I'm So Happy!

[Poppi]

I don't know if this belongs in "Coping With" but there is no "Celebrating" section so I'm putting this here.

2 1/2 months ago I could not walk my youngest son to school. 6 blocks was too far for me. My arthritis was crippling, I had no energy, every part of my body hurt. SIX BLOCKS was beyond me. I was terrified at the thought of living another 60 years in this body becoming more and more crippled.

Today I completed my intro level sea kayak certification. 6 hours in a kayak paddling against wind in ocean swell. Wet exits, eskimo rescues, using my upper body strength the lift and turn kayaks in the water and climb in and out of the boats. It was exhausting but I am so proud of myself. I was the only woman in the course and the other 3 participants were military men in great shape (my husband and 2 coworkers). I kept up with them all day and did everything that they did. Occasionally it took a couple of tries but I did it.

The 2 coworkers and the instructors were horrified at lunch when I was telling them what I can't have because of celiac but it didn't phase me at all. Go ahead and eat your sandwich, drink your beer ... being gluten free has given me a life I always envied in others.

I'm so happy right now. Exhausted and sore but happy.

[bigbird16]

How awesome, Sara!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

[kareng]

Super Woman!

[psawyer]

Awesome!

[glutenfreegirl]

I am so proud for you....you give me hope and inspiration.....please share all of your success stories that are to come....I look forward to hearing the next one.....

[Harpgirl]

Awesome job! Kayaking is not easy! Keep it up!

[Lisa]

Very Cool! You are an inspiration for all women, challenged with health issues or not! And, I'm sure, an inspiration to those looking for the light at the end of tunnel.

[Greenling]

Wow, that's really cool. Congratulations on the certification! And how amazing to feel soooo much better in such a short time.

[IrishHeart]

WHOOHOO! You go, girl!! Major kudos!!

[Poppi]

Thank you so much. Every part of my body hurts right now but it was worth it. We're looking at doing our level 1 skills certification in August and that is two 8 hour days in a row.

[Newtoitall]

wow that's exactly what I want!

congrats!

lol beer+fitness = lolol

teach them how to be healthier =D

[lizard00]

This makes me so happy! Congrats!

[wheeleezdryver]

That is totally AWESOME!!!!!! You go, girl!!!!

[11475]

Congratulations - that's amazing and you should be so proud. Great for us all (members new AND old to the boards) to read about such successes! Really happy for you

[YoloGx]

Amazing! You are indeed an inspiration.

Good luck in August, I am sure you will do well!

[love2travel]

Wow - good for you! I'm glad you went ahead with it and did not allow your pain, etc. to control you. You have taken such a big step and now I bet you feel as though you could do anything. It is thrilling that you were able to do this so early into your gluten-free lifestyle after such horrible crippling! Amazing.

[Poppi]

Thanks again everyone. I feel so blessed to have recovered so quickly. I read about so many of you who are still dealing with crippling health problems even after years of being gluten free and my heart breaks. My life isn't all sunshine and roses yet, and I'll never get the cartilage back in my feet so there are high impact things I probably will never be able to do but I'm so happy to be on my way.

I am thinking that we will push the level 1 course back to October or even next year. I had the most intense and painful muscle spasms/burning pain in my neck, arms and hands last night. Everything from the base of my skull to the tips of my fingers was on fire. It was awful. The only time I can remember being in that much pain was when I was in the hospital with meningitis last summer and after 14 days on constant high doses of dilaudid a doctor decided I was a drug addict and cut me off the drugs cold turkey and sent me home. Withdrawing from that was the worst 3 days of my life and the pain last night was very similar. I have a lot of work to do on my stamina and fitness before I'll be ready to do two days of hard paddling. I'm happy to have a goal though and I look forward to achieving it.

Thanks so much for your kind words and support, I means a lot coming from people who understand how deep people like us have to dig to do things that feel normal to most.

[IrishHeart]

I am thinking that we will push the level 1 course back to October or even next year. I had the most intense and painful muscle spasms/burning pain in my neck, arms and hands last night. Everything from the base of my skull to the tips of my fingers was on fire. It was awful.

Thanks so much for your kind words and support, I means a lot coming from people who understand how deep people like us have to dig to do things that feel normal to most.

Your courage and determination is inspirational!! I am just so happy for you!!!

Sara, this "burning fire" you describe??--is exactly what I live with --right up through my skull, too--down my arms, spine, pelvis, hips, legs and feet..and it IS awful, isn't it. arrgh! HOWEVER!! The good news is... you can use your muscles & joints now that you are healing your gut (as they should be used) and you will recover from your heavy workout!! Baby yourself for a few days. It will subside. Use ICE at first, then heat. The inflammation will die down. If you can tolerate them, OTC (gluten free, of course) NSAIDs will help. ( I can't do those myself)

You DID IT and that is so amazing!!!

By sharing your success, you gave me a shot of renewed hope and "push" and I'll continue my grueling daily physical therapy exercises to regain lost muscle mass with your accomplishment in mind!!

Thank you, honey!

You're one brave kiddo!!

[Lori2]

I am thinking that we will push the level 1 course back to October or even next year. I had the most intense and painful muscle spasms/burning pain in my neck, arms and hands last night. Everything from the base of my skull to the tips of my fingers was on fire. It was awful.

My son does long-distance bike riding. He has found that additional magnesium has eliminated all his muscle soreness and cramps. There is magnesium available that is manufactured to be almost 100% absorbable so that is doesn't cause diarrhea. I use it for the leg cramps I get at night. This might help you.

[IrishHeart]

My son does long-distance bike riding. He has found that additional magnesium has eliminated all his muscle soreness and cramps. There is magnesium available that is manufactured to be almost 100% absorbable so that is doesn't cause diarrhea. I use it for the leg cramps I get at night. This might help you.

That's great!! Would you mind sharing the brand name, please!?? The big D is a common complaint for many on here after taking Mag. supps.

[love2travel]

That's great!! Would you mind sharing the brand name, please!?? The big D is a common complaint for many on here after taking Mag. supps.

Sorry to jump in here but my chronic pain management surgeon highly recommends magnesium glycinate. He said nearly all magnesium available is only absorbed about 20-30% EXCEPT for mag glycinate which absorbs 85-90%. He also recommends that those with chronic pain need to gradually take up to 900-1800 mg per day (at night time)!! I am currently at 750 mg and soon will be at 900 mg. I do notice a definite decrease in leg cramping and spasms, especially at night so am getting up less often to walk around at night - am guessing it is due to either the magnesium, other supplements I am on, and/or being gluten-free for four months.

[IrishHeart]

Sorry to jump in here but my chronic pain management surgeon highly recommends magnesium glycinate. He said nearly all magnesium available is only absorbed about 20-30% EXCEPT for mag glycinate which absorbs 85-90%. He also recommends that those with chronic pain need to gradually take up to 900-1800 mg per day (at night time)!! I am currently at 750 mg and soon will be at 900 mg. I do notice a definite decrease in leg cramping and spasms, especially at night so am getting up less often to walk around at night - am guessing it is due to either the magnesium, other supplements I am on, and/or being gluten-free for four months.

That's great news!! I use the glycinate form myself-- but have been reluctant to "up it" too quickly as I do not wish to see if the D will reappear ...maybe it's time for me to "boost" it

How soon did you notice a reduction in the muscle spams?? a few months? Thanks!!

[love2travel]

That's great news!! I use the glycinate form myself-- but have been reluctant to "up it" too quickly as I do not wish to see if the D will reappear ...maybe it's time for me to "boost" it

How soon did you notice a reduction in the muscle spams?? a few months? Thanks!!

Just in the past week or so. I realized I wasn't complaining about my pain as much. At first I thought it was my attitude (hee hee) but then I realized it was physiological as well. I thought it was a teeny tiny difference so was wondering if I was imagining things but then it hit me the other day. My calves are spasming a lot less. My back/hips/shoulders/myofascial pain still sucks but I am sure that will gradually improve over time. Even if it improved 30% - seriously. That would even help! I, too, have been increasing my magnesium super gradually. Irish, I really hope it works for you very soon!

[YoloGx]

Another related thing that helps me sleep better at night and have less spasoming is to take a hot bath with a couple of handfuls of epsom salts in it. Given I now have out and out salicylic acid sensitivity, for some reason I can't use as much epsom salts as I used to, but boy is it effective for helping me detox now as well as smoothing out my nerves and muscles.

[IrishHeart]

Just in the past week or so. I realized I wasn't complaining about my pain as much. At first I thought it was my attitude (hee hee) but then I realized it was physiological as well. I thought it was a teeny tiny difference so was wondering if I was imagining things but then it hit me the other day. My calves are spasming a lot less. My back/hips/shoulders/myofascial pain still sucks but I am sure that will gradually improve over time. Even if it improved 30% - seriously. That would even help! I, too, have been increasing my magnesium super gradually. Irish, I really hope it works for you very soon!

I'm with you--any reduction in pain is a good thing! Thanks for posting!!