Ever Wonder Why Some Of Us Are Sick

[AVR1962]

Lately I have been to alot of social outings and of course I can't help but notice the huge amounts of wheat and carbs in every social gathering. Not only am I celiac but I am pre-diabetic and have to watch all carbs, and have had kidney stones issues for 27 years. Hydration is vital for me and I have to drink bottled water to stay away from the chlorination that gives my kidneys such issues.

I have been watching how people can so abuse their bodies with alcohol, sodas and little water.....stuff their guts with gluten and sugar and feel no effects. And I just wonder, HOW?

The other day some friends were talking about what a waste bottled water was, saying things to indicate that is was nothing more than tap water with a big price tag. I was quiet. My kidneys will tell you otherwise. I know they don't get it and it doesn't pay to speak from experience because unless they deal with it themselves they won't understand.

I really really try to keep my focus and not get stuck in the HOWs and WHYs but I do find myself asking these questions. No one else in my family has problems with kidney stones or diabetes. My grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes in her 80's, I am 49. Food allergies run in my family but again I am the only one diagnosed with celiac. My parents who are in their 60s, and my sister a year younger than me eat whatever they want with the exception of my mom eating dairy. And I wonder why I became the special case.

[ciamarie]

Yes, I'm with you in wondering. However, I also recently read somewhere that there are TONS of people on multiple prescriptions for one thing or another; at least here in the U.S. I may have some food or diet issues, but I totally skew the statistics on prescriptions since I'm not on any. I plan to keep it that way.

[AVR1962]

Yes, I'm with you in wondering. However, I also recently read somewhere that there are TONS of people on multiple prescriptions for one thing or another; at least here in the U.S. I may have some food or diet issues, but I totally skew the statistics on prescriptions since I'm not on any. I plan to keep it that way.

[ndw3363]

Totally agree about the dependence on prescriptions in this country. Yes I get really irritated that I too see so many people that seemingly can eat whatever they want...but these are the same people that think gas/bloating/belching/farting/bathroom issues are just a normal part of life. When I'm obeying my diet and not eating anything I shouldn't, I don't have ANY of those symptoms. People also think that arthritis, ADHD, depression, skin problems, etc etc are just things that happen and can be "Cured" with a prescription - I'm not saying that diet alone can fix all of these issues, but they are symptoms of a problem, not a problem in itself. Doctors should be encouraging people to change their diet first and then use prescriptions as a last resort. If healthcare focused on diet and lifestyle before shoving pills at people, I think our healthcare system would be drastically different.

Getting down off my soapbox :-)

[cavernio]

I've heard that the standards for dissolved particulates in bottled water are far less stringent than what the standards are for tap water, and each brand of bottled water will be different, just like each city's tap water will be different. But of course what is in each will be different too, and just because FDA standards or something are less stringent, doesn't mean they always push that standard. Nor does it mean that what's in your tap-water that makes your kidneys get worse will be in high amounts in the bottled water. But I've also lived in towns where their well water is the water that's bottled up, heh, so of course it feels rather dumb in that case to pay for a bottle of water.

You're the only person who I've heard say that bottled water is necessary for their kidneys. Don't get me wrong, I believe you, and I'll even suggest it to my aunt who has terrible kidney issues next time I see her.

About people eating poorly, I met a cousin-in-law who usually eats gluten free except on vacation (when I saw him), and when my celiac came up he said that he had just gotten tested and it came back negative when he was certain he had it. I later asked if he'd gotten a biopsy or just a blood test, and I was starting to say the stuff about the blood tests having a decently high chance of false negatives, and he just said 'Well, I know gluten's a problem, I don't need a test to tell me', all the while drinking a beer.

It's just one of things that makes me question things, about how healthy people look versus how they act. Maybe he really is a celiac and he doesn't have a lot of symptoms (like me), or maybe he thinks he's worse off that he is, or maybe he's just really good at hiding it.

I'm only just approaching 30, and honestly, the norm for me is to think of anyone over the age of 25 as sick or damaged in some way, shape or form.

[tennisman]

I think it's just some people are lucky with health and others are unlucky It is frustrating I have known people who drink a lot every weekend and eat lots of junk foods and are perfectly healthy but than again these people don't have celiac disease so them eating all junk foods is not gonna do any damage to there intestines . I find it more annoying when people I know smoke a lot or do drugs and have no health problems.