jenngolightly

Single mom with two kids. I work full time and go to graduate school.

September 2007.

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2007 after going to my work's benefit's fair. I did a heal test to find the density of my bones and was surprised when I tested really low. I went to my doctor who found that I had osteoporosis at age 37. We pieced together my extensive medical history and within two weeks I had a confirmed diagnosis - Celiac (she calls it Sprue which gives me the quivers).

It took 10 years to get my correct diagnosis. And it only took a simple heal test at a benefits fair to make it all come together. I also had a new pcp, so I'm sure that helped.

I live in a mixed household with 2 non-gluten-free kids.

Fast forward to May 2010.

I lived a Specific Carbohydrate Diet life for one year. I wasn't feeling very well after almost 3 years on the gluten free diet, so there must have been something else that I couldn't tolerate. I went through skin and blood tests for allergies, but they gave false negatives to everything (later found out I have a specific kind of antibody deficiency that caused this). Plus, I couldn't nail down the offender because I got sick so randomly. The doctor suggested an elimination diet and I chose SCD.

This meant no sugar, lactose, grains, gluten, corn, soy, or starchy veggies for me. I did a lot of home-cooking! This was so much harder than being strictly gluten-free, but I felt wonderful!

Eating SCD

No More Chrone's (SCD blog)

SCD for kids (and info for everyone)

Breaking the Vicious Cycle

SCD Recipes

Fast forward to May 2011.

I no longer strictly follow the SCD diet, although I mostly eat whole foods and stay away from anything processed and stuff I can't pronounce. I still cook 95% of our meals, but after a year on this elimination diet, I've become a skilled cook.

After a year on the SCD diet, I found that I am allergic to nuts and my other HUGE intolerance is corn.This was the reason I was sick so randomly pre-SCD diet, and why I could never nail-down the offending foods. Corn and nuts are in so many foods - but in varying degrees and in varying forms.

I learned a lot and feel worlds better because of the SCD diet. I highly recommend that Celiacs do an elimination diet (like the SCD diet) for a year if they haven't gotten significantly better from the gluten-free diet, and can't easily nail-down a secondary intolerance. But it takes dedication and perseverance. Make sure you have a strong support system!