Frustrated, Irritated, And Irritable!

[RunRin]

Hi, I guess I just need to vent a bit...I'm having a rough go of it. It's Monday and I've had to take yet another day off work due to general malaise with my gluten intolerance.

Brief history: I got really sick in August 2009 (I started to notice problems in May '09) but August was when it really got bad, I had to stop running (I was a marathon runner) had aches and pains all over, headaches, and zero energy. Just making it through a day of work was challenging and sometimes I'd have to go home at 2:00 just to sleep. I had no symptoms of stomach problems, bloating, pain, indigestion or anything that would lead me to believe that this was a small intestine disorder, aside from being chronically anemic and unable to boost my iron being on heavy duty supplements every day. Once I suspected celiac (summer of 2010) my blood test came back negative. Having been gluten-free and feeling a bit better for 1.5 months, I went back on gluten thinking it must have been a coincidence. Big mistake. I got bad again (worse this time) and in fall of 2010 had to take many sick days.

Went gluten free again in November and was actually able to do a light jog (my first time running in over 1.5 years!) on February 22 2011. Yay me. BUT...then I was making cookies for work (with regular glutinous flour) last week and decided to try just a little bit (Stupid me). I did get bloating and pain almost immediately afterwards but the after-affects continue a week later. I've taken so many sick days in the last 6 months, it's not even funny. My stomach is achey still, I'm really tired (had to take 3 hour naps both Sat and Sun) and I have a headache and some aches and pains throughout my body. Wow. How is it possible that just this small amount of gluten could have these far-reaching after-effects?? I actually hugely notice stomach problems NOW, being gluten-free for 4 months, as opposed to when I was not. I frequently have intense cramps that wake me in the middle of the night, or pretty intense nausea (to the point where I am close to throwing up) or just stomache unease where I know something's wrong. I'm so tired of feeling this way and just want to be well. I don't even know if the people I work with believe me when I take sick days: after all, it's not like I have a cold or flu or something visable. In fact I look quite normal. But I'm irritable and tired and frustrated with this whole thing. I know it's only a waiting game but I keep asking myself: How long? I now plan to get rid of all the glutinous things in my house and never cook or bake with it again - it's too much of a temptation for me to handle.

Anyways, thanks for listening. I guess I just needed to vent my frustrations.

[annegirl]

Sorry. I know its a total bummer. I was stupid and glutened myself almost 2 weeks ago and my eyes still feel like they have gravel in them (one of my awesome longer lasting effects it seems).

Feel better!

[mushroom]

Yes, it's time to make the switch. Toss out all the poison and remove all temptation. Be very, very strict with yourself because after you have gone gluten free you tend to have stronger reactions to gluten than while you were still eating it every day. Your body has let down its guard a little and is outraged at having to deal with it again. If you need any help with this process, come back and ask some specific questions. But your body is definitely telling you that gluten is a non-no

[Kre8sioN]

Thanks this post actually helped me understand a bit. When I figured it was ciliac (thanks to this site) I started gluten free for a week and started feeling better. still not diagnosed, I get to tell my doctor tomorrow. But after a week I was just looking for something to make a piece of chicken tasty, I googled a mustard I like Jack daniels. It says its gluten free? but then added a little honey mustard to it as well. as I was eating I knew something was wrong. soon after I went to go to bed and it hit me hard, I guess my second anxiety attack, stomach bloated, feeling like a heart attack. So many months getting worse and worse till first panic / anxiety attack, and only a piece of chicken with a little gluten took me out! No more poison for me, Ive accepted that fact I have to change the way I eat.