tmbarke

I'm 44 yrs old and just found out I have a Gluten Intolerance.

I've never known about this kind of allergy until a week ago when my doctor put me on a gluten free diet after discussing symptoms I was having since the beginning of this year.

My jaw dropped!

After all these yrs and I just now develop symptoms? And now you're telling me I have to change everything about the way I eat? About the way I shop?

I struggle with this as I'm sure everyone else does. I'm more angry with the staff at the one health food store I went to 2 days after finding out - I was already feeling like I moved to a new school and they treated me like a freak.

The next time I went shopping at a local grocery store, I found that the gluten-free shelves were practically empty and multiple stock in places where other items should be. So my shopping trip took me 3-1/2 hrs reading labels thru the regular aisles.

Needless to say I came home and took out my frustrations on my brother....like a crazy woman!

It was then I decided I needed a support group so I joined this forum.

I can't do this alone and I AM alone in this. No one understands. They say to me, "Well, guess it's fruits and veggies for you!" and I get this steam engine buiding up inside that tells me to 'slap 'em!' lol

That's me on the right - my sister on the left after a stroke that almost put her in a nursing home 5 mos prior! She's amazing! If she can overcome a stroke, I can overcome this!

I'm here to learn because I take this seriously! I'm the one that experiences symptoms I can't explain away....till now.

Knowledge is power.....so empower me!