Happy Labor Day to all of us working stiffs! I come from a long line of hard working people. Our work ethic is that we do a good job, or we just don't do it!!!
This blogger project is going to be another way for me to help others who may be struggling with gluten intolerance. It is not easy, and I will admit that I was in denial for a long time. This blog will keep me accountable for my health, and hopefully will be an inspiration for others.
Two years ago I started seeing a wonderful gynecologist who had just started her own private practice. She is dedicated to improving the health of women like me, who, for whatever reasons have multiple health issues. Her focus is on nutrition and good quality supplements that address specific issues.
When I first saw Dr. S., she spent a long time talking to me and actually LISTENING to my laundry list of complaints! Her first order of business was to have me take a saliva test. This was done at home with a kit. It was kinda gross, but the results were shocking. Turns out I am intolerant to gluten, most grains, soy, dairy, and eggs. No wonder I had been sick most of my life!!! At last I knew it wasn't just in my head!!
I immediately went on a gluten free diet. Well, that lasted for about 6 months. The depression that came with my perception of epicurial sacrifice was too much to bear. Going to the grocery store was agony. I could only purchase about 10% of available products. Some entire rows were verboten! Reading labels was boring and time consuming.
I went off the gluten wagon for a whole year. The primary care physician I was seeing at the time didn't value the test I took. He was convinced I was diabetic, so that summer I charted my glucose for a month. The doctor acted disappointed that my glucose was normal! When I went in six months later for my physical, he basically looked at lab reports and didn't even examine me! Did I have cooties, or what??? All year I was sick, tired, and sick of being sick and tired. I decided to change to a doctor who worked with Dr. S. That was a good decision.
More later, but today I have been gluten free since June. I belong to a Gluten Free Dinner Meetup group that dines together about once a month. I feel better, my throat is not sore, and I have stopped gaining weight (I gained 10 pounds last school year).
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Hey Margaret! I know that this will come as a BIG shock to you, (NOT), but I really think that I have a gluten intolerance, just like you. (What a surprise! LOL!) I would love for you to e-mail me the name of the doctor who gave you the saliva test. I have been dairy free since June, and I continue to have horrible GI problems. (The baby has a milk intolerance, so I have had to go completely off of dairy AND soy.) I have found it EXTREMELY difficult to exist on the dairy-free diet (although I MUST), and I am getting a little depressed. Nothing lifts my spirits more than a baked potato (since I CANNOT have chocolate!). I am becoming increasingly concerned with how depressed I am getting. After all, my favorite food group has always been ICE CREAM. I don't think I have EVER gone so long without a bowl of ice cream in my entire life. Even when I had a lactose intolerance, (prior to my firstborn), I would STILL partake of ice cream once a day with the help of Lactaid pills. Oh, I simply must find out if my GI issues really are related to a gluten intolerance. I feel HORRIBLE!
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