[dbellsworth]

Hi! I'm Dotty and I am interested in sharing information as well as needing some help. I am a 65 year old widow (recent 5 mos) and have just been told that I have gluten intolerance. This is new for me and I am having a difficult time, not knowing what to expect of my body and wanting to get information from some of you who have or ae experiencing this intolerance.
My background is: Married at 21 yrs. have childen ages 43, 38 and 31. After the birth of my second child I was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease. I was treated by an exploratory surgery, removal of my spleen and massive doses of radiation (twice the amount of that which is given today). The effects of the radiation did not bother me at first, but over the last ten years my neck and back has lost a good part of my muscles. I have a severe curvature of my neck and weakness in my back. The radiation also caused scar tissue to form in my veins requiring a 3 way bypass and replacement of my aortic valve. It was closed 90%. Because of this problem my lungs have been affected, and I have had respiratory distress in the hospital two times. I wear a neck brace all of the time.

What I am really looking for is someone to talk about their experiences with Gluten intolerance. How did you feel when you first started removing gluten from your diet? Did you have problems with stomach pain; over-all fatigue; depression, etc? How did you hande it? What are some of things you did to reduce some of these symptoms?

I know this is rather vague, but I really need to talk to someone about this. This is the first time I have entered the internet for dialogue regarding a problem. Can anyone out there help me? I would be tremendously grateful.

[glenntaj]

Sorry about the conditions that have led you here, though; it's unfortunately true that radiation and chemotherapy can lead to neuropathy and myopathy.

Gluten sensitivity, even without frank celiac, can also result in neurological complications.

Two of our subforums that may be interesting to look over:

The Celiac/Gluten Sensitivity forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...prune=100&f=13

The Peripheral Neuropathy forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=-1&f=20

[Kitty]

Hi Dotty! Welcome to NeuroTalk! I'm very sorry to hear of your loss and your health concerns. Please visit the forums that Glenn has suggested - and feel free to visit on any of the others that interest you. I'm glad you found this site and hope to see you around the board!

[Koala77]

Hello Dotty, I too am sorry for your loss. It sounds like you've been through a lot medically wise, but I see Glenn has given some good pointers.

Welcome to NeuroTalk from me as well. I hope you soon feel comfortable amongst us.

[Darlene]

Dotty,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. You will find a great number of caring, supporting members here willing to help each other as they can.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

[AfterMyNap]

Hi, Dotty! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

[DM]

Hello Dotty and another Welcome to NeurtoTalk here. I can't help w/your gluten intolerance problem, but I can say that I am glad you found us. You'll find NT to be a great source of info and comfort. Our members are all so very caring and helpful.

Please make yourself right at home.

[MelodyL]

Hi there!!!

Just stopped by to say: