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Life Essence

WendyLee

By WendyLee
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

WendyLee Rookie
WendyLee
Posted

Hi Guys

Any one who remembers the movie "The Dark Crystal" might recall the poor little creatures having their 'life essence' drained....well that's about how I feel.

I've only been gluten-free since 17 March. Was diagnosed Coeliac with bloodwork and biopsy. The first 10 days of gluten-free was wretched as I went through detox then I notice a bit of a change for the better and nothing since. I wake every morning feeling as though my life essence has been drained. Not much energy and no inclination to do anything. I've been keeping my brain busy by helping index the US 1940 Census through FamilySearch.

I'm trying to eat as well as my lack of appetite will let me. I take a Blackmore's multivit, Caltrate that contains calcium and Vit D, Fish Oil and an extra big dose of Vit D once a month as ordered by the doctor. My bloodwork showed my Vit12 as within the range. What else might I take that could help?

I feel like a wet tissue..........

Patience is one thing I lack and I can't take a pill for that.......

Wendy

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Hi Guys

Any one who remembers the movie "The Dark Crystal" might recall the poor little creatures having their 'life essence' drained....well that's about how I feel.

I've only been gluten-free since 17 March. Was diagnosed Coeliac with bloodwork and biopsy. The first 10 days of gluten-free was wretched as I went through detox then I notice a bit of a change for the better and nothing since. I wake every morning feeling as though my life essence has been drained. Not much energy and no inclination to do anything. I've been keeping my brain busy by helping index the US 1940 Census through FamilySearch.

I'm trying to eat as well as my lack of appetite will let me. I take a Blackmore's multivit, Caltrate that contains calcium and Vit D, Fish Oil and an extra big dose of Vit D once a month as ordered by the doctor. My bloodwork showed my Vit12 as within the range. What else might I take that could help?

I feel like a wet tissue..........

Patience is one thing I lack and I can't take a pill for that.......

Wendy

Have you checked on the gluten free status of the supplements that you take? Revisit everything that goes into your mouth.

You are relatively new to the diet, as intense as it may be, it's had to know the ins and outs. It can be complicated. That's why we are here to help.

AND, depending on your level of damage, it may take some more time to feel a recovery. Make sure that you are eliminating dairy from your diet, at least for a month or two.

You will recover! :)

WendyLee Rookie
WendyLee
Posted
  • Author

Have you checked on the gluten free status of the supplements that you take? Revisit everything that goes into your mouth.

You are relatively new to the diet, as intense as it may be, it's had to know the ins and outs. It can be complicated. That's why we are here to help.

AND, depending on your level of damage, it may take some more time to feel a recovery. Make sure that you are eliminating dairy from your diet, at least for a month or two.

You will recover! :)

Hi Lisa, thx for your reply, yes I went down to my chemist and we went through the list and they appear to be gluten free. The biopsy also showed lactose intolerance so I'm having lactose free milk and butter and no other dairy. Also cutting out as much sugar as I can for the time being. I'm thinking of stopping all pill-taking for a week to see if there isn't something that we're missing. I have found too much corn isn't a good thing.

I think some of the problem are the wrong messages I got from both the doctor and the gastro specialist....both of them said, ok, go on the gluten-free diet and you'll feel much better in a couple of weeks. NO I don't, in fact, I feel much the same as I did before I started the diet but at least the anxiety seems to of gone. I would describe the specialist's approach as almost 'chevalier'.

I need to change my expectations. I have never been a sick person so this is a hard pill to swallow. I want my energy back and I want it yesterday :P

This forum is just the best thing.......

Wendy

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Hi Lisa, thx for your reply, yes I went down to my chemist and we went through the list and they appear to be gluten free. The biopsy also showed lactose intolerance so I'm having lactose free milk and butter and no other dairy. Also cutting out as much sugar as I can for the time being. I'm thinking of stopping all pill-taking for a week to see if there isn't something that we're missing. I have found too much corn isn't a good thing.

I think some of the problem are the wrong messages I got from both the doctor and the gastro specialist....both of them said, ok, go on the gluten-free diet and you'll feel much better in a couple of weeks. NO I don't, in fact, I feel much the same as I did before I started the diet but at least the anxiety seems to of gone. I would describe the specialist's approach as almost 'chevalier'.

I need to change my expectations. I have never been a sick person so this is a hard pill to swallow. I want my energy back and I want it yesterday :P

This forum is just the best thing.......

Wendy

Yes, you are a smart lady! Take some time to be careful about your diet and learn new things. Give it some time.

Keep a food diary or anything that can enter your mouth. Keep a daily account. It might revel an issue.

When you recover from your cause, you recovery will be back. :D

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Have you been checked for thyroid trouble? Hypothyroidism does exactly what you are describing and it goes hand-in-hand with celiac disease.

WendyLee Rookie
WendyLee
Posted
  • Author

Yes, you are a smart lady! Take some time to be careful about your diet and learn new things. Give it some time.

Keep a food diary or anything that can enter your mouth. Keep a daily account. It might revel an issue.

When you recover from your cause, you recovery will be back. :D

Many thanks, Lisa, I find your words encouraging....

WendyLee Rookie
WendyLee
Posted
  • Author

Have you been checked for thyroid trouble? Hypothyroidism does exactly what you are describing and it goes hand-in-hand with celiac disease.

Hello Skylark

When I had my initial blood work done, a thyroid function test was ordered. Now I'm clueless when it comes to TFT's but the results were:

TSH 1.3 mIU/L which apparently is in the range of 0.5 - 4.5.

My last TFT was done in 2010 and the result was lower at .58 mIU/L.

.....Wendy

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Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

That seems OK, though I don't like that it went up. The new range for TSH is 0.5-2.5 but you're still well below 2.5. You could try taking the RDA of selenium if you have other hypothyroid symptoms like dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, or get cold easily. Your thyroid needs selenium to function properly and some people are deficient. Also make sure you're using iodized salt or eating a couple servings of seafood a week to get adequate iodine (assuming you don't have dermatitis herpetiformis).

WendyLee Rookie
WendyLee
Posted
  • Author

That seems OK, though I don't like that it went up. The new range for TSH is 0.5-2.5 but you're still well below 2.5. You could try taking the RDA of selenium if you have other hypothyroid symptoms like dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, or get cold easily. Your thyroid needs selenium to function properly and some people are deficient. Also make sure you're using iodized salt or eating a couple servings of seafood a week to get adequate iodine (assuming you don't have dermatitis herpetiformis).

Morning Skylark, I'm having some selenium in the multivit I'm taking also Iodine. Iodized table salt was the only kind of salt you could buy in Australia in my younger days except cooking salt but now you can get it with or without. But I'll make sure I'm getting enough of both on your advise, many thanks.

.....Wendy

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Are you depressed?

richard

WendyLee Rookie
WendyLee
Posted
  • Author

Are you depressed?

richard

No I don't think so, Richard. I did have a lot of anxiety that seems to of dissipated with the GFD. I have a chat to a Councillor about

once a month. I think I'm more angry about the whole darn thing than anything. My DH (Dear Husband) suffers from Chronic Fatigue, has for years and we really didn't need the "healthy" one in the family to come down with anything more serious than a cold :blink: . I've been out of action for 9 months before being diagnosed and he has had to do much of my jobs around the house. I need to get well but then don't we all :)

.....Wendy

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