Skip to main content

Health Update: No More Bread...

Well I have a few answers but still a little in the dark after seeing the doc for my blood work results...

Just a refresher for those who may not have read the previous blog. I have been dealing with major health issues for several years now and they have gotten progressively worse. You can read my previous blog here. Mostly it's been swelling, aches & pains as well as hives. Yes... all very painful.

Thursday night though I woke up in the middle of the night, as I often do, but this time was different. I was hot... like middle of the summer with the heat cranked up type of hot. I got up, closed the window in case the humid Florida air was the cause and cranked up the fan. My skin itched all over so I knew I was probably breaking out. All my movement caused my husband to stir who then said he could see me breaking out all over. By lunch time the next day my eyelids, ears and forehead were swollen all over. I could barely move and I could feel the swelling in my head which was a painful and scary feeling.

After having blood work done about 2.5 weeks ago I had called the office several times for the results but not received a call back, which was BEYOND frustrating. After having this horrible outbreak hubby took me to the doc to see what could be done and to ask in person about the results Friday afternoon. They stated the doc wanted to speak to me in person and took me to the back.

Nervous was an understatement. I had no clue what was about to happen and what this woman was about to tell me. I just knew it wasn't going to be the best news and all I could think was how grateful I was to have my husband there with me as I found out. There is something about having support at your side that just cushions the blow. Something I am still getting used to.

The auto-immune results didn't fully process so unfortunately I will be getting those redone when I go see the specialist. They confirmed though that it is not arthritis which is great news. My anemia is really bad which I already knew but my numbers are super low so I have to work on that. The biggest news though is I am allergic to gluten. GLUTEN. Like really? Do y'all know how much is made with this stuff?! I was already thinking that this could be part of the issue so I wasn't extremely surprised but she also mentioned a possibility of Celiac Disease (auto-immune issue directly related to Gluten). As hard as this news was to take it was also such a relief. I know finally know a major change I can make to help relieve this pain and that is worth the moon and more to me.

Fortunately I know a few people with gluten issues so they have been so helpful with what to expect and how to prepare. Reworking my diet will be a lot of work but how awesome would it be to get to a good place with my health where I can do the little things like use the stairs in my home without being in pain, take a car trip without my whole body going stiff and so much more. This is a huge step forward and that is what I choose to focus on.

Doc gave me a steroid shot in the office as she was worried about my swelling and it possibly closing my throat (That HURT!) but it started working rather quickly and I was able to actually sleep last night. I've been referred to a rheumatologist for more testing and to refine my treatment. I really just want to get my diagnosis' and then see a natural herbalist to help. I will do what is needed to get my body right. I plan to be here a very long time and know I have a lot of work to get done on this earth as Ktown Kris.

Thank you all for the well wishes, prayers, positive energy and support. It really means so much and helps me get through the really rough days. I'm working on cleaning out my system now, drinking lots of water and benadryl to help prevent the swelling until my body is free of the gluten I have in me. I'll keep the updates coming and hopefully what I am going through can help others out there experiencing something similar. Now I think it's time for an afternoon nap as this benadryl has my eyes sooooooooo heavy.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Gluten-Free on I-95

I love traveling.. road trips, flying and even by boat. I just love to go. I didn't travel a lot as a kid.. Until I was 10 the only states I'd been to were my home state of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Washington DC. By the time I'd graduated I had added North Carolina and Kentucky. I live in Florida now but my first time here was in 2002 and at 38 years of age I have only added South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, New York (airport only) and Connecticut to the list as well as The Bahamas (Freeport) and Cuba. I still have a million places I want to go.. Now though it's all a bit trickier because of my allergies.. I have been diagnosed as allergic to gluten, cats, pine trees and a few other things. I seem to have reactions to other things and need to be tested for more in addition to other health issues I have that food can complicate. This makes traveling HARD. I have to be careful at every place I go.. eating at events is completely out of the qu

Lost Dreams

It's 2011, times are tough and everyone is out here grinding to get to the top... So many have lost their jobs due to the recession and have to take jobs doing whatever comes their way just to have food on the table and a roof over their head. Not many really want to flip burgers or work the local department store register but if you want to survive we do what we have to do. It's how the country works... if there was noone flipping burgers, where would we get our food? What does this have to do with dreams? well a lot.... As a child one of the questions we are asked most often is what do you want to be when you grow up? Some ponder this and reply with whatever their mommy or daddy does, others reply doctor or fireman, some just don't know. We are told we can do anything! We can concure the world if we work hard, pay attention and try.. then real world hits... you gradute school and have more bills than zeros on your check, you get pregnant, or hurt yourself and lose a s

Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Coverage #VoxBox

*This is a sponsored blog from Garnier Nutrisse and Influenster as I received this product to test for free So recently I was selected to receive a new #VoxBox from Influenster of a beautiful light brown (#630 Toffee Nut) hair dye from Garnier Nutrisse. I have used this brand a few times in the past so I really had no worries with trying out this new one. I set up my phone and did my first "unboxing" video which was kinda fun and something I think I may do more of. Inside were: After mixing them as instructed I kept the dye on for the recommended time of 30 minutes in going from a dark blonde color to this light brown. I must admit I was a little worried the color would properly cover my head as I was applying; the bottle felt so light but I ended up with just a little more than enough and I still applied that to be sure. My hair as you can see is just at my neck length so I imagine if it was longer than shoulder length you'd be better off grabbing two boxes