Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Ms. Keri failed to mention that the only reason I found out we shared celiac in common was because I was working the snack bar and she wondered aloud if Swedish Fish candies are GF. (They are.) :-) Believe me, no matter how low one mumbles that word 'gluten', my ears can hear it!! Welcome Kerri. Glad you're here! Esther in RI > > Hello All, > > > Esther from RI was kind enough to share this group with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Ms. Keri failed to mention that the only reason I found out we shared celiac in common was because I was working the snack bar and she wondered aloud if Swedish Fish candies are GF. (They are.) :-) Believe me, no matter how low one mumbles that word 'gluten', my ears can hear it!! Welcome Kerri. Glad you're here! Esther in RI > > Hello All, > > > Esther from RI was kind enough to share this group with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Hi Kerri, Your story sounds so familiar!! I also gained weight, had a terrible itchy rash that two drs were treating wrong. I went to see Dr Wall. The minute he walked in the door he said you have dermititis herpetafosis. He also said i'm pretty sure you have celiac disease. He took biopsies of the lesions, which no one else thought to do. He started me on dapsone and within hours I could start to feel drastic relief. I then saw a gasto dr who did the EDG and found the damage and finally diagnosed me. My brothers refuse to get tested. I think back to my mom, and i'm sure she had symptoms but no one looked at them in that way. I really glad you were diagnosed, and on the road to a healthly life. I really thought I would miss the " real " food more than I did. I just glad I feel healthy. I haven't lost any of the weight that I put on, but maybe someday!!! Tricia Kutztown,Pa > > > Date: 2006/08/09 Wed PM 11:36:50 EDT > To: SillyYaks > Subject: Hi! I am new here > > Hello All, > > > Esther from RI was kind enough to share this group with me. I > have spent the last week or so reading many of the thousands of > messages available here. A little over a year ago, I was diagnosed > as Celiac. From the year 2000 until 2005 I was sick most days. One > of the oddest symptoms that I encountered was constant itching. > Everywhere, all the time. I saw two seperate allergists, who were > unable to diagnose what exactly I was allergic to. Dr. Settapaine, > the best in the state tried for months to help but was unable to. I > completed the 'scratch test' twice but the results were not > difinitive. The doctors could not figure it out. During the test, > I tested positive for the control, the scratch they make with no > known allergen involved. Blood tests ruled out many things but at > that time, gluten was not a test given to me. > > For 5 years, I dealt with the constant itching. There were > days I would pray for G-D to take me because I could not deal with > the itchiness anymore. For instance, if someone scratched me with a > piece of paper, the scratch would almost immediately turn into a > huge welt and I was off and scratching. Oddly enough, my pcp did > not feel I could have Celiac disease because I was actaully gaining > weight. I gained almost 70 pounds in 2 years. I had to use the > restroom many, many times a day and could tell you exactly where all > the bathrooms were in ANY building I went into. I was tired all the > time and my joints hurt. See, my dad had almost died in 1998 due to > Celiac. The doctors felt that even after all the tests he went > through, there must have been a cancer they could not find. He is a > 6 foot man and during the 90's was about 220 pounds. By 1997, he > was 100 pounds. The doctors kept on telling him to eat pretzels to > stop his diarrhea. When he was told he had 6 months to live, he > found his current GI who thankfully diagnosed my dad. My symptoms > were nothing like my father's. I was gaining weight, itchy, tired > and miserable. I had been diagnosed in 1988 with IBS, so although I > had diarrhea all the time, the doctors figured that specific problem > was due to stress. (and I admit there was a significant amount of > stress in my life then and now). > > Anyway, in November 2004, I began to feel like I was dying. > The pain in my stomach was horrible. It was hard to breathe. I > took myself to Landmark hospital and was told I had reflux, caused > by stress. I went back a month later, stress. I saw my PCP in > January, feb, march, april, may and june. She recommended an > antidepressant, for all this stress must be getting to me. Three > days after I saw her in June, I went to another hospital-Miriam- > where I was diagnosed with acute gallbladder disease. I was dying. > I was septic and 24 hours from death. I was in the hospital over a > week on IV antibiotics before they could remove the gallbladder. > When I finally came home, I got a new PCP who decided to check every > level she could think of. A few days later, I got the call, my > numbers were through the roof and I had Celiac disease. She > referred me to a gastro and he confirmed it. > > Today, I have been gluten free over a year. Occasionally, I > do get some gluten and pay dearly. I get B-12 shots monthly and > must take a calcium supplement because both readings are still way > too low. I do see an endo at the end of the month becuase many of > my other lab results are undesirable. Sorry I have written a book, > but this is the very first time I have ever shared my story to > anyone besides my family. My name is Kerri-Ann (and I see there are > more than one Kerri here) but I do prefer to be called Kerri. I am > located in RI, born and raised in this state and will probably be > here until retirement. I am really glad Esther referred me to this > site because I feel I will learn alot and be able to converse with > people who deal with the same things I do. Thank you. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Hi Kerri, Your story sounds so familiar!! I also gained weight, had a terrible itchy rash that two drs were treating wrong. I went to see Dr Wall. The minute he walked in the door he said you have dermititis herpetafosis. He also said i'm pretty sure you have celiac disease. He took biopsies of the lesions, which no one else thought to do. He started me on dapsone and within hours I could start to feel drastic relief. I then saw a gasto dr who did the EDG and found the damage and finally diagnosed me. My brothers refuse to get tested. I think back to my mom, and i'm sure she had symptoms but no one looked at them in that way. I really glad you were diagnosed, and on the road to a healthly life. I really thought I would miss the " real " food more than I did. I just glad I feel healthy. I haven't lost any of the weight that I put on, but maybe someday!!! Tricia Kutztown,Pa > > > Date: 2006/08/09 Wed PM 11:36:50 EDT > To: SillyYaks > Subject: Hi! I am new here > > Hello All, > > > Esther from RI was kind enough to share this group with me. I > have spent the last week or so reading many of the thousands of > messages available here. A little over a year ago, I was diagnosed > as Celiac. From the year 2000 until 2005 I was sick most days. One > of the oddest symptoms that I encountered was constant itching. > Everywhere, all the time. I saw two seperate allergists, who were > unable to diagnose what exactly I was allergic to. Dr. Settapaine, > the best in the state tried for months to help but was unable to. I > completed the 'scratch test' twice but the results were not > difinitive. The doctors could not figure it out. During the test, > I tested positive for the control, the scratch they make with no > known allergen involved. Blood tests ruled out many things but at > that time, gluten was not a test given to me. > > For 5 years, I dealt with the constant itching. There were > days I would pray for G-D to take me because I could not deal with > the itchiness anymore. For instance, if someone scratched me with a > piece of paper, the scratch would almost immediately turn into a > huge welt and I was off and scratching. Oddly enough, my pcp did > not feel I could have Celiac disease because I was actaully gaining > weight. I gained almost 70 pounds in 2 years. I had to use the > restroom many, many times a day and could tell you exactly where all > the bathrooms were in ANY building I went into. I was tired all the > time and my joints hurt. See, my dad had almost died in 1998 due to > Celiac. The doctors felt that even after all the tests he went > through, there must have been a cancer they could not find. He is a > 6 foot man and during the 90's was about 220 pounds. By 1997, he > was 100 pounds. The doctors kept on telling him to eat pretzels to > stop his diarrhea. When he was told he had 6 months to live, he > found his current GI who thankfully diagnosed my dad. My symptoms > were nothing like my father's. I was gaining weight, itchy, tired > and miserable. I had been diagnosed in 1988 with IBS, so although I > had diarrhea all the time, the doctors figured that specific problem > was due to stress. (and I admit there was a significant amount of > stress in my life then and now). > > Anyway, in November 2004, I began to feel like I was dying. > The pain in my stomach was horrible. It was hard to breathe. I > took myself to Landmark hospital and was told I had reflux, caused > by stress. I went back a month later, stress. I saw my PCP in > January, feb, march, april, may and june. She recommended an > antidepressant, for all this stress must be getting to me. Three > days after I saw her in June, I went to another hospital-Miriam- > where I was diagnosed with acute gallbladder disease. I was dying. > I was septic and 24 hours from death. I was in the hospital over a > week on IV antibiotics before they could remove the gallbladder. > When I finally came home, I got a new PCP who decided to check every > level she could think of. A few days later, I got the call, my > numbers were through the roof and I had Celiac disease. She > referred me to a gastro and he confirmed it. > > Today, I have been gluten free over a year. Occasionally, I > do get some gluten and pay dearly. I get B-12 shots monthly and > must take a calcium supplement because both readings are still way > too low. I do see an endo at the end of the month becuase many of > my other lab results are undesirable. Sorry I have written a book, > but this is the very first time I have ever shared my story to > anyone besides my family. My name is Kerri-Ann (and I see there are > more than one Kerri here) but I do prefer to be called Kerri. I am > located in RI, born and raised in this state and will probably be > here until retirement. I am really glad Esther referred me to this > site because I feel I will learn alot and be able to converse with > people who deal with the same things I do. Thank you. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Hi Kerri, Your story sounds so familiar!! I also gained weight, had a terrible itchy rash that two drs were treating wrong. I went to see Dr Wall. The minute he walked in the door he said you have dermititis herpetafosis. He also said i'm pretty sure you have celiac disease. He took biopsies of the lesions, which no one else thought to do. He started me on dapsone and within hours I could start to feel drastic relief. I then saw a gasto dr who did the EDG and found the damage and finally diagnosed me. My brothers refuse to get tested. I think back to my mom, and i'm sure she had symptoms but no one looked at them in that way. I really glad you were diagnosed, and on the road to a healthly life. I really thought I would miss the " real " food more than I did. I just glad I feel healthy. I haven't lost any of the weight that I put on, but maybe someday!!! Tricia Kutztown,Pa > > > Date: 2006/08/09 Wed PM 11:36:50 EDT > To: SillyYaks > Subject: Hi! I am new here > > Hello All, > > > Esther from RI was kind enough to share this group with me. I > have spent the last week or so reading many of the thousands of > messages available here. A little over a year ago, I was diagnosed > as Celiac. From the year 2000 until 2005 I was sick most days. One > of the oddest symptoms that I encountered was constant itching. > Everywhere, all the time. I saw two seperate allergists, who were > unable to diagnose what exactly I was allergic to. Dr. Settapaine, > the best in the state tried for months to help but was unable to. I > completed the 'scratch test' twice but the results were not > difinitive. The doctors could not figure it out. During the test, > I tested positive for the control, the scratch they make with no > known allergen involved. Blood tests ruled out many things but at > that time, gluten was not a test given to me. > > For 5 years, I dealt with the constant itching. There were > days I would pray for G-D to take me because I could not deal with > the itchiness anymore. For instance, if someone scratched me with a > piece of paper, the scratch would almost immediately turn into a > huge welt and I was off and scratching. Oddly enough, my pcp did > not feel I could have Celiac disease because I was actaully gaining > weight. I gained almost 70 pounds in 2 years. I had to use the > restroom many, many times a day and could tell you exactly where all > the bathrooms were in ANY building I went into. I was tired all the > time and my joints hurt. See, my dad had almost died in 1998 due to > Celiac. The doctors felt that even after all the tests he went > through, there must have been a cancer they could not find. He is a > 6 foot man and during the 90's was about 220 pounds. By 1997, he > was 100 pounds. The doctors kept on telling him to eat pretzels to > stop his diarrhea. When he was told he had 6 months to live, he > found his current GI who thankfully diagnosed my dad. My symptoms > were nothing like my father's. I was gaining weight, itchy, tired > and miserable. I had been diagnosed in 1988 with IBS, so although I > had diarrhea all the time, the doctors figured that specific problem > was due to stress. (and I admit there was a significant amount of > stress in my life then and now). > > Anyway, in November 2004, I began to feel like I was dying. > The pain in my stomach was horrible. It was hard to breathe. I > took myself to Landmark hospital and was told I had reflux, caused > by stress. I went back a month later, stress. I saw my PCP in > January, feb, march, april, may and june. She recommended an > antidepressant, for all this stress must be getting to me. Three > days after I saw her in June, I went to another hospital-Miriam- > where I was diagnosed with acute gallbladder disease. I was dying. > I was septic and 24 hours from death. I was in the hospital over a > week on IV antibiotics before they could remove the gallbladder. > When I finally came home, I got a new PCP who decided to check every > level she could think of. A few days later, I got the call, my > numbers were through the roof and I had Celiac disease. She > referred me to a gastro and he confirmed it. > > Today, I have been gluten free over a year. Occasionally, I > do get some gluten and pay dearly. I get B-12 shots monthly and > must take a calcium supplement because both readings are still way > too low. I do see an endo at the end of the month becuase many of > my other lab results are undesirable. Sorry I have written a book, > but this is the very first time I have ever shared my story to > anyone besides my family. My name is Kerri-Ann (and I see there are > more than one Kerri here) but I do prefer to be called Kerri. I am > located in RI, born and raised in this state and will probably be > here until retirement. I am really glad Esther referred me to this > site because I feel I will learn alot and be able to converse with > people who deal with the same things I do. Thank you. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Welcome Kerri! I am glad you finally have found not only the Yaks, but also what has been wrong for so long. Rest assured that for all of those years you suffered and felt alone, like no one would believe you, there are a great many here who have been in the very same boat. I have been on the list for about a year and a half and am still amazed at how similar the stories are. Yes, the specifics are different, but the general is all the same. I too suffered for years when they thought it was allergy - but could not find out what to. Mine went back all the way to infancy. They thought I was allergic to everything but milk, bananas and (get this) rye crisp. They said everything else caused horrible diarrhea. I was horribly skinny as a child (I looked like the stereotypical celiac kid), but then around age 9 or 10, I started to gain weight no matter what I did. I had a host of other problems and doctors only wanted to deal with one thing at a time. Nothing ever worked. And yes, I also got the " it's all in your head " bit too. After more than 20 years of trying (at then age 41), they finally got positives on allergy tesing for wheat, soy and yeast. But I never got 100% better. It wasn't until my daughter began to have problems with out any allergies, that celiac was finally brought up. And it wasn't until I went completely GF that my symptoms just melted away- including finally losing weight! Our family is riddled with people with associated symptoms and disorders. It was never caught. So, WELCOME! You will be undestood here. Glad to have you. Cheryl in MN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 please remove me from this email listing. thanksCheryl wrote: Welcome Kerri!I am glad you finally have found not only the Yaks, but also what has been wrong for solong. Rest assured that for all of those years you suffered and felt alone, like no onewould believe you, there are a great many here who have been in the very same boat. Ihave been on the list for about a year and a half and am still amazed at how similar thestories are. Yes, the specifics are different, but the general is all the same. I too suffered for years when they thought it was allergy - but could not find out whatto. Mine went back all the way to infancy. They thought I was allergic to everything butmilk, bananas and (get this) rye crisp. They said everything else caused horriblediarrhea. I was horribly skinny as a child (I looked like the stereotypical celiac kid),but then around age 9 or 10, I started to gain weight no matter what I did. I had a hostof other problems and doctors only wanted to deal with one thing at a time. Nothing everworked. And yes, I also got the "it's all in your head" bit too. After more than 20 yearsof trying (at then age 41), they finally got positives on allergy tesing for wheat, soyand yeast. But I never got 100% better. It wasn't until my daughter began to haveproblems with out any allergies, that celiac was finally brought up. And it wasn't untilI went completely GF that my symptoms just melted away- including finally losing weight!Our family is riddled with people with associated symptoms and disorders. It was nevercaught. So, WELCOME! You will be undestood here. Glad to have you. Cheryl in MN Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 please remove me from this email listing. thanksCheryl wrote: Welcome Kerri!I am glad you finally have found not only the Yaks, but also what has been wrong for solong. Rest assured that for all of those years you suffered and felt alone, like no onewould believe you, there are a great many here who have been in the very same boat. Ihave been on the list for about a year and a half and am still amazed at how similar thestories are. Yes, the specifics are different, but the general is all the same. I too suffered for years when they thought it was allergy - but could not find out whatto. Mine went back all the way to infancy. They thought I was allergic to everything butmilk, bananas and (get this) rye crisp. They said everything else caused horriblediarrhea. I was horribly skinny as a child (I looked like the stereotypical celiac kid),but then around age 9 or 10, I started to gain weight no matter what I did. I had a hostof other problems and doctors only wanted to deal with one thing at a time. Nothing everworked. And yes, I also got the "it's all in your head" bit too. After more than 20 yearsof trying (at then age 41), they finally got positives on allergy tesing for wheat, soyand yeast. But I never got 100% better. It wasn't until my daughter began to haveproblems with out any allergies, that celiac was finally brought up. And it wasn't untilI went completely GF that my symptoms just melted away- including finally losing weight!Our family is riddled with people with associated symptoms and disorders. It was nevercaught. So, WELCOME! You will be undestood here. Glad to have you. Cheryl in MN Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 please remove me from this email listing. thanksCheryl wrote: Welcome Kerri!I am glad you finally have found not only the Yaks, but also what has been wrong for solong. Rest assured that for all of those years you suffered and felt alone, like no onewould believe you, there are a great many here who have been in the very same boat. Ihave been on the list for about a year and a half and am still amazed at how similar thestories are. Yes, the specifics are different, but the general is all the same. I too suffered for years when they thought it was allergy - but could not find out whatto. Mine went back all the way to infancy. They thought I was allergic to everything butmilk, bananas and (get this) rye crisp. They said everything else caused horriblediarrhea. I was horribly skinny as a child (I looked like the stereotypical celiac kid),but then around age 9 or 10, I started to gain weight no matter what I did. I had a hostof other problems and doctors only wanted to deal with one thing at a time. Nothing everworked. And yes, I also got the "it's all in your head" bit too. After more than 20 yearsof trying (at then age 41), they finally got positives on allergy tesing for wheat, soyand yeast. But I never got 100% better. It wasn't until my daughter began to haveproblems with out any allergies, that celiac was finally brought up. And it wasn't untilI went completely GF that my symptoms just melted away- including finally losing weight!Our family is riddled with people with associated symptoms and disorders. It was nevercaught. So, WELCOME! You will be undestood here. Glad to have you. Cheryl in MN Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 please remove me from this email listing. thanksCheryl wrote: Welcome Kerri!I am glad you finally have found not only the Yaks, but also what has been wrong for solong. Rest assured that for all of those years you suffered and felt alone, like no onewould believe you, there are a great many here who have been in the very same boat. Ihave been on the list for about a year and a half and am still amazed at how similar thestories are. Yes, the specifics are different, but the general is all the same. I too suffered for years when they thought it was allergy - but could not find out whatto. Mine went back all the way to infancy. They thought I was allergic to everything butmilk, bananas and (get this) rye crisp. They said everything else caused horriblediarrhea. I was horribly skinny as a child (I looked like the stereotypical celiac kid),but then around age 9 or 10, I started to gain weight no matter what I did. I had a hostof other problems and doctors only wanted to deal with one thing at a time. Nothing everworked. And yes, I also got the "it's all in your head" bit too. After more than 20 yearsof trying (at then age 41), they finally got positives on allergy tesing for wheat, soyand yeast. But I never got 100% better. It wasn't until my daughter began to haveproblems with out any allergies, that celiac was finally brought up. And it wasn't untilI went completely GF that my symptoms just melted away- including finally losing weight!Our family is riddled with people with associated symptoms and disorders. It was nevercaught. So, WELCOME! You will be undestood here. Glad to have you. Cheryl in MN Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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