Yeah, my friends...

After being sick for about 10 years and HORRIBLY ill for the last two, I FINALLY have a diagnosis.

The biopsy of the tissues in my intestines show I've had this for a long long long time.

For those of you who don't know about it...

It's an auto immune disease in which ANY gluten (found in wheat, rye, oats, thickeners, etc) acts like a poison.

The proteins destroy the villi (lil hair like things inside intestines) to the point they can no longer absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

It's not RARE as 1/133 people have it in the US, but it's very difficult to diagnose. My kids have a 1/22 chance of having it, too and will be tested soon.

Basically? My body has been in STARVATION mode.

My anemia? Caused by lack of iron...

My numerous miscarriages? Caused by lack of folic acid...

My muscle tremors, leg weakness, cramping? Caused by lack of vitamins...

The pain in joints, gut and tissue? Again, vitamin deficiency...

And ALL the other symptoms? Same thing...

It's not curable, but it IS manageable.

If I never eat another bit of gluten EVER, my intestines/skin, etc can heal in two years.

YAY!

So, no bread, no cereal, no crackers, no pizza, no prepared foods, no cake, no cookies, no pasta, no gravies, no canned soup, no lickin stamps/envelopes (gluten used in glue), no products even produced on machinery that processes wheat products, and so on...

What I CAN eat? Fresh meat, veggies and fruit and health food store products made w/o gluten.

More good news... I'm gonna end up one skinny bitch!

LOL

I want to thank all of you who have been through this with me over the years...

All the tests... all the false positives...all the worry, etc.

Your love and support kept me pushing for an answer and holding on to hope.

Love you!

YUGE HUGS

aw I am so glad they figured it out finaly and its managable!
now we can have a healthy Nedra
<333

NEDRA!!! One of my customer's, in fact she has become a friend....her son has this and she is very active in all aspects of it. In fact, she started a support group for it. I can put you in contact with her if you would like. She actually found out herself after so many different doctors were giving different diagnosis for her son. She knows more about it than many doctors. Her son was on TV not too long ago for something related to this.......it is way more common than I thought. In fact, I never heard of it before she told me about it. I have been over to her house for dinner and she has many cookbooks related to celiac disease. I am so glad they found out what the problem is, Nedra, but believe me, it is managable once your change your diet. Her son is FINE. Pm me if you would like me to put you in contact with her for support. ((((((NEDRA)))))

*super squishes*

I am so happy you FINALLY have a diagnosis! I know what it is like to not knwo what is going on on a personal level. I am even happier that it is something that is manageable! I think this calls for a party! =)

quote:

Originally posted by ImJuSaLiLuNwElL:
aw I am so glad they figured it out finaly and its managable!
now we can have a healthy Nedra
<333

WOO HOO!

That's ALMOST impossible to imagine...

THANK YOU!

HUGS

quote:

Originally posted by pegasus:
NEDRA!!! One of my customer's, in fact she has become a friend....her son has this and she is very active in all aspects of it. In fact, she started a support group for it. I can put you in contact with her if you would like. She actually found out herself after so many different doctors were giving different diagnosis for her son. She knows more about it than many doctors. Her son was on TV not too long ago for something related to this.......it is way more common than I thought. In fact, I never heard of it before she told me about it. I have been over to her house for dinner and she has many cookbooks related to celiac disease. I am so glad they found out what the problem is, Nedra, but believe me, it is managable once your change your diet. Her son is FINE. Pm me if you would like me to put you in contact with her for support. ((((((NEDRA)))))

THANK YOU, Peg!

Yes, please, I need help/advice. I don't see the nutritionist until Aug. 5th.

I'm 99% sure that Wil has it, too!

All that puking/diarrea all his life that was attributed to food allergies...

I just emptied the pantry of all the "bad" stuff and have two YUGE boxes to donate to a women's shelter.

Love you!

Hugs and Smooches

quote:

Originally posted by NaughtyAries:
*super squishes*

I am so happy you FINALLY have a diagnosis! I know what it is like to not knwo what is going on on a personal level. I am even happier that it is something that is manageable! I think this calls for a party! =)

PARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

I have to give up my bourbon, but I can still have wine, vodka and tequila!

*smiles YUGELY*

Thank you SO much!

HUGS

***HUGS*** I'm so happy they found a diagnosis, Neds... I think there's even someone else on the board who has it.

When I was poking around the internet a couple of days ago, I found some great cookbooks and stuff for people with Celiac... remind me to point you in that direction.

I'm so glad you finally have a diagnosis. Now you can get on with your life!

quote:

Originally posted by Serephina:
***HUGS*** I'm so happy they found a diagnosis, Neds... I think there's even someone else on the board who has it.

When I was poking around the internet a couple of days ago, I found some great cookbooks and stuff for people with Celiac... remind me to point you in that direction.

Seems to me there IS another person...

Anyone remember WHO?

Thank you, sweetie!

I've been checkin' it out all over, but recipes not as easy to find.

Please DO show me.

HUGS

quote:

Originally posted by 4Katie:
I'm so glad you finally have a diagnosis. Now you can get on with your life!

WOO HOO!

I always had HOPE but KNOWING is SO much better!

Thanks SO much!

Hugs

quote:

Originally posted by Nedra:

quote:

Originally posted by Serephina:
***HUGS*** I'm so happy they found a diagnosis, Neds... I think there's even someone else on the board who has it.

When I was poking around the internet a couple of days ago, I found some great cookbooks and stuff for people with Celiac... remind me to point you in that direction.

Seems to me there IS another person...

Anyone remember WHO?

Thank you, sweetie!

I've been checkin' it out all over, but recipes not as easy to find.

Please DO show me.

HUGS

RCAlbert

prolly nothing you didn't find, but at celiac.com you can get to an online store where you can buy gluten free just about anything.

I'm glad you got some answers, Nedra! I had heard that diagnosis can be very elusive.And help for Wil, too! Better days ahead!

Hey Nedra, that's great news that you finally know what you are dealing with!
I have a friend who has this, or something similar which means she has to have a gluten-free diet, and she makes the greatest cakes in all the world with special gluten-free ingredients... I'll have a chat with her and ask her for any information I can pass onto you!
I know a few people who have to have gluten-free diets so I know it's not uncommon.

I cried with relief when you got the diagnosis, Nedra. After the roller coaster you've been on, emotionally and physically, now you finally know what's been eating at you. Literally.

Look at how far these small steps have brought you. You're going to get WELL. You're going to get SKINNY. And because of your strength and sheer will, you found out how to heal your son as well. Good Mama Nedra, always.

I'm so proud of you for not giving up. It's time to get that body of yours well! It's spent too long suffering.

*breaks out the vodka*

Next time we meet up, we're gonna have some SERIOUS fun. At least there will always be vodka, yes? I've done some tequila shots in my day...though I won't vouch for my behavior afterwards.

I love you, darlin'. You're on your way.