Friday, December 18, 2009

A New Development...

As a rule on my blog, I generally don't share a lot personal things on here. Just because I like to keep it light and fun, and some things I just don't think is necessary to share with the world wide web. But, this post will be different. It's a little bit of an update on what's been going on with me personally, health-wise.
I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. It sounds worse than it is but, it is still a bit of a bummer. Celiac Disease (in case you don't know) is basically an allergy or sensitivity to gluten which, unfortunately is in everything. How did I find this out? Well, here is the story...

I've always had mild issues with my stomach but, just chalked it up to stress. Now that I look back, I can almost pinpoint when it started. For the last several months I had been dealing with extreme exaustion, I mean the "I can't even take one foot out of my bed kind of exaustion" everyday. I was also having migraines, nausea and abdominal pain and burning. It got to the point where I thought maybe I was pregnant because I was nauseous so much but, I wasn't. So, after this would not go away, I decided (with my husband's prompting) to see a Doctor. After 4 or 5 visits, he could not figure anything out, and I was still feeling awful so, he sent me to see a Gastroenterologist. Right away, he asked me all of my symptoms, sent me for a blood test and scheduled an endoscopy test (a test where they look at your stomach via a tube down your throat). Before my E test the Doctor came in and said "just as I suspected, your blood test was very high for celiac disease." And I was like "thanks for telling me right before you sedate me, doc." So, they took a biopsy of my small intestine to check for definite signs of celiac. So, that night I went home and thought "geez, if this is real then this Italian girl is gonna starve." I waited on pins and needles for the test results to arrive. When they finally did, it was consistent with celiac.
So, I am feeling 2 ways. 1: I feel good now that I know what has been making me sick. In fact, I can look back and remember several occasions and think..."that's why I was feeling so bad."
2: I was bummed for the first couple days but, I am not discouraged. I've been experimenting with a bunch of different foods and have even received some support from others who have it.
For the last week and a half, I have been eating gluten-free and can say I have had way less stomachaches, no headaches, and a ton of energy...even my husband noticed!
So, now this may become a part of my blog, in an effort to maybe help others with this as well. I hope to post some GF recipes and info about Celiac Disease. If any of you out there live Gluten-free too, I'd love to know who you are.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna make it through the Holidays...very creatively I think. :) Thank The Lord for Trader Joe's and Whole Foods!

6 comments:

Tracy said...

So sorry to here about your diagnosis...but know that you are not alone! In fact I "know" a bunch of gluten-free bloggers whose links I can send you for recipes!

Also, that bread book I told you about - Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day - has a whole section on gluten-free breads! :-)

KT said...

oh man gina...so sorry to hear this...but...am glad it got figured out. i am a fan of elisabeth hasselbeck from the view...and she talks about celiacs a lot as she has it. she just wrote a cookbook the g free diet. i have never looked at it, but i bet it has a lot of good recipes! praying that you are able to find things to eat that you like and that you continue to feel better! blessings.

MICHELLE said...

Even though it will be difficult to change your eating habits, it will be wonderful to feel GOOD again. Thankfully there is so much more out there by way of food and recipes for gluten-free eating! Glad you figured things out. May God bless you and bring healing to your body. Enjoy the holidays!!!

Joanna Kristina said...

Boo! I nannied for a little boy with celiac disease, and I know how much preparation goes into all of this. I'll be praying the Lord gives you special ideas for new and delicious foods! =)

Lisa said...

Hello G. I have a daughter who was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Any help and recipes you can give would be great. I am still learning about Celiac Disease. I know this will be a change for our family as well for the recipes and eating habits.

Thanks,
Tammy

Lisa said...

Hello G. Thank you, I will go to that website and check out the recipes. :)