To be or not to be Gluten free.. soon to be determined

It's been a while since I have had a chance to log in,  between work, and school and giving up cheese for lent my world has been crazy  ha ha :)      

A while back,  I posted about gluten intolerance and my postulation that perhaps I may have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity.       Unfortunately,  I have yet to find out any answers, however I have continued to "experiment" with it a little bit.     I did go to a gastroenterologist,   he basically kind of indicated that I was a candidate for someone who needed to be tested, since I do have Hashimotos, however because I am not stick thin he also debunked the idea.  I was supposed to go during my Spring Break, however they called to let me know that he would be out of town and needed to reschedule.  So, on that note, I won't be going until may.    I however, decided to do my own research, and of course I have read that not everyone loses weight when they have a gluten sensitivity or a gluten intolerance such as Celiac, some people actually gain weight....  hmm  Mr. Doctor I may take some of this information to you.      Of course, I also read that it can be difficult to diagnose especially if it is a sensitivity rather then Celiac. So,  like I said in my previous post whether it reveals itself as positive or negative I am still going to make every effort to cut it out of my diet eventually.   I haven't completely cut it out because I have also read that in order for it to be diagnosed you have to be eating it.     So here is what I have noticed, when I don't eat it I feel pretty good,  when I do eat it I don't feel all that great and get that weird feeling in my stomach sometimes, or sometimes I get that foggy brain feeling.   Of course, some of it is denial that it could be that, because how can anyone give up glorious bread lol, but if that is what has to be done that is what has to be done.     Basically,  what the Gastro told me, was that if I am not gluten intolerant then I could still cut it out, but at least I would know that I didn't have to cut it out.           

Well,   the plot thickens   I had a conference in Dallas and before I left I had been feeling kind of funny, so I decided to call my endocrinologist to see if he would move up my appointment.  I started thinking that maybe my thyroid medication was to high or to low.   Luckily, they moved up my appointment and I went in yesterday.    Described my symptoms, and .......   he said he is going to do a blood test for Celiac.    Yippee!!!!!    He said it was very possible that I do have it, and that it often goes under diagnosed.    He also said that since I have Hashimotos, and don't have a thyroid I should cut back on carbs in general.     So here was the freak out moment:  He said that while I don't have diabetes or prediabetes I have a tendency to lean towards being prediabetic and that basically I should be cutting back "breads/carbs" anyway.   He was happy to see I had lost some weight, and of course when I went into him that day I felt great so who knows if my levels will actually show anything.    Except now of course I have to play the waiting game.. ugh and here comes the questions????  Did my blood sugar levels spike up into the prediabetic category and is that why I feel weird?  Is there something with my TSH level,  my parathyroid level, my calcium, .... ugh what is it?  If it comes back negative for Celiac will  people  think I am crazy, because I feel there is something there?   Maybe I have a gluten sensitivity and not an intolerance?? Maybe I need to work out more? Maybe, Maybe,  Maybe???        Either way I have decided that if it is prediabetes I am going to do every thing in my power to get rid of it.   I have also decided which I had decided before that even if my blood test for gluten comes back negative I am still going to try to eliminate it when I can, but not completely until I can get into the gastro.       I think this pretty much describes how I feel

Am I a Dough girl?

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the connection between thyroid disorders and gluten.  I think it has been coming to my mind because lately I have been feeling like the dough girl.    A dough girl is basically the same as the Pillsbury dough boy, but in my case since I am a girl I will call it dough girl.  Sometimes, I get this feeling like my stomach has dough in it, or that it is expanding with every little bite of 'bad carbs" I eat.  Unfortunately,  because I am not a cartoon, I don't think it's very attractive, and I am sure others don't find my bulging stomach very attractive either lol!    
    I have talked about this before in previous blogs, sometimes wishing I had given my self a chance to try a gluten free diet before having my surgery to see if perhaps my thyroid would shrink to normal levels.    I remember someone telling me, try it or you might regret it.  I thought me regret it,nah  I will defeat this.  Well guess what, sometimes I have a slight regret and this week has been one of those weeks for me. 


 I have noticed this dough girl feeling in the past, but I think even more so now that I have been having so many issues with my stomach and I have been trying to figure out what my triggers are.   Some of my triggers I know, and some I know and choose to pretend there is nothing wrong, and some I am not sure.     For example, I love cheese I mean not love it's more like LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   However, cheese is not exactly the healthiest thing, not to mention  I think somewhere deep deep down I know that it does a number on my stomach but I refuse to believe that such a glorious thing could make my stomach angry. After all everything taste better with cheese!!!!    Lately, though I have been trying to cut back on cheese, and have noticed that after I ate a flour tortilla, ouch, after I ate a piece of wheat bread indigestion,  spaghetti well I have always attributed the sauce to giving me indigestion but could it be the pasta??   Today, I ate pancakes and along came to dough girl sensation.     I don't know if it's in my head, or is it possible that perhaps I do have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance.  I mean after all both Celiac and Hashimotos are autoimmune disorders and I have read that they can be linked.      I am not sure that I have celic because I don't always get reactions or maybe I do and just attribute to other things, or maybe it is the other things.   

So with all that, what question popped into my head.. Is  indigestion a sign of gluten intolerance/sensitivity?  Well guess what it is.        As a matter of fact, I picked up a book today called the Wheat Belly cookbook http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/  , and low and behold what did I magically turn to.......................... the page about gluten and how it affects people with and without Celiac (acid reflux, heartburn, gas,....). It also mentioned what I have read time and time again wheat and Hashimoto's, amongst other disease and it's worsening of these diseases.   If that wasn't enough as if in bold print, the word inflammation sticks out to me.  Inflammation, my dough girl feeling, hmm  so maybe there is something to this madness.    Maybe I am not crazy, or maybe I am either way I will be going to the gastro soon and I have decided that even if he tells me that I am not gluten sensitive or intolerance I am still going to cut back.   Basically because from what I have read it seems lots of people get false negatives and still suffer.  Now of course, this doesn't mean I am going to run out and buy every single gluten free thing out there because some of those things are very healthy either,  I think it just means that I need to be more diligent and see if I too can get rid of my dough girl feeling or wheat belly, or whatever it is you want to call it.       Now of course, I also realize that this has also become a "fad" diet for some,  but it does raise my curiosity.  


In case you are curious here are some symptoms of gluten intolerance/sensitivity and more information.  I happened to come across this website and it seems like it has some good information. if you scroll down it talks about the symptoms.   Unfortunately, I think what makes it confusing is that so many symptoms overlap so it's always hard to know.     

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/gluten-sensitivity-intolerance-self-test/

Here are some other websites that may be helpful
http://www.gluten.net/default.aspx
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/symptoms-of-gluten-sensitivity-and-celiac-disease.html
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/features/gluten-intolerance-against-grain

Prediabetes Scare...

You know how people say sometimes something has to scare you into bettering yourself, well that is exactly what happened to me.     Last Friday, I went to my endocrinologist for my routine thyroid blood work.   As always this makes me nervous for some reason, I guess because  it just takes me back to that place long long ago when I was first diagnosed, and then the surgery, and then recently the parathyroid stuff.   Luckily,  the doctor's office I go to emails you the results from the previous visit, so I always go in there knowing if something is up.  

Well this time they threw me for a major loop!!! Typically, the doctor sees you, goes over what blood test he is running , then they take you to the lab and your done.   Previously, my endocrinologist had informed me that he would be monitoring my A1C levels since thyroid medications can increase your chances of diabetes, not to mention I do have a family member with Diabetes so that increases my chances even more.     In case you are unfamiliar with A1C it is a blood test that is run that measures your blood sugar over a 6-12 week period and gives an average.    The fact that he runs this test, scares me but it also makes me "glad" to know that if something is up they would catch it!

Anyway, this  time they wanted to take me back to the lab to run my blood work before I got to see the doctor.     I went into panic mode, because I know they usually only do this with people who have diabetes that way the doctor will have the results when he sees you.    I immediately freaked and said, why are you bringing me back here, I don't have diabetes, he always sees me first.   The nurse said well,  are you sure ,  I said "Yes, I reviewed my previous blood work and A1C was fine, another nurse walks over and says "So you aren't diabetic?"    Again, in a panic I said no, then she said well go back and sit down and then I heard a whispering ..."It says prediabetic on the chart."   I said no I am not prediabetic either he has never told me that.     Eventually, I went back again so they could go over my medications and stuff, went back to waiting room and then the nurse came out,  they want you to do your blood work before, the chart says prediabetes..   Again, I hit the panic button,   "NO"  I told her my blood work doesn't say that.  The nurse said, "The doctor just wants to run the test, he wants to monitor you"  So off I went.     The remainder of my wait I sat on edge, on the verge of tears thinking why didn't I exercise more, eat healthier,  I don't need any more problems.     Luckily I was put to ease once I actually spoke to my doctor and he said everything was fine.   He reminded me that one time it came out on the high side of normal and out of concern he wanted to monitor me.  I felt like jumping up and screaming,  YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE .  
It was this whole experience that brought me to the realization,  it is time to be very serious.  I escaped this time but what about next time or in the years to come, so with that I called a friend and we decided enough is enough!    I went out and bought a book by Dr. Furman,  I have posted about him before he has another book called "Eat to Live" and he recently came out with a book called "The end of Diabetes",  no I don't have diabetes but I am going to read this book front to back as a preventative measure,  while I will admit his "Eat to Live" plan is a good one, it can be hard to follow as it's focus is mainly on fruits and vegetables, but I think there are some good things that can be take from it. 
So with all this being said,  I am off to go exercise! 

New year, I need a reset button!

Well it's that time of the year where many of us make New Year's resolutions and hope to keep them for more than a week!      I haven't exactly come up with any New Year's resolutions more like I am hoping this New Year will let me press the reset button. Not with everything, because there are something that I do not wish to repeat ha ha. However, I am determined to get back on track, and pushing the reset button now!!!  Here are my reset buttons:

Races/Running/Walking
I had some runs I had signed up for, but I ended up getting sick and didn't get to do them so of course that made get way off track in terms of eating, exercising and everything in between!!!!  
 Luckily one of the races (Dirty Girl), credited me so that I can sign up for another race. Well, turns out there is one  coming up in April in Austin which isn't to far from me, so I am going to use my credit towards signing up again.   I also got informed by a friend about a groupon for a color type run.   I had signed up for color me rad, but due to illness couldn't do it so the groupon is for the Graffiti run, and I signed up for it!!  That's 2 down I want to do at least 2 more!  I have plans to do the Rodeo Stampede here is San Antonio,  and the UTSA Diploma Dash here in San Antonio as well.    I downladed the Nike Plus app on my phone, and I am excited to  try it out, since it is something "new" to me.  I also won't to try and challenge myself again but attempting to get 10,000 steps a day.        I think that takes care of the running/walking!

Healthy Eating
I go through these phases, I guess most of us do where I eat really healthy and then I eat not so healthy. Well, I have been on the not so healthy eating plan for a while so it's time to take control!      I am going to hit the reset button here too!  I have weighed myself and am going to start tracking those calories again.    I have also noticed that I tend to feel better when I increase my fruit and vegetable consumption and decrease the meats and breads so my mission here is to find alternatives.      I also after many years of having a sensitive stomach have finally made an appointment with the gastro doctor.   This is not something I want to do, but something I need to do.    I need to figure out if my stomach problems are just in my mind, or if I truly do have some intolerance's.

Thyroid and parathyroid health
Of course I don't have a thyroid anymore, but I still would like to do as much as I can to maintain my body.  My parathyroid levels are still all over the place, I have a doctors appointment on Monday, and although there isn't a whole lot I can do to get those levels stable I do wonder if changing my eating habits will help.       I would also like to continue to gather information on thyroid disorders and things that are beneficial for those of us with various types of disorders and those of us who don't have one at all!     I know some suggest going gluten free if you have hasshimots which is what I have, hence another reason for the trip to the gastro but I am also becoming very curious about the things we put on our body as well as the things we put into them and if these things could trigger wacky levels.

Finances
Don't need to go into many details here,   but  I need to get this under control!   

School and Work
I did go back to school to finish up another Bachelors in biology with a neuroscience concentration, and I did well this semester. So I would like to keep this up, however I need to set the reset button here to.  I didn't do as well as I would have liked to on the GRE so that I can apply to a PhD program, so while I did get disappointed I need to push forward retake the GRE and reach for the stars!     I don't know what's in store for me in terms of future career goals but I need to keep my options open and push for change!

Sweet Potato Casserole | Skinnytaste#c8121981039865218038

Sweet Potato Casserole | Skinnytaste#c8121981039865218038

It's that time of year, where I just think of orange!!! Of course, it also helps that I am a Texas Longhorn and I bleed orange. So what does someone who bleeds orange like to eat, to keep their orange blood???? Well, one of my favorite things to eat is Sweet Potatoes. My mother makes an excellent sweet Potato Casserole, I came across this one on Skinny Taste and it seems very similiar to my mothers. This I will be trying for sure!!!!!!!

In case your wondering, here is what it looks like.  Of course, this is not mine, and this picture was taken from www.skinnytaste.com

Tears of tiredness, frustration.. ?

Ugh.. these past couple weeks have just been so tiring for me.   Work has been extremly hectic, and I just feel like I haven't had a chance to breathe.     I even had a day last week, where I was just so tired, that I wanted to cry.  Actually, I did get emotional and just go to bed.  I hadn't had a day like that in a while.      I have been working 2 jobs(neither one full-time) , one of which was supposed to be not full-time but because of the shortage of therapist I have been working it full time.  The other job I was actually enjoying,  but it was just to much between the two jobs, oh and taking a class at a local University.  Geez, just talking about it makes me  tired.     Well to make a very long story very short, I decided to quit one of the jobs.  Unfortunatly, it was my part time job, that I was enjoying.   However, the other job although not full-time still provided me with insurance so I decided to keep that one.    I am a bit relieved knowing that soon one thing will be off my plate, but I am stressed about how I am going to make ends meet financially.                

I also had to go to the endorcrinologist last week, and I have to say I felt like I had really dissapointed myself, and him this time.   I had been so busy with work, that I have completely lost my dedication to eating better, and exercising.   I felt embarassed telling him this.    I was also nervous, because he decided to run a test for diabetes, since not having a thyroid and thyroid medication increases your chances of developing it.    Luckily, that came back fine.   My TSH was in the normal range, but I really feel  like I need to call him because while it is normal for most people, it is not where I feel my best at.  I think it was 2.5 and I feel best between 1-1.5.       My calcium was fine, not sure about my vitamin D, but that darn PTH level was escalated.  Actually, the past two times I have gone it has been escalted,  it was going down and I felt happy,  now it is going up and I am not happy.    I just don't know what to do.   I wish there was a way to control it, but I haven't been able to figure that out yet.     I think when it was at it's lowest is when my TSH was almost at 0 and when I wasn't under a lot of stress.    So because I can't exactly put my finger on it, and neither can the doctors, I am going to take some steps to see what happens.     In the past when I would get like this I would buckle down, focus on my eating and get to running, so that will be my solution, my outlet.          I am tired  of being tired, and I am tired of getting teary when I get tired.  It's such a awful feeling, so limiting so time to get mind over matter right??        Well, that's my plan  to push myself and get back to the basics again.      I keep hoping I can get back to the basics, or my basics but like I said work keeps getting in the way.  So enough work, and time to take care of myself.            

I have already taken some steps to get myself on track, and I will not have a choice but to get myself on track  I registered for several races!!!       One is a diabetes run/walk,   one is a Turkey Trot, and the other two I am extremly excited about  :  Color me Rad (I did something similar last year, this should be fun), and  Dirty Girl (another mud run like  I did last year but this one is for women only)     

My next step is to come up with a running, workout schedule and really start focusing on nutrition.   It's a little frustrating that I have leet myself get to this point of truly having to start over, but I need to pick up the pieces and get going or else I am going to be worse off.       

Finally.. I am back new computer!!

Geez, it has been so long since I have been able to log on here!!!  So much has gone on!!!     I don't even know where to start.        So I will start with the most recent happenings.  My computer crashed and burned, and I just now replaced it.   I do have access to other computers but it just wasnt' the same.    I was really wanting a Mac Book Pro, but because I don't have that kind of money I actually found a really nice HP for a good price and so far, I like it :)     Now that I have a computer, hopefully I can catch up a little bit on everyone's blogs that I follow, and catch up on my blog!   

My friend and I started a challenge,   we decided to wear our pedometers and shoot for 10,000 steps a day.     This is going to be a very difficult task for me, between work and school I have lately found very little time to exercise.   However, I know that excercise is key to weight loss and good health.     Let's see what else,  I read a book called the Eat to Live diet by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.  I really like what he has to say.  He emphasizes eating fruits and vegetables.  He really promotes a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle.   I have to say that I did try it some before I went back to work and I did feel better about myself overall.  Unfortunately, work has been so crazy that lately my eating habits have gone out the window.      So,    I think now it is a absolute must that I get back on track.   I keep telling myself that I don't have time for anything,  but I need to find time to get my nutritional habits back in order and get some exercise in.           For a while I haven't been able to get my schedule in order either.      Between work and school by the time I come home I am exhausted, so I am hoping that now that I have adjusted a little bitter to all the craziness I can find at least 30 minutes 2-3 times a week to get in that exercise.        
There is a run coming to San Antonio, called the Dirty Girl Run so my plan is to register for it, and then get back to training.  I figure if I register, then I will have no choice but to do it!      A friend of mine is doing a little challenge on FB she  started it off easy and then gives little challenges every day.    I did start off doing it with them,but that things called work got in the way again and I fell off the wagon :(          So today I am going to start with my own challenge: 1)   do 25 crunches, 2) get as many steps in as I can.         I am feeling a little sick so while my challenge seems easy, it is a start!    
Anyone up for a challenge?