So Here I Am......

[Guest BornToRide]

....after many years of thinking that I did not fit the profile of true celiac disease. Well, to be fair, I do not, I have more latent or subclinical symptoms. I am 45 years old and am now on a journey of full recovery, hopefully soon.

It started when I was a teenager. Born and raised in Germany I was plenty exposed to breads and gluten.

Once I entered puberty, my energy levels went down. I was never a party girl and needed a lot of sleep. I also had mentrual problems, always heavy bleeding, PMS symptoms, cramps, etc. About 10 years ago I finally reached a point where I was tired or being tired all the time and got checked out. A Naturopath suggested that perhaps I had a thyroid problem and voila, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroditis. At the time I thought I should get better with medication, and I did some, but I never fully recovered. I still retained the following symptoms:

• Brain fog, mild headaches
  
• General fatigue, very little energy
  
• never rested when waking up
  
• Congestion around the head and always having this swollen look around the eyes and nose
  
• Very little tolerance to stress
  
• Always felt somewhat ill
  
• None of the supplements I used made a significvant difference. Some would improve things for a while and then go back to "normal"'
  
• General non specific achiness and stiffness
  
• digestive upsets like my tummmy wasn't working and I found to have low stomach acid and also added digestive enzymes
  
• Never regular bowel movements - either too loose or too constipated, rarely just normal
  
• Digestive system seems to shut down with the slightest amount of stress, causing constipation
  
• Gas and bloating and abdominal distention, always. That symptom finally lead me to believe that it might actually be gluten intolerance after all
  
• Always had skin issues - mild acne, easily irritated skin, tendency for ingrown hair and overly dry skin on lower legs, despite fish oil supplements
  
• Continued menstrual problems , heavy bleeding that eventually led to a partial hysterectomy. I had a cyst and small fibroid too, plus they found some endometrial tissue as well
  
• Exercise intolerance - instead of feeling better, I would feel worse
  
• Ridges on my fingernails, more or less which I think are a sign of malabsorption
  
• Eyes that are very light sensitive - I am not sure if that is related, but it could be
  
• Fatigue after meals
  
• Easily interrupted sleep and little dreams. I used to dream a lot.
  
• Usually dark circles under the eyes and pale complexion
  
• I have to force myself to drink enough fluid - I am never really thirsty, except in the summer
  

Of course all these years I though it might still be thyroid related or even estrogen dominance. Now I have the feeling it really comes down to gluten intolerance and the fact that the digestive system is usually the first line of defense of the immune system, as many Naturopaths put it. I can see how a break down here can lead to all sorts of problems elsewhere in the body.

My mother and sister had/have similar problems. My sister recently lost her thyroid, due to nodules. I bet she's probably also gluten sensitive My mom sadly passed away in 1991 because of a brain tumor, again a condition that is now thought to be caused by chronic inflammation.

Ironically, I just started a part time job at a bakery. Most of the goods are prebaked, so there's really no exposure to flours, but do you think it would be safe to stay and work there? I mainly bake and package baked goods and usually wear gloves, but not always.

Best wishes to you all in your recovery

BTW, the little chap in the avatar is extremely sensitive to grain and develope hot spots from them. I am a massage therapist who specializes in horse and other critter massage and have found through reserach that grain keeps coming up when it comes to health issues, in horses, cats and dogs. I think they are also often gluten intolerant, except the link hasn't really been discovered yet. Grain is linked in horses to

• ulcers - stomach or colonic
  
• colics
  
• joint damage
  
• insulin resistence
  
• EPSM or RER - conditions that affect muscle function
  
• Makes them often extremely hyper
  
• Causes laminitis, often subclinically which is missed and causes owners/vets to think the horse needs shoes
  
• And probably other issues as well, yet to be discovered.
  

[sillyakchick]

Run away, screaming. I don't think there is any way you can be careful enough to work in a place that produces floury baked not-so-goodness. You may never know that you are having exposure until too much damage is done to your body. IF you wore a mask, gloves (hazmat suit) you might be able to sneak by with minimal exposure, but why would you put yourself at risk? It is like taking a hazardous job without the hazard pay. Can you do something else, like accounting or something until you can find a less dangerous job? I get the heebie jeebies just walking by the bakery counter at t he grocery store!

[Guest BornToRide]

Yes, my intuition is telling me the same and I think I need to ask for a transfer. Thanks for the feedback. I just do not know how much exposure would be too much. I never considered that sort of exposure as a problem until I read some of the responses here.....:-(

[loco-ladi]

I also am recently diagnosed and I would say run screaming as well, if for no other reason than I would NEVER be able to work around the food all day and not "cheat" lets not even go into the sneaky stuff that could happen I would be worried about my hands stuffing things into my face...

Ok, made brownies last night (new recipe) HAVE to go eat one now...... by the way have I mentioned I am much better staying on my diet when I have my "goodies" back (3 days no cheating ) but thats another post, lol

[lonewolf]

Welcome BornToRide! It's good to see another Western Washintonian on here. I'm just a bit north of you in the Federal Way area. I'd look for a new job too - or a transfer to a different area if that's possible.

[Generic]

Welcome to the board, I am also in WA. A good place to find allot of gluten-free foods is located in Mountlake Terrace, if you are up for a bit of a drive. It is called Manna Mills. I have lived here my whole life and had never heard of this place until a few months ago from another member on this board. I can find things there that I can't find any where else. The owner has celiac also.

Just to let you know there is a few places around that have gluten-free menus such as Outback and PF changs.

-Laurie

[miles2go]

Run away screaming, definitely. I am working in accounting now and playing Damien Rice at the moment.

It's a lot better than library work or somesuch.

I'd bet you can go back to the horses when you're feeling better.