is it the sulphur or is it the high FODMAP's of onion and Garlic?

Definitely the tea, as I have not had onion or garlic for about a year now...& from my extensive research last night, after suddenly putting 2&2 together, after the effects of the tea...I've now learned more about tea
I have finally realised another reason why things hadn't been getting better lately, as it hadn't occurred to me that a small amount of tea would make a difference (well I guess 2-3 strong mugs ain't small though) & as I was not having tea every day (just occasionally when I fancied it & usually when I make it for Mr P - who shouldn't be drinking it either ) I hadn't factured its effect in, until tea was all I had last night...

Quoted from Possum

I am highly allergic to sulphur

So am I. Almost ended up on my death bed when I was a teenager, I was given a sulfa-based antibiotic.

Like TJ, I cannot eat raw onions, garlic, radishes, and eggs make me feel not too good.

However when onions, garlic and radishes are fully cooked, I am ok. Interesting.

Poor you!! Yeah those sulpha based drugs are a huge problem - had a friend lose her 2 yr old to them even though his cards said no sulpha!!! & when my daughter was 10 yrs old she had a sulpha based antibiotic that made her swell to twice her usual petite size & itch all over & yet when we took her to an emergency doctor he still didn't pick up the cause, so we gave her a couple more doses of the antibiotics before I realised *sigh*

Quoted from Spring

Drive, I think you have made some huge strides since the last time I saw one of your posts! I didn't know you had such a wonderful sense of humor! And even though you are still having problems you sound so much more positive! Good for you!

Thank you Spring!  It's good to be reminded that I've come a long way.  It's easy to forget and to be preoccupied with what's still not quite right.

Quoted from 14922

However when onions, garlic and radishes are fully cooked, I am ok. Interesting.

I seem to do ok if they are cooked and if I only indulge occasionally.  Onions are easier to take than garlic.

BTW, my dad also has problems with sulfa drugs.  I've never taken them, but I suspect I'd also react badly.

Hi Poss, the garlic and onion comment was for TJ, but interesting about the sulpha antibiotics, didn't know that.

came across the following random info sulfite intolerance which may be of use

The enzyme in the body tissues that processes sulfites is called Sulfite Oxidase. This enzyme requires certain nutrients in order to function correctly, otherwise the probability of a reaction is high. These nutrients are: Vitamin B12, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron, and Molybdenum. Vitamin B1, B6 & Folic Acid are depleted by excess sulfites so you will need to supplement these also. If you take a daily multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement, that should be enough for everything but the zinc and B12. Those will require a separate supplement. I use an oral spray Vitamin B12 (methylcobolamine - lacks the toxicity of cyanocobolamine) several times a day and I also get the injections (can't absorb B12 in my gut due to chronic gastrointestinal dysmotility and inflammation) of methylcobolamine. Also, you will need to inform your doctors that most topical anasthetics have unlabeled sulfites in them (carbocaine is safe).

Here are some links you may find interesting:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/sulfite-sensitivity
http://allergies.about.com/od/foodallergies/a/sulfites.htm
http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/html/Sulfides.html
http://www.allergycapital.com.au/Pages/sulphites.html
http://www.med-library.net/content/view/453/41/
http://members.aol.com/nosulfites/
http://www.babyandkidallergies.com/sulfites.php
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1307260&blobtype=pdf (since this article was written, sulfites have been banned on salad bars, but food manufacturers use sulfites on many foods, and some foods have naturally occurring sulfites).

The general rule of thumb is that the less the food is processed, the lower the sulfite content (usually). My own diet is restricted by other issues (food allergies, etc.), so I won't get into too much detail. To avoid sulfite reactions, I find that I need to avoid things with sulfites clearly listed on the label, as well as things containing corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, citrates, sorbates, etc. I try to keep the ingredient list as short as possible.

TJ and Possum re: him being pregnant good one!

I have problems with sulphur too, definitely sulphur dioxide in wine or dried fruits and potassium sorbate (often found in HFS in goji juice  ).  

Your dad sounds like he could be an explorer, sulphur drugs are mentioned in the GTD book as being a problem in the example.  Wonder if the reaction he had could be porphyria which Drs don't often think of or check for.  Interestingly some say garlic etc can make porphyria worse too cos they increase the P450 enzymes which while it will help your liver work also increases porphyrins.  No wonder garlic keeps away vampires (myth apparently about porphyria sufferers who avoid the light and need haem to stop the reaction).

Some ways to increasing sulphur tolerance might be epsom salt baths giving you more sulphate to increase PST and help the clearance. Also N-Acetyl-Cysteine could help if it's suitable for you (also found in whey mostly in the concentrate rather than isolate).

Another idea about onions.  Isn't it a prebiotic food (like PC said a FODMAP) that probably Bs don't need but As do cos Bs have enough bacteria in their gut but As don't.  That's what I wondered for a while.  
Like you Sooks, I can't eat raw onion, garlic or radishes (why do they put red onion in salads!  ) but cooked is fine.  As soon as my gut feels out of whack bacteria wise both cooked seem to help the good bacteria fight back and cook with them lots preventative.     Eggs I can't eat too many of (at camp once we had them every day and I cleared a whole dorm out with my pungenat swamp gas) but in moderation okay.

Glad I came accross this thread. I never have gas problems anymore but recently I do. My antibiotics must have sulfer in them. My son had a bad reaction to a sulfer drug last summer.

Quoted from PrincessMia

Glad I came accross this thread. I never have gas problems anymore but recently I do. My antibiotics must have sulfer in them. My son had a bad reaction to a sulfer drug last summer.

I just checked my medication, it does not have sulfer. The problem started when I started taking this medication. I am not doing anything different otherwise. The gas has a very strong sulfer smell. I dont know what could be causing it. Unless the meds make me more sensitive to foods I am normally used to . Who knows.

Quoted from PrincessMia

The problem started when I started taking this medication. I am not doing anything different otherwise. The gas has a very strong sulfer smell. I dont know what could be causing it. Unless the meds make me more sensitive to foods I am normally used to . Who knows.

I think this shows the effect that antibiotics have on your normally functional gut flora.  You would probably benefit from some Type based probiotics to aid in the digestive process during and a few weeks after the antibiotic session.

Quoted from ABJoe

I think this shows the effect that antibiotics have on your normally functional gut flora.  You would probably benefit from some Type based probiotics to aid in the digestive process during and a few weeks after the antibiotic session.

Thank you ABJoe.

Symbi, dad is probably a Nomad.  He smokes and used to drink heavily, and worked as a mechanic around automotive chemicals, fumes, and exhaust all day!

PrincessMia as someone helpfully suggested*, when I was having a reaction to split peas (with clear the room gas - thank goodness I was home alone at the time ) it could have been that the effect of the molydenum in the peas released the sulphur stored in my system??!!
Maybe there is indeed something else in that medication that is effecting you (unfortunately possibly not in the good way that the split peas have had on me) as I am pleased to report *they must have been right, as now I seem to be able to eat split peas with no problem & my skin is clearing up...

Ok Nomad (the coolest type  ), err probably we can all have some explorer traits though.  Every type has it's downfalls with a bad environment and lifestyle.  

Glad your skin is clearing up Possum!

Had some sulphur dioxide last night in one glass of Aussie red wine with dinner (spag bolognaise sauce and mash) (and a late night playing music with family) and have a headache today, but it was worth it.  Fun and change of routine very invigorating!

Further experimenting - tried out steamed broccoli stems with my lamb chops last night...They were yummy but almost straight away I got a break out & was burping...So no more broccoli for me Between this sort of reaction & glycemic problems with some other vegs (& fruit) no wonder I don't major on fruit & veg...

Added slight complicating problem was, I had a taste of an "experiment" which was in the blender, just before my dinner finished cooking (just ground almonds & 1 egg at that stage) so I doubt that it was enough to cause the reaction & my skin had been settled all day & the night before

Sulfa-based antibiotics really bother me. Ache all over and my kidneys really hurt.

Yeah I can imagine!! Last night my chin really ached; would you believe??!! & talk about weird dreams??!! In my dream I was my daughter (& friends with her high school buddy), but at the same time, our local radio dj was my father in law...Oh & I just remembered I had one of those hallucinating-waking-up-screaming dreams too, where a large round glass object was about to fall & smash & I had to reach out & grab it!! Man ???!!!

Does anyone here know whether essential oils contain sulphur? I am researching & it  seems some may, more than others, which would explain why I can just about tolerate some being burned but can't go near others... Stupid question of course they do!!  
"In plants, the Sulfur resides in the essential oils, which are both the most concentrated and most etheric constituent of a plant. This speaks to the dichotomy of the Sulfur level, and the way in which it can sit at the deepest center of being, while also being the most elevated and immaterial..." al-kemi.com/alchemy/2010/09/sulfur-the-soul-of-spagyrics/

I am still interested in why I react more to some oils than to others... ie geranium, lemon, lemongrass, lavendar etc

Still interested in other people's opinions on this tpic...Pecans seem to bother me less than almonds for instance...

Thank you for this valuable information. However, I cant believe I missed this one. My lemon juice has sodium bisulfate in it. I feel like I cant eat anything!!! Sorry, I know many others have much more difficult problems, but this is important to me.

I am starting to not even want as much olive oil on my salad... my body is changing ( probably for the good). Back to the basics, now.

Recently, I feel like I can't trust anything on the market... not even almond butter. I know, I know, I need to focus on what I can eat

I had some butter and feel horrible, because I usually do not have dairy at all.

Veggies, plain
Protein, Plain
Fruit- ok, but need to limit or feel a sugar high...

Is this my life?

Quoted from Possum

Still interested in other people's opinions on this tpic...Pecans seem to bother me less than almonds for instance...

pecans are ok on my swami, but I gain weight when I eat them just like macadamia, plus I dont digest them well. Could be the sulphur?

You definitely initiated me to research this topic, and I am scared about what i am reading... I think I should never buy food again!!!

one more thing, raw onions kill me as well... just needed to add that one in.

Quoted from marjorie

You definitely initiated me to research this topic, and I am scared about what i am reading... I think I should never buy food again!!!