I'm Starting To See Improvement

[ami27]

I am so excited to be able to actually say this. I'm feeling better. I have more energy. I have more good days than bad. My hair stopped falling out. My hair is actually growing back. When I got my hair cut yesterday after she blew it dry I noticed all these little hairs sticking up. That is new hair growth!!! When I was younger I always had thick, pretty hair, but for the last 8 years it has been falling out and it's really thin now.

I have been eating gluten free for 6 months now with a few accidental glutenings along the way. I also finally figured out that corn was causing me problems. Once I got the corn intolerance figured out I really started feeling better. The strange thing is that I didn't really notice the GI issues before, but if I get glutened now I really do have that problem. My biggest issue before was fatigue and irritability. I ordered Enterolab tests for myself and my sons. We're waiting for the results now. I've explained all of this to them and they are willing to forego all gluten if their tests indicate they should do so. I hope they remain that easy going about it, but I'm sure there will be some resistance if we do actually have to go that route.

I just had to share with you all my good news. I am shocked that this has been my issue for so long and not one doctor figured it out. I even had a clue that it was something I was eating. I just couldn't figure out exactly what it was. I went to many a doctor saying 'I feel like something I'm eating is making me sick'. They would send me away with anti-depressants or nothing. I wish our medical community was more knowledgeable about this condition.

Ami

[ArtGirl]

This is exciting news, indeed. Isn't it great to feel good again?

I, too, am corn sensitive and didn't see real improvement until I eliminated all corn from my diet. I also went the Enterolab route rather than go to any doctor and fool with trying to educate them. I got my diagnosis thru the lab and I'm really glad I did.

Happy 6-month gluten/corn-free anniversary!

[wowzer]

That is so great to hear. I have been gluten free since the beginning of the year and feel some other foods could be a problem also. My family doctor does agree that I still could be a celiac even though my bloodwork came back negative. I have sort of wondered if corn is a problem. Good luck with your son's testing. I feel that my problem should have been diagnosed long ago. I do have a little sister that was diagnosed at a year old. I am wondering if some of my other family members have this also. I do agree that doctors should pay more attention to symptoms.

[WHinNOVA]

So, for those of you that are corn sensitive, is it to just the heavy corn items (cornbread, corn tortillas, corn chips, etc.) or do you also have to eliminate the incidental sources of corn (items with corn syrup as an ingredient, etc.)?

WH

[ami27]

Initially, I just cut out corn tortillas and corn on the cob. This was where the biggest source of corn was coming from for me. Then one day I noticed I felt very fatigued after I ate a Lifesaver mint that one of my coworkers offered me. I looked up the ingredients and it had corn syrup in it. So now I stay away from corn syrup too.

Ami

[confused]

im glad you are feeling better. I was until this last week. But im determined to feel better again.

paula

[Nancym]

I noticed any time I have chips, like corn chips, I get intestinal issues again. Other than occassionally falling off my paleo diet (no grains, no dairy) I don't usually eat corn.

[WHinNOVA]

Initially, I just cut out corn tortillas and corn on the cob. This was where the biggest source of corn was coming from for me. Then one day I noticed I felt very fatigued after I ate a Lifesaver mint that one of my coworkers offered me. I looked up the ingredients and it had corn syrup in it. So now I stay away from corn syrup too.

Ami

Thanks for the info. Friday will be four weeks gluten free for me. Somedays, I think I might see a slight improvement and other days are about the same. I've been very careful with the diet eating only things made at home and carefully prepared to prevent CC. I've tried experimenting with some of the frequent problem items. I believe I'm sensitive to dairy and some fruit (apples, for example) at the moment and may have to lay off of them until my SI heals. I'm wondering if there are other things as well and hence my question about corn. I'm eating mostly salads (which was already my favorite food) so get very little corn. I do occasionally have a soft drink or something else with the corn syrup or some other corn byproduct. Sometimes, I have chicken breast fried in cornmeal on my salad as well. Maybe I need to be careful to avoid all corn sources for a few days and then get a big dose (like corn on the cob) and see what happens.

WH