anyway, your post reminded me of an article I stumbled upon some time ago. An article, too long to keep my attention, then I thought. Today, I read it till the end and it’s funny how at some point the autor offers a very good explanation at why diabetes type 1 and gluten- intolerance can be connected, even if the blood tests say differently.

If you have the time- it’s worth the read.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/

I can relate with so much of your story. Thanks for sharing.

Kim – thanks for your blog. I’m so glad I ran across it this weekend. I look forward to reading through the archives and following future posts!

Thanks for sharing your story as well! I really appreciate all the feedback. I’m sorry to hear about all the stuff you’re going through-I really hope that you get to the bottom of your issues soon. (I have a friend battling Chron’s disease right now who started to become immune to her medication, soon after she switched she developed a continuous fever–I think almost 2 months now– and cough. She still doesn’t know how to combat it or why its happening. She was also diagnosed with “Interstitial Cystitis. Chronic inflammation of the bladder that i will have for the rest of forever. Like Crohn’s but in the bladder.(according to her)” I’m hoping they figure it out for her sake soon!)
Its stories like this that make me really sad. None of our doctors can figure this stuff out and it gets so frustrating when 3 doctors tell you the same thing. ITS NOT WORKING. haha

Maybe soon there will be a breakthrough and many people’s problems can be relieved. Until that point I’m gonna keep talking, keep researching, keep reading, keep COOKING, and keep Livin’!

Emily

Bless your sweet heart, I just want to hug you! Thank you for sharing your story, you never know who you might help!

It was very interesting to me your mention about the skin yeast infection. It was mine that set me on the path to discovering all my hidden health issues. I had developed a red, inflamed sore on my leg during my last trimester of pregnancy with my first son. My Dr. said it was because of the added pregnancy weight and the hot summer weather, but that it should clear up after I gave birth. Many months later, I was still dealing with it. My Dr. would prescribe topical medication, it would go away, only to return shortly thereafter. My Dr. then suspected Diabetes (sore that wouldn’t heal) and ran some blood tests. While I didn’t have diabetes, I had an off-the-chart high thyroid (Graves’ Disease). It was after my thyroid was ablated and I couldn’t absorb my thyroid replacement hormone for the next 10 months that my endocrinologist screened me for celiac disease and there it was.

Wish I could say that was that and I have been happy and healthy ever since, but unfortunately, that was not the case. I would cheat off and on for the following 3 years, until I had a “Come to Jesus” meeting with a hideous outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis.

Funny thing, I had had DH since I was at least 15, but it was NOTHING like that final rash. I maybe had two blisters on my knees at any given time (and usually only during the summer months when I had to mow my parents lawn), my allergist and dermatologist chalked it up to my grass allergy and told me to quit mowing the lawn (which is interesting and ironic because wheat is in the grass family). Several years later when I lived on my own, I mowed my grass shortly before going in for my weekly allergy shot. Within minutes I began coughing and scratching my throat which caught the nurse’s attention and she took me back for a shot of adrenaline! My body had already been in histamine overload from mowing the grass, then they injected even more into me. I have always been interested in the grass allergy/gluten sensitivity connection.

After the final DH outbreak I have been strictly GF (outside of unintentional glutenenings) for 2 years, but my health problems continue. Right now I am battling iron overload and potential hereditary hemochromotosis (will find out after I see a specialist next month).

I am 36 with 3 autoimmune diseases and possibly a 4th disease that is potentially life threatening. And ya know what? I never had chronic GI issues, which is what many doctors look for before even thinking to screen for CD.

When my then, just turned 5 year old tested positive for CD on a blood test, but his biopsy came back “clean,” the doctor initially told me to let him resume eating gluten and we would re-scope him the following year.

The thing is, there are many flaws with the intestinal biopsy, and even the blood tests aren’t perfect. My biggest fear for my son was actually developing Type 1 Diabetes. Celiac Disease can be controlled by diet, Type 1 (as you well know), is much more invasive, and it is permanent. Once a person has one autoimmune disease, the risk of developing more increases (like with me). So, I put my Son of a GF diet immediately (after his pediatric GI “off the record” told me that is what he would do if Sam were his son).

I think celiac disease the only disease that doctors actually recommend to keep consuming the offending food until it is too late. Do they tell people with high cholesterol to keep eating a high fat diet until they have a heart attack? Do they tell people with high blood glucose levels to keep eating sugar and gaining wait until they have Type-2 diabetes? A high salt diet for people with elevated blood pressure until they have a stroke?

Sorry for that little rant, LOL!

I know it can be hard, and I can only imagine the difficulty in college. Just be careful my dear, and take good care of you, we only have one body.

((Hugs)),
Heidi