It's easier than I thought

Well, so far anyway. Yesterday my kids' school had an arts festival/carnival. We planned to eat lunch there and at worse, I thought I would have a hamburger sans the bun. I was delightfully surprised by being able to purchase fried rice at one location and grilled veggies at another. I mixed them and it was a damn good lunch. All for $2.50. I would have paid (and did donate) way more than that.

I'm currently reading Gluten-free, hassle free: A simple, sane, dietitian-approved program for eating your way back to health, by Marlisa Brown. In just the first few chapters, I've been thoroughly impressed by her positive outlook, concentrating on what one can HAVE, rather than not have. She has a comprehensive symptom list, and suggests that if you check off 4 or more items, you should be tested for Celiac Disease. I ticked off 15!!!

The American Journal of Gastroenterology 106, 1318-1324 (July 2011) 

Celiac Disease sounds difficult to diagnose, so I don't plan to go to the trouble of testing. If it's affordable though I might have a tetramer test done to see if I have the HLA-DQ2 or DQ8 gene. The solution is the same if I have Celiac or not: eat gluten-free.

Woke up thinking about my upcoming week and how I am going to stay gluten-free when I remembered that I had two meetings scheduled at my favorite coffee shop.  When I scheduled the meetings, I had eating the fabulous crepes they make, in mind. I almost cried when I thought about not ever having one of their crepes again. Then I recalled that they make the savory crepes with buckwheat!!!  I'm saved!  Buckwheat isn't actually a wheat at all. I will have to confirm they use buckwheat, but I'm no longer near tears.  :)

I decided to take a trip to our local Whole Foods to check out their gluten-free section and it was ... GONE!!! They've integrated all the product throughout the store. So, say, if you want gluten-free crackers, you look in the cracker section. This is great in some ways, but today, I just wanted to see what was available. Almost another moment of tear inducing drama.

I knew this wasn't going to be easy. I don't like change much. I really don't like having restrictions on food. However, my joint and muscle pain are already decreasing giving me a bit of courage that I can get through these first few weeks of adjustment.

If you see me out and about and I look teary eyed, just give me a hug and remind me that it'll be okay.

I am milquetoast, part two

Wanted to experiment tonight with another beer that was primarily made with grains other than wheat, but still glutenous.  (It had dandelions in it -- it couldn't be all bad, right?!)

My hope was it wouldn't have any effect on how I felt.

Sadly, I got a mini-headache, my skin became itchy, my joints began to ache again and I REALLY wanted to eat the breaded items my family had for dinner.

It's going to be a rough few weeks while I adjust to gluten-free.

Bye-bye beer.  

I am milquetoast

I think the title says it all about my desire to go gluten-free.  The fact is, I don't.  I really, really don't want to have to pay attention to, nor avoid food.

Two nights ago, while dining with one of my besties, I had a Mustang Washita Wheat beer (YUM!!!) with a Herbivore Sandie served on a Vienna wheat bread from the Mule (highly recommend! -- unless, of course, you are doing a gluten-free diet!) The next morning, I awoke with such terrible joint pain in my hands and some pain in other joints, that I knew I had to do SOMETHING.  The chronic muscle pain I experience seemed more severe too.

So, today, I've decided to give up wheat.  I'm not happy about this, but am resigned.

A website I've looked at, suggested making a list of pain symptoms that nag me -- any symptoms.  Then go on a 60 day gluten-free diet and see if there are any changes/improvements.

Okay, I'll try it.  First, I'm giving up wheat (or at least as much as I knowingly can -- apparently, wheat is in EVERYTHING!).  As soon as I can (stand it!), I'll eliminate the other glutenous grains. Anyway, that's my plan, for today.

I'm doing the blog for several reasons.  1. to VENT!!  2. to have a way to communicate what I'm experiencing 3. to keep track of my research and 4. if it helps anyone else, so much the better.

Symptoms
chronic muscle pain!!!
joint pain
fatigue (especially after eating)
over-eating
foggy brain
weight gain
dizziness (occasionally)
tingling/numbness in my hands (occasionally)
depression
apathy
high cholesterol
allergies (hay-fever?)

Useful websites found today:
Wiki (gluten-free diet)
Symptom check-list
Natural News (gluten-free info)
gluten free menu options from metro restaurants