More Difficult Than I Thought

[newglu]

Hello to all!

I am new here and this is my first post. I have been lurking for the past couple of weeks and you guys are so full of wisdom and so helpful. I am very grateful to have found this forum.

Anyway, I was diagnosed with Gluten sensitivity about 3 weeks ago - my IgA was very low, but my IgG was in the midrange. Not conclusive perhaps of Celiacs, but with my symptoms, my Doc thought it a good idea to try gluten free. My doctor is new to me and is female and is great! She spent 30 minutes my first visit just talking with me about my symptoms - I was amazed to say the least She also was upset that no one had addressed the problems I was having - fatigue, depression, stuffy nose, rashes, trouble sleeping, irritability and moodiness, headaches, anemia, etc., except to run bloodwork about a year ago. Yes, then I was told I was anemic, but no one tried to find out why (I had had a negative colonoscopy a few months prior). Nor had the fact that my thyroid was low at that time been brought up.

So, here I am. Remarkably, I am now at the end of week three and the best thing is that I have been able to stop the Prilosec I have been taking for years for GERD! Also, clearer head and thinking and more energy.

But the hard parts - well, first of all I have had irritable bowel and lots of gas since I changed my diet. I tried cutting out dairy a couple of days ago, but tonight I am having alot of cramping again - of course this could be due to the fact that I made a BIG boo boo today.

I am new to this so I am not real mindful of checking everything yet. So, since my kidney functions were A BIT low (my doc is not concerned and tells me a nephrologist would not think it was worrisome, but I am concerned) I decided to try chinese and Ayurvedic remedies. Went to the herb place today and talked to a person there, although I knew what I wanted. But, she showed me this chinese herb, very good for kidney function and it was 39.95. So, like a greenhorn I bought it. Got to work, took two - a few hours later I went back to the bottle to read more about it, and yes, you guessed it - "contains gluten". Aghhhhh . . . I was so mad and of course by that time it was too late - GLUTENED! :( :angry:

This was a very expensive mistake that I won't do again - I learned my lesson, just wish it had been on something a bit less costly. Oh well, you can be sure I will check from now on BEFORE I buy.

So, this is the interesting part. Tonight I have been foggy headed with a borderline headache and very achy tummy. I assume this is what happens when you eat gluten by accident.

Also, I have been on thyroid medication for about 4 years - when my current doctor checked it this time it was low once again, so she upped the thyroid. Am starting to feel this kicking in too and I really believe I am on the mend.

I also am going to see an acupuncturist very soon and learn more about the Chinese approach.

So, I'm a newbie, but I'm trying really hard. I am 53, never had these problems prior. I think was triggered this was the hell I went through 3 years ago when I left my ex-husband, moved 3 times in 3 months and pretty much handled the divorce myself. I have felt pretty bad for about 2 years.

So, thanks to you all - any tips on how to avoid getting glutened would be very much appreciated. I only wonder why they have to put it in everything.

newglu

[wowzer]

Welcome to the group. I am also 53. I went gluten free the beginning of this year. So many symptoms went away in the beginning. I did find that I became more sensitive to gluten once I eliminated it. It is a lot to learn. Hope you are feeling better soon. Wendy

[blueeyedmanda]

Welcome to the board! It is very overwhelming at first but soon things start to get easier, it will be like second nature.