Posted by: IhateSoy67
« on: November 07, 2013, 10:27:34 PM »I recommend CALLING on any product that you intend to use if you want to try avoiding soy-derived ingredients.
It will probably prove impossible to eat/avoid otherwise, unfortunately-- because so many (highly refined) soy-derived ingredients are used as processing agents and aren't disclosed otherwise.
My personal strategy would be to simplify what I eat/have contact with to ONLY those things that I have called and feel sure don't contain those derivatives, and trial that lifestyle for a few weeks, journaling whether or not symptoms worsen/abate, and then add derivatives back in slowly, one at a time, to determine whether or not there is any impact.
Also, be aware that some symptoms can very easily be elicited via placebo effect here.
The joint and other autoimmune symptoms that you mention are far more typical of celiac than of food allergy-- I'm assuming that with a possible wheat allergy, you've been thoroughly evaluated for celiac, but I'm mentioning that just in case. IBS-type symptoms + RA makes me VERY suspicious, however.
It would be very unusual for someone with an IgE-mediated soy allergy to have such sensitivity without also having very severe responses to the allergen (that is, anaphylaxis). I definitely have experienced IBS-like symptoms to some foods, but that kind of symptom package is really mild compared to anaphylactic responses to an allergen-- it's a little tough to say which is which when discussing symptoms, because it's really more a matter of degree, if that makes sense.
Soy is in SO many things, though-- it is really hard to avoid successfully. Do you have the ability to live a super-modified lifestyle for a few weeks to try it? It literally means no prepackaged anything, more or less.
Hi CMdeux,
Yes, I can live a modified lifestyle. I have not knowingly had grains for at least 3 months. The only place where I might be getting exposure to soy/ wheat at this point is in toothpaste, medications, mouthwash, and the like. I have been checked for celiac and told I do not have it.