It was after Christmas, nearing the end of 2013.  It had been a busy time, buying, wrapping and exchanging presents; catching up with friends and celebrating with family.  Just before New Year Sally realised she had no energy, having to force herself to do anything at all.

Not only was everything a huge effort, but her head was tight with pain acress the forehead.  Strong flavours and smells made her feel ill.  Not even her favourite, life-saving decaf coffee or gentle food like rice, light chicken and dry crackers appealed.  On the left side of her face (always the susceptible side) the ear was blocked and sideways movements brought on vertigo giddiness.  Sally's eyes were sticky and running, her finger joints sore and stiff.  When she caught sight of her face in the mirror, it was pale with fluid bumps under the eyes.  Sally realised she had been hit by a full blown salicylate attack.  A horrible spaced out condition she had almost forgotten.

The feeling had crept up on her, but how quickly she remembered being like this, so many times in the past.

Sally thought with the passing of time, especially with the care she took with salicylate intake and use, she would never feel this way again.

She'd been so careful.  Only after being clear of symptoms following a strict low salicylate diet, did she cautiously introduce more moderate, high and even a few very high salicylates sparingly and very gradually, into her world.  It was trial and error.  Amongst the highest salicylate successes were firm, just ripe avocados and good quality low alcohol French red wine.

Not all food items, however, have turned out so well.  Lemon in any shape or form is always hopeless, most high fruit, particularly rockmelon, along with all herbs need to be treated with great caution and pepper in particular, along with tomatoes and olive oil are no, nos.

So, having been reasonably well for such a long time, what had caused this now?

In strong health, Sally realised the introduced salicylate side effects had been kept at bay, but with so much going on, she could see her resistance would be down.

It was also possible, salicylate levels were tipped over the edge when she used a new Clinique eye makeup.

Sally usually keeps to sal free brands, but sometimes Clinique products are OK. In this case, amongst the ingredients were a couple of very small amounts of of salicylates.  In good health this probably would have been alright.  This time, Sally was fairly certain it definately was not.

Sally threw it away, went back to absolute basics with her food and to her immense relief, a few days later, her good health returned.

It's a huge reminder that the intolerance has not and my not ever go away.  Sally knows she won't ever knowingly, make the same mistake again.