tiredofdoctors

Yeah, baby. Sure do. Please e-mail me your #. . . . Lynne

First, ok -- where do I start???

Jen -- you said something hysterically funny, and now I've already forgotten it -- and I can't scroll down far enough to find it!!!!! Oh yeah -- THE BAG!!!!! I'll bet that plumber was freaked out! That was so funny!

Christine -- Welcome -- you hit both cans -- first time out? I DO hope he was impressed

Lollie -- can you teach me how to can?

Shirley -- can you teach me how to can in a pressure cooker?

covsooze -- glad you got your garden going! --- Also, Nitrates were the cause of my son's migraines -- he started at 16 months (just at the time I was giving him "finger food" -- cut up bologna, hot dogs -- he threw up 4-5 days per week. Went from 22 pounds to 18 pounds in 2 months -- ended up it was migraines. We didn't find out until he was about 2 1/2, maybe 3 when he said, "I have a tummy ache in my head." They can wreak havoc on the blood vessels, causing them to dilate -- and there you have your headache)

kabowman -- does the hair thing work for squirrels and chipmunks? This year I had to use cayenne pepper, because all other measures (and I tried quite a few) didn't work. If the hair works, I'll got up to Supercuts! They'd be GLAD to give it to me! People around here eat squirrel, too. My ex-inlaws used to eat squirrel and rabbit. I hated it. Not only because it was theoretically grose, but the meat was disgusting, and inevitably you got buckshot. Ugh.

Shirley -- can you tell me more about your dog-judgding experiences? you hinted about it once, saying that you were goint to judge, but then we got onto another subject. I am so in awe of that -- what do you look for, what is bad, etc. (My DH and I watch the dog shows religiously. We have MUTTS and we watch these pure-bred dogs and judge them ourselves. Ironic, huh??? )

I do think it's a shame that we can't all be closer so that we could have a physical get together. I'm grateful for cyberspace, though . . . it let's me know that I'm not alone. (Especially being cooped up here all day -- who knows how many are in our community????)

Lisa, I'm concerned about you. I've said some extra prayers for you, but I really want to talk with you, if that's O.K. If you could e-mail me your phone # at bodyworxinc@hotmail.com, I would like to talk with you in person. I won't publish your phone number, and I am the most discreet person I know. Anything you tell me in confidence, stays there. I'm not going to give you the "susie sunshine" talk either, but I do want to tell you about the people on this forum, and about the fact that they are people that you can TRUST, and that they are supportive -- you can lean on them when you need them. I know that from personal experience. I also want to talk to you about your options with regard to finding resources for help: dieticians, etc. (not psychiatrists, or anything like that -- This is in your gut, not your head!) Please e-mail me. I'd love to talk with you. Take care of yourself. . . . ((((hugs)))), Lynne

Jen -- BTW: I've done the same thing with a friend of mine -- I won't say that I gushed (well, maybe I gushed) about the people on this forum, but I was telling her that it was amazing to find such GOOD people in one place. All with very different lives, but all willing to come together to support one another. What a gift.

Cannolli -- forgot about that -- mmmmmmm....... Also, if you have Pannera Bread -- they used to make, only in the summer time, Peanut Butter & Banana bagels. Man, they were good! It was like eating bread, nuts and candy with cream cheese -- what a bonus! I miss California Kitchen's Thai Chicken Pizza. We used to get those in (they sell them now at Kroger), and just the smell of them in the oven . . . it was great!

I used to make homemade yeast rolls from my grandmother's (and her mother's, and her mother's) recipe. They were like the ones you get in the restaurants, only better. Yum . . . . Okay, gotta stop talking about this . . . I've been very stringent for -- I don't know anymore -- but it has to be at least 8 months -- so I'm not going to tempt myself. Going to get some Annie Chun's pseudo-ramen noodles!

Rachel -- it IS a good thing you've never had a Krispy Kreme -- the craving for it is AWFUL. When they come off the conveyor, right after they've been glazed, then they box them up hot for you . . . Holy mackerel -- there's nothing better! Once you eat them, you're hooked . . . .

Welcome T -- you've joined a great group of people! With regard to my doctors, I see two neurologists -- my celiac is in my brain (NOT in my head!!!) . . . Lynne

I have Sjogren's. Dry eyes, dry mouth, dry everything . . . . . So far, I'm just using Systane eye drops 4x day and Genteal gel at night -- doesn't do much, though. For the salivary glands, especially when they're inflammed, I suck on lemon drops. Makes the "back-up" sort of come on out! I also use moist heat to my neck -- sometimes I look like I'm getting the mumps!

For the other dryness -- well, given that I'm a women's health PT, I have the absolute BEST lubricant there is . . . if you need info, e-mail me at bodyworxinc@hotmail.com! I'll be happy to either send you some samples or just give you the number! . . . Lynne

Ooooooooh! I love Kozy Shack Chocolate Pudding! I also like their Tapioca and Rice puddings! Meijer had them on sale buy one get one free a couple of weeks ago. I was like a kid in a candy store!

In 21 months I have never cheated though I once had a chocolate croissant in my hand and could smell its flaky goodness and feel it crumble before I snapped out of my gluten-lust haze and handed it over to my boyfriend, who kindly informed me that it was stale and lackluster anyway.

I would also give anything for chicken fingers with a really thick and crunchy but soft coating--I've tried to make my own, but they just don't match up. And stuffing with gravy as well (the two I've tried haven't been so good). If you have any tried and true recipes for any of these things PLEASE let me know.

I found some gluten-free chicken fingers at Whole Foods. Haven't tried them yet -- will put them in the convection oven to cook them, but will let you know if they're any good! . . . Lynne

Lisa and Patti -- your posts made me cry, too. I am so sorry for you both. Patti, I have only been termed a "head case" for the last two to four years. I can't imagine 20 years. My heart goes out to you. You are such a good, caring, person and I want for you to feel so much better. Lisa -- I can honestly say that I know how you feel. I told my husband that I hated the person that this disease has made me -- because I'm not the same person that I was. In that sense, it took my life from me. Also, I'm housebound because of the wheelchair, and any time I venture out into the yard, I have to take a phone in case I fall and I can't get back up. (I've fallen and I can't get up -- had to say it) My thoughts and prayers are going out to both of you -- and I hope that you get healing and relief from this godawful disease.

Go to page 1 -- it's toward the bottom. It has a link to the website . . . . Lynne

Welcome, Celia Faerie Dust! I used to sprinkle extra-fine dust around my kids while they were sleeping (if the tooth faerie messed up), and called it faerie dust! I am passing on to them the remainder of it that I have, so that they can have it for their kids. I used to put it in heart-shaped containers (small -- necklace sized), and give it to my friends.

I think you're right --we are special people. We're stronger, we ARE more in tune with our bodies, we're more tenacious, and we are loving and compassionate. We understand other people's struggles -- because we have our own, and know the impact that they have on us.

I'm glad you've joined the forum.

Just so you know -- I'm a very fact-based person, but I also believe in the power of miracles (and having Celtic roots, I believe in faeries!)

Chelsea -- that is SUCH great news about your grandpa -- maybe my brain will develop new pathways. I'm going to go to an occupational therapist who treats children with brain damage. She does water therapy, but she is also certified in NeuroDevelopmental Training. (It's hard to achieve, so it's a BIG kudo). Maybe she can help my brain teach itself to re-route. Your grandpa is going to be O.K. I know it in my heart.

Michael -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I agree with Karen .. awwww to be 33 again. I know, though, that you don't necessarily FEEL 33. I have the arthritis thing, too, with the Celiac. It has gotten better, though, since I've been gluten-free.

erbetty -- I'm so sorry that this stupid disease has taken away so much from you. I know that you deserve so much better. Please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. There is a post on this thread (it's back a few) by Nini -- it has a website to go to. I'm going to keep going to it. There is a gift of healing hands . . . I think that there's nothing to lose . . . and maybe a LOT to gain.

Nini, I CERTAINLY believe in miracles, and I believe in angels. Particularly those that are on earth -- the ones that we don't know are, but are all around us! I'll keep going back!

I LOVE fishing! With regard to the shotguns, etc., I stink!!! I nearly tore my shoulder apart because I didn't place the butt of the gun close in my shoulder! Brandon, though, is a FANTASTIC target shooter. I use the thing to launch the clay pigeons -- if he does one, he hits it, then hits one of the pieces that breaks off it. If he does two at a time, he hits both of them. One weekend, we used an entire case of clay pigeons. He missed ONE TIME. I was amazed. He has this amazing hand/eye coordination. I think it's because of those stupid video games!

I did get to shoot an Uzi -- it's amazing. It shoots with very little recoil at all, and all you hear is this really small sound. I got to shoot an AK, also -- but didn't like it. The good thing about this range, is that all the guys there, once you've proven yourself if you're a girl, share their weapons and let you try them out! They want to teach you about them, show you what they do, and let you try them out. It's pretty good. But it's DEFINITELY a good old boy's club! (complete with missing teeth)

No, that one is a Pre-woodsman. Mine is a Woodsman -- it's a little larger, looks a little different.

That was the THIRD time it has happened to me. One time, it was when I was medically paralyzed, and I couldn't move anything to tell them that I was AWAKE! Yuck. I really didn't like that too much.

Hey Richard -- It's good to hear from you and see your beautiful Grace! What the doctors have told me is that the damage that is done is permanent -- and my cerebellum doesn't have an uninterrupted circuit to control the coordination of my body. All of the research has shown that, once the damage gets to this point, the goal is to live a completely gluten-free lifestyle in order to prevent further damage. It's just maintenance now. My antigliadin antibodies are almost normal now -- I don't know what they were previously, but the neuro doc said "outrageously high".

I have also been diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation -- it's a congenital birth defect -- the tonsil of my cerebellum is descending down through the foramen magnum of my skull. It's down enough to make me a surgical candidate, but the neurosurgeon is afraid that, should there be ANY complications at all, the results could be disastrous. He worked in San Fransisco when they first had the big "rush" out there because they had found the "cure" for Chiari malformations. He said that there were so many patients that had really severe post-op complications. He said that in the last two years, he's done 8 procedures, and three had post-op difficulty. One had to have surgery in the lumbar portion of her spinal cord, one had infection, and one had so much swelling, that she ended up exactly like I am right now. He said that the benefit, given the damage from the gluten, is not worth the risk of the surgery.

Nini -- thank you so much for sending that -- I did it, and I believe that some people definitely DO have the gift of healing. Funny, my patients, especially a friend of mine, told me that I have "healing hands". My best friend talks frequently about the archangel Michael.

Rusla -- thank you so much -- I know that you are struggling so much, as well. I hope that, by taking that full-time job, you'll be able to do it. You know that I'm sending thoughts to you that it will work. Do you give yourself B12 shots? I had to do that daily for 6 weeks, then every other day for 4 weeks, then once a week. I've stopped now, but am going to ask the neuro doc if I need to start back up.

Karen -- as much as I hate what this disease has done to me, I can't imagine what you go through. I've talked to you when you are on-line in the middle of the night because of your stomach. The refractory thing is so frightening. I just think the whole aspect of this disease is horrible. It's the ultimate self-hatred -- your body destroys itself. That just stinks.

Jen -- I started shooting with my son -- I have a Colt Woodsman Target 22 -- it's a really nice gun. I used to be able to hit a 2 1/2" target (I'd put 3 on a tall stand) at 25 feet -- I'd hit 8 in the bullseye, and the 9th one would be in the 10. This one good old boy (we shoot at a place that is in inbred country), took about 25 minutes to line up his shot, set his site, etc. I just went out, placed my tall stand out, went back, loaded my gun, and when they said we could start shooting, shot the first, then reloaded, shot the second, then reloaded, then the third. The good old boy looked at the guy who calls the "all clear" and said, "She's good." The guy that calls the all clear said, "I wouldn't make her mad."

They gave Brandon so much grief! I bought him a jacket from this place that he wanted for Christmas. He took it in to have it embroidered, and the guys said, "what are you going to have put on it?" one of them said, "How about Bubba?", the next one said, "How about Ace", the third one said, "How about My Mom Shoots Better Than Me!!!!!!" Brandon just put his head down and shook it no!!!!!

I'm thinking that with my handgun, and your shotgun, if we won't get arrested, we could really resolve Shirley's deer problem -- AND have meat and leather!!! I have great stories about these kids I know who hunt -- I'll have to tell them later, because I've already gabbed forever!

Talk to you guys soon . . . . Lynne

As far as being put to sleep, they didn't give me enough "juice" -- I was awake for the endoscopy and the colonscopy -- including polyp removal. I kept moaning to try to tell them that I could feel it -- they saw me watching it on the television screen

When it was over, I quoted exactly what the doctor said. The one nurse looked at the other and said, "She wasn't out NEARLY as much as we thought she was." DUH . . . . Didn't the sounds I made each time he cut give them a hint?????

One of your parents has to have the gene. It (unfortunately) got passed on to you. Just because you have the gene, it doesn't mean that you'll get celiac. HLADQ2 is also the gene for narcolepsy. It just depends upon the allele, and if it gets passed onto you. It's kind of like sets and subsets!

Ah, Tinker -- I'm so sorry. That had to be so frustrating -- getting a job, then not being able to do it. I can't imagine, and don't want to. I'm sorry you had to go through that. This disease is disgusting -- and I'm sorry you have to endure it, too. Feel better soon, and know that you are NOT lazy. (((((hugs))))), Lynne

Thanks for this thread, you guys, and for all the work you've done. I love coffee, but have avoided it altogether because I've been afraid of getting glutened. I love starbucks, but again, too scared to try it. Thanks again --you guys are great. And I WILL write to that CEO -- and ask him why his company chooses to endanger the health of his consumers by refusing to disclose potentially harmful ingredients to persons with either allergies or intolerance to particular ingredients. Basically, my intent is to make him feel like dirt, but in a really nice, southern way!

Ravenwoodglass: Thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone. I can't imagine watching your children having this disease, too. My biggest fear is that my kids will develop it, like I did, as adults. Especially if it affects their brains and eyes, too. I would give you a big hug and we WOULD cry together. It's not that I don't know that other people have worse things -- my God, my mother has lung cancer and finished Chemo last year. It's just that it is so interrupting in our lives. It feels like everything revolves around the disease, around the food, around the adjustments we have to make . . . how much inconvenience can one person take? Not to mention feeling like crud. I hope you start to have better and better days . . . . . (((((hugs))))to you, Lynne

Debbie --your husband is sooooo lucky. Having a spouse that is supportive is really important, I think. Also, having a spouse that recognizes that this stupid disease has taken a LOT away from you. I appreciate so much, too, that you don't have the "lemonade" theory. Right now, I don't see a pitcher. At all. That is a really good analogy. Thank you.

Dave took me out "depression shopping" afterward - he knew that I just needed to get out, and get my mind on other things and off that. He let me cry for a LONG time first -- but then, after I told him that I thought I didn't contribute to our marriage, he told me that I contribute just by being here. He said that this house wouldn't be a home unless I was here, and if I never did another thing, my worth is determined merely by existing. What a guy, huh????? I know that he was sent to me for a very specific reason. He's the best man I've ever met (next to my dad -- I have to say that, because if he saw this, he'd razz me for a LONG time!!!)

I was really disappointed. I have had the "bulk mailings" recruiting for jobs, and I figure -- well, they just need someone, and they're targeting everybody. This was the first phone call from a recruiter. It was also the first time that I had to say it out loud that I can't work. God, that was tough. If I could have taken the job, our financial worries would be over for good. It was that good a position. I wanted so badly to ask, "if I'm a director, can I simply direct, and do a minimum of actual hands on work?" I could do that from a chair. I knew better, though. PT is such an active career. Those treatment tables? I would put one knee up on it, then just lift myself up on the table if I had to work over a mid-back. People used to laugh that these huge men weren't as strong as me. When I was in school, my grip strength was 120 pounds --it was 10 under the best -- a guy who was a body builder. It's down to 40 pounds. 40!!!!!!!! That's unable to open a pickle jar! Ugh.

I'm over my tirade -- for a little while. I know it will come back again when I tell my mom & dad. Especially my dad. He's the one that kills me -- he starts crying when he sees me walking, and I almost can't take it. He has to leave the room. Then he gets my mother crying, and SHE leaves the room. I guess it is hard to see your daughter like this, when I used to be so different.

Anybody else, feel free to vent . . . after all, this is an "I hate this disease" thread! . . . Hugs and love to you ALL, Lynne

I usually just make the best of the situation. If there's a restaurant close that I know is gluten-informed, I'll suggest that. If not, I just ask for a salad, but I sound like Sally on "When Harry Met Sally"! I say, I'd like a bed of greens, including spinach. Do you have hard boiled eggs? That would be nice. Do you have cucumbers? Are they marinated in anything? No? Oh, that would be nice. Do you have tomatoes? I'd like those. Do you have Bacon? Is it real or is it imitation? Imitation, oh no thanks. (or Real -- GREAT!) and on, and on . . . then when they ask me what kind of dressing, I say, Oh , I'll just use salt & pepper.

I have always been one of these -- order off the menu, pick your side dishes, don't ask for anything special. This ordering thing is a totally new experience! If I tell the waiter up front what the problem is, though, they're pretty nice. It works!