No...I was up in the night

...But it was different.

We did go for Chinese...and I didn't eat quite as much as usual. (I've recognized that I don't eat as much Chinese as one, thin, lady I know. Whew!)

Still, my relief lasted through the late movie. (Gary Cooper in James Michener's 'Return to Paradize', which I had never seen before.)

I went to bed at 1:30 a.m., content.

My first awakening was delicious...I lay there a long time, almost forgetting to get up and go, just in case. My dream had been clear and calm. Although I knew I 'should' get up, it was a luxury not to 'have to', you know. Eventually I did.

The second time, I was thinking would be the same, but suddenly I felt the 'irritation', as I lay there.

I don't remember feeling this so pointedly before. Now I recognize 'the sting' one doctor mentioned. I have been feeling it for a long, long time...but not so definitely 'off' and 'on' as this.

Soon I was back in bed, diving into sleep.

At 5:45 a.m. I rushed to relieve the strong irritation once more, and, though groggy, stayed up to come here, knowing I would not fall asleep easily. I have dry mouth, too, and I had noticed it after my first awakening but didn't go for water.

I'm almost positive it was the Chinese smorg that brought on the 'irritation'.

You see, the restaurant we go to has little red stickers which say, "NO Mono-Sodium-Glutamat (Natrium Glutamat) added."

I'm pretty sure they don't ADD MSG, just as I am pretty sure they use powdered sauce mix, and don't slow-cook their own broths.

(I know a Taiwanese 5-star chef who does. His vegetable broths simmer at least 10 hours. But he also uses tofu and ketchup in various dishes, which I try to avoid.)

So, seeking that same relief, I will eat some whole grain for breakfast, probably the leftover rice, heated, with chopped zucchini stirred in, and soft-poached eggs on top.

A certain steel-cut oats, from the healthfood store, calls to me. I think I'll have that tomorrow.

I'll be narrowing down my choices today...seeing if I can 'prove' which foods cause this irritation in me. I'll see if I can stick to whole foods prepared from scratch.

Back tomorrow, or anytime I get a brainwave.

Please tell me anything you've noticed, will you?

Note: I am a smoker, sigh, but this relief period came while I continued to smoke...so I'm hoping...

I take no medications, and haven't for most of my life.

F.


Hm-m-m... I just had a thought...maybe the dry mouth (dehydration?) plays a part in the urinary irritation. I should check that out.