Celiac Disease
Ever
since I can remember I have had allergy and sinus problems. When I was around 8 years
old I can remember being teased for "sniffing". I remember
everyone saying "Go blow your nose, go get a tissue". My nose
was stuffed up all the time. I remember my Grama Rose saving some money
to send me to an ENT specialist who put me on a steroid nasal spray. Wow,
did that work like a charm. I was so grateful. I could breathe
through my nose and the congestion was gone. That lasted for about 3
months and then it came back. I was put on another round of steroid
sprays which worked again but it was short lived.
I
also had eczema in every nook and cranny possible. I had it so bad on the
inner part of my elbow and up and down my forearms that I wore a sweater to
cover it up. That sweater acted as my shield against all the comments
like.."EWWWW, What's that gross stuff all over your
arms". I specifically recall one time itching my skin so bad I
got impetigo. I had to take oatmeal baths and put this heavy paste on my
skin each time I got out of the bath tub.
I was not allowed to go swimming either.
The water from the pond or a pool was not good for my skin. That was torture. I recall sitting on the side of the pool or
on the beach not being able to go in.
As
I got older, we were able to get my eczema under control. That
was done with steroid creams. With all these steroids I'm surprised I'm
not a hairy, women like lady with a voice like Arnold. Around
the age of 21, I was working for the Government and I finally had
INSURANCE! I went to the allergist to get "scratch
tested". They injected my back with a bunch of allergens. The
tests came back that I was allergic to dust, mold and rabbits.
Rabbits???? Oh geeze, now how on earth will I ever be able to eliminate
rabbits from my life? Those hairy bastards LMAO!
I
was given an allergy pill to take as needed when I did encounter the dust, mold
and those darn rabbits. Around the age of 30, I started
having issues with my stomach and constant lose bowels and urgent, explosive,
diarrhea. Now there are 3 words you don't want to hear together in a
sentence. (UED) At times it was bloody. I again, went to the doctor
who did blood tests and found nothing wrong in the blood work. That is
when I had my first (with 3 more in my future); colonoscopies. That
test showed I had proctitis. I looked at the doctor and said "I have WHAT?"
I know the suffix “I T I S” means inflammation so now I have to
figure out what a PROC is? The doctor began to explain:
Proctitis
is defined as inflammation of the anus, OH GREAT, I have a broken Anus. The opening and lining
of the rectum (lower part of the intestine leading to the anus). I feel like such an ass. Symptoms
of proctitis can vary greatly; which is no news to me…One may at first have
only minor problems. Proctitis affects the last 6 inches of the rectum and can
cause the following:
- Pain during a bowel movement
- Soreness in the anal and rectal area
- Feeling that you didn't completely empty the bowels after a bowel movement
- Involuntary spasms and cramping during bowel movements
- Bleeding, and possibly a discharge
Proctitis
can last a short time or become a chronic condition (last for weeks or months
or longer).
So
now the million dollar question. I asked the doctor, “How did I get this? “
He
rattled off a number of causes; Excessive Antibiotic use ,Autoimmune Disorders
and the most bizarre one was “Foreign
objects in the rectum” I cracked up
laughing and said “ Umm, we can rule out that last one doctor”.
To
make a long story even longer, I was once again put on steroids. This time the steroid has a special twist to
it. I was given a rectal suppository.
Refer to previous paragraph where I thought that was SO VERY FUNNY about
objects in the rectum causing my affliction.
Yeah, not so funny now is it Sharon?.
The thing was the size of a magnum 44 bullet. I briefly flashed back to the movie Scar Face
where he says “Say hello to my little
friend”.. YIKES.
I
was on the suppositories for 2 weeks and felt SO much better; but with any
steroid, it only lasts so long. I
relapsed again…………It was a vicious circle………Cramps, fatigue, and the 3 words
again I don’t want to hear together…. Urgent,
Explosive Diarrhea. I pretty much gave
up and accepted the fact that I am sick and I will just have to live with it. I kept an emergency kit in my car for when I
traveled. Unlike most emergency kits, it
didn’t contain fix a flat, or flares, It
contained, baby wipes, a clean pair of underwear.
It
wasn't until my niece Kara was born that I realized what was going on and the
importance of healthy, organic, wholesome
and a GLUTEN FREE diet.
You
see, Kara, our little angel, was born with Down Syndrome. I remember
hearing the news. I remember feeling so sad for my sister and so sad
for Kara. That's when I had a reality check. I held that beautiful,
little baby in my arms I thought; "Why am I feeling sorry for
anyone?" This little baby girl is beautiful, kind, sweet and
loving. Kara looked up at me and gave me the first of many of her bright, sweet smiles. It was the kind of smile that
says “Look out world, here I come”. http://lettucethrive.com/category/fitness/
She
has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives. On top of the Down Syndrome, Kara
has Celiac Disease. I had never heard of this before. My sister
Wendy filled me on the subject and she suggested I do some research on my own. I
looked up all the symptoms of Celiac and they did sound very similar to all the
issues I was having. Then I
thought, the doctor said I didn’t have celiac and he wasn’t sure what was wrong
with me or why I have proctitis, but here TAKE THIS MEDICINE and come back and
see me in 3 months.
I
told you this was a long story.
I
started following a diet that was similar to Kara’s. I
eliminated Wheat & Gluten. Within 2
weeks, my intestines felt a little better. My
aches and pains were slowly subsiding. My
fatigue was lessened. I had more
energy. I actually felt normal for a
change. Thank you Kara. http://lettucethrive.com/category/main-dishes/
I
do have days where I cheat and have gluten.
30 minutes later I feel lazy, sluggish, crampy and a fogged brain and
yes, the U. E. D.
On
that note, I will end this rant of mine.
I am going to grocery store to replenish my gluten free supplies,
organic veggies and snacks.
A great site for recipe ideas and GF treats along with our beautiful Kara.
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