Celiac Disease

I thought I would share some interesting health news.  I have just come from a Naturopath who told me some interesting news...but first.. let me backtrack.

When I was four years of age I was diagnosed with Celiac disease.  I had been complaining of abdominal pain and had spent many a morning in the school nurse's office doubled up with cramps.  Finally, my mother called our doctor...who did house calls...and he came and examined me during an episode of excruciating pain.  He immediately diagnosed me as having Celiac Disease, based on the rigidity of my stomach, and the bloating and frothy BMs I was having.

What followed was an eight year gluten free diet.  It was horrible.  There were not the substitutes that are available today.  Birthday parties were nothing to look forward to.  I could not eat the traditional fare of hot dogs and cake.  I am sure that perplexed many a mom who was hosting a party, and I distinctly remember one mom who, after she had offered me everything she had, proceeded to throw up her hands and exclaim, "Well!  What CAN you eat then?"

My birthday present in my 12th year was a graduation to the usual diet of a teenager.  I never looked back, although there were periods in my life when I again found myself doubled up with abdominal pain...and then, there were the rashes on my hands which plagued me unmercylessly.

 I occasionally thought about Celiac Disease and wondered if it had returned, but there was NO way I would voluntarily put myself on THAT diet ever again....besides which, I had put on weight, and I thought, incorrectly that all Celiacs were skinny.  Not so.  

I never mentioned my health history to my children until my daughter started having many of the same symptoms as I had when I was four.  She developed a very bad rash on her hands which made her consider that she might have an allergy to something she was ingesting and after being tested with lab work, and a biopsy it was determined that she does have Celiac disease.

I have chosen not to undergo a biopsy.  If there is damage done, it is damage that has occurred over the past 50 years and the only thing that will right that is a gluten free diet.  

For the past three years I have had excruciating pain in my left foot, fourth toe.  I have been through every test known to man and the closest I have come to having it diagnosed was at the Foot Clinic where it was strongly felt the pain was nerve related.  Lately, both calves have been "achey."

Today I took the alternative route and went to see a Naturopath.  After a thorough examination, and health history, this doctor concurred that the pain was most likely nerve pain.  She also said it was most likely damage caused by an untreated Celiac condition, and a nutrition deficiency as a result of this.

I have been advised to follow a strict gluten free diet for three months, and take supplements which she has prescribed.

For the fist time in three years, I feel hopeful.

Celiac Disease is nothing to scoff at.  Untreated Celiac Disease can lead to Cancer...Diabetes...arthritis.

Google Celiac Disease for more information.

Consider a Doctor of Naturopathy.  You will find that they look at the whole picture rather than focusing on the symptom, and prescribing chemicals that can be toxic.