I set out on my gluten-free adventure on July 5, 2007. The night before, I ate nearly an entire 9×13 yellow sheet cake with chocolate icing that a friend brought over for a barbecue. (I still conjure up the smell and taste of that very cake…). I woke up so bloated, achy and swollen that I practically limped through my tennis match with the in-laws that afternoon. That was when I decided to just “see” if the gluten-free lifestyle made a difference for me.
Since 1997, I have suffered from chronic joint pain, endured rounds of steroids and creepy drugs like Vioxx, and spent more sleepless nights with my knees propped against pillows that I would like to admit. Only when I had my bowel resection did I experience some relief. But even in the five years since then, in addition to joint pain, I have suffered myriad unexplainable problems from moodiness to eczema. After many Q and A sessions with Brandi who so persistently urged me to take the GF plunge, I began noticing certain morning-after-gluten effects from puffy eyelids after inhaling an entire 12″ diameter piece of naan from Delhi Dhaba to a rock-hard, gaseous belly after a few beers at Ragtime.
So I shoved the mental sheet cake aside and dove into the world of close-to-the-ground foods from the Arlington Farmer’s Market, GF novelty baked goods at Wegmans and being that person that asks for the gluten-free menu. Over time, most of my pesky problems have disappeared. And last week, with the blessing of my triad of doctors, I went off Immuran, the immunosuppressant drug, which I have been taking for Crohn’s disease for almost six years. All of my health care providers were in agreement that the glutie lifestyle is working wonders for me and my body.
Notes: I get the rice instead of the naan at Delhi Dhaba now. There is some skepticism about whether or not I have Celiac disease but no one is interested in glutening me up just to test for it. I am off the drug on a six-month trial and will keep you posted. No one should stop taking medication without talking to ALL of their doctors.
Tags: Arlington Farmer's Market · celiac · Crohn's disease · Delhi Dhaba · gluten free menu · Immuran · Ragtime · steroids · Vioxx · Wegmans5 Comments
5 responses so far ↓
Ok, so does this mean there is no actual “test” for Celiac’s? If not, I’d be interested in hearing how people get to the diagnosis. I get random wicked joint swelling and pain in my knees, ankles, elbows, etc. about 2-3 times a year and not one of the several Drs I have seen has any clue why. You name it, I’ve been tested for it - but I don’t think Celiac’s has ever been considered… Any advice?
Lee, there is a test for Celiac. They can test for antibodies in your blood which is less conclusive or give you an endoscopy which is a pretty accurate result (but some insurance companies won’t pay until you’ve had a positive blood test). The catch is that you must be consuming gluten in order to have an accurate test result. I recommend having the test before giving up the gluten. Once you’re gluten free and feeling great, its hard to go back. Here are some reasons to get the test even if going gluten free doesn’t require a prescription (like it does in the UK — you can get cheapo GF foods from local pharmacies with a script).
1. It’s hereditary. If you plan to have kids you should know if you’re GF. That way, when they’re 10 and 14 lbs you might have a better idea of what’s wrong. Me, I was just put on a milkshake diet.
2. The more people who have Celiac the more available foods will become. Right now, a lot of people think GF is a fad and not necessarily a health consideration. The more of us who are reported as positive for Celiac, the more seriously the FDA and food manufacturers will take us!
I should also note that my gastro said that even though a person may test negative for Celiac, there are still many other components (antigens and proteins) of wheat and grains to which humans may be allergic or sensitive. Basically, by my standards, if there’s that many red flags around a single type of food, it wasn’t meant for human consumption; if you can’t pick it or wrestle it to the death, don’t eat it. That said, I’ve started researching the Paleolithic diet…you guys think gluten free is hard…? Try no beans, eggs, or rice. But the science around the incongruencies between the agricultural revolution and human evolution is strong and worth thinking about, whether you are a glutie or not. And, if all else fails, consider that you might just have the gout.
Good advice, all. For the record, I have tested negative for gout at least 5 times without a single positive test and my purine levels are below normal. Unfortunately for me, what I have also attacks 2-3 joints at the same time, which is indicative of something else. I wish it were that easy. Going to see a Dr. about that Wheatard test.
My blood test actually came back negative, but by the time I got the results I had already started trying it out. I felt so much better after just a week, I actually laughed at the doctor when she said I tested negative. I didn’t move forward with other testing because I wasn’t sure what my insurance would cover, and I already knew what I needed to do. Good luck with your test!