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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

UPDATE

Can you believe that for a year and a half I have seen around 12 or more doctors with no answers. Now, I go to this one doctor and within 3 days I have answers. Wow! I recieved a phone call today from my newest specialist. First thing she said was that my vitamin D was very seriously low. Funny I had just bought some vitamin D at Whole Foods this week. The ones I got were 1000IU. Take one a day. She said no- we need to call you in a prescription. 50,000IU! Wow, I am really low. Then she said that all of my test result show that I have CELIAC disease. Over the past few months when I have been researching autoimmune disorders I kept going back to this one. What kept throwing me off was the symptom of weight loss. I actually have weight gain. But I still had all the other symptoms and a few weeks ago I had told my mom and dad that I was sure this was what I had. Well, looks like I might be right. Tomorrow I am going to have a DNA test done to look for the gene that causes this. This way I will know 100%. I feel this great relief. For years I have had multiple health issues and it all makes sense now. Yes, I know this is something I will have for the rest of my life and yes I know that there is no cure and yes I know that this can cause other things like cancer but my diagnosis could be so much worse. I am so thankful that I am getting somewhere with all of this. This will be a life changing diagnosis for me but I know that God will give me the stength I need.
THANK YOU ALL FOR PRAYING FOR ME AND LEAVING SUCH ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR ME! YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH THIS HAS HELPED ME. I am so sorry if I have not been by your blogs to check in on you but I have just had so much going on- AND I STARTED SCHOOL!!! I am taking some night classes and hoping to get an office job. It is very important for me to get out of the kitchen-even more so now with this diagnosis.
I will let you know my DNA results when I get them :)
God Bless all of you!!

15 comments:

Kimmie said...

Hi Sondra;

How awesome that this doctor has some answers.

I would just remind you that the things of this world, are not necessarily in line with the things or wisdom of heaven.

There are power in our words (the bible tells us that there is power in the tongue and it has the power to speak life or death). Do not say that you will have to LIVE with it for life...did God say that to you?

Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever, He changes NOT...so if He could raise people from the dead, restore the sight to the blind and have the lame walking around praising Him... well then I guess he can heal your new diagnosis or prevent it from causing anything that "they" would tell you will or might occur from it.

'They' told me 17 years ago that my daughter would be born with severe problems, missing limbs, no spinal fusion, down syndrome, cleft palate...the list went on (due to some meds I was taking for my heart and being told I'd never be able to get pregnant)...well I got pregnant this one time and my pregnancy was FILLED with their 'wisdom.' Luckily my heart was set with God, we named her Isabella (means consecrated to God)...we walked in peace, though we should have lived in fear. She was born without ONE of the problems they kept telling us she would have. satan has a plan to steal your peace and joy...don't let him have it!

Sorry this is long...just wanted you to know so you could get on your battle gear.

*and I am not saying anything negative about your doctor...just remember who you belong to and how we are to pray...Your Kingdom come on earth AS IT IS in heaven -there is no sickness in His Kingdom-so seek Him and no that what the devil means for your harm, that God will use for your good.

And yes, people do get sick, and God allows it, but don't let fear with what could or may be control you in anyway.

I hope you hear my heart...I care about you Sondra!


big hug;
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Julieann said...

Dear Sondra, you will be in my prayers!! Please don't worry about Visits to blogs, just rest and take care:) I am so happy you have answers--it must be a relief knowing there is name. ((Gentle hugs))

Julieann

Celestial Freak said...

I'd love any to know of any websites, books etc that you would recommend. I'd bought a few books initially and none of them seemed too helpful. I've been visiting Mayo Clinics website and think I figured that what seems the most like my symptoms is Ankylosing spondylitis, a form of RA.

As per my blogs, I know I have too many.
I'm probably going to absorbs Kevin's into mine since he only posts a couple times a year, so that'll knock that one off the list, and then Crystal's favs is a temporary one. I'm just organizing all the lists I've made in various places. As for my health blog and adoption blog, I haven't looked at them in a long time. My randomness blog is about the only one I keep up. But you have that on your blog-roll, so look for me there.

nannykim said...

Hi--I am wondering about the testing because I was told the tests are not always accurate.I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF gene testing for this, even though it does and is carried by the genes. When did this testing become available. Alls I have heard is the following:

Celiac disease is a genetic disease, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.



Recently, researchers discovered that people with celiac disease have higher than normal levels of certain autoantibodies in their blood. Antibodies are protective proteins produced by the immune system in response to substances that the body perceives to be threatening. Autoantibodies are proteins that react against the body’s own molecules or tissues. To diagnose celiac disease, physicians will usually test blood to measure levels of

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA)
IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (AEA)
Before being tested, one should continue to eat a regular diet that includes foods with gluten, such as breads and pastas. If a person stops eating foods with gluten before being tested, the results may be negative for celiac disease even if celiac disease is actually present.

If the tests and symptoms suggest celiac disease, the doctor will perform a small bowel biopsy. During the biopsy, the doctor removes a tiny piece of tissue from the small intestine to check for damage to the villi. To obtain the tissue sample, the doctor eases a long, thin tube called an endoscope through the mouth and stomach into the small intestine. Using instruments passed through the endoscope, the doctor then takes the sample.

I have been so much better since I got off the gluten, but I never went for this test above because I did not want to go back on the gluten--I had suffered so much and now I am normal!!

nannykim said...

oh I just found a site that talks about genetic testing. It must be expensive. I am not going to have it done since it solved my problem; if things should change or worsen I guess I could consider it. let me know how much it costs. Also perhaps mine is a sensitivity and not an alergy? Alls I know is I am better!!!And if I eat any gluten I know it; even if the chef didn't realize it!!

j said...

You sound so upbeat! That blesses my heart and shows what kind of person you are. I agree with you, I would be relieved to know something! Great to hear from you...Jennifer

Rose of Sharon said...

Praise God that you have a diagnosis! My aunt has celiac disease and it is very doable. You have to give up lots of different foods, but you can do it. Actually, by giving up the foods you probably will lose the weight. I am thankful for your new doctor! This is wonderful news. I am sorry it was'nt something simpler, but at least it is not something that is way more serious.

May God bless you Sondra!

:0) sharon

Hey, that is cool that you are going to school! I am so proud of you!

Kathi said...

I'm so happy to hear that you are getting some answers. I will keep praying that now you will be restored to good health. Thanks for stopping by my blog. You encourage me too. Blessings, Kathi
PS Look at my spiritual warfare post. It's so true. There is a battle, but we win!!! Yay God!!!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Sondra,
Got your name from Jennifer and I will be praying hard for you. I know that God will heal you and deliver you from all sicknesses. I will be linking you with my blog and I hope you do the same with mine. I will be visiting your blog often. God bless you and your family always.

Frogdancer said...

Sondra...
glad to see there's some answers. Can't say I've been praying for you but I've certainly been sending good thoughts your way. (We 4 boy mums have to stick together!!) Keep strong and keep happy. Thinking of you... (and don't let the ex get you down.)

Diane Shiffer said...

wow... celiac?? i really do need to email you about my daughter's symptoms. in the meantime i am going to do some exploring about celiac..

((hugs)) to you, i am so so so glad you have gotten some answers. believe me, i know how scary and frustrating this whole process can be:-(

Tanya said...

Praise the Lord, He knows and He will deliever. I am so glad that you found out something. Good Luck with your night school. It will help you to get your mind off of things also. I am still praying and I think of you often. Tanya

Anonymous said...

Glad you found a Doctor that can help you. Will stay in contact.

j said...

PLEASE COME BY MY SITE FOR AN URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!! THANKS JEN

Kimmie said...

Hi Sondra-

I found this...thought it might be helpful to you.

http://www.celiac.com/

Kimmie