more medical stuff

[quietann]

One nice thing about the BIDMC computer system is that I can log in and view my own lab results; I don't have to wait for the doctor.

Unfortunately the results for the most important test, the anti-gliadin antibody, are still pending. Antibody tests take longer.

As for the rest of it, it's a mix of good and not so good. I'm still anemic, and I still have low ferritin. Also a couple of the differential results are abnormal, pointing to some sort of chronic inflammation (although one of these is commonly elevated in people with acne, which obviously I have...)

The good is the blood lipids, which are all fine, and the kidney function, which are also fine.

Ben and I have talked a bit about the potential impact something like celiac sprue would have on both of our lifestyles... Most of the frozen food we eat for dinner would have to go; he might have to learn to cook more! This would not be a bad thing IMHO.

If the test is positive, I'll be planning a series of meals at restaurants that will be off-limits once my diet changes. I'll want to eat a lot of Bertucci's bread lumps, and Ethiopian food. The doctors would actually not want me to start the gluten-free diet until they've done their biopsy, so this is just fine. And, my brother-in-law is a gastroenterologist, so I'd have his expertise to draw on as well.

(Strangely enough, the first thing that both Ben and I thought of when the words "gluten-free" were mentioned is that I'd no longer be able to keep kosher during Passover, because matzoh is defintely full of gluten...)

Comments

Over in Aisle 4, next to the Glatt Canned Hams.

[marmota.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, a quick google on "gluten free matzoh" shows a fair number of clueless folks asking where to find some in various 'alt.suburban.jew'-type threads. Although now that I think about it, unless I'm forgetting something, it's the pesadich part not the kashrut part that makes it impossible?

Re: Over in Aisle 4, next to the Glatt Canned Hams.

[ailsaek.livejournal.com]

I might be wrong, but I though there was matzo made from one of the other seven grains, in part because this isn't an uncommon problem. (I think Eleanor Pearlman, Nomi's mother, also has to worry about this.)

I found here the statement that "there are kosher for Passover gluten-free matzo, non-dairy creamers, low fat dairy products and salt free canned goods." I haven't yet found a pointer to same, but I did find whole-wheat matzo (which I got for myself this year) and rye matzo, FWIW.

Re: Over in Aisle 4, next to the Glatt Canned Hams.

[hawkegirl.livejournal.com]

You do have to watch with glutens they are not only in wheat, there are other grains that are lower in gluten then wheat but still have wheat. There is also gluten free.

I do wonder though about making a gluten free matzah, I would think it wouldn't be too hard. I know little about it, but I think it was made in a hurry right, and quite some time ago, so I'd think it would not be that complicated... could even be fun!

[tb]

Best wishes and hoping that the medical issues end up as low-impact and manageable as possible.

[klingonlandlady.livejournal.com]

If this is the case, you should get to know Amie F and her sweetie who is a fabulous gluten-free chef.