Costochondritis- Lucy Update

Here's an update on the Celiac/Costochondritis roller coaster. I don't feel so hot- but it's all good. Originally, I thought purging gluten would help me feel better quick. Not so much- who are these magical Celiac people that heal so fast?!?! Leprechauns and Unicorns, I tell you.

For anyone looking into Celiac, this week I've learned to keep the following foods out of my diet:

1. Foods high in fiber- (more then 3 grams) for a damaged stomach to digest fiber is no bueno
2. Any food high in fat - (more than 3 grams sends me into a crazy pain episode) -large amounts of fat are hard to digest, so the stomach freaks out, becomes inflamed, causes more chest pain and for me...lovely diarrhea, and pain/muscle spasms/numbness/tinging legs arms, and severe fatigue. I can't believe it took me so long to figure this out...I'm pretty sure this particular cycle kept me from suspecting Celiac...anything fried would make me so sick...so I never thought of gluten as making me sick and other foods/fats/fiber making it way worse. Buuuut now I know. -)
   
3. Chocolate is hard to digest....so the pain increases- had to go.
   
4. Brown Rice got tossed - it contains a protein that is just as hard to digest as meat.
   
5. Legumes/Beans- High in fiber, hard to digest, had to go.
   

The following foods don't increase the Costo pain:

1. Tree of Life Tuna
2. Bananas
3. Grapes
4. Asparagus
5. Zucchini/Squash
6. Peeled Apples
7. Carrots
8. 1/4 cup of Red Mill GF Rolled Oats with water and Tree of Life Honey
9. Organic Yam/Sweet Potato with 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
10. This week I'll be testing soy...oh mercy

Here' s a little video/update/recap...
And I just got a new green screen, but I don't know how to use it yet.-)

wow...next time I'll comb my hair.

Costochondritis- Video Blogging- Oh Mercy.

Hello my friends,

So I tried a little vlogging. AHHH!!! In my new celiac blog, it will be all video blogs- crazy and exciting. More on that later...I have no clue when that transition will happen. I imagine when my body says it's okay, then we'll rock and roll. So until then, I'm using you people as Guinea pigs while I learn this video craziness. So yes, you will be seeing more of these vloggy things. I promise, they will get better. These do not rock. Lots of rambling...haven't got the editing down yet. lol. So this is 1 of 2 "first attempts" at Video Blogging. I thought, "crap...just post em both- who cares?!" So this first one is:

CELIAC AND COSTOCHONDRITIS: NUMBESS AND TINGLING
Warning, I'm abnormally hyper. Excited to be doing something "normal." =)

Next up, my 2nd "first attempt" at video blogging...waaaaay to long.
CELIAC AND COSTOCHONDRITIS: SHOULD YOU GET TESTED For Celiac?
Warning: I say the words "you should get tested" WAY too much. AHHH!!!! What I meant is, consider it as an option. =)

My next vlog will be an update on my own journey of healing....just wanted throw these out there and see if I sank or swim.... kind of felt more like a doggy paddle.

Hugs,
Lucy

Costochondritis- The Doctor Show

To those new to my blog, howdy! I've recently been diagnosed with Celiac, the reason for my costochondritis. The doctor who recently told me my Celiac diagnoses was Dr. Wallach. I called into his national radio show to talk about Costochondritis, and he told me I had Celiac after a chat about my symptoms...I was skeptical, but then went on and got a diagnoses via gene testing. Holla!

So to those who have asked for the information to call into the radio show and talk to Dr. Wallach (for free). who originally told me I had Celiac.- here's the number for the radio show:

"Dead Doctors Don't Lie" Radio Show LIVE with Dr.Wallach.
Monday through Friday # 1-888-379-2552
12noon-1pm pacific, 2pm-3pm central, 3pm-4pm eastern.

If you are interested in calling in to the Dr. Wallach radio show here in the U.S....have these things ready:

• Notepad and pen, be prepared to write crazy fast- he talks fast
  
• Check out his Youngevity website HERE, so when he talks to you about supplementation, you have an idea of what he's talking about (of course, you don't have to use his supplements or suggestions at all, but free advice while sitting on the couch ain't so bad).
  
• Have your most prominent symptoms ready to read off to him (think quick bullet point list of all your symptoms)
• When you get on the show, it moves fast, say "my name is blank and my symptoms are A.B.C.D. and E, and I'm seeking some advice." Then be prepared to write, write, write.
• He may ask your name, age, and weight ( to tell you the supplements he may want you on)
• When you get off the phone, remember you don't have to take ANY of his advice, just think of it as another tool to use. However, after 75 doctors...this dude nailed me. Pretty cool.

Or if you want to meet him in person, His 2010 schedule is HERE.

So, do I assume everyone wants to call into this show? No, my friends. I'm not saying that at all. This is just another option to possibly try, no pressure from this little blogger, just a wish for us to all be well. And since my Costo blog, that has become like a fuzzy pink security blanket to me, is coming to a close this month, I want to put as much information as I can out there into the bloggy world for my Costo/invisible illness brothers and sisters. You guys are so special to me!

Hugs,
Lucy

Costochondritis- Celiac Symtom Check List

Wuz up bloggy buddies,

Several people have asked me what the other symptoms of Celiac are. So here they are! There's like a million of them.

Celiac Symptom Check List

Costochondritis- The Celiac Honeymoon

To those new to my blog, welcome! I was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease, the reason for my Costochondirits. After all the celebrating...

The honeymoon is about over. Never does seem long enough, does it? =)

We went to St. Lucia on our honeymoon a little over a year ago- (that's my hottie checking out the ocean)....and umm...after a long day of traveling, I jumped in the shower before dinner and AHHHHH!!!!!!!- there were lizards in the tub...staring at me. Gulp. I'm no snob and have no issue roughing it. But on my honeymoon....I do NOT want to share my cute hubby with slimy critters. Ick. After I quickly got ready and headed to the lobby, we were told some Americans rooms had been broken into...please put chairs in front of our doors to give us warning in the event that someone breaks in. No joke. I could not stop laughing...it just went on and on like that...

So here I am, roughing it through my honeymoon with Celiac. Just ebbing and flowing, learning as I go. Of course I think this groom is a nasty SOB, but hey, I can cut his hair, get him new clothes, slap that hill billy accent out of him and see how it goes. Cause we are together 4 life. Thankfully, my true blue hubby is very understanding of this new relationship.

Alrighty, my blog buddies, I'm getting closer to changing over to a Celiac blog in the next few weeks to a month, but I want to make sure I've covered all the bases with Costo. first. So if you have anything you'd like me to chat about, please let me know so we can rock it out.

So what have I learned about Celiac and Costo. on this Honeymoon?

1. Supplements are key, I have a meeting tomorrow to get on all the correct supplements since Celiac Disease thrives on leaving you mal-absorbed- boooo. The really important supplements are: Calcium, B-Vitamins, Vitamin D, Antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids, Selenium, and full mineral and vitamins. The rumor is that a lot of symptoms of Celiac are a result of mal-absorption, (such as my numb and tinging hands) and not just the auto-immune part. Very interesting.
   
2. I've learned my body reacts to citric acid in the same way to does to gluten
3. I've learned you may react days after eating gluten, which is why I never noticed a difference in my chest pain immediately after consuming gluten, but did notice a difference after some triggers I'd eat, such as oils etc...which is why I never suspected gluten.
   
4. I've learned the burning in my chest is really a Celiac reaction in my body.
5. I've learned to call every manufacturer about any product I'm using. Cause gluten lurks everywhere. Freaking meanie.

Am I feeling any better?

1. My chest pain is still around 25% better and holding, I'll keep you posted. I don't have my mineral/vitamin intake quite balanced yet- but by tomorrow I will. And I'll continue eating as plain as I can in order to give my stomach a chance to freaking leave my ribs alone.
   
2. I have, however, noticed...my PMS is gone...wild. I'll take it. Who knew bad PMS was a symptom of Celiac? C.R.A.Z.Y.
3. I'm sleeping better and waking up easier.
   
4. Digestive track is MUCH happier- holla!
5. My nails are growing.
   

They always say the first year is the toughest. But I say the courtship sucked, so I'm grabbing this marriage by the balls. That's right...I said it.

Costochondritis- Celiac Q & A

This is my 100th post....wow.

That deserves an electric slide with a pop and lock to finish it off- dance.

To those new to the blog, welcome- I've just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, the reason for my Costochondritis. To my normal peeps, may I just say thank you with all my heart to everyone who has been celebrating with me! It has warmed my heart soooooooo much. You all are such a life line to me. Seriously, I have lots of luv for you people, no lie. That's right, I said luv. Cause I'm attached to all you crazy cats. That's how I roll. All attached and stuff.

So the past week has been a wee bit NUUUUTs! My mom had her last surgery from her breast cancer battle and she's doing amazing. Cancer free looks good on her. And so do her new boobies! You knew I was gunna TMI on you. I can't stop it. So I've been with her a lot and loving it. Soooo...I won't lie, I've been unbelievably excited about the new Celiac diagnoses. And going gluten free is wild. I have slowly...okay, whom I kidding, I've been like a gigantor tornado trying to make sure everything that remotely comes near my body is gluten free. I have the food down, then yesterday I started checking the gluten content on all my vitamins, thyroid meds , makeup, shampoos, laundry detergent, leave in conditioners, hairsprays, hand soaps etc...so I've been on the phone for like 10 years so far, calling all the manufacturers, making sure that what's on my body is gluten free. I thought I was going gluten free...yeah...no...not so much. I feel a little jaded- lol-...because I was SHOCKED at how I'm practically bathing in gluten every day. One of my vitamins has gluten, my hairspray- (ewww- I'm INHALING it!? lol.), my lipstick, my mascara...AHHHH!!!! ....and the list goes on. This is encouraging- so folks, I have yet to make it one full day without putting it on my person. And I thought I was all gluten free already. oops.

I tried to cook something gluten free and well....I still have to work on what a square is. chuckle.


Alrighty then, let's get to business, here are some Q & A from my comment section, here we go!

Did you have an endoscopy? My G.I specialist suspected all my issues were coming from my stomach and wanted to do a endoscopy to check my small intestines. I showed up for the procedure at the hospital, the smell just blew me over, and I went down hill from here- hives, shaking, panic, a full blown PTSD episode and all. Glorious. My fault for not going to this hospital before hand and walking through and letting my body adjust before the procedure. So no...no endoscopy for me....soooo we went a different route.

How did you come to the diagnoses of Celiac? So here's the delio- when the 90 year old Dr. in chaps-lol- Michelle!!...told me he thought I had Celiac, I started rocking out the gluten free diet (or so I thought!). This meant that my gastro doctor could not do any normal Celiac tests on me unless I wanted to go back and do a "gluten challenge" for a month. I most certainly did not, I had started to feel better and there was no looking back. So this is how I was diagnosed:

1. My blood was packed with protein.
2. After 5 weeks of being mostly gluten free, I started having heart palpitations, so we did a blood test to check my thyroid 2 weeks ago- and it confirmed that my meds were waaay too strong due to my body beginning to heal without gluten in it- super cool. (Heart Palps are one major symptom to thyroid meds being too strong- and since the only change I'd made was the gluten, I requested that it be tested....no, that's a lie- I called and sorta demanded it...in a nice but- I've had this crap for way too long and my heart is skipping beats, run his test now...sort of voice.).
   
3. Then we did a blood test that showed I was experiencing malapsorbtion- a marker for Celiac. If you are consuming gluten, you can do a stool test for this.
   
4. And last, we did Genetic testing, the test I was waiting on. Mine came back positive, positive, positive. I can back with the strongest DNA combination for Celiac disease that you can have. Holla!
5. So with those results and my symptoms, the conclusion was Celiac. ta-da!
   

Are there other ways to conclude Celiac? Sure, absolutely. I did the best I could with where I am in my life. I wish I could have done the endoscopy. But it's all good. Other Celiac and more traditional tests can be checked out HERE.

Do you feel better being off gluten?
Crap yes- I feel better! Healed, No. But one day at a time. Here is what I have slowly noticed:

• My headaches are GONE. (Insert booty shake victory dance here)
• I can wake up easier. While on heavy gluten, I can easily sleep 14 hours a day. If you suffer from fatigue or mood swings, maybe getting checked would be a good option.
• My insomnia is gone
• I think I'm a Celiac who's stomach hates Citric Acid- steering clear
• My nails are starting to grow
  
• My back pain /tightness is releasing more and more each day
• My right neck/shoulder pain is getting less and less
  
• My stabbing attacks have almost stopped and my breathing is getting better and better. My pain is about 25% less than it was 6 weeks ago. Am I nervous it won't all together go away? Yes. Si. For Shizzle . I totally am. But I can't focus on that, I have to focus on the task at hand: Target gluten. Slay Gluten. Then run like mad from the SOB... So yes, I still have Costo and I have no idea how long it will it will hang around. I'll keep you posted.
• TMI ALERT, PEOPLE! I'm not constipated anymore if I stay away from dairy and gluten, and I don't have diarrhea any more due to staying away from canola and palm oil. Here's the deal...can't believe I'm going to say this.Ugg. The next time you visit the loo, check out your ...(you know)...and if it's soft, fluffy, light brown, and one long tube-ish , and you have this little experience once or preferably 2 or 3x a day, chances are your digestive system is SUPER happy with you! But if you are constipated, have diarrhea-ish/ or stringy/ or pile-ish poo etc...then yes, getting checked for Celiac could be a good thing. Mercy,I want to wash my hands just writing about it. AHHH!!!

So what do you eat now? Well, Since my tummy is so jacked up, I'm not drinking cokes, or eating gluten, dairy, soy, corn, or any oils. Not until my stomach is healed. I hoping to add corn, soy, oil, and possibly dairy back into my diet after 6 months to a year. So currently I'm eating a pretty plain all organic diet:

• Homemade toubule Salad- I substitute water or applesauce for oil
• Red Beans
• Black Beans
• Brown Rice Cakes
• Veggies
• Lundberg Brown Rice
• Mary's quina Pretzels- the sea salt ones
• Chocolate Chips- Yum!
• Sweet Potatoes
• Apples
• Bananas
• Blueberries

How does it feel to have this answer? Weird, amazing, overwhelming, peaceful...and just right. I feel like a I just met a weird brother I never knew I had, ya know? But one that I want to shake with excitement...and then make him go square dancing with me and tell everyone we are related. Even though he's ugly and awkward and I'm pissed off at him, I'm proud to finally know him. I also feel a little guilty. I know there are so many amazing people out there waiting for their good news of healing. It's so strange to go from, "I'm a girl with Costo" to " I have Celiac." I'm still in shock. But I feel really blessed, and eternally grateful to God for this gift. After walking through the past 3 1/2 years, living the anti-gluten life will be my honor. And I know in my heart that I will never feel bad for myself for being a gluten freak, cause this kind of freakishness is totally welcome. Bring it on!

If you'd like to check out another great chick who has costo and Celiac as well- you can follow Alyssa's healing journey at Young and Going Gluten Free.

What did you do when I found out? Well...my hubby and I quietly celebrated all day on Friday. He brought me roses, very sweet....and then I got money and went shopping!! haha! It was awesome! I love shopping by myself and never do it anymore...I mean...am I going to ice my ribs in bed in a comatose state while in a new pair of hot jeans before I drag my exhausted self to the granny stroll? Nada. But maybe one day....so did I buy a pair of super sexy unneeded pair of hot jeans and a romper that is OH SO CUTE??!- You bet I did!! I went crazy. lol. I even bought lipstick. What?! Then my hubby rubbed my feet Friday night and we watched a chick flick. It was such a quiet, but really joyful and peaceful day. I was in awe and shock all day. And you know I strolled extra saucy during my granny stroll..uh huh!

Are you going to do a Celiac blog? You know it!! It's in the works.

Alright folks- wanted to add a few random links where folks are chatting about Costo and Celiac:
Chatty Link 1
Chatty Link 2
Chatty Link 3
Super Long but AWESOME Link 4
Chatty Link 5
Random person with Costo and Celiac

Here's a website with more Celiac info and both GI and non-GI symptoms of Celiac

And remember, I'm not saying that everyone with Costo has Celiac. What I AM saying is that it's one more option to check out: if you notice your costo gets worse after you eat...or your attacks happen sometimes when you aren't lifting anything at all (sign of delayed gluten reaction) or just chilling, get yourself checked for Celiac. If you're looking to get tested on your own, cause your doctor is a knuckle head, these are some great tests in the USA:

My Celiac ID
The University of Chicago Celiac Testing Center

Well, that wraps up this post. Let me know what I can answer- or if I can help in any way. Much luv and prayers to everyone. May you feel the hope seeping through this blog to you, and the peace of God leading you to towards healing.

Costochondritis - Celiac Test Results...

The forest begins to thin, the long winter snow begins to melt, and the silky sun peaks out from behind the rugged mountain my feet are climbing. I'm in utter awe and shock as I stare at the warmth of the sun, mesmerized. I have Celiac Disease. I finally know where all my pain is coming from. I finally have my answer.

I tested positive. Wow. Ummm....yeah...wow. Today has been a roller coaster. I've been waiting for the results all week...and when they finally arrived, my heart was pounding. I knew that if the test was negative, I would be headed back to the drawing board. And, as we all know..the what the crap is going on and where to I go next, room...yeah-not so fun. I literally screamed out loud in excitement when I found out my test was positive. Like loud. I just can't believe it. I have Celiac. My costochondritis IS my celiac. I have costo because of Celiac!! WHAT?! I'm gunna get well?!? Breathe, Lucy. Breathe.

A million things have been running through my mind. I'll share more later. But I know that many of you rock stars have been waiting on these results with me- so I wanted to share. Hugs to all of you. I'm sure the wheels are turning in some of your heads. -) Cause yall- I ain't the only previously undiagnosed Celiac who has costo. Holla!

All the glory and praise to God for today. In every way, I'm so thankful to Him for taking me down this road. It's so humbling. My heart is celebrating in this exciting truth about my body...and warmly, I can feel the sun on my face and smell the sweet aroma of the approaching Spring.

Costochondritis- And Gluten

What is gluten?

Gluten is a special type of protein that is commonly found in rye, wheat, and barley. There are hundreds of ingredients that derive from gluten.

So here's the delio. You all know me. I'm like the eternal lab rat for Costo. Anything for the cause. lol. Someone joked on another post that although the commended me for all that I've tried, the liver flush was pushing it. HAHA! So true. But hey, tough times call for tough measure, people!

So what am I currently giving a whirl? You guessed it. I'm on the gluten free train. I've been gluten free for 4 weeks and 6 days. But who's counting. I've been monitoring my pain, and I won't lie, I've noticed some wonderful differences in the crap shoot called Costo. My stabbing attacks are fewer and farther between. And there is no bulge in my stomach pushing up into my ribs. Gross. And since I've cut out all gluten, white potatoes, oils, and fried food, my pain has not once increased due to my eating choices. Holla!

"What do you eat?" One might ask. Well, to that I answer, "I chomp on organic rice, veggies, fruit, flax pretzels, beans, some yummy gluten free animal crackers in awkward shapes that look nothing like animals, sweet potatoes, and salads. " I know, very exciting. But after I mourned all the comfort food that has been a really good friend on the days where I can't move, but I can eat...I got over it. Gotta do what I gotta do.

Will I stay gluten free? Yes. I'll continue to monitor it, I'm crazy about writing stuff down on my calender. lol. Will I heal from this? I dunno. But I'm giving it a minimum of 3 months. I'll keep you posted.

So how would gluten cause Costo? Celiac disease is one possibility.

• 1 in 133 people have Celiac,
• Close to 97% of people with Celiac are undiagnosed
• On average it takes 11 years for someone with Celiac to get diagnosed
  
• Over 200 unrelated symptoms can present themselves.
  
• Other possibilities of gluten derived costochondritis can be a result of allergies or intolerance to gluten.

Do I think everyone with Costo has Celiac? Heck no. I'm not saying that at all, I'm just in the business of putting as much information out there as possible so that everyone can come to their own conclusions. lol. I just said I'm in the business.

If you are interested in riding the gluten free train, here are a few links that may be of help:

Safe ingredients for a gluten free diet
Unsafe ingredients for a gluten free diet

So if you under the impression that your pain increases after you eat certain foods, take this as a positive thing- you have another clue that inflammation is being caused by what you're eating. Does this suck? You bet your best Barbie it does. Ugg. I don't even like Barbie. Plastic, unrealistic, perfection. gag. However, all I'll I'm saying is that you really should take this clue as a positive thing. Explore it. Keep a journal of all the ingredients in the foods you eat that cause more pain. Keep digging, people!

And throw your Barbies in a dumpster.

Costochondritis- I have WHAT!?

On Monday I called a doctor who does a national radio physician show -(3 shows,5 days week). It's pretty cool. You call in, talk to him about your symptoms (for free) and he tells you his thoughts. I've followed his work for years- his books etc....My mom knows this dude, so I felt comfortable calling in 4 months ago to talk about ovarian cysts (had them for 4 years- blah). Buuut after his help, I have NO MORE cysts as of 2 months ago. YAY! TMI? Of course! Wouldn't be a post with out it. You know this. But very good stuff, none the less. And I did a big ol' electric slide jig to celebrate.

So I called back in to tell him that my cysts were gone and thank him for taking the time to listen to me...and I thought...I'm going to talk to him about my costo...then I was like "no...there is NO way he will be able to help me..." Sigh. But my OCD in cahoots with the Holy Spirit opened my mouth and out came in a fast tumble, "I have costochondritis, it's terrible, and doctors don't kow what to do with me." lol.

He proceeded to ask me quite a few questions about my symptoms....and he learned that I have had psoriasis, gum disease, too much protein in my blood, my small intestines are not digesting food, I have pressure in my stomach as well as the ribs, that Costo gets worse after eating wheat, fried foods, dairy, and tomatoes. He learned that I've had odd bouts of inflammation problems such as gum issues, etc...even before the chest pain came in and turned me up side down.

Then after he kept firing questions at me...he said, "I'm about to make your day, young lady." I was like..."ummmm..okay." He then proceeded to tell me that I have CELIAC DISEASE. Silence..... Cricket..... Cricket.

I have WHAT????????!!!!!!!!!!

I was in shock. Still am, to be honest. He talked to me about how it can manifest itself into Costo.

Celiac Disease is an inherited auto-immune disease in which the small intestines are damaged by the consumption of wheat, barley, rye, and all gluten. Which is wild, because my Dad has many issues related to his stomach and eating. I have always thought maybe I just inherited his sensitive stomach. But nope. He gave me a freaking disease. lol.

The Dr. shared that in the month following, if I cut out gluten, the inflammation in my body would cease, including my Costochondritis. Wow.

There is a part of me that is excited and hopeful all over again. This diagnoses is the only explanation for all the odds things that have happened in my body. May have to change the name of the blog. lol. Just kidding, folks. And the other part of me is tentative. So many false hopes over the years. You all know how this goes. Buuuuuut, you gotta celebrate the hope! So I'm doing a little 80's jig. Woo-Hoo!

I wasn't going to share all of this but maybe some one out there, reading this, has these symptoms and this crappy condition, and can get out this pain! I don't know... But if you suspect it, you can cut out all gluten and see what happens. Cool, huh?

So I'm done with the cleansing for now. I lied about doing flush #3. Sorry, folks. I'm DONE! Well, maybe I didn't lie...just decided to call it a day. lol. Now on to a gluten free diet...we shall see. One day at a time. And if this is the answer, wow. If it's not, I'll keep a digging. So you better do the same. =)