported similar improvements. I presume that salicylates, and the similarly shaped additive colours, flavours, and benzoates preservatives, interfere with iron absorption and/or storage.
WowJoan.. Gorgeous photo and how wonderful you could sew as well as become a dietitian and help us all.
I too swell up from Aspirin and find the lymph glands on my neck get very congested when I have wine In combination with other salycilate laden foods. This makes me feel uncomfortable and mildly unwell. Look forward to your next blog chapter!