Little Feather

My symptoms started gradually in my 20's with occasional abdominal pain & bloating, unexplained inflammation & joint pain, unexplained panic attacks and migraines. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteopenia in my late 30's.

I got very sick in 2010. To the list of symptoms above, add asthma, ataxia, difficulty swallowing, cognitive issues such as; confusion, head feeling heavy and foggy, memory lapses, inability to concentrate, vision disturbances, slurred speech and difficulty speaking. I started throwing up after eating out. My skin itched and tingled all over. I couldn't sleep because of the itching! I had a blistery, watery, itchy rash on my scalp and nape of neck. I became hypersensitive to fragranced products and perfume.

I was tested for various diseases like RA, MS, Lupus, Lymes, even HIV and Syphilis. All tests results were negative. Nutritional testing showed deficiencies in Folic Acid and Calcium but Dr. didn't think that was the cause. I kept getting a blistery, itchy rash on my scalp so Dr. sent me to a dermatologist who said it was "some kind of eczema" and had me use a steroid cream on it. The rash would dissapear for a few weeks but kept coming back. Finally, in March 2012, my Dr. sent me to an allergist who diagnosed me with Dermatitis Herpetiformis Celiac.

Immediately after the diagnosis, I went on a strict gluten free diet. I got rid of all gluten foods in the kitchen, cleaned and vacuumed the kitchen cabinets and drawers thoroughly. I read that gluten protein can remain on plastic after washing so I got rid of all my plastic containers and switched to glass/pyrex. I changed my dish soap to ECOS Earth Friendly Grapefruit Dishmate, changed the dog food to Blue Buffalo Grain Free, changed my shampoo, conditioner and lotion to Gluten-Free Savonnerie brand. I use their shampoo from head to toe. I use Earth Friendly ECOS products for laundry and cleaning.

The Dermatitis Herpetiformis rash took about two months to clear up after going gluten free. ALL of my cognitive symptoms have dissapeared and I haven't had a panic attack since going gluten free!

I'm still hypersensitive to fragrance and perfume. I have other food sensitivities which include diary, yeast, sugar, strawberry, citrus fruits and tomato. I read that the damage gluten does in our guts also leads to other auto immune diseases and intolerances so I'm avoiding these foods for now, hoping that my intestines will heal over time on a gluten free diet.

I take a Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc suppliment for osteopenia. My vitamin D levels are perfect because I spend an hour a day in the sun walking the dogs. I like to get all other vitamins and minerals through food.

I will only eat organic, non-GMO foods and avoid all proccessed-packaged food with a few exceptions: Kettle Brand Sea Salt potato chips, Bubbies pickles, and Rice Dream as a milk sub. For sugar subs I use Stevia or local Honey.

Because I read product labels like a hawk, I'm learning more about what's in food and I can't believe it. I've always cared about the planet. I'm a nature lover; a camper, hiker and a gardener. I reduce, re-use, recycle but having Celiac has opened my eyes to the term