White Vinegar

Fran · Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Graceville, Florida

I was in the hospital for 3 weeks, was dehydrated several times, and finally diagnosed with severe gastritis, pancreatitis, Celiac disease, gallbladder disease, and lymphatic colitis. They removed my gallbladder and a growth they found in my side the second week, and diagnosed the Celiac with the biopsy. I have been GF for about 6 weeks now, but other than the diahrrea being gone, I still have many symptoms. I was put on Solumedyrol in the hospital and on an 8 week course of prednisone. I am still on the prednisone, and am hoping that I will be able to come off it ok.
As with all newly diagnosed, I am struggling with the diet. In some instances I see that you are not supposed to have distilled vinegar, and in other instances see where you can have white vinegar. Are they one and the same? Also, I am suffering from chronic back and shoulder pain, impaired vision, I am stumbling and falling sometimes which is not good as I have osteoporosis and arthritis ( have had 2 total knees and carpel tunnel surgery on both hands) I have Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, feet pain that is so severe sometimes I am in a wheelchair, and my stomach pain which went away when they began the steriods, is coming back with a vengence. Especially if I go more than a couple of hours without eating. I am taking Donnatal and Lortab for the pain, but they don't help much. I belong to a group similar to this one for Restless Leg Syndrome, and really appreciate you guys with experience helping us new folks out. Especially during the night as sleep is something rare and precious. Thanks if someone can answer my question about the vinegar, and also if someone has any suggestions or helpful hints to make my life a little easier.
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Fran

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8512 Location: WI, USA

Hi Fran,

Sorry to hear about your health problems. All of them sound like they could be related to gluten. Chronic Fatigue, fibro, joint pain, ataxia (walking like you are drunk), possible neuropathy (your foot pain - do they burn, tingle and feel numb??). Restless Leg, Insomnia. Have you seen the Symptom List

Prednisone can cause stomach issues. If I remember correctly - needs to be taken on with food. You also need to check your meds to see if they are GF too. There are so many places gluten can hide. Even in your old pots & pans!!!!

Yes this diet can take a bit to get used to. Give yourself a good 2-3 months - you'll get the hang of it. Please dont give up on your diet. It make take you awhile for all the gluten to purge from your system - and then to begin healing. Some people it can take a couple of months to really feel the difference.

I don't know if you saw this from on of the other forums here. Someone else asked about vinegar. Scroll down till you find my post.
http://www.celiacforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36&highlight=distilled
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Fran · Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Graceville, Florida

it really helps a lot. My foot pain is like my fibro, just inflammation that builds up. They wanted to go in and scrape the inflammation off the tendons, (after an MRI), but we decided that was only a temporary fix and did not do it. Instead I now have large plastic orthopedic inserts for my shoes that go up beside my ankles. (they are very uncomfortable, but if it helps, it is worth it.) Thanks so much about the vinegar, my life is now much easier. I looked at the sympton list, that is scary, I am on there so many times. I am concerned about continuing to work, especially driving, (50 miles a day) I have to work to get my insurance for 6 more years, but my primary care physician says that I am not physically able to work, anemic, fatigue, etc., I can no longer read any road signs at all, and lights at night just glare out and blind me. But I feel I have no choice. (they have let me go to 30 hours per week). I know there are others out there in the same boat, and I guess there is no solution.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8512 Location: WI, USA

Fran,

Please stick with this. I really think you will see a difference. Allow me to share a Fibro/Gluten Free success story I unknowingly took part in at the time. I'm cheating and grabbing this from a post on another board.

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40584&highlight=fibro

I was at a customer site a number of months back. A mental health agency... no, I was not there AS a client . Some of the gals there know my story and we were talking about it with one of the Dr's present. She was quite interested, so I shared my story with her. The reason she was interest is because she has a friend that was having a terrible time with Fibro and other issues. I told her that there was a connection between fibro and gluten and maybe her friend should give it a try. She said she was going to email her that very night and have her research it!!

Today I run into this Dr. She stops me and said that her friend had gone GF and all of ther pain has disappeared and she is feeling fantastic. But recently she went out to eat and had something that made her sick for days!

Hang in there, Fran!! There is hope!!

Any chance of car pooling with anyone??
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa