Yes, Things Do Get Better!

[FruitEnthusiast]

I've been agonizing over the time it's taking to heal, as I've mentioned in previous posts. Then I made an encouraging realization. Recovering isn't taking as long as I thought. I keep thinking I've been gluten free for nearly five months, which is technically true, but I've been developing sensitivities to other foods for the last three months, and was "glutened" a few times each of those months, not by actual gluten, but by other the other foods I've developed the exact same symptoms to: rice, eggs, and nightshades. Each time I was getting better before trying another new food. So, there is a direct link to my current symptoms, and still feeling bad makes sense. I've only been "reaction free" since eliminating the last problem food. That was only three weeks ago! In reality I've only been "gluten" free for three weeks! No wonder I've been so sick. There aren't any foods left to "test", so that's great. I still have to eat the extremely limited diet I'm eating now, for a long time, but I won't be eating anything else new, so I really can start to recover, finally. I already am.

Thank goodness I kept track of each dietary change on my calendar, otherwise I wouldn't be able to put these pieces together. I think the brain fog, depression, and anxiety (all part of the entire group of symptoms I experience) has kept me from seeing this pattern sooner. I can tell my mind is clearing because I'm starting to think about things I haven't thought about in a long time, like my future, instead of just trying to get through each day. I'm feeling a lot more positive, listening to music, working on my artwork, and exercising again.

Things do get better. Even when I have any other setbacks, because, of course, this road will never be entirely free of "bumps", I can look back at this post and others like it, and remind myself to be patient, and that the recovery will come.

[bartfull]

Sara, that is great to hear. We have all been or are going through something that will, in the long run, make us stronger people. We have learned to cherish the good days, and we have learned patience to get us through the bad ones.

But most of all, I think this disease teaches us about hope. And hope is one of the most beautiful words in the English language.

Keep up the good work, and here's hoping your setbacks are mild and infrequent!

[cahill]

I have been gluten free since 2009 and soy free since 2010 and I still keep a food journal.

I can not stress how helpful it has been.I would suggest that anyone having food issues keeps a food journal.

Glad things are looking up

[FruitEnthusiast]

It's such a rollercoaster right now. A good day then a bad one and so on... I still don't know what each day will be like. Didn't feel well again today, but seem to be bouncing back tonight. Tomorrow who knows? It feels good to be feeling more like myself again though. It means so much to me to be able to check in on this site, and see what's happening with all the rest of you who are having similar experiences. I felt so alone with this stuff before, and since finding this forum, I feel like I'm part of a community. It's really nice. I hope others who are suffering will find it too.

[cahill]

It's such a rollercoaster right now. A good day then a bad one and so on... I still don't know what each day will be like. Didn't feel well again today, but seem to be bouncing back tonight. Tomorrow who knows? It feels good to be feeling more like myself again though. It means so much to me to be able to check in on this site, and see what's happening with all the rest of you who are having similar experiences. I felt so alone with this stuff before, and since finding this forum, I feel like I'm part of a community. It's really nice. I hope others who are suffering will find it too.

It is a rollercoaster right now but just hang in the there. At some point you will realize that you are having more good days than bad. Then you will realize it has been awhile since you had a bad day.

It DOES get better

[1desperateladysaved]

"But most of all, I think this disease teaches us about hope. And hope is one of the most beautiful words in the English language."

Five years back when I was terribly ill I saw a Home for sale sigh. I thought it said "Hope for Sale." Oh, I could use some hope I thought. I had no hope in this world, but God was my hope. He is bringing me through it.

Thanks for this thread it is hard not to lose sight of the light ahead sometimes.

[FruitEnthusiast]

It is a rollercoaster right now but just hang in the there. At some point you will realize that you are having more good days than bad. Then you will realize it has been awhile since you had a bad day.

It DOES get better

I really like the way you put that. Thanks. Pretty sick again today. I believe in what you have said here though. I look forward to getting better and better. I know it will happen.

[GFinDC]

Good for you Sara. Simple food and a simple diet can make a big difference in healing speed IMHO. But it sitll takes time for things to settle down in your gut, and come to a new "normal". The usual things like avoiding sugar, taking probiotics, and digestive enzymes are helpful too.

I am trying to get started back up on doing my art right now. I got over a coconutting, a stomach ulcer, and a slight CC incident and feel ok again. All that only took a couple weeks to go by. Things do get better, it may take awhile, but they do get better given time and attention to diet. I hope you continue to improve!