So, after years and years of just accepting that I produce more natural gas than Russia and having bowels that often times feel like a baby kicking after eating 'offending' foods, I recently made the decision to explore the cause further.
I had gone to my then PCP years ago and she did a test for Celiac that was negative, and promptly wrote me off.
I see a new PCP now and I brought the subject up with him. I dunno, but something about telling a male doctor that the reason you are there is because you could kill a small country with the fumes you emit after certain meals is just not something that I enjoyed or was looking forward to, but it had to be done.
He ran more blood work and again, everything came back negative. However, knowing that I clearly was not imagining things he referred me to a GI doctor.
She reviewed my bloodwork and listened as I told her my symptoms and explained that I had been logging my reactions to different foods and tried to find a pattern, but wasn't able to. It seemed EVERYTHING met with resistance.
She determined I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) that is triggered by gluten and dairy.
I have heard SO much about gluten free diets. I know several people who do have Celiac Disease and have NO choice but to go GF. However, it seems like it has almost become a bit of the "cool" thing to do.
I have a love of the carbs and enjoy my beer, so I was never really interested in jumping on the band wagon just to do it.
Well, I have spent this past week asking my friends who are already GF and DF a MILLION questions (some asked more than once :), and in the "gluten free" and "dairy free" sections of every local grocery and organic market within a 15 mile radius.
I have learned a LOT. I have learned the difference between dairy free and lactose free and why you might be 1 but not the other (when in doubt, choose dairy free, because that also means it's lactose free, whereas, lactose free does NOT mean it's dairy free. Or at least, that's what I THINK I have learned this week :)
I have learned that my favorite beer is NOT gluten free and that I will be exploring the world of hard ciders because I am NOT a wine girl.
I have learned that So Delicious brand dairy free Mocha Fudge frozen dessert (because it's not really ice cream) is YUMMY.
I have learned that clearly gluten and dairy have never really liked me and that I was trying to force a relationship where there was never going to be a happy future together.
I am already feeling better. It's not a complete turnaround or anything, but I can definitely see improvement.
This is good, because this is NOT a diet that you need to do just to be 'cool'. It's NOT cheap and it does not mean you will become thin or lose weight. You can still consume just as many calories AND eat as many unhealthy options as you do with gluten or dairy.
For me though, it's an investment in myself and my health.
At the risk of boring anyone I am going to continue to share what I learn.
I hope that someone finds it helpful, if not, at least, entertaining.
