"sick" Of Being "sick"

[kathiering]

Although I had only been recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I've been sick virtually everyday since I was a teenager. I even remember being sick when I was a young child- although at that time, sick meant nausea and vomiting rather than the big "D" word. When I was a teen and in my early 20's, I was sick but I never let it stop me- that is, until I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II. Now, coupled with the medicine I'm taking for the Diabetes and my inhaler- I feel that although I've virtually knocked out almost all grain out (except for rice and corn), I'm still very sick with the big "D."

This is upsetting to me. I'm a good lil celiac disease patient. I've read the literature, got the tests, and thrown out all of the evil food we can't eat- including my favorite Soy Sauce.

I started to re-think this whole Celiac business when after buying only gluten-free Food, product, fruits and protein- I was still very very sick every few hours. My latest visit to my doctor confirmed what I suspected: that I've got a high level of allergic antibodies (or whatever the fancy med-speak is for allergies) in my blood, that I'm also fructose and lactose intolerant.

So now you must know what I was thinking- that this really really stinks and what bad karma must I have done in a past time to warrant not one anti-food trauma but three plus anti-food traumas to this food lover!

I've also learned in today's research, that it is possible not to be stick thin and suffer from celiac disease. I've learned too that my "sick timeframe" can go from instant to 30 minutes. I've also learned that it is possible to be happy (after the mourning period is over) however...

The feeling of deprivation still lurks in the darkest corners of my mind... Yes, I get sick if you look at me wrong with a peanut butter sandwich and yes, in my past life, I would have eaten that peanut butter sandwich (after wrestling you to the ground for it- no carbs makes a girl very cranky and hungry) knowing I was going to be sick afterwards; but darn it, would eating that peanut butter sandwich have been worth it?

Let's list down my post-reaction to that sandwich: The cramps that I have, the sore tummy that I have from being sick for several hours straight, the dizziness and thirst, the rashes...

Now, I can truly say; nibbling your child's cake, taking a bite from your friend's pizza or eating some of that party dip is not worth the pain and anguish your body will put you through... it really isn't.

Thank you for letting me get on my soapbox and ramble for a minute..

[YoloGx]

Ahh--good to rant yes. So much unneeded suffering!! I feel for you. I never got diabetes but I did lose 1/2 my right kidney due to celiac plus had a degraded nervous system and heart. Taking co-enzyme B vitamin complex plus vitamin D, E, C etc. and minerals has really helped.

But even more recently I have gone off all grains and find I am feeling better than ever. I am nearly 60 and feel years younger instead of way older as I was... (I have had celiac since I was a young infant).

Going off gluten for me was not enough. Try going off all grains and see what happens. Certainly it is inexpensive enough. Just eat roots and squashes for carbohydrates. This is also helping my good buddy who has celiac too. Big difference! You might just need to do this just for a while or you may need to stick with it for years, I don't know. But feeling better is worth it. Other good thing--those cravings miraculously go away.

Bea

[princesskill]

you can get gluten free soy sauce! look for "tamari" and then check the ingredients. i cant remember the brand i use. anyway it tastes exactly the same and you can still enjoy one of your favourite seasonings.

[kathiering]

Princess and Yolo,

Thank you so much! Today was a test- my company had a luncheon at a new restaurant; what a relief to know that the chef's daughter is Celiac and so the kitchen was ready to meet all of my needs. I do agree though that I will go off all grains (until I feel better then reintroduce rice and corn, if need be). I didn't think of squash as a viable substitute- thank you for introducing that.

I'll go out and find tamari- wish me luck!

[YoloGx]

Most certainly!! Much much good luck to you on this journey.

I also had to go off other things too--namely potatoes/tomatoes/peppers all being from the nightshade family plus all nuts and milk except for nonfat organic yogurt which I sweeten with plain stevia. Can only handle eating sunflower seeds, as a nut like thing--not even sesame for me (gives me migraines)!

but I don't really mind. It is so wonderful to be healthy and more energetic. I feel like finally I have a life! I could and sometimes do get upset thinking of all those lost years--though I did manage to do things despite my handicappers. I used to do as much as I could during those times I wasn't ill. What a way to live!! Not. But at least its not cancer...!! etc.

Nevertheless here I am Now in the Eternal Present. One thing this has done has given me a lot of compassion and patience. My personality seems too to have improved first going off most gluten years ago and finally a year and a half ago all trace gluten and now especially now that I am avoiding all grains.... I finally sleep better too...

So there is a lot to explore and discover. Think of it as a potential rebirth!

Bea

PS--do consider taking marshmallow root caps regularly to help heal your villi and take down inflammation. You might also want to detox occasionally when/if you are not having D--say saunas, mud packs, dandelion root and/or cleavers tea etc. I have more listed elsewhere here. Plus take the gluten-free minerals (apple cider vinegar helps one digest minerals better), vit. D, E, co-enzyme B's, essential fatty acids, acidophilus, digestive enzymes (plant and/or pancreatin) etc....esp. at first!