So, I didn’t go back to the doctor as planned. Things didn’t really work out for me to be able to do that. I’m hoping to see him this week, though.

As such, this will just be a short post to report on the last week.

In a previous post I outlined a few reasons why I think I might have Celiac disease, or at least some sensitivity to gluten. I gave the gluten-free diet a try last week, and I’m even more convinced that this is the case.

Since giving up gluten, I can confidently say that I’ve been doing much better. The bloating in my face and stomach are gradually subsiding, and I’m not as gassy at nights as I used to be. I still have a few problems with my salivary glands, but they have been very minor. And most of the time, when I do have an issue, it’s because I accidentally exposed myself to gluten again, like the oreo cookie bits in my Jell-O pudding, or the mozzarella cheese in my sandwich wrap. As long as I stay away from sources of gluten, I have been mostly okay.

I must admit, giving up gluten hasn’t been as hard as I thought it might have been, but there have definitely been some challenges. At least for the time being, my diet is very restricted. As a result, I have to be a lot more mindful about my meals than I used to be – especially when I’m going to be out during the day. When I’m on the road for a long time, there isn’t much that is readily available for me to eat, as so much of our diet here in Jamaica is based on flour. Therefore, I have the following options to consider each day before I leave home:

• I can make a meal myself and eat it before I leave.
• I can think of a restaurant where I can get something safe to eat. Usually, this food is a bit more expensive than other options, and will take a while to make, so I have to budget both the time and the money for this.
• I can prepare my own meals and snacks and take them with me.

This week I have made different choices each day, depending on what my schedule will allow. It’s a bit challenging, because I don’t really like cooking, and I used to eat out quite a lot. But I think that I will become more comfortable with this new lifestyle, especially as I become more acquainted with foods and recipes that I can eat without suffering afterwards.

It’s a challenging new lifestyle for me, but I’m happy to be feeling better. None of the cakes, burgers, or patties in the world could convince me to make myself suffer again.

Another challenge that I’ll have is that I need to get tested, and I’m supposed to continue eating gluten until I do. However, I understand that it is possible to be genetically tested for Celiac disease, and I think I know a place where I might be able to do that.

I guess what is really important right now is for me to see the doctor for some advice. So I will continue staying off gluten, and I’ll work on getting a doctor’s appointment.