Needing To Vent

[statedrone]

I will try and make this as short as possible, but even in written form I am long winded. I am frustrated, irritated, and just down right tired. I am not even too sure where to start.

As I posted in my introduction post, due to being sick I lost my job, and my insurance. The COBRA was so expensive I could not afford the 700.00 a month premium. My regular doctor was in Internist, and just to walk in the door is 125.00. He was basically useless, as was the gastroenterologist. They both told me that since my sister had celiac, I had a better understanding than most and I didn’t need a nutritionist, etc. Also that since my blood work was fine back in March; they saw no reason to run additional tests. From March to August I lost 70 pounds. You think there may be a problem???? I guess I am the only one who thought so.

I have gone gluten free, I am taking vitamins daily. I am eating healthier than I ever have in my whole life, but I still feel like crap. To run down the partial list: joint/muscle pain, fatigue, weakness, insomnia, occasional migraines, brain fog, and diarrhea still 2 or 3 times a week. I know it takes time for the body to heal but I have not had a bit of gluten since August 17, 2006. I gave away or threw out all the gluten in my house, and I have not eaten out anywhere. Even when I went to a relatives for Thanksgiving, I brought some of my own food, and my MIL triple checked everything for me, before I ate it.

I worked in the criminal justice/social services/non-profit field. I have 2 bachelors and a master’s degree. I worked hard, very hard. But by the time I was diagnosed I was so tired, and so sick, and so mentally and physically exhausted, I was at a point where I could no longer function. I have spent the last 3 months learning how to cook again, and getting my body and mind back into shape. But it feels like it is not working.

I have been out on the interview circuit, and have had a few interviews. Then the question comes up why did you leave you last job? I do not want to lie and they can call my last employer and confirm what happened. Also my job before that I was out sick quite a few times, due to surgeries (that I now think were related to celiac) so I tell them. But I also tell them that before that I had perfect attendance, and I am better now. But as soon as I tell them, I can see the look of panic on their face, and I can kiss that job goodbye. In addition, to that, I am not even too sure I am able or even capable of going back to work, and working the 50-80 hours a week. Every job I have ever had that was my usual work week. I tried temp work back in October, I made it a week, and I could not go on. When I would get home at night I would fall into bed, unable to do anything.

I guess I am at an impasse and not too sure where to go from here. I guess what I am asking for is any advice? Any words of wisdom? Anything?

[Guest cassidy]

Sorry you are going through such a rough time. It sounds to me like getting your health better is the first thing to deal with. Once you are better then maybe you will be up to working again. I realize that money is a necessity, but I don't see how you can do things in the reverse order.

It seems like you understand the diet and it sounds like you are very careful and have eliminated all sources of cc. I would still look again. Any shampoo, lotion, or other cosmetic? Any ingredient changes on anything that you are eating?

Also, what else have you eliminated? A lot of people have dairy issues and find other intolerances after going gluten-free. It might help to eat a very basic diet and keep a food diary to see if you have good and bad days if you are really limiting the types of foods you eat. I think that nightshades are bad if you have arthritis and joint issues, have you eliminated them?

Lastly, when I went gluten-free I got a little better but still felt bad. I had a 3 day stool test and discovered that I had an amoeba, bad bacteria, candida overgrowth and almost no good bacteria. I was on 2 nasty antibiotics and an antifungal plus tons of probiotics and after a few months I finally felt better. I went to a natural doctor who figured all that out. I realize that when you aren't working, money is a big issue, but maybe there is an alternative doctor in your area that can help.

So, there may be other things going on that you can't figure out on your own and traditional doctors won't "waste their tim" trying to figure it out.

I hope you feel better soon. Once you are feeling better I'm sure it will be easier to deal with the job search. I got fired from my last job because the company I was interviewing with called to check my employment history before they offered me the job, so the current company found out I was looking and fired me on the spot. I was honest about it and had no problem getting another job. If you can tell future employers that you were sick and maybe if you have a note that you are better, then they will believe it is a problem in the past.

[statedrone]

Any shampoo, lotion, or other cosmetic? Any ingredient changes on anything that you are eating?

Also, what else have you eliminated? A lot of people have dairy issues and find other intolerances after going gluten-free. It might help to eat a very basic diet and keep a food diary to see if you have good and bad days if you are really limiting the types of foods you eat. I think that nightshades are bad if you have arthritis and joint issues, have you eliminated them?

I did do a check of all my shampoo, soap, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry and dish soap, and toothpaste. I don’t use make up or lotions, they tend to bother me.

When I first started the gluten free diet, I was sort of scared, so I stuck with a meat and vegetable diet. My usual was natural boneless, skinless chicken breasts, steamed vegetables: corn, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, celery, cabbage, and peas. Then after about 3 weeks, I started in on red meat, pork, potatoes, rice, added milk, butter, etc back to my diet. When I first starting eating gluten free, I wanted to go as basic as possible, and then add back slowly. I have been keeping a food journal of what I eat during the day. But I haven’t really been able to pinpoint one thing from another. The same symptoms appear day after day. Since this past weekend, I have gone back to the basics, chicken and vegetables, with the occasional fruit. We will see how that goes.

I am going to call around tomorrow and see if I can find a less expensive doctor, and get some blood work done, but I know that will take forever.

I do need the money, but also I am going stir crazy sitting here. Sick or not, I do not sit well. I need to be doing something. But then I do not have the energy to do a lot of something. When I am at home, my mind starts to wander, and then I get stressed about things I have absolutely no control over. Can you say control freak?

Thanks for the advice, and the ear. I was in a pouting mood tonight my husband is asleep and the cats and dogs do not listen well.

[Budew]

Cassidy has good advice. The only other thing to note are the vitamins. I recently realized I have trouble with salicaylates. I noticed some of the veggies you are eating are high. Once I lowered the level with foods it became evident that the vitamin suppilments were a problem for me. I am doing better now that I cut them out. The other big difference was brushing my teeth with Baking Soda, even gluten-free toothpaste was like a poison for me.

My sister recently needed to get insurance on her own. Like you cobra was very high priced. She found that Blue Cross had a reasonably priced package.

I too did not get better after going gluten-free. Doctors really gave up. Finally I eliminated all grain, legumes, and nightshades. They all helped but when I limited the salicaylates I finally began to feel better. Also using digestive enzymes seemed to be the key to begin healing. I take l-glutamine and probiotics with FOS.

Hang in there.