tiredofdoctors

I DO believe in growing pains, but only when a child has had a significant growth spurt in a short period of time. It takes the muscles much more time to stretch to accommodate the growing bone, and the pull / stress that it puts on the bone and the joint can be pretty severe, depending upon the amount of growth.

That being said, if your daughter is celiac, then she may have some peripheral neuropathy -- which is pretty painful, I have to say. When you consider that nerves heal at the rate of 1mm per week, it's understandable that it can take a LONG time for her to start feeling better, if that's what she has. I wouldn't take her to a neurologist, though -- at her age, there's not much that he/she can do for peripheral neuropathy, and the testing isn't the most pleasant for kiddo's.

If you could get her to keep a pill under her tongue (good luck!), sublingual vitamin B12 may help a little. It is helplful in creating / keeping healthy nerves. Swallowing B12 is much less effective because of intrinsic factor -- it obliterates the vitamin. Putting it under your tongue, it goes through your mucous membranes and gets into your bloodstream without having to go through your stomach, and gets there faster (think: Nitroglycerin tablets).

Good luck to you, and I hope your daughter gets to feeling much better very soon.

Good luck with your bloodwork -- but the bottom line is this: if your body responds to a gluten-free diet, and you FEEL BETTER when you don't ingest gluten, then go for it! I'm starting to be VERY skeptical about bloodwork . . . . . .

I usually tell people that I have an autoimmune disorder that prevents me from eating anything containing gluten. Of course, then you have to explain that it is BROW -- Barley, Rye, Oats and Wheat. If they go further and ask what it does, I tell them that there's a protein on a part of your brain that is very similar to gliadin -- the substance in gluten. My body mistakes those proteins for gliadin and destroys them -- and I need all the brain cells I can get!! Then when I tell them that this autoimmune disease is why I'm in my wheelchair, they kind of take it more seriously. I think.

Karen -- that sounds like a GREAT solution!! Thanks for passing it on . . . . . .

After this stupid biopsy then burn all the spots off my face thing, the dermatologist said that he was going to address all the issues with my face and scalp. Must say, it was well worth the money. He said -- "Same price. Why not?" I agreed. My point, as it takes me a LONG time to get there is:

For my scalp, he gave me Loprox Shampoo (prescription) to use twice per week, with at least three days in between. I haven't had an itch since I started using it. And, no flakes.

For my hairline, he gave me Verdeso -- evidently, it's a VERY weak corticosteroid foam. Works GREAT. (prescription)

For my face, he gave me Rosac cream for the rosacea. It also has sunscreem in it, no cortisone so my skin won't thin out, and it's working really well. (prescription)

Personally, I'd try Karen's idea first. I think it sounds like a winner. If you don't have luck with that, and you have the hairline and face stuff, too, ask your doctor either to recommend a good dermatologist or ask him if he would prescribe those for you. I'm pretty amazed that they have worked so well.

Good luck . . . . . Lynne

If I were one to believe in re-incarnation, I would swear that Nancy Grace is the re-incarnation of this journalist!

ROFLMAO

Absolutely!! I can hear that WAY too southern voice enjoying saying every word of the burned to a crisp . . . . !!!!

That was GREAT.

And yes, I did QUICKLY catch on to the Kentucky Fried Chicken reference . . . . . .

Hugs back,

Lynne

Hmmmmm....... And what was that reference to Kentucky Fried Chicken?????

There was just too much of; "Aunt Emma Baines and Betty Sue Peters travelled cautiously up the coal train towards the metropolis of Red Deer. They did not accelerate their car over 20 kilometers because of the lack of shoulders and icy conditions. Upon reaching the bustling metropolis of Red Deer they noticed enticing signs in red and green. Giving way to temptation they stopped at the Saan Store to buy various sizes of under panties in assorted colours and then decided to partake of a delicious repast at Patty's Restaurant...blah blah blah"

We live in kind of a "sub-city" of Louisville, and I'm not kidding you, whoever writes our "Town Newsletter" writes disgustingly close to that!!! It is the greatest source of humor and humiliation you have ever seen!!!!!

But that's why we LOVE you!

This part cracked me up: "When it was practically extinguished, the body was found at the foot of the stairs, and was burnt beyond recognition. The flesh was charred and dried to a crisp, making it dangerous to handle the remains, for fear that the joints would fall apart."

THAT WAS THEIR BIGGEST FEAR?

That is TOO funny!!!!!

That is an AWESOME article!! I was busting a gut! What a hoot . . . . can you imagine reading something like that today?

As for Confirmed ------- Karen, honey, we ALL knew you had a sick sense of humor. For a really, really long time.

Love you!

Lynne

Thank you guys for the info . . . . I knew about the lotion -- found out the hard way, then called!! Talk about backward thinking. I use the gentle skin cleanser, asked for it for Christmas in my stocking, but got the normal to oily cleanser instead. That's not gluten-free, huh? Doggonit!

My sister-in-law gave me an Lame Advertisement catalog, but the representative didn't know about the gluten-free status of anything. It's good to know that there's a lot of things that are . . . .

Beverly (Mtndog) said that Lumene products -- available at CVS -- are all gluten-free.

I HATED to give up my TIGI products -- Bed Head -- they all have gluten in them. My favorites!

According to my GI doc, being gluten-free for even three weeks can affect a biopsy. It can't affect the BLOODWORK, but he said that the intestinal tract has an extremely high cellular turnover rate. He didn't even want me to be gluten-free for the four days that I was going to wait to have my endocscopy. This is just what my doc said. Hope it helps.

Hi Jacey -- welcome!! All of the conditions you have mentioned have been associated with Celiac. Raynaud's Phenomenon is associated with a whole HOST of autoimmune diseases (I also have this -- hurts like the dickens when your fingers and toes warm up, doesn't it?).

With regard to the Candida and Mercury toxicity -- the Mercury bothers me -- have you been to the Dentist and had your fillings checked? Have they "detoxed" you? Those are two very important things . . . . . .

With regard to the Candida -- de-yeasting is a bummer, but can be done. It requires that you have NO sugar (even fruits) for so many days, etc. The book "The Yeast Connection" gives better advice about de-yeasting, but also recommends -- oh shoot -- I can't remember the name of the drug -- you give it to kids for thrush (swish and swallow stuff) -- anyway, you DON'T have to take that. The amount that they recommend is also VERY high -- and most doctors won't risk it to give it to you. You DO have to take a pro-biotic. And lots of it. I even had to use a probiotic solution as nasal spray / drops / wash to get rid of the pseudomonas that I had in my sinuses.

With regard to the leaky gut syndrome, there is an enzyme called Biozyme that is GREAT for leaky gut. I recommend it highly.

I was lucky enough to find a registered pharmacist who also went to some college to get his degree in natural "remedies" as well. I would suggest that you try to find someone in your area who is like that, as well. I am really reluctant to rely on the kids at the health food stores -- someone who is 17, has quit high school and works there because it's easy doesn't necessarily qualify as an "expert" -- sorry if I've offended someone.

I also recommend "Freeda" vitamins . . . they're gluten-free, sugar-free . . . basically everything-free. Eskimo-3 Fish Oil is gluten-free, and I can get you the name of my probiotics, but my little poodle (teacup) is sleeping on my lap right now, and I don't want to wake her up!! (She kind of old, and she needs to rest a lot).

Again, welcome to the board, and good luck to you. Hugs, Lynne

Bev -- thank you VERY much for the compliment. It's funny, when I was growing up, I lived with such a dichotomy of messages about my intelligence. My father's side of the family continually made me feel as though I was not very intelligent, clumsy, gawky, inept, etc. . . . I heard this every Wednesday when I took dancing lessons from my aunt, every Thursday when I took piano lessons from another aunt, then it was further enhanced by my grandmother who said much the same and would then talk about my two cousins who were "brilliant". Even when, at age 15, when I entered the University of Louisville's Music Program, I didn't understand that it meant that I was smart and/or talented!! On the OTHER hand, on my mother's side of the family, my grandmother and grandfather called me "the smart one" -- they had 19 grandchildren, and each sort of had their own "description" . . . one cousin was the "pretty one", one was the "wild one", one was the "funny one" . . . things like that. I thought that being the smart one meant that I wasn't anything else . . . . It's no wonder I grew up such a screwed up individual! Now, though, being told that I'm knowledgeable is the greatest compliment I can get . . . I guess it's because I worked so hard to keep my GPA high and those cords I got to wear around my neck were PROOF that my dad's family was WRONG. Weird, huh?

I guess that's what is so frustrating about the word retrieval problem that I have developed as a result of the damage that was done to my brain by gluten. It makes me feel as though people don't realize that I'm knowledgeable. That's really hard for me to deal with. I feel like I'm back at my grandmother's, stifled and unable to come up with the words to tell her that she was wrong. I'm in front of people, and when the words are RIGHT IN MY BRAIN, but just can't get to my lips, it is beyond frustrating. I would love to give lectures, about Physical Therapy, about Patient / Practitioner Interaction, and about Celiac -- but I am frozen by fear. My biggest fear is that I would have the word retrieval "thing" kick in, and I would look like an idiot in front of a LOT of people. I don't know that my self-esteem could take that. It's pretty frightening, particularly given that it is what I really want to do. Hmmmmm.......

Well, enough whining from what was meant to be a big THANK YOU!!!!!

You are the Pimp Poop -- change that last word, if you know what I mean . . . evidently, according to my kids' friends, it's a HUGE compliment!!!!

Love you,

Lynne

OKAY THAT'S IT!!!!! WHERE'S MY PLANE TICKET??????????????!!!!!! Pizza and a beer? Chris, don't toy with my affections!!

Eliza -- what you explained sounds remarkably like Guillanne Barre Syndrome. Kids CAN get Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 7 -- I know of an infant that developed it at 8 months. With RA, you would have had an elevated sedamentation rate, which is indicative of inflammation, a positive Rheumatoid factor, and other tests for autoimmune diseases. Guillanne Barre is a virus --which would DEFINITELY explain the elevated white count. It would depend upon the differential in the CBC -- if there is a viral vs. a bacterial shift. Guillanne Barre has exactly the symptoms which you described. It is a virus which causes demylination of the peripheral nerves. Myelin is what makes nerve signals moves smoothly and consistently. If there are places in it that have lapses or scars (as in Multiple Sclerosis), the signals have to "jump" down the nerves -- and it makes the nerves have either decreased or no ability to contract. It can be EXTREMELY painful, but just as importantly, causes the MARKED decreased muscle function. In some instances, it can even cause the respiratory muscles to shut down and patients have to go on ventilators. In some instances, it can take quite some time for this virus to resolve. Sometimes it is faster -- especially if the patient goes on something like Prednisone -- or is in the hospital receiving treatment. Even then, though, it can take a fairly long time to resolve.

Obviously, I can't diagnose anything over the internet, but I'm just giving you a speculation of what first came to my mind when I read what happened to you. Hope this helps . . . . and hope it was worth the suspense!!!

Hugs to you,

Lynne

It's not that I'm actually FUNNY. It's that my life is just that screwed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eliza -- I had an entire page responding to you, and I am so discoordinated tonight that I deleted it. Am not typing well at all, either. I will give you my answer in the morning, if that's O.K. Thanks . . . . Lynne xxxooo

I saw on the Animal Planet that a woman who breeds (Labs, I think) feeds the dogs, especially the pregnant moms, all raw meat. I kind of questioned it, but if chicken necks work for tartar, I'm going to try it for Lucky. Poor little Destiny only has three molars and one lower canined left, and it is loose, so I guess it's a little late for her. She does, however, insist on eating kibble, and turns her nose at soft dog food. I also give her the remainder of my Boost Carb Control and blueberries when I'm finished with it. She thinks it's ice cream.

Hi New Dreams . . . Welcome to the Forum! Along with the articles, you'll find that a LOT of us have been hypothyroid . . . particularly with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis . . . another autoimmune disease. Go figure . . . . . Take care of you, Lynne

I had some serious C due to the neurological damage . . . my autonomic nervous system doesn't know how to function properly, so I don't sweat, don't have intestinal peristalsis, etc. I take Miralax twice a day . . . it has been a Godsend. I tried everything . . . the only time I would go is when I took two Pericolace, drank two to three bottles of water, ate 14-15 prunes and took magnesium . . . it was pretty bad. The GI doc doesn't seem to be too worried about the Miralax and dependency . . . he gave me a year's prescription for it.

No need to be scared. Metta is right -- the worst part is the prep. My daughter had her colonoscopy today, and she was given the half-lightly to drink -- ended up puking it up, just like I did. I talked with her doctor and he changed her prep to the Osmoprep pills. Much, much better. You have to take a lot of pills -- one every fifteen minutes -- but it beats the heck out of that cherry stuff they want you to drink.

For the endoscopy, they'll give you some stuff to numb your throat, then a bite guard with a hole in it to position your mouth and throat properly. I was actually awake for the bulk of my tests, and they weren't that bad even awake. You won't have any trouble at all.

Just a heads up: those nurses have NO sense of humor, however. When I was put on the table, I told them that I had a favor to ask them. They asked what it was, and I said that if they were going to use the same tube, would they please do the ENDOSCOPY first. They were not amused.

Good luck to you, and don't be afraid. It's a piece of cake. Gluten free, of course.

'xxxooo Lynne

Thanks, guys!!! I'm glad to be back, as well. That feeling bad thing is a bummer, seriously. Then to have that stupid medicine full of gluten -- well, let's just say IT'S THE STORY OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Chris -- can you believe that U of K actually MADE it to a bowl game, much less WON it???? We've sucked for YEARS -- we were all partying just because we made it to a bowl game!!! Of course, we've dominated quite frequently in basketball . . . . . . 'nuff said . . . . oh no, not really, because my father is on the only undefeated U of K team ever. That's why I always hope that we lose at least ONE game each season . . . Dad's legacy cannot be broken!!!!! I have to put the hex on at least one game . . .

My brother-in-law is a HUGE Buckeye fan, so we have to be as well. Given that we like him and all, and he DOES root for Uofk basketball, well, you know we have to be supportive . . . . and watch ALL the football games that are televised with him . . . and cheer . . . . . and get upset when there's a bad call . . . . . . geez, this loyalty thing is kind of a drag, really. Talk about obligations . . . . . .

Hey guys, did you see that the MINUTE that U of L got back into town from the bowl game, the coach had a meeting with the team, told them that he was taking a job -- oh shoot -- I can't remember what pro team he's going to -- then left. Seriously. He just walked out of the room, got in a car, and left to go there. No press conference, no nothing. Just left to go to that town -- for good. Talk about strange. So, we had Petrino for the coach of football, and everyone at U of L loved him, and then Pitino (who used to coach at U of K, but then went to the Celtics and crashed a la Titanic, so he came BACK to Kentucky sans the wife who said she hated it here to coach at U of K's nemesis, U of L) and who the U of L fans were getting REALLY hacked off at and were beginning to hate him. Now, I'll bet ya Pitino is the Golden Boy again . . . . He's probably so grateful that Petrino pulled that stunt! His popularity rating went up a minimum of 19 points!!! At least he's sticking around!! He may stink but he's a warm body!!!

You know, Chris, you've mentioned Picazzo's WAY too many times, now . . . . Next time you do, I'm expecting to see a plane ticket in the mail for me to go to Arizona so that I can have that pizza with you guys!!!!! And New Grist beer . . . although I talked with a guy (oddly, it was the guy in charge of security at the Mall here -- I had to talk to him because I think I broke one of my knuckles trying to get through the bathroom doorway because it's not handicapped accessible. Forgot to mention that to you guys. Anyway, come to find out, he's celiac -- so he was giving me good places to get stuff!), SO, he lives in Indiana, right across the bridge, and he told me about the liquor store there -- a little whole in the wall place --that gives you a great price if you buy a case of New Grist! Lookout Louisville -- as I said about Las Vegas, no one moves so fast as when they see a drunk in a wheelchair coming at them. Kind of funny -- they get in your way, stand there, walk in front of you and don't apologize when you're sober. When you're drunk and wheeling right toward them -- they part like the red sea! I decided when I was Christmas shopping that I would just put a determined look in my eyes and wheel as hard and fast as I could. There were a few casualties, but they were GREAT examples to the others in my path. (JUST KIDDING - I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE, NOR DID I ROLL OVER THEM -- but a few of them did "feel the breeze" as I passed!!!)

Need to go to bed and get my beauty sleep . . . . . maybe I should just be comatose for awhile and hope for a miracle!! HA!!! Talk to you guys tomorrow . . . toodles . . . . Love, Lynne

P.S. Thanks, Debbie -- you made my day!!!

Happy Birthday Rusla!! Hope you and Johnny have a great night tonight! Have a great one -- love you, Lynne

Sinenox, I hope that you aren't set up as a target. While I have two children myself, I can tell you that parenting is NOT for everyone. I also had a professor, a PhD in psychology, who said in essence that "everyone thinks that the decision NOT to have children is selfish -- what could be more selfish than to have a child just so a part of you lives on . . . " and went on from there.

That being said (always want to thwart potential arrows!), I am SO sorry about your sister's reaction. I think it's reprehensible that she said that children ruin your life in front of her four year old. I'm sure that he gets that message, whether it's spoken or not, each and every day. My heart aches for that child. I think that you and your husband have your priorities very clear. I don't know what attachment parenting is, so I'm not sure what your sister's beef is about that. I think that it's FANTASTIC that you have chosen to have children! My children brought me so much joy when they were growing up --- I had my first at 20, so we kind of grew up together --- but we had the MOST FUN!!!!! They still bring me joy -- they're 20 and 24.

I think that your sister is in a situation which is so different than yours that she simply can't be happy for you. I don't know if there are other issues in which she is non-supportive, but perhaps she is so unhappy with her life there's some jealousy there that you have your life together and she can't manage to do that. That's very sad.

I think it's GREAT! Happy Baby-ing!!!!!!

Lynne

Hi Carrie -- Welcome to the board! You're already on the right track joining here. You will find some of the most knowledgeable, compassionate people here -- more than you can imagine. My dietician recommended that I get the GIG lists for gluten-free products. They're updated each year, and this year they have a separate one for medications. The total cost for both is $67.00, and is well worth it. You can get them on their website. Also, calling the companies is sometimes VERY frustrating . . . they will say "we don't add gluten to our products..." but when you continue and ask if they querie their suppliers with regard to THEIR gluten-free status, they say, "all I can tell you is that we don't add gluten to any of our products." Hmmmm......... I finally gave up my quest and stopped calling! I had been on a mission to call the companies and insist on answers, but got tired of them tap dancing around the issue!

I would recommend that you look at the products and foods categories here, kind of "scroll back" looking for things in particular that you're interested in -- you may find some good information there, but also grab that GIG info!

Don't want to say, "So happy that you're Celiac" , but do want you to know that you're so welcome here. Take care,

Lynne

I think this poll will help put people at ease.....

Those of us "officially" diagnosed don't distinguish between that and an "unofficial" diagnosis. Given the lack of knowledge and the reluctance of the medical field to accept gluten as poison, it's not surprising most people stumble upon the answer themselves.....

After all, the bottom line is "We're all in the same boat"!!!

Hugs.

Karen

I think you're right -- it doesn't matter HOW you were diagnosed, if you're gluten intolerant, celiac, or if gluten affects you negatively in ANY way, we all ARE in the same boat. Hopefully with Celiac and gluten intolerance becoming more and more prevalent in both print and on the news, MD's will get the hint and start taking this much more seriously. Well said, Karen!!