I am a lover of foods! Cooking, eating, preparing, shopping, talking, reading, discovering, tasting, inhaling any type of foods is my enjoyment and happiness. Although, there is one ingredient that makes me sick and it's in mostly everything, GLUTEN!!!!!!
In my early twenties, I discovered I had an intolerance to gluten. My boyfriend (now hubby) questioned my bowel movements, my reactions, my stench and my fatigue after sometime of being together (thankfully, this did not turn him off the idea of marrying me!!). He suggested to visit a naturopath to work out what was happening to my body.
I was always sick, lost a lot of weight, reacted to any type of gluten and was generally unwell. Back in those days, no-one had heard of gluten intolerance. It was very rarely spoken about and it was a shock when the naturopath suggested that it was now my problem.
Immediately, I had to eliminate all the foods I love - pasta, pasta, breads, pasta!!! The gluten free aisle was one shelf in a health food shop with frozen breads, tasteless products and really not much at all. I had to discover how to cook gluten free as well as create a whole new lifestyle around what I love most to do - cooking and eating!
Over the years, I became far more healthier and educated myself. I no longer had uclers, determitis, bruising, constant diareaha, weight loss, vitamin difficancy etc. I had a handle of the gluten free lifestyle and it became easier as the rest of the world caught up on the "trend".
I never thought to be formally diagnosed as it was never suggested. Fast forward, 14years later I had noticed my middle child with the same side effects, which increasingly became more obvious. I had not even thought that this would be herediatory. It was my lightbulb moment to look into my situation.
I booked in to a gastrologist and told him my history. Then I was advised to eat gluten for 1 month!! 1 month!!!! For a quick moment I thought of maccas, subway, pies, crossiants, bagels, fresh white bread with vegemite and butter. Then for a prolonged moment, I thought of how sick I will be and unable to leave the house. We agreed to try it and see how we go.
After 3 days, I had aged 40 years, I had lost 3 kilos and I was permanently on the toilet. I called the gastrologist and we booked in the next day to do the colonoscopy and endocscopy.
All seems very easy and was happy to finally get a result BUT there was no result!!!! Due to the fact that I had been gluten free for over 14 years, he was unable to see any damage after 3 days on gluten and the result was inconclusive.
Very frustrating!!!!!! Now, here's the issue. I was happy to be inconclusive and continue with my gluten free way of life. However, I now had my 8 year son who needed to know what happening to him.
There were suggestions to place Kye on a gluten diet and go through the same procedure as he had only been gluten free for 12 months. However, Kye broke down in tears knowing the pain he would have to go through and the specialist advised to just hold off for now.
Where to now? This brings us to reason for my Blog!
I met with the RPA Allergy Centre late last year, which took 12 months to of waiting. This is a unit specifically for people like me. When I sat down with the professor, I felt like I had found my lost twin who knew exactly what I was going through. The Professor suggested a Gene Test to confirm if I was a carrier of Celiac Disease and refused to put me on a gluten diet (thank goodness).
The Gene Test came back negative. Just fabulous! It would have been very simple to tick the box and all move on.
However, I am now working with the Gluten/Celiac Specialist for the next 6-8 weeks to establish exactly what is happening in my body. As of 1 March, I am starting an elimination diet where basically I can only eat certain meats, certain vegetables and a few grains.
No wine, no champagne, no dairy, no sauces, no chilli, no herbal teas, no treats, no fruit (except pear with the skinned pealed), no salmon, no tuna, nothing, nothing, nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Breathing, breathing, breathing :)
During the elimination diet, I am to diarise and record every thing I put in my mouth (I even have to change my toothpaste), as well as the reactions to the blind tasting capsules that are made of preservatives, chemicals, dairy, gluten etc.
The biggest preparation is the mind and believing I can do this. To be not be tempted to cheat or taste foods (especially when I am around it all the time).
My biggest driving force is doing this for my wellness especially after my Dad was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer last year and had his entire bowel removed), my child Kye and to have closure on a long standing saga.
I plan to share it all with you in the hope that you will find this interesting especially if you are going through a similar journey.
Kick off is in two weeks time - between then and now, I am off to the Gold Coast with the girls and a Family Weekend with my Italian Family for a Wedding. I am going to indulge and enjoy every mouthful of all the foods that I wont be able to eat for two months.
I look forward to sharing with you
xx
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