Today I Am One Year Gluten Free!

[adab8ca]

It has been a a long year of ups and downs. Last year, my nerve pain was SO bad that I thought I would be in a wheelchair.I couldn't walk anywhere. My depression was SO bad that I seriously contemplated suicide. The nerve burning was so bad, I could not function. The joint pain was excruciating. Nothing would touch it.

Withdrawal from gluten was it's own special hell. Add all of the above PLUS feeling like the worst flu that I have ever had. I couldn't get up, I was so sick. Which of course compounded the depression (the GI Dr. that I saw basically said that you have celiac, stop eating gluten and you should feel better in a few days. HA!!! Right.)

I wish I could say that today, I rule Celiac and that it doesn't rule me but I am not there yet. I got CC'd in March and had D for 7 weeks.

That being said, I am living almost a normal life. My husband has his wife back. My family has their sister and daughter back. My employer has their employee back. I am so, so, so much better. The nerve pain is bearable, sometimes it's so mild that I don't even know it's there. It does get exacerbated by stress, so I try to relax (easier said than done sometimes!)

It took a long time and I have a ways to go but I cannot believe the difference in my life from a year ago. My best advice to anyone new is to be gentle with yourself. Do NOT push yourself. Try not to get frustrated. It does get better. It takes time. Many of us are VERY sick by the time we are diagnosed. It takes a long time to get that sick, the road back can take a long time as well, One day at a time.

Edited: TOMORROW I am one year gluten free. OOPS

[cyberprof]

That being said, I am living almost a normal life. My husband has his wife back. My family has their sister and daughter back. My employer has their employee back. I am so, so, so much better.

Congratulations! It's so good, itsn't it?

RE: your joint and nerve pain - have you tested yourself for nightshade and/or soy intolerance?

[Guest Cassie Getty]

Wow! Congratulations! I hope that I'll be posting the same thing after a year of being gluten free.

Just before I found out about this gluten free diet, I've tried a lot of diet programs around. Frustrations after frustrations after frustrations. Good thing I have the best support group in my family and friends. One of them introduced me to this diet. But then again, there were frustrations, but they were there to remind me to try again and again and again.

Now, its almost half a year and I never felt and look good in my life. This is the best so far and I dont want to look back. Migraines are gone, skin looks better and younger, I can do more activities.

Again, congrats! And let's keep this going.