Introduction

[Kirian]

have been lurking here for almost a week now. A friend of mine who is a member convinced me to sign up. I figured it was also time to introduce myself.

My history: I was diagnosed with Migraines and Anemia when I was 10 years old. The Migraine diagnosis was confirmed about 12 years later by a Neurologist who also diagnosed me with a rare ailment in women (particularly at my age)- cluster headaches. I have managed with both of these over the years. I have taken various Migraine meds and was even taking anti depressants at one point to help control them. This only made an extreme manic-depressive - it was truly horrible!

I have also always had problems with my weight. I was overweight for as long as I remember. Right around the time that I got my first period. I just ballooned up. I also had a LOT of allergies and was on a strict diet as a result. I was also diagnosed with Asthma. My mom was approached by my teachers over the years and they tried to convince her I had ADD. Thankfully she never followed up on that with any of my docs. I think she was terrified of the meds I would have to be on.

Fast forward to a little over 2 years ago. Hubby and I had just gotten engaged and things with his family and wedding planning were getting quite stressful. Add to that a job I hated and was also stressing out over and que me getting sick. I would get very light headed and almost pass out. I had to go to the nurse at work more than once to lay down for a bit. I was also getting heart palpitations and fluttering. My Migraines got worse and the frequency increased. Labored breathing, severe fatigue, blurred vision, tingling fingers and chills were also among some of the symptoms. The doc immediately ordered tests and everything came back fine. We chalked it up to the stress and he told me things to do to help calm myself and get through this.

That brings us up to now. I started looking into Celiac disease because I have a friend that has it. I was curious what it was exactly. I came here and started to research it. The more I read the more floored I was. It was starting to sound more and more like myself. Ever since that incident 2 years ago I have never quite felt the same. I was astonished to read the term brain fog and to find out that this is not a normal thing to feel! I don't have a lot of gastric issues except when TOM comes and then I suffer from the gurgling / churning tummy and D too. I also get pain and discomfort that is much more then cramps. I am always tired - worse when TOM is around. I find myself napping fairly often. I burp a LOT - no matter what I eat. I have yellow and very soft teeth that break easy. I am sure there are things I am missing this is all I can think of right now.

My headaches had also gotten worse and more frequent over the last month. I keep a food diary since I am working on losing weight. When I went back through it I had increased the amount of gluten containing foods I was eating when they started to get worse.

So - here I am. I have researched all my options and decided to go with doing my own food challenge. I have just had enough of docs and tests lately (even though I love mine). So, I have been gluten free since Saturday (including household and personal products). I do feel somewhat better already. I have been headache free for the last 2 days. It is still kinda there in a way - like a very dull pain hiding under the surface but has not bloomed into a full blown one. The last 2 days I have had some blissful moments where my brain fog lifted and I could think clearly. I woke up this am without a sore throat for the first time in years (this could just be coincidence). I am less burpy too which is nice. I have had some issues with heartburn and nausea, both after ingesting dairy so I will cut out lactose for now.

If I respond well to this and have a problem when I try to add gluten back in then I would probably accept the elimination diet and any reactions after as a diagnosis. What is more important to me is feeling better and finally ridding myself of some of these issues.

So - you will all come to know that I do ramble on as I have done here! I am just so glad I looked into this and found this forum to boot! Thanks to those of you that get this far in reading my saga!

[Guest Robbin]

Welcome. Yes, you certainly sound like a lot of us here. Just to let you know, however, that if you plan on having bloodwork done, you should not go gluten free before tests. I made that mistake myself. You can get a false test result. Also, a lot of times you will feel blessed relief at first, then start to feel the "withdrawal" symptoms. These can be very trying, but if you are aware of the possibility of feeling worse before better for awhile, it will not be discouraging. Not all people experience a bad withdrawal, though I thought I'd warn you. Take care and keep us posted. This is a good place to be to find answers.

[Kirian]

Thanks for the welcome Robin. Nope - going to go without the testing for now. I could have sworn that I mentioned I will possibly use Enterolab at a later date if I decide I want an official diagnosis. Though my doc is forward thinking enough that he would probablly accept the dietary response.

I am aware of the withdrawl and do know it may be coming. That's ok - at least I expect it. I went from withdrawl when I gave up sugar too so I know how much fun that can be.

Thanks again!

[Vladimir Gluten]

Welcome.

Just to let you know, I'm at 6 weeks gluten-free and my mental clarity is astounding. The Brain fog is gone.

I am now training myself to sit and concentrate on a task for a long periods of time. With the brain fog it was always difficult.

Good luck.

[Judyin Philly]

WELCOME KIRIAN--NOTICED THAT YOU POSTED ABOUT 11:00 PM SO YOU SOULD HAVE ALOT MORE RESPONCES TOMORROW. I'M UP LATER THAN USUAL.

TIRED SO WON'T POST MUCH BUT...I CAN RELATE TO THE FOLLOWING...

FOUGHT MY WEIGHT ALL MY LIFE...ALOT OF US ON HERE HAVE WEIGHT ISSUES SO IT'S NOT ALL THE FRAIL THIN, ONES THE DOC'S THINK ABOUT. THINK I WAS OVER LOOKED FOR YEARS B/C OF THIS..

BURPING, GAS, BRAIN FOG, HEADACHES (HAVE YOU CUT ALL ASPERTAIN AND ARTIC SWEETNERS?) IMMEDIATELY HEADACHES WENT AWAY..I DRINK APPLE EVE OR NORTHLAND CRANBERRY JUICE / SELTZER WATER W/O SODIUM..OR A/SWEETNER..AND IT'S REFRESHING..

MY DR FINALLY DID THE BLOOD WORK AFTER I WENT TO HIM WITH 5 WEEKS OF BEING HOME BOUND DUE TO WATER 'D' THAT I COUDN'T CONTROL AT ALL...AND COULDN'T EAT AND DIDN'T AT......AND.....GAINED 16 # THE BLOOD TEST CAME BACK LOW BUT HE SAID TRY THE DIET AND SEE IF IT WORKS AND IF IT DOESN YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER --SAME WITH GI I'D SEEN FOR YEARS FOR 'D' AND IBS HA LOT'S OF US SUFFERED FOR YEARS W THAT DX UNTIL WE BECAME gluten-free.

OTHER THINGS IN COMMON BUT...GLAD YOUR HERE AND GLAD YOU 'LURKED' I DID TOO BEFOR EPOSTING.

JUDY IN PHILLY

[AndreaB]

I was one who didn't have any obvious symptoms. I was diagnosed intolerant by enterolab. Just wanted to say welcome.

[Daxin]

Welcome,

I've been gluten free for about 2 months now, also with no official dx. The dietary response has been amazing, and I am feeling SO much better

If the diet challenge produces results, and you begin to improve, and if your Dr. is forward thinking as you say, then things will be fine.

Again, welcome to the boards.

[Kirian]

Thank you for a warm welcome!

Vladimir: Wow - no brain fog, huh? Amazing. I cannot wait for that to happen! I have to admit, it will be nice to be able to focus and concentrate on things.

Judyin: Thanks for sharing your experience with your weight. I am doing better with that and have lost 20 pounds since the end of March. Yup, I am artificial sweetner free too. I also cut way back on my sodium and have been eating very healthy for a while now. Certainly makes the transition to gluten free so much easier!

Andrea: Thanks. Interesting that you can have no symptoms and still be intolerant. Thanks for sharing that!

Daxin: Thanks for sharing that. I am really looking forward to the good days ahead.

[lorka150]

Welcome, my friend.

[Kirian]

Thank you dear!

[penguin]

Many welcomes! I see that you're in Albany, I'm not sure if you're close to any, but Wegman's has a "G" on everything of their brand that is gluten-free.

[Kirian]

Thanks for the tip. No Wegman's here - not sure where the closest one is. I do make periodic voyages to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods though.

[Judyin Philly]

Hi Kirian

Seems like your off to a good start.

I've been gluten-free for 1 year this month and lost 50#

Tip, If you really want to loose weight, I'd steer clear of the 'great gluten-free' goodie treats...Stopped losing since I've added a few of those..but also--- do to celluitis for 6 weeks and now lymphedema, I haven't been able to swim for 2 months and that doesn't help w/ the weight loss either...

judyin philly

[Kirian]

Thanks! I do feel like I have a good handle on this. Between my friend and this site I have just learned so much!

Thanks for the tip too!

I have been following South Beach since the end of March. That is how I lost the weight. So typcial foods for me are lean meats, LOTS of veggies, fruit, some cheese, dairy, grains (gluten-free ones now). I don't eat much of anything that is pre-made, and fruit is my new goodie! It totally satisfies my sweet tooth now and veggies with ranch dressing satisfy my snacking side. It is amazing how much my dietary habits have changed!