The last month or so I’ve been to the doctor three times trying to figure out why I’m always so tired, why my hair is falling out, why my skin is so dry…just why I’m in general feeling like ca-ca.
The only thing she found was borderline anemia and a very very low leval of vitamin D.
Being a constant researcher, I Googled. Normally I try to stay away from Googling medical stuff, because I’ve been known to convince myself that I’m on my death bed. But I Googled the low Vitamin D thing, because I was surprised about it since I live in the desert.
Well, Celiac Disease kept coming up. And I kept not paying attention, because one of the list of symptoms is ‘weight loss.’ And yeah…that’s not my problem. And for a minute there, the unfairness of having this Disease that makes me feel like crap but skips the side effect of making me skinny was just too much to contemplate.
But then I did read. And I have ALL the symptoms. I’ve had most of them since I was very young. The only one I don’t have is skinniness. And it turns out that it keeps your body from properly digesting nutrients, so it thinks it’s starving and in some people can cause your metabolism to turn off.
So–in the interest of science–a very very good friend (VERY good) is going to do a Gluten-Free diet with me for thirty days. That’s long enough to see if I feel better. We’re starting a blog about it, so keep an eye here and I’ll post the link in the next day or two.
So how about you? What’s your best medical Google story?
I had exactly the same experience as you…. and I finally came to terms with it through googling! I was diagnosied coeliac 2 years ago this week…. make sure you check out all the online forums and other GF blogs for support… and join the association!
Make sure you do get diagnosed properly though as there are many other long term health impacts of removing a food group from your diet, and you will need to see a dietician (well you do in the UK!).
The weight thing was the same for me too and after eating gluten free for just 3 months I lost a 5 kgs! I am the healthiest I have ever been. Check out my blog too about gluten free living (in India at the moment!!)
Best of luck!