FOR Heather Webb, a meal out with friends or even a simple cup of tea while visiting relatives can make her life hell.

The former nurse is plagued by food intolerance which means foods we take for granted cause her abdominal cramps, cold sweats, diarrhoea and even depression.

Despite being recommended a treatment which could improve life substantially, she has been told by Buckinghamshire Health Authority and Chilterns and South Bucks Primary Care Group they cannot help fund it.

Mrs Webb, of Loudhams Road, Little Chalfont, started to suffer from food intolerance in 1999.

She found foods such as wheat, oats, rye, fish, chicken, apples, oranges, yeast and sugar can give her painful bouts of diarrhoea.

"It is hell," she said. "I live my life on eating the same meals on a three-day rota system. I can't go out for meals or just pop round to a friend's house for tea or coffee because I can only drink water.

"Even having sugar can end up giving me severe depression and I'm just sick of the whole thing."

Mrs Webb tried various diets until eventually she got in touch with an expert who recommended enzyme potential de-sensitisation. The treatment helps by strengthening the immune system against common allergies in the same way a vaccine works.

It would be carried out at the Royal Homeopathic Hospital and would cost £65 for an injection every quarter for two years.

"I can't believe they won't help me fund this as it could change my life. It's not a hugely expensive treatment and I have paid into the system," she said.

A BHA spokesman said: "Private treatment for food intolerance and chemical sensitivity are not generally funded by the NHS. Individual cases are considered by the local PCGs. Referrals to NHS allergy specialists are considered via GPs."