Interesting Sidenote

Dunno if any of you from the UK have access to DVDs or recordings of the Travel Channel's show called "No Reservations." A chef travels the world and eats all kinds of food and meets lots of people... he's a bit of a jerk, but I like him somehow...

Anyhow, I'm watching his show that he filmed in Iceland. It's the 4th DVD of the "No Reservations" series. He talks about how they only get 4 hours of winter... He seems to be struggling with SAD, himself (mentions fatigue, that winter is "depressing"... even jokes that he doesn't need a light box or to drink cod liver oil...)

He says that the Icelanders go to the gym a lot. They're the second longest-lived peoples on the planet (after the Japanese).

It was kind of interesting to see how they cope. It might not work for everyone, of course, but I thought I'd mention.

It's hard to feel like exercising when you're wiped out, but it can help you sleep better at night, which can make you feel better. I exercise 20 minutes each night now, and it's helping me considerably. It's a good mood-booster and I feel so much more rested in the morning after either some simple yoga or 20 minutes of just walking-in-place while watching a TV show.

I'm off to watch some more of this show to see how Tony Bourdain fares out there in Iceland!

Interesting... I might do that!

I was amazed at the amount of fish they ate... That, and lamb stew with loads of veggies. Bourdain seemed to suggest that a lot of people had gym memberships. Heh, it seemed to me that you'd find people either at the bar or at the gym. ;)

I would like to learn to cook more veggies... some Asian food just looks especially tasty, but their cuisine is pretty impenetrable. I've not found a cookbook to show me how to find/select ingredients, how to prepare these and how to cook them. I have been in Asian grocery stores, and it's quite overwhelming. I found a chayote (sp?) but haven't a clue how to use it, for example. Lots of food that I have no idea how to use!

I'm going to say diet would be a good contributor, but I also would stress the importance of exercise. I've just read too much about chronic disease and the benefits of exercise to believe that our bodies can adapt to a sedentary lifestyle.

Unfort, it's these chronic diseases that are most likely to keep us from exercising, whether it be by symptom (pain, fatigue, breathing troubles) or by the possible dangerous effects of overexertion. Really makes me think more about the phrase, "Move it or lose it."

I've been working out 20-30 minutes on weeknights... and I think I'm going to extend that to weekends as well. If I do have fibromyalgia (and it's likely, as I have 11 of 18 trigger points), then they say that if you give up an activity, then you're not likely to "get it back." I'm not experiencing a lot of daily pain now (the Sulindac helps, a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory... AND I apparently still have mild FM, if that's what it is).

I just don't want to let myself get to the point that walking for exercise is beyond my abilities.

Me, sadly, in order to test for celiac disease, you have to be eating as you usually would. It's not like an allergy... It's like an auto-immune disorder. It has something to do with your body producing antibodies in response to gluten.

So, the test that they run tests for these abnormal conditions that would only be present if you were ingesting gluten. No gluten=no antibodies=possible false negative.

I know it would be hard to go back from how you are feeling right now. I would also like to make changes in my diet, and I am trying to plan... I can up my protein, but I can't eliminate gluten until I know for sure that I'm gluten-sensitive.

Sorry for the news... I just talked to the dietician last night. She also told me that a gastroenterologist would be the one to perform the proper testing. It would be blood tests, and possibly a... uh... bum-scope.

Me, I know just what you mean. It was a real struggle to come off prednisone for me, because I had clarity of thought... had lots of energy.

But the prednisone is dangerous and has lots of long-term and short-term side-effects. I was already getting leg cramps that put me on the floor for 30 minutes, just crying, begging and praying for it to stop.

Sometimes it's a necessary evil because of my asthma, but I'm worried about bone loss, too.

Besides, part of me is pretty convinced that the reason the cyst in my pituitary gland grew instead of staying the same size was that I'd been on prednisone a bit too liberally for my asthma when I visited my parents (I have bad allergies and asthma, and they have six cats) and when I got bronchitis.

Me, is there a reason why you would want an official diagnosis of celiac disease? I know a lot of people who are as certain as you are that they are sensitive to gluten and they simply get on with their lives without eating it. You can tell your doctor that this is the case and he/she can fit it into the puzzle for you. In reality, grains do not agree with most people. They contain enzyme blockers and leptins, which are bad for digestion and absorption of nutrients. They raise insulin levels. When you fill up on them, you do not have room to eat more nutrient-dense foods such as veggies. For most people they are not necessary to the diet, as the healthiest carbs come from those veggies.

You might be interested in this article: http://www.mercola.com/article/insulin.htm

If it were me, I would not eat something I knew was poisonous to my body for 6 weeks. Any good doctor would not ask you to do this either. They would listen to what you say about your symptoms.

HTH,
Linda.

The benefit of having Coeliac Disease correctly diagnosed in the UK is that you are entitled to help via prescription in the purchase of gluten free foods.

'In reality' most healthy people value grains as good foodstuff as part of a balanced diet. YOu don't have to 'fill up' on them, but take them as part of your diet as a whole. Moderation in all things and especially of processed and convenience foods.

I don't know who I'm quoting here, but it interested me....

"If your grandmother wouldn't recognise it as food.....then put it back!"

At the same time I'm a firm believer in using supplements as and when necessary for optimum nutrition.

Maybe reducing gluten would be a good idea for now, rather than trying to cut it out completely. I'll PM you a source you may find useful.

Hi ya guys - Gosh you have been busy whilst Ive been awaY!! lol

Yes, PI exactly right. coeliac disease entitles you to free prescriptions for gluten free foods here in the UK.

Also coeliac disease can also promote other medical problems too, so its good to dismiss it.

Been to the doctors today......

Well, well, well - he says that I can have a blood test for coeliac disease and i dont need to eat wheat prior to it, so thats cool.

He too has concluded that I am intolerant to wheat, so I'll have to lay off it anyway. He suggested a dietatian, but I really dont need one at the moment.

I mentioned that my symptoms were also possibly related to yeast, he mentioned that he could sort that out for me too.

My pins and needles in my hand... gonna be referred to a rheumatologist. However the rheumatologists secretary she says Id be better off seeing an orthapedic person - so Im a little bemused at the moment!!


I had some wheat yesterday and this morning. Am feeling bloated and have windy pains in my tummy. My cataarh has come back quite badly - like a smokers cough, am tired, but not as bad as I thought. Oh,,and by the way, I did forget the doctors Name - typical!!


Thanks for your help Linda, I'll have a look.

From a very relived.... Me x

ME, looks like you're getting value for money from the health service this month LOL! Also sounds as if you are getting some real support with the GP getting all those referrals.

I understand Amalthea..

Just got to wait for the big day now!

Im told he is good, so I have to hope for the best. My only pain is in my elbow, which when pushed, or bent creates the numbness in my fingers - so maybe its to do with a nerve getting caught. I would be happy with that diagnosis.

I would have joined you all earlier, but guess what - I fell asleep for 2 hours!! No more wheat for me anymore!!!!!! yippee.

Gosh, Im starting to get a list of healh problems as long as my arm now.

Me x