I've been feeling horrible for months; when I say "horrible," I mean "barely able to function on a day to day basis." I've had a fever, an endless parade of colds and sinus infections, swollen glands, overwhelming fatigue, constant gastrointestinal distress, and, over the last six weeks, this crazy itching that seems to be confined to my scalp and my legs from the knees down to the ankles. Weird, right?
As we all know, the internet is a wonderful tool for freaking yourself out about horrible diseases you might possibly have in a situation like this. Some of the symptoms I was having were consistent with Hodgkins, but most especially the itching on my legs. It's so specific to Hodgkins that they call it the "Hodgkins Itch." So, off to my doctor I went.
He drew blood to look for any irregularities that would indicate a need for further testing to confirm or eliminate a Hodgkins diagnosis. I spent the next several days trying to not freak out so my husband and kids wouldn't freak out. Let's just say that it was a long week, and at the end of that long week, I received a call from the doctor's office. No indication of Hodgkins was present. I rejoiced.
And then I cried. A lot. Because I still felt horrible, and I didn't know why. But, rather than continue to feel sorry for myself, I went back online and started researching my symptoms, and what popped up first was Celiac disease. So, I gave up gluten out of desperation, and...it worked. Within one day, all of my gastrointestinal symptoms had completely disappeared. Within three days, I actually had some energy. At four days, I read the labels on my shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion and found out that they all had hydrolyed wheat protein, and thus gluten, and I switched them out for gluten-free products--and no more itching. At nine days, which happened to be yesterday, I got "glutened" for the first time since going gluten free by some nachos I ate at the Georgia Dome during the Falcons game, and I got really sick, but I jumped right back on the wagon today, and am feeling more like mysef.
It's a process. It's a learning experience. And, it's totally necessary. I've had to give up a lot of foods I love, but I don't love them enough to be sick all the time.
As I've researched and looked for resources to help me in my gluten-free journey, I've found a number of really helpful blogs which have been immeasurably beneficial to me, a gluten-free newbie. I hope that perhaps documenting these first steps of my journey may help others in the same position.
What has been most helpful to me are recommendations on products, advice on how to get started on a gluten-free diet, information about symptom experiences (because everyone is different!), and especially recommendations on safe restaurants. These are the same types of things I plan to share via this blog in the future. I will probably also talk about random, non-gluten-related things like my husband, kids, and dog; the television shows I like and the television shows I work on, and NFL or NCAA football. I just feel like I should give you fair warning.
If you have questions or suggestions on things you'd like me to cover, please do let me know. I welcome your input!
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