Over the past few months, I have noticed that I have been feeling more tired and less myself. For those who know me I have struggled with many health issues over the years, but it seemed like I was on a turning point where at least things had become manageable. I had gotten off most of medications, was able to control many of my symptoms through changing my diet, and have worked to try to relieve stress in my life.
On any given day, I deal with chronic pain from my fibromyalgia, heart arrhythmia issues, and circulation issues that cause me to fluctuate between being severely cold or having hot flashes. Definitely over the last couple of years, but especially the past 3-4 months, I have noticed that my energy level has dropped dramatically, I've had a hard time losing weight despite a decreased appetite, I feel completely fatigued no matter how much sleep I get, and have been having a lot of digestive issues.
After months of tests, new medications, and speculation, my doctor has narrowed things down to me having IBS or Celiac Disease. For those that don't know about Celiac, here is a great website with lots of information: http://www.celiac.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=25. While I don't want either diagnosis to be true, I have to admit that I am ready for my doctor to figure out what is wrong with me so I can treat it and get back to a healthier life.
While researching Celiac Disease, I have to admit that I have been presenting with many of the symptoms that are commonly found in people with this disease. My vitamin K deficiency that my doctor has been treating me for since July is definitely one of them. Additionally, people with other autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia and Raynaud's, both of which I have suffered from for years, are more likely to develop Celiac in their lifetime. So, while I don't like to always self-diagnose, it's really hard to deny the possibility that I may very well be suffering from this disease.
Sadly, the scary part is not the fact that I may have Celiac Disease; it's the fact that if do have it, my lifestyle as I know it will have to change dramatically. People with Celiac Disease have to go on strict gluten free diets, and anyone who knows me well can tell you that will be a tough adjustment for me since I love Italian food, my whole wheat bread, and I love to bake.
In the past, I have used the Atkins diet to lose weight, and I was extremely successful both times. I felt great on that diet and would lose like 5lbs a week. So, it does make sense that I could be suffering from Celiac Disease considering my past history with the Atkins diet meal plan. Part of the reason I didn't last on Atkins, though, was the fact that I missed whole wheat bread and being able to have Italian food.
If I do have this disease, I will have no choice but to go on a gluten-free diet. To not do so will only continue to jeopardize my health even further, but it is a scary thought right now. I want to get healthier and lose weight so I can feel normal again (well, normal for me), but having to make such and adjustment is going to really difficult.
Does anyone have any advice? Are you on a gluten-free diet (maybe for food allergies) or know someone who is? I would really like to hear how they manage. I know there are lots of new gluten-free products out there, but are they really that great tasting? How do you deal with eating out at restaurants or other people's homes?
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