As some of you know, I've been dealing with some pretty nasty neurological pain issues in the last several months. I haven't posted too much about it because, well, I really didn't want to talk about it until I had a little more information about what was causing it.
I've hidden my pain from most everyone. It's not visible to the human eye. Most days I get out of bed and go about my daily routine as best I can and just "fight through it".
The pain I'm talking about now has a name. Small Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy. This diagnosis was just confirmed about a week ago after visiting two neurologists and having way too many blood tests, MRI's and neurological exams. Well, actually, the diagnosis was "some kind of neuropathy, but we don't know what's causing it, so here take these pills and come back in four weeks". I only came upon the actual name of the neuropathy after much internet research.
Small Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy affects the small nerve fibers in your skin. These fibers receive signals from the brain and control skin sensations such as temperature and pain. When you burn your finger on the stove or feel a cool breeze, it is your small nerve fibers that transmit that feeling to your brain to tell you that you hurt yourself or need to put on a sweater. Damage to the small fiber nerves disrupts this process and basically all Hell breaks loose.
For me, this means that I feel like I have a bad sunburn all over my body. Clothes hurt. I get chills, even though my skin feels hot. I have trouble sleeping. It affects every part of my day and everything I do.
The reason that I am writing this post today is that I want to get the word out there that the probable cause of my neuropathy is my Celiac Disease. I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out. I've been researching on the internet for months, trying to find an answer. Finally, this past weekend, I came upon it. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
I found this article on Celiac.com. It is entitled "Up to 16% of Patients with Small Fiber Neuropathy May Have Celiac Disease". Wow. I had considered that the cause of my issues were Celiac-related, but here it was, in black and white. Proof. It was written by The Neuropathy Association. The kicker....this article was written in 2003! Why do mainstream doctors not know about this???
"In addition, patients with celiac disease tended to have a type of neuropathy called small fiber neuropathy which often causes severe burning, stinging, and electric-shock like pains, but is often misdiagnosed as it is undetectable with routine tests used by neurologists to diagnose neuropathy. Approximately 16% of all patients with small fiber neuropathy were found to have celiac disease. Many of our patients were told that there was nothing physically wrong with them, and were advised to seek psychiatric care for presumed anxiety or depression, noted Dr. Norman Latov, Medical and Scientific Director of The Neuropathy Association, and senior author of the study. You too would be anxious and depressed if you were in constant pain, and no-one believed you or offered to help."
So, after finding that article, I dug a little deeper. I found this website Small Fiber Neuropathy.Net .
And this one: Center For Peripheral Neuropathy at University of Chicago.
Needless to say, I am printing out copies for every doctor I know. It makes me angry that I had symptoms of this since the time of my diagnosis in 2007. Not one doctor mentioned that Celiac Disease could be causing these symptoms. Since I had cervical disc issues at the time, the doctors just assumed that I was having nerve issues related to that. I just sat back and believed them. I had neck surgery. Instead of the pain going away, it just kept getting worse.
Now that I have a diagnosis and a cause, I have to find out what my treatment options are. For right now, it's LOTS of medications. I'm not happy with this option, but it's the only one available at this point. I also need to figure out why, since I am so careful about my gluten-free diet, that things are getting worse and not better. I'm sure it's going to take a lot more research, doctor visits and prayer to help me find a way to get through this.
So, I guess the moral of my story is, please, if something is not right with your body and you know something is off, don't just accept the first answer the doctor gives you. Don't just write it off. Investigate. Ask questions. You are your best advocate! It's taken me three years to learn this and it's been a painful lesson.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
"Senior Moments" and Comfort Food
Yesterday, I had a "Senior Moment". I was trying to update my post from a few days ago and somehow managed to delete the entire post. These kinds of things have been happening a lot to me lately. Like accidentally throwing away a pile of important medical paperwork and keeping a useless pile of "junk" paper that was supposed to go in the trash. I guess I'll just chalk it up to old age! Or, maybe add it to the list of weird, neurological "stuff" that's been going on lately.
I'm not going to try to re-write the post, but I do want to make sure I update you on the book I mentioned in it. I am currently reading "Super Nutrition for Women" by Ann Louise Gittleman PH.D. CNS. While I am fascinated by her recommendations for women not to follow the very popular "low fat, high carb" diets as we may be missing out on important fats and nutrients, I wanted to point out that this book is a little bit outdated when it comes to eating gluten-free. For example, Dr. Gittleman lists Original Sprouted Ezekiel 4:9 Bread as being gluten-free because it is "flourless" when it actually lists Organic Sprouted Wheat and Organic Malted Barley in the ingredients list. She even mentions that it is sweetened with barley malt. There are several other instances of this misinformation in the book. This book was written in 1991. We have come a long way in understanding gluten-free diets since then! So, while it is an interesting book to read and does have some valid points about nutrition and women, I do not recommend this book for anyone who needs to follow a gluten-free diet.
Now, on to something I've been wanting to post for a while now. I had to share that I made the most incredible mac n' cheese dish a few weeks ago! I was watching Rachael Ray's new show "Week In A Day". She made Spinach and Artichoke Baked Whole Grain Pasta. It looked really "Yum-O" and I knew it would be really easy to convert to gluten-free. (I know, this doesn't really fit in with my new "eating less carbs and more meat" approach, but what the heck?)
INGREDIENTS
2 (10-ounce) boxes frozen spinach (I only used one box)
Salt
1 pound whole wheat or whole grain penne' pasta or macaroni (any short cut pasta) (I used Schar Penne' Pasta)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
1 (10-ounce) box frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted, halved, pat dry (I couldn't find frozen, so I used canned)
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 tablespoons butter
3 slightly rounded tablespoons flour (I used sweet rice flour here)
2 cups milk
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
5 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
DIRECTIONS
Position the oven rack in center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Defrost the spinach in the microwave. Drain, then dry the spinach out as much as possible by wringing it out in a clean kitchen towel.
Bring a saucepot of water to a boil. Add salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a small skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add the shallots and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the artichokes and cook until they are lightly brown. Add the wine to deglaze the pan.
While the artichokes and pasta cook, in a saucepot over medium to medium-high heat, add the butter. When melted, whisk in the flour for 1 minute or so, then whisk in the milk and season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, adjust the seasonings and stir in the Gruyere cheese. Combine the sauce with the spinach, pasta, and artichoke and stir until just combined. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
Bake on a baking sheet 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly on top.
The picture above is from the "Week in a Day" website. I wish I could show you a picture of my dish, but I seem to be having problems uploading pictures to Blogger today! Ugh. However, it came out amazing!!! The only issue I had with making this dish was that it dirties a LOT of dishes! Otherwise, everyone gobbled it right up...including the leftovers!
I'm not going to try to re-write the post, but I do want to make sure I update you on the book I mentioned in it. I am currently reading "Super Nutrition for Women" by Ann Louise Gittleman PH.D. CNS. While I am fascinated by her recommendations for women not to follow the very popular "low fat, high carb" diets as we may be missing out on important fats and nutrients, I wanted to point out that this book is a little bit outdated when it comes to eating gluten-free. For example, Dr. Gittleman lists Original Sprouted Ezekiel 4:9 Bread as being gluten-free because it is "flourless" when it actually lists Organic Sprouted Wheat and Organic Malted Barley in the ingredients list. She even mentions that it is sweetened with barley malt. There are several other instances of this misinformation in the book. This book was written in 1991. We have come a long way in understanding gluten-free diets since then! So, while it is an interesting book to read and does have some valid points about nutrition and women, I do not recommend this book for anyone who needs to follow a gluten-free diet.
Now, on to something I've been wanting to post for a while now. I had to share that I made the most incredible mac n' cheese dish a few weeks ago! I was watching Rachael Ray's new show "Week In A Day". She made Spinach and Artichoke Baked Whole Grain Pasta. It looked really "Yum-O" and I knew it would be really easy to convert to gluten-free. (I know, this doesn't really fit in with my new "eating less carbs and more meat" approach, but what the heck?)
INGREDIENTS
2 (10-ounce) boxes frozen spinach (I only used one box)
Salt
1 pound whole wheat or whole grain penne' pasta or macaroni (any short cut pasta) (I used Schar Penne' Pasta)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
1 (10-ounce) box frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted, halved, pat dry (I couldn't find frozen, so I used canned)
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 tablespoons butter
3 slightly rounded tablespoons flour (I used sweet rice flour here)
2 cups milk
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
5 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
DIRECTIONS
Position the oven rack in center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Defrost the spinach in the microwave. Drain, then dry the spinach out as much as possible by wringing it out in a clean kitchen towel.
Bring a saucepot of water to a boil. Add salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a small skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add the shallots and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the artichokes and cook until they are lightly brown. Add the wine to deglaze the pan.
While the artichokes and pasta cook, in a saucepot over medium to medium-high heat, add the butter. When melted, whisk in the flour for 1 minute or so, then whisk in the milk and season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, adjust the seasonings and stir in the Gruyere cheese. Combine the sauce with the spinach, pasta, and artichoke and stir until just combined. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
Bake on a baking sheet 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly on top.
The picture above is from the "Week in a Day" website. I wish I could show you a picture of my dish, but I seem to be having problems uploading pictures to Blogger today! Ugh. However, it came out amazing!!! The only issue I had with making this dish was that it dirties a LOT of dishes! Otherwise, everyone gobbled it right up...including the leftovers!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping
I know that I have confessed this in the past. I spend way too much money on groceries. In fact, our grocery bill has now exceeded our mortgage payment! Yes. I hate to admit it, but it's true.
The funny thing is, that even though I seem to buy an awful lot of groceries, I sometimes seem to have trouble putting it together for dinner. Dinnertime is most always a stressful time of the day. There's helping with homework. There's making sure piano and violin lessons have been practiced. Sometimes there's after school appointments or activities. I don't mind cooking, but let's face it, some nights I'd rather just go out to dinner! Since we try to only go out on the weekends (for both health and budget reasons), going to restaurants in the middle of the week isn't really an option.
I started several months ago making a weekly menu plan and grocery list to help me focus a little better. While it did seem to help me get dinner on the table a little easier, it really didn't help with my budget. I still find myself running to the grocery store at least two to three times a week. And, of course, every time I go into the store, I come out with more items than I went in for.
I have tried to cut our grocery bill several times in the past. I even took an adult education class on how to save in the grocery store a few years back. I cut coupons. I shop the sales. I joined BJ's Warehouse Club. Still, I believe I'm spending way too much. I'd much rather spend that money on other things. Like paying off bills or the new cell phones my family wants or the trip to Disney that I want...
Last week, I saw the Economides family on the Today Show. You may have heard of them. They are America's Cheapest Family. With their new book, they claim to be able to help you Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half. OK. So. I took the bait. I bought the book. I'm already trying to apply some of the techniques they discuss. I'm only a few chapters into the book.
I started this week by taking an inventory of everything already in my pantry, freezer and refrigerator. I sat down with my inventory and my recipe binder and made up a meal plan for the month of October using things I already have on hand. Then, I made a grocery list of the items I need to buy to fill in the menu, plus breakfast and lunch items, paper products, cleaners, etc. I looked through the store flyers and decided to go to two stores that had the best prices for the items I needed. I settled on Walmart (for the majority of my list) and Green Grocer (for my gf items and because I had a $2 off total of $20 coupon to use). I assembled my clipped coupons. I grabbed my calculator. I headed out to shop!
Since I used a pre-printed grocery shopping list (check-box style), I missed a few items in the store. I'm used to writing my own, listing items in the order they are arranged in the store. It will probably take a while to get the hang of it. Or, I may re-do the list to make it easier. In any case, this means I will have to make another trip to pick up the items I missed. I'm guessing I will have to make a small trip each week to pick up perishable items like milk, eggs, fruit...etc.
Also, since I don't have an extra freezer, I couldn't buy a lot of "freezer foods". As it is, my little freezer is stocked to the max. I hope that I've planned my purchases wisely so that I have enough to last the month. I guess we will see.
My total at Walmart after coupons was $127.11. At Green Grocer, it was $18.25. So, my grand total for today's trip was $145.36.
Now. I must admit. This was a lot of work. It took me most of the afternoon yesterday to get things together, over an hour shopping and then another 45 minutes to get everything put away. I even bought a large package of chicken breasts and a huge package of ground beef that I had to split up into freezer bags when I got home. I don't usually do this, but after checking the unit prices per pound, I could see quite a big difference in the cost. I'm guessing that with practice, the whole process will go faster. At least I hope so.
I'd love to hear any money-saving tips you all might have to share...
I hope you all have a great, gluten-free day! :)
The funny thing is, that even though I seem to buy an awful lot of groceries, I sometimes seem to have trouble putting it together for dinner. Dinnertime is most always a stressful time of the day. There's helping with homework. There's making sure piano and violin lessons have been practiced. Sometimes there's after school appointments or activities. I don't mind cooking, but let's face it, some nights I'd rather just go out to dinner! Since we try to only go out on the weekends (for both health and budget reasons), going to restaurants in the middle of the week isn't really an option.
I started several months ago making a weekly menu plan and grocery list to help me focus a little better. While it did seem to help me get dinner on the table a little easier, it really didn't help with my budget. I still find myself running to the grocery store at least two to three times a week. And, of course, every time I go into the store, I come out with more items than I went in for.
I have tried to cut our grocery bill several times in the past. I even took an adult education class on how to save in the grocery store a few years back. I cut coupons. I shop the sales. I joined BJ's Warehouse Club. Still, I believe I'm spending way too much. I'd much rather spend that money on other things. Like paying off bills or the new cell phones my family wants or the trip to Disney that I want...
Last week, I saw the Economides family on the Today Show. You may have heard of them. They are America's Cheapest Family. With their new book, they claim to be able to help you Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half. OK. So. I took the bait. I bought the book. I'm already trying to apply some of the techniques they discuss. I'm only a few chapters into the book.
I started this week by taking an inventory of everything already in my pantry, freezer and refrigerator. I sat down with my inventory and my recipe binder and made up a meal plan for the month of October using things I already have on hand. Then, I made a grocery list of the items I need to buy to fill in the menu, plus breakfast and lunch items, paper products, cleaners, etc. I looked through the store flyers and decided to go to two stores that had the best prices for the items I needed. I settled on Walmart (for the majority of my list) and Green Grocer (for my gf items and because I had a $2 off total of $20 coupon to use). I assembled my clipped coupons. I grabbed my calculator. I headed out to shop!
One of the ideas in the book is to put a shopping basket into the shopping cart and put all of the "impulse purchases" in the basket. Since I almost always pick up extra things when I shop, I decide this was a good way to keep track of what I'm buying that's not on my list. It really did help me stick to my list. I had just one item in the basket at check-out. That was one Enjoy Life Choco Boom Boom bar! I wasn't putting that baby back!!! A girl has to have her chocolate, right?
Also, since I don't have an extra freezer, I couldn't buy a lot of "freezer foods". As it is, my little freezer is stocked to the max. I hope that I've planned my purchases wisely so that I have enough to last the month. I guess we will see.
My total at Walmart after coupons was $127.11. At Green Grocer, it was $18.25. So, my grand total for today's trip was $145.36.
Now. I must admit. This was a lot of work. It took me most of the afternoon yesterday to get things together, over an hour shopping and then another 45 minutes to get everything put away. I even bought a large package of chicken breasts and a huge package of ground beef that I had to split up into freezer bags when I got home. I don't usually do this, but after checking the unit prices per pound, I could see quite a big difference in the cost. I'm guessing that with practice, the whole process will go faster. At least I hope so.
I'd love to hear any money-saving tips you all might have to share...
I hope you all have a great, gluten-free day! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)