This week has been all about saying goodbye to gluten (but keeping that Box Top:).
For the past two years I have struggled with sinus problems. It began in April of 2011 when I developed what I thought was a sinus infection- but it never really went away. My symptoms appeared suddenly, but slowly progressed to having daily sinus facial pressure (nose, cheekbones, and forehead), and sinus headaches/throbbing. Eventually ear pain and constant inner ear fluid entered the mix (resulting in dizziness). And then brain fog with fatigue. Which was followed by a slightly enlarged thyroid (but no change in thyroid function). Last winter I had a month-long ear infection that was only cured by a round of prednisone, and unfortunately the same type of ear infection returned this past December.
After six months of symptoms (and CT scans, antibiotics that didn't help, etc), I decided to pursue allergy testing in October of 2011.
Yep. I have allergies!!
The main offenders: dust, molds, feathers.
I never had a clue I was an allergy girl. It was in shock, surprised (and a bit relieved) that there was an answer to why I was feeling this way.
I began a daily dose of Allegra or Claritin year round (i would switch brands every three months), and Veramyst (a nasal spray) twice daily. The symptoms persist- i would use heat/steam to relieve sinus pressure. I could literally feel my sinuses become inflamed, yet couldn't pin point what allergen was constantly affecting me.
Fast forward to this past weekend when I had one of the worst sinus headache's of my life. I was fed up, exhausted, anxious, and done with this whole ordeal. That is when
Elle (yes! from Elle's Studio) texted me and said I should give a gluten free diet a try. I sure love my pizza, pasta, cupcakes, and bread... but I was desperate and willing to try ANYTHING at this point.
With a little bit of education, adjustment, and realizing I had many gluten free items already in my pantry, I had my first gluten free meal on Tuesday at lunch time. And since tuesday, I can honestly say I haven't had this much sinus relief in the past two years. I can actually BREATHE. I don't feel like i am being punched in the face when i bend over to pick something up.
First, let’s define gluten. Gluten is the protein portion of the wheat kernel. It is also the hardest protein to digest and process. Gluten now makes up about 26% of the kernel compared to 3% just 30 years ago, due to the hybridization of wheat. So, when you eat two slices of bread today, it yields about the same gluten equivalent as 17 slices did back in 1980. (source and excellent article)
I was beyond shock to discover a gluten sensitivity (which is different and less severe from celiac disease) manifests itself as inflammation in your body. Joints, sinus, intestines, weight gain, migraines, thyroid, basically anything will react by inflaming (as a defense mechanism) if your body is sensitive to gluten.
And it sure makes sense that there is an increase in gluten sensitivity today due to the changes in wheat hybridization.
A gluten sensitivity it is a more delayed response driven by a different immune pathway in the small intestine. When the small intestine is inflamed by gluten then the whole immune system is inflamed (Note: 99% of our immune response is due to our interaction with food in the small intestine.). When the immune system feels it is under attack, it sends out the signal to the body to defend itself. (source)
So here I am, three days in, and I am totally obsessed. I am SO cautiously optimistic that this might be the solution to my problems, yet feel so relieved to read these things I feel like I have found an answer. It all makes sense and is falling into place. Maybe it could be a simple diet change? Who would have guessed it wasn't what I was breathing, but rather, what I was eating.
Sure, I am terrified about this life change: what I am going to eat at restaurants, when we go to friend's houses, on vacation, at Thanksgiving, WILL I EVER HAVE A CUPCAKE AGAIN (and p.s. thank goodness wine is gluten free!!!) ... but everyone has given me such great advice that it will get easier, and to take it one day at a time. that is just what I am doing.
So I share this today in hopes that maybe this might help someone else out there, or give someone a bit of encouragement if they find themselves in a similar situation. just give it a try. three days in, and i am sold.
What we eat DOES affect us one way or another.
ETA: I started GF board on Pinterest in case anyone is interested! :)
