1 more Bore about Celiac

Since so many of you thought it was just a matter of not eating wheat, barley or rye I am going to show you some things that might make folks stop rolling their eyes when someone tells them they have celiac and can't eat gluten. It is far more than bread and pasta.

Over at the blog, Gluten Dude, he made this poster.
He pretty much nailed all my symptoms.
I was sick for years. I mean to tell you 40+ years.
I saw a doctor for the skin/hair issues.
I saw a doctor for the female issues
I saw a doctor for oral / teeth issues
I saw a doctor tummy issues
I saw a doctor my joint issues
I saw a doctor to fill in all the others.
It was a circle of not getting any better and each and every year feeling so much worse than the year before.
Many many trips to the ER and no one knew what was wrong with me.

Once I got over the anger of the diagnosis. Then I went into mourning for what I was losing. Then as I was feeling sorry for myself and I was eating this new way I was also starting to feel really good.  In a matter of months, I began to notice small things. I hadn't had hives during that time. Wow. A week without a rash or hives was a miracle for me.

After one year I could report that I no longer had rosacea, hives, dry skin, seasonal allergies, hair loss, very dark circles under my eyes, bruising stopped, no more bloating, uti's, sinus infections, tingling limbs, anxiety, dizziness, edema off the charts kind of edema, joint pain, yeast infections, and liver enzymes were no longer so high they made me quit drinking for a couple of years. Yes, no wine for 2 yrs. I got every cold and flu that went around along with bronchitis annually.

Yes, those are only some of the issues I had.
But after 1 full year, the above symptoms were gone. 
Just by eating a different way.
No medication because there is none.
Now having said that I still suffer from the nutrients that I can't always get from my food due to my damaged villi. Most with this disease will have a vitamin and mineral deficiencies as I do. Remember those work for you for a reason, those being low can trigger other organs, like the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Also while that list above seems long that is nothing compared to others.
This ugly disease can cause a multitude of serious issues and it affects each person differently. Yes, you can die from this, but unlikely, but I have heard of it due to other organ complications. Yes, you are prone to certain diseases like cancer.
Yes, it is difficult but it could be worse.

Some things never came back, like the enamel on my teeth. I have tried to bleach them but I have lost a great deal of enamel because of celiac. So I can't make them whiter anymore and that sucks to me.

After my diagnosis, I saw the financial savings of no more doctors but one now.
I also saw that I can have energy and not be sick all the time. I can live a normal life contrary to my Italian Father who can't grasp no eating gnocchi or lasagna. Before dementia, he would say, "just eat a little, since when can lasagna hurt anybody?"
I would just laugh. I couldn't get him to understand. At one point he thought it was an allergy like peanuts. I let him think that because it was easier. But it is NOT an allergy. It is an autoimmune disease. And if it goes for years without a diagnosis it is usually a lot worse but you can get through it.

Jennifer Esposito, the actress, wrote the most fabulous book, Jennifers Way. 


She was fired from a TV show due to her celiac. Undiagnosed celiac.
Her book was a Godsend. 
I saw her on TV and I immediately bought the book. I began to read it but it was so difficult because I was crying so much it was hard to read through tears. 
She lived my life (okay without marrying Bradley Cooper and having money that is) She was told to take an anti-depressant, she was poo-pooed every dr visit. 
She was told to have a bagel and ginger ale and your belly will feel better. 
I was told to have toast and ginger ale. Imagine that - feeding me bread to make my stomach pains go away. Guess what? They didn't work. 

Everything she went through was my life experience with this disease. 
The difference? She had insurance and money to pay for it all. I was making payments on everything. Tests that my insurance wouldn't cover etc. That took a couple of years some tests were 5 figures, so add negotiating skills to my list of fighting a disease. But I got it down with some tears and negotiating with everyone every day to $1500. Still, more than I could pay but it was better than a used car size bill.
Fun, fun, fun.

I am diligent with my food. I have had cross contamination when I least expected it. I am always prepared. Imodium in purse? Check! There is nothing to help with the swelling that will occur in 24 hrs or cramping or tummy pain or headaches and flu like fatigue. It will hit you like a brick wall and you may take 2 days to 2 weeks to recover. But all those things for me are my normal and no big deal.
What just happened to me is a damn big deal and if it would never happen again I would be so very happy.

So next time someone says they can't have gluten, don't roll your eyes.
Unless of course, they are one of those twits who doesn't eat it because it's a fad to diet. Roll your eyes at them! Hell punch them! Punch 'em twice, once for me.

I met one of those twits recently. My friend said they were going to do ribs and for us to come down. I asked if they do them with a rub or BBQ sauce. She said a rub and puts the sauce on later. (in my mind that was great. You see most BBQ sauce has gluten so I knew I could eat them) My friend said, "do you like them without BBQ sauce or has it something to do with gluten?" 
Before I could answer, the twit said, "Oh I don't eat gluten either." 
All excited like we were going to be non gluten friends. 

I said to the twit, "you just were talking about licorice. Licorice is gluten." 
She laughed and said but it's low in calories when I want a treat. 
I asked if she eats Chinese food. She said of course just not egg rolls and the wontons. I told her that soy sauce was gluten. (Duck sauce and the list goes on) So don't tell me you little twit you don't eat gluten you eat it all day long, you are just unaware. gluten is not just flour. She actually said, "really? it's not just flour?" 
OMG. The willpower I had not to slap her was incredible!

That malt vinegar on your fries, gluten baby. I dislike those gluten-free twits because they ruined it for those of us who have a serious disease. The twits are who the comedians find so annoying. You would not laugh at a diabetic because she/he won't eat your cake and candy now do you? 

I just saw the comments and emails saying you never knew celiac was like this. Yes, it's a disease and the more people know what it is the less likely they will make fun of us with it. At least that is my hope.

I know as sure as I am typing this that if I didn't have to eat this way there is no way in hell I would do it. I would love nothing more than to go to a baseball game and have a hot dog and a beer. To be able to have a pizza or fries. Yes, I can have fries but not from McDonald's or some restaurant that has other things in the fryer with breading. I found this out the hard way while traveling no less. Oh, that was not a good day! Now Rick and I laugh about it but it sure wasn't funny on that day. 

Okay, enough of that as she jumps off the soapbox.
But wine, my nectar of the Gods, is gluten free and I am one lucky woman!