Confirmation

When my weight loss slowed to a crawl and then the weight began to come back on, I had many doubts about the new path that I had chosen to tread.  My mind has been changed.

Friday I had an Upper GI Endoscopy.   The Doctor's are still trying to figure out why I can not keep food down.  (Upside to this is I am down 19 pounds since September 5th!)  So the answer was for them to send a camera down into my stomach and find out.


Even before the test began, the specialist, Dr. Webb talked with me about an autoimmune disease called Celiac Disease.

Celiac (SEE-lee-ak) disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is primarily found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. People with celiac disease who eat foods containing gluten experience an immune reaction in their small intestines, causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients.
Celiac disease can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Eventually, the decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that occurs with celiac disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment.
No treatment can cure celiac disease. However, you can effectively manage celiac disease by changing your diet.

~ Mayo Clinic Staff

From the Mayo Clinic site (www.mayoclinic.com)

Of course, as soon as I was coherent, I began to "Bing" and "Google" Celiac Disease  The symptom list contained almost every one of my symptoms.  Which only proved what I have been thinking for quite some time:  My body has declared war on me!  And it is winning!

The complications from this Disease are horrifying:

Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to several complications:

• Malnutrition. Untreated celiac disease can lead to malabsorption, which in turn can lead to malnutrition. This occurs in spite of what appears to be an adequate diet. Because vital nutrients are lost in the stool rather than absorbed in the bloodstream, malabsorption can cause a deficiency in vitamins and minerals, vitamin D, folate and iron, resulting in anemia and weight loss. Malnutrition can cause stunted growth and delayed development in children.
• Loss of calcium and bone density. With continued loss of fat in the stool, calcium and vitamin D may be lost in excessive amounts. This may result in osteomalacia, a softening of the bone that in children is also known as rickets, and loss of bone density (osteoporosis), a condition that leaves your bones fragile and prone to fracture.
• Lactose intolerance. Because of damage to your small intestine from gluten, foods that don't contain gluten also may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some people with celiac disease aren't able to tolerate milk sugar (lactose) found in dairy products, a condition called lactose intolerance. If this is the case, you need to limit food and beverages containing lactose as well as those containing gluten. Once your intestine has healed, you may be able to tolerate dairy products again. However, some people may continue to experience lactose intolerance despite successful management of celiac disease.
• Cancer. People with celiac disease who don't maintain a gluten-free diet also have a greater chance of getting one of several forms of cancer, including intestinal lymphoma and bowel cancer.
• Neurological complications. Celiac disease has also been associated with disorders of the nervous system, including seizures and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  We are now waiting on the results of a biospy and blood tests that were taken.  However, I am into research mode and will be prepared for the follow up appointment.

So far, this whole horrid situation, has served to remind me that I am on the correct new path.  The only real way to treat Celiac Disease is with  . . . you go it, a change in Diet!

It is more important now that  complete my education in my new chosen field of Dietetics!  This thing may have me down at the moment, but I am far from out of the fight.  I'm just getting my second wind!