Recovery Happens. Believe It!

[squirmingitch]

In 2 months I will have been strict gluten free for 3 years. I have dermatitis herpetiformis, the skin presentation of celiac disease (for those of you who don't know me). 

 

I have good news to report. I am 5'1" and celiac disease had me down to 93 (at times 90) pounds. After going gluten free I would weigh myself & get depressed that I was not gaining weight. This went on for literally years. I did know not to expect much the first year so I wasn't that concerned & it didn't bum me out too much during that first year. By the end of year 2 though, it was getting pretty depressing every time I stepped on the scale & I hadn't gained anything. I got tired of seeing the same thing every time I stepped on the scale so I just quit weighing myself. Just about the last month or two, I noticed my jeans felt a bit tighter than they had been. I screwed up my courage the other day & stepped on the scale. 103. I thought it was an apparition. I Have weighed myself every day for 4 days & it always turns up 103! It's REAL!!!!!! FINALLY, FINALLY!!!!!!!

Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha! If this keeps up, I'm going to have to get a new wardrobe because of weight gain for the very first time in my life (I'm 57)!        

 

Also, my bp had been steadily inching up in the years before I found out I have celiac disease. Well folks, my blood pressure is now back to so normal there probably aren't many people in the world who have such normal bp. 

 

I've told you the things that can be measured. The other things like fatigue & gas, bloat, migraines, depression, etc., etc., etc...... have all resolved.

 

I do still have the rash. It is a billion times improved but I still get itchies here & there; rarely ever blisters any more. This is a humongous improvement. Those who know me, know what I'm talking about. I had the rash bad. It's just going to be a long time for me before I'm completely free of any vestige of the rash but I can certainly live with the state of it now. 

 

I have been reading in this forum thread after thread where you "newbies" are chomping at the bit for permanent improvement. I wanted to post this to let you know it really & truly WILL happen for you but it is not something that happens in mere months, nor in 6 months, nor in a year necessarily but it WILL happen. Some take longer than others. Just stay the course and know that one day it will be YOUR day to write a post like this.

 

[nvsmom]

Awesome reminder to hang in there and stay patient.    Here's to your good health!!

[1desperateladysaved]

Oh, what good news!   I step on the scale daily too and find a new low nearly every day.  It is so strange when different things finally begin to happen.  I remember those days in the beginning when I just wanted to measure my bloated waist and have it go down!  I just wanted something to be visible that someone besides me could see.  NOW these things are happening, though I have felt much better for over a year.  I am so glad for you to be experiencing measureable change and hope that squirmyitch will one day be able to change her name!  I posted before and after pictures elsewhere, and would like to post them on Celiac.com using only my code name.  However, so far my attempts have failed!

 

Dee

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[bartfull]

   

 

Squirming, you have been one of the most informed and helpful people here on the board. You may never know how many people you have helped, but they know. You deserve perfect health and it's so good to see you well on the way.  (((((HUGS)))))

[cyclinglady]

Congratulations!

I am really happy that your rash has improved. You are an inspiration for all folks with celiac disease, but even more so for those with DH!

[squirmingitch]

Awwwww, you guys are getting me all teary eyed but there's a huge smile on my face at the same time.

 

((((((((HUGS))))))) to all of you!

 

Happy healing!

[powerofpositivethinking]

I love reading posts like this!  Glad you are improving, and always a great reminder that good things will happen in time 

[GottaSki]

Yay Squirmy : )

[moosemalibu]

Wonderful to read -  am still a newbie myself and sometimes find myself getting impatient. Great reminder as well as hope!