Goodbye Forever Old Friend
I’ll miss you…
I had my doctors appointment yesterday and it’s official-I’m allergic to gluten. I DID test negative for Celiac but I tested positive for Gluten Intolerance. Here’s a great site that describes the difference.
From the above mentioned site:
Gluten intolerance is a broad term which includes all kinds of sensitivity to Gluten. A small proportion of Gluten intolerant people will test positive to Celiac Disease test, and so are called Celiacs (~0.5% of the population).
But most Gluten sensitive people return negative or inconclusive results upon Celiac testing. The correct term for these people is Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive (NCGS) and may be as many as ~15% of all people or 1 in 7.
People who are not Gluten Intolerant usually have Gliadin antibody count of 0-13. Mine is 43.
Yeah, so no more Gluten. French bread, sourdough bread, spelt, traditional pasta-farewell. I’ll miss you!
The tests also found a lot of different bacteria in my intestines. The doctor said that this is to be expected given my GI issues. Also my Intestinal SIgA (shows if your intestines are inflamed) was 90. Normal is 400-800, low is <400. The diet I’m on now will help with this as will the additional supplements she gave me yesterday. As if what I showed you yesterday wasn’t enough, I get to take this twice a day:
Yep, 12 more capsules for the next 6 weeks. I’m okay with this-it’s going to get me better! I’m just so glad to have answers! I can’t even tell you. And? I’m NOT allergic to dairy, eggs, or soy. The doctor wants me to stay on this diet (that cuts out dairy) for another month at least and then we can try adding in some dairy to see how I do.
The basic explanation for my systems is that I’m allergic to gluten and it’s causing some severe inflammation in my intestines which is basically making my intestines shut down. The test was able to confirm that my stool had been in my intestines for longer than 96 hours. Isn’t that lovely?
Like I said-I’m so happy that I know the issue and that we can deal with it.
Now that I’ve completely disgusted you, don’t you want to see my food? HA!
Last night I did make a pretty spectacular dinner.
I marinated the chicken in a Tandoori mix from Whole Foods for 48 hours and then grilled it until it reached 170*. On the side I mixed kale, chard, and spinach which I sautéed with coconut milk, a bit of Braggs, and cracked pepper and some rice. Both Shaun and Lu loved the chicken and the rice and didn’t love the “green stuff”. I thought it was delicious 🙂
Speaking of Lu we’re home today. She’s got a 102* temp but she’s acting fine? I don’t get it. She’s dancing right now and giggling but her temp is up so we’re home.
Did you see that I posted the Japanese Chicken recipe from Sunday night?
Do you have any allergies? Do you ever stop yearning for that food?
Category: Uncategorized 10 comments »
Hi Chelsea, I’m a long time reader and first time poster. I’m glad that you have some answers to all of your health issues, hopefully in time you will begin to feel even better. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, I too am a full-time working mom trying to feed my family healthy, organic meals….so I’ve related to a lot of what you’ve had to say. Plus my daughter Mikayla is only a couple of months older than Lucy! Anyways, as I said I’m glad you have answers and a plan!
So glad you have ANSWERS!!! Exciting stuff. Good thing there are so many gluten free brands out there nowadays.
All great news today, Chelsea. So glad that you can now help your body to heal! BTW, I’m making your Japanese chicken tonite with jasmine rice … steamed asparagus … sauteed zucchini … and homemade bread. You’ve inspired me to put a little more effort into the dinner preparations around here, and it’s been well worth it. Every night, I hear, “Honey, this is REALLY GOOD!” … as DH is eating his dinner. Not a lot of extra work at all!
i am actually really sad for you right now…is that bad? not that there’s anything wrong with not eating gluten, but the stuff that contains it is just.so.darn.good! but, i am looking forward to seeing how creative you’re going to get with your recipes! woohoo for that 🙂
Sorry you have to bid adieu to gluten, but very glad you live in an area where finding alternative food sources is fairly easy. Sourdough bread is good, but feeling your best is better.
Could Lucy be teething? That’s not a low grade fever, but maybe?
I thank the lucky stars that I have no allergies. Good luck to you on your new progress and plan.
hey chels, does she have molars coming in? jenna was a little hot, and then a little finicky about eating, then she cried in the middle of the night, then her molars poked though. so i’m blaming her former fever on teeth.
oh and booo on the gluten but yay on the dairy!
I am so glad you are finally getting answers! I know it sucks but the sacrifice is worth it! Have a wonderful weekend!
i’m glad you’re figuring out what’s going on, though it will be sad to say goodbye to gluten. luckily, there are so many wonderful products out there!!!
Wanted to come and post on this one too.
my gosh, Chels, you poor thing! So sorry to hear about the bread 🙁 Great Harvest does make a spelt bread?! Hope you start feeling better ASAP!!