Almendra
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In late 2008 I went to visit my doctor with nearly daily headaches, stomach irregularities, and a growing need for more and more sleep. It was harder and harder to keep up my high-energy ways.
He did some blood tests for anemia and sent me to a neurologist for the headaches. As my neurologist looked over my family history and test results (for anemia), she wondered aloud why they had not just gone ahead and tested me for Celiac Disease.
I went home, looked it up, and decided I didn't want to have that.
I did not broach the subject with doctors again, but my headaches reduced with iron supplements and a focused diet.
My stomach issues only worsened. I noticed a strange pattern: I could eat beans for days, but my stomach seemed to react much more violently to a pizza than to massive amounts of fiber.
After over a year, I returned to my general practitioner and asked to be tested for Celiac Disease. This doctor told me that it wasn't likely, but I assured her that I was pretty sure by now that it was likely.
The blood test came back very positive. The biopsy confirmed it. I am now, in June of 2010, only 6 months into the joys of watching symptoms I'd lived with for years melt away with diet change. I didn't know I could feel this good.
I am still not terribly talented at knowing how best to avoid gluten. I keep making mistakes - and learning a new lesson.
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' Well, what I was trying to say is that they only even try to serve/notify potential gluten free customers when THAT ONE chef is in. Don't even try to serve it when she's not. SO let the GFers know when it's safe to come. In the interest of my safety, I would value less actual claimed time of gluten free availability in exchange for the restaurant being...
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I almost wish that the Olive Gardens that have ONE chef who really gets it would just put up a "Now serving gluten-free." sign on their webpages/storefront when that chef is in so that their capabilities are less in question than their availability. If someone can't/won't get it, in the interest of our health and safety, I wish they wouldn't even try.
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ARCHIVED Dating A Celiac
Almendra replied to CNA5400's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
If you use a lip balm, make sure it's gluten free. -
ARCHIVED Soft Lips By Mentholatum
Almendra posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
I LOVED that these were one product that I could buy anywhere that actually say "Gluten Free" on the label/boxing. But, I soon realized that my lips would get irritated whenever I used them. Did this happen to anyone else? Or is this just a completely different allergy all my own? -
ARCHIVED Gluten-Free Cosmetics
Almendra replied to GFLindsey's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
I do think that using these products is on a personal trial and error basis. You have to consider the following: *How sensitive you are (are you still getting sick while using a certain product every now and then - when there seem to be no other possibilities) *How prone you may be to make an absent-minded mistake that could end up with "trace ingestion... -
Olive Garden does get abysmal ratings when it comes to gluten free.
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ARCHIVED Gluten-Free Cosmetics
Almendra replied to GFLindsey's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
After calling Neutrogena, Revlon, L'Oreal, Maybelline, etc. I started to pick up a pattern. Will they put their assurances in WRITING. Many will not. From some companies, I got a positive answer from the call line, and a we cannot comment or assure you of that in an e-mail when I sent a separate e-mail request to the same company. I repeatedly got answers... -
ARCHIVED Questions On Coping In General
Almendra replied to josh052980's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
It IS hard to forget when you don't feel just right. I try to do something fun that does not have to do with food. Something active that can get my mind off any discomfort. Many times, by the time I'm done, I feel better. There is life outside food. Meanwhile, about 8 months into my diagnosis I was still not doing great occasionally, I started looking... -
ARCHIVED Got Any Funnys From Friends/family Trying To Understand?
Almendra replied to Chad Sines's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
Me: I can't have gluten anymore or I will get sick - so no wheat, rye, or barley. Aunt: Well, you can still have white bread. Me: Nope. It's made from wheat - the flour is just bleached. Aunt: Hmmm. So, you can have self-rising flour. Me: [silence]... uh... no... also made from wheat. I could just see her sending me a big... -
Is there a hotel or hotel chain that "gets" it yet? I can find the occasional restaurant where I feel safe, valued, and understood. BUT... are there any hotels that are making the leap?
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seemingly silent... but sometimes, oh, sometimes... silent but deadly So sorry, couldn't resist.
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I hope that they find an answer for you. There is such a thing as unresponsive Celiac Disease - I think it's Refractory Disease (or something like that). Joe C (Kid Rock's friend) had that, I think. There is also a DNA test to see if the gene for Celiac is even in your DNA (being a genetic disease). If it's not, then, from what I understand, then...
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So true. Pot lucks are danger zones because other attendees are not plugged in to CC. My sister-in-law has a child with a severe milk allergy - so she understands. She tries out gluten-free recipes, but acknowledges that her kitchen is not a safe one for me to eat from. She just tells me if it tasted good or not.
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It is so hard. A friend offered to make something gluten-free for me for a shower she was having. I just had to confess to her all of the "accomodations" I've had to do in my home kitchen to keep me safe (after trial and sickness, trial and sickness) - and assure her that I CANNOT expect anyone to do that. Truly, my mother is the only one who takes...
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Thanks for the info on the bakery. I'm a newly diagnosed Celiac/Colitis, but an old nearly 65 yr old that doesn't understand how to blog. I probably shouldn't order from that bakery as I've gained weight in the past 2 mo. Please be my friend. I need help with this
