Posts: 8,243
1/9/10 11:55 A

thanks, you guys!

I love this team. it is cram-packed with information!

Pounds lost: 4.0

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15

Posts: 1,194
1/9/10 11:31 A

Welcome to group CeeJay.

SparkPoints: (96,448)
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Posts: 21,393
1/9/10 11:20 A

CEEJAY,

I have long learned it is ok to agree to disagree. The beauty of life and the spark program is that we all have and voice individual opinions and then utilize what is best in our given circumstance.

Nancy

Posts: 8,243
1/9/10 11:14 A

I too am new here. Still figuring out what I can and can not eat, and have only been at it for about 6 weeks.

I can see both sides of this disagreement, Nancy and Elena.

On one hand, Nancy has a good point in that other things need to be ruled out to ensure there isnt something else going on that needs to be treated.

On the other hand, Elena speaks for those of us who had negative blood tests, are feeling like a new person by going GF, and do not want to go back to being sick just for an "official diagnosis".

As I still know very little about this, my opinion is definately an uneducated one that should be taken with a grain of salt. Feel free to educate me because that is why I am here. I want to learn all that I can from you guys.

Pounds lost: 4.0

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15

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Posts: 21,393
12/21/09 10:09 A

I am saying to get one simple bloodtest so she will know what her gluten blood levels are.

Nancy

Posts: 1,368
12/21/09 9:52 A

Welcome Becky! Yes, everything your doctors diagnosed you with, they diagnosed me with too. Most of their diagnoses were wrong, including what they called arthritis. I've got real arthritis in my finger joints and I know what it feels like. The pain in my knees turned out to be pockets of fluid put there by weak leaky veins made that way by, you guessed it, gluten.

I totally disagree with Nancy. I went for all the tests. I made my self sick doing it because you have to stay on a "normal" gluten diet throughout. They couldn't find celiac, but my gastro doc had done enough reading to know that celiac is now known to be only one of many gluten intolerances. Lots of people who don't have celiac get dermatitis herpetiformis from gluten. There have been all kinds of new studies in the last year that show gluten can damage vein walls, nerve cells, the thyroid, the pancreas, etc.

If you feel better, just STAY AWAY from it. Don't submit yourself to testing if you already know you can't eat it.

Pounds lost: 12.0

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Posts: 30,619
12/20/09 10:10 P

current weight: 240.0

274 235.5 197 158.5

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SparkPoints: (96,448)
Fitness Minutes: (59,745)
Posts: 21,393
12/20/09 3:44 P

Hi Becky,

Sry, the snow and shoveling must be getting to me.

What if your blood test showed you didn't have celiac - there still could be a number of related issues.

I know what you mean about see another kind of dr., my family dr. sent me to a nutrtionist with a diagnosis of eating disorder. I have since changed doctors.

Any questions, someone will get back to oyu.

Nancy
Glad you are here.

Posts: 28
12/20/09 3:31 P

Kathy,
The internet has made it so much easier for us to research for ourselves and be our own advocates. I've researched for years. The problem was I had so many different kinds of symptoms...it almost seemed like I was making it up! I have had several doctors tell me I needed to see "a different kind" of doctor!
And thanks for mentioning my meds. I do need to get those checked out, don't I?

And Nancy--Could you please explain what you meant by "just WHAT if" Sorry, I didn't understand.

Becky :0)

Edited by: AIMINGFORGOAL at: 12/20/2009 (16:56)

current weight: 235.0

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155

SparkPoints: (96,448)
Fitness Minutes: (59,745)
Posts: 21,393
12/20/09 9:12 A

Becky,

I am glad you joined us.

I had and still have hypothyroidism, but the last few years that I was diagnosed with celiac, they could not get my thyroid under control. They kept increasing my synthroid. Due to the celiac, of course my medications were not being absorped properly, if at all. Along with this came all the other symptoms like extreme fatique, increased depression, etc..

I would suggest being officially diagnosed. You never know - just WHAT if??

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Nancy

Posts: 1,194
12/20/09 7:09 A

Welcome Becky

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Posts: 2,557
12/20/09 12:55 A

Becky, congrats for being your own advocate. I looked for years. I went to a naturopath after years of weird things which made my doctor shrug and shake her head. I can't say everything's better, but some things are. I've begun losing weight for the first time.
Check any meds to make sure they are GF. My thyroid med had cellulose, which I was not digesting properly. I'm on a different one now, and feeling better. Good luck, and God bless. Kathy

SparkPoints: (85,626)
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Posts: 12,203
12/19/09 11:59 P

Welcome to this Team! I have felt better since I have been gluten-free. Again, welcome!
GOD BLESS!
Louise

Posts: 28
12/19/09 11:17 P

Hi!

My name is Becky and I'm new to SP and GF eating! I've tried gluten-free before and felt better, but went back to "normal" food again. This last time there was no question that I needed to be off of gluten!

I've not been tested, but couldn't believe all of the systemic symptoms involved in CD and how many of them I had! I've gone to doctors for years and years trying to put the pieces together and I finally figured it out myself!

After just one week on a GF diet a lot of my symptoms are better or gone altogether! My arthritis is much better and my energy level is through the roof, my thinking is crystal clear also.

I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, low thyroid/adrenal, diabetes and had lots of neurological symptoms that had doctors searching over and over for MS.

Are these things typical of celiac?

I look forward to talking and reading and learning from you....

Thanks!

current weight: 235.0

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