I collect autoimmune diseases. I don't want to collect autoimmune diseases, but my genes dictate it to be so. As of today at 3:30 I'm up to my 4th autoimmune disease. Lucky me.
What is an autoimmune disease, you ask? Look here for an easy to understand definition. Autoimmune diseases can be triggered after such things as illness, stress, and pregnancy among other bodily changes. Having one autoimmune disease increases the chances of having another.
So what are my big four?
1. Type 1/ juvenile diabetes. I was a freshman in college and almost 19. I was eating like a horse and losing weight. My skin was dry. I was sick to my stomach every morning, and I threw up several times. If I wasn't drinking, I was dying of thirst. I woke up several times a night to pee. Since my mom is a nurse she told me to check my blood sugar on a diabetic boy in the dorm's BG (blood glucose) monitor. It was 526. Normal BG is 80-120; I'm lucky I wasn't in a coma. I went to the hospital, got diagnosed, cried, and learned more about my body and the food I eat than I really wanted to know.
My pancreas no longer makes insulin so I have to give it to myself through my insulin pump. . I change my pump injection site every three days, count carbohydrates, and eat a diet with heathy foods. I also check my BG at least 4 times a day.
2. Hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed about 6 months after the diabetes because the two often go hand-in-hand. I didn't have any symptoms that I remember. Typical symptoms often include chronic fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. I take a pill to give my body the hormone my thyroid no longer makes.
3. Meniere's Disease. I think I was around 24 when I got a diagnosis. I have extreme vertigo -usually after eating foods on my "no" list. My symptoms changed over the years. It started with the room spinning in all directions during the middle of the night and then puking. I would then lie by the toilet for the next day because any movement would cause more vomiting. Recently the attacks have been very minor, but still scary. The room just spins or tilts for about 5 seconds. I tried a few in-office procedures to help with the vertigo, but they didn't cure it. Vertigo is very unpleasant and very scary so I try to avoid it at all costs. I found that eliminating Splenda and chocolate from my diet and reducing my salt intake made the biggest changes in the frequency of attacks. I also refrain from caffeine, nutra-sweet, and alcohol.
4. Celiac Disease. My newest diagnosis, and one more disease that makes me eliminate my most favorite foods. Apparently gluten (found in wheat, rye, and barley) is damaging the lining of my small intestine. I don't have any intestinal issues like many people with celiac disease. My biggest symptoms are inability to lose weight despite diet and exercise changes and frequent tiredness. Having type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism made my chances of having celiac disease go up.
I'm not happy about this diagnosis, but I am happy to have a possible reason as to why I can't lose weight. I will be eliminating gluten from my diet, but not until I have one last Magee's caramel doughnut or maybe a Spalding doughnut or maybe Pazzo's pizza...the list goes on. I hope my dietary changes help me to get down to a better weight for my body and the dark circles under my eyes lighten up a little.
I have four good reasons to keep working on a real food diet, that's for sure.
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