As the world knows, or knew, I am sure, I was under the belief that I had Celiac Disease. Past tense is important here for a couple of reasons. First, anytime I had something with wheat or a wheat derivative in it, I would get sick; and second, when I stopped eating wheat and went on a strictly wheat-free diet I no longer got sick and could function in a somewhat normal way.
More excitement than anyone should be allowed to have, I’d say.
Anyway, the point in this post is that I had the probes a week and some ago and it was determined based off of the biopsies and inspection of both ends of my intestinal track that I don’t have Celiac Disease, which is really a good thing as eating wheat causes the Celia in the small intestine to die and then… cancer. Cancer is the ultimate killer here. The outcome was postulating that I had something like Crohn’s Disease or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) that was being influenced by either a wheat intolerance or a carbohydrate intolerance. Honestly, these are far more preferable than being Celiac.
The difference, though, is that these intolerances require slightly different treatments. As for the wheat intolerance, if that were the case, then the solution is to remain rock steady on the diet I was already on; whereas for the carbohydrate intolerance you can take stuff that helps you body digest things. Specifically, the carbohydrate intolerance is a result of the body not producing enough of a certain enzyme which helps in the breakdown of the complex sugars. If this was the case then purchasing and using Beano (the only product on the market designed to treat this) before eating would take care of the problems… well, half, as the other half is intestines that don’t work properly.
After the probes and biopsies the current estimation is IBS. So, no on Celiac and Crohn’s and yes on IBS.
That’s great, and all, but the question that comes to mind is what happens when I eat something with wheat in it. I actually though long and hard about this and eventually decided, for lunch one day (after secretly buying a small bottle of Beano) that I would eat Teriyaki Stix… specifically the Hot and Spicy Chicken Bowl. So, this Friday past I popped my three pills of Beano and proceeded to down my lunch. First off, it was good; second, I had to wait about 24 hours to see what would happen.
And then we wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Just a little more waiting… and when I woke up Saturday morning, and throughout the day, I felt fine. In fact, I felt fine enough to share with Erin what I’d done. She was excited enough that when I suggested we go to the scary KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken – first store right here in Utah) and eat some fried chicken she agreed. In fact, she was so excited to see me eat something that I enjoyed that much that she took a picture and insisted that I call and tell my mother.
That was experiment #2.
Not being one to go too far off the wagon, we paused there until Sunday. On Sunday we were invited to dinner above Sundance ski resort to an older families home and, before going in, I took some more Beano. As a result, and without Erin realizing it, I ate four rolls. They were good, as was KFC, and Teriyaki Stix (by the by). And again…
Waiting…
Waiting…
Waiting…
With yesterday morning being one of our gold standard tests on whether or not I am going to get sick from eating all this stuff. When I woke up and was not sick (though I did want to sleep more, but that is another story for another time – me wanting to sleep) we went to McDonalds and got breakfast (I had three sausage biscuits) and then drove to Ikea and back home where, eventually, we went to eat at a burger joint that Erin‘s brother likes a lot.
So, to finish this post out, it would appear that I am back to eating wheat filled items. Honestly, I never really thought this day would come. There was always this little hope in the back of my head, and I am glad it’s happened; but I never really considered the opportunity to do what normal people do.
John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Clockwork Princess | Cassandra West
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