Sunday, February 10, 2013

Finally a diagnosis!!!!

For the last six months I have been seeking a reason behind the excruciating pain that often starts on the left side of my stomach and goes either to my belly button or all the way to my other side. I have endured numerous tests, poking's, and proddings. I have been informed that my esophagus is not performing correctly, my gall bladder isn't up to par, I have cysts on my kidneys, and an angry red spot in my stomach and this doesn't include any of the side issues I had to deal with do to the side effects of drugs, testings, and stress. However it seems that I finally have a diagnosis. My doctors office bedside manner leaves a LOT to be desired. After an endoscopy biopsy I received a phone call from my doctors office stating that the biopsy's came back fine but there was some signs of Celiac Disease and that the doctor wanted me to go and get some blood work done to verify, The woman never explained what this disease was, she continued on about the lab I used informing me that she was going to put the request in the hospitals computer system and therefore as long as I went to a lab that was connected to the hospital they would be able to access the lab work request. She then hung up. The next time I heard from the Doctors office was to give me the good news!!! Again just some person from the office stating that the blood work came back positive for Celiac Disease and the doctor recommended I go on a Gluten free diet and if I had any other questions to call and talk to a nutritionist at the hospital. I was able to gather my wits about me quick enough and long enough to ask if the doctor or their office recommended anyone in particular? The response was no anyone will do and a cheery goodbye and that was the end of the conversation. Now I live in the boonies and therefore the hospitals in the area are not THAT big but really it is huge when you need help and don't even know where to start. I have been online pouring over all this information regarding Celiac's and what this is going to mean for me and my family!!! At first I thought it was going to be a simple process of eliminating breads, crackers, and cakes which for me would still be difficult because I LOVE carbs!! However it is not that simple!!! There is gluten in just about EVERYTHING!!! and if it doesn't contain gluten it can still be "cross contaminated" I have cried almost every day since my diagnosis....... The whole prospect is overwhelming to say the least!!! BUT HEY at least I know what is killing me!!!! Well lets be less dramatic shall we.... What is causing me all this pain!!! Now to just put one foot in front of the other and move forward!!!!