Sunday, November 11, 2012

My Brachial Stun

Once again I can see the questions marks flying around in the speech bubbles above your heads!  {Smile!}  My titles lately truly have been coming from my every day life.  And, yes, that means that my life is a little crazy and filled with oddities!

My husband has been away for training at the police academy and was home playing with our kids this weekend.  I'm not entirely sure how, but we got on the subject of defense tactics.  {Again, oddities perhaps unique to certain professions!}  We proceeded to watch YouTube videos showing a technique known as the brachial stun.  In short, it is a defensive move in which the aggressor delivers a blow to the side of the neck, hitting the nerves that regulate blood pressure, causing temporary loss of consciousness.  Your body then has to reset or start over before you can regain your senses.  Unfortunately, two weeks ago I got hit with a "metaphorical brachial stun".   Yet as funny as it may sound, it was an answer to prayer!  I have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, or very simply, an allergy to gluten. 

For the past five years, I have been searching for answers.  Every year, I would visit a new doctor, trying to find one that would actually listen.  I had many symptoms that alone didn't raise any flags, but together made quite the list!  The doctors made me feel like an idiot or a hypochondriac.  They told me I was getting old {Seriously, at 30?!?!}  Or that my hypoglycemia (chronic low blood sugar) was an "alcoholic's" syndrome {which I can guarantee you I am not!}  After five years, I felt like a fool and started to buy the line that I was an old, overweight hypochondriac.  However, when it was time for this year's annual check up, I decided to give it another shot.  New city, new clinic, new doctor.  Maybe the fresh start would yield better results!  Thank God, it did!  The doctor was amazing!  She listened intently, repeated my concerns and then put a plan into action.  After much testing and discussion, I had a diagnosis that made sense.  Even though the diagnosis sucks, I am so grateful to her! 

I have many friends who have experienced these same things, especially since turning 30...changes, symptoms, abnormalities.  Granted, it is normal for our bodies to change after hitting that "milestone", but Ladies, we know when something is off!  Don't give up!  Be your own advocate and keep fighting to get an answer. 

The Celiac diagnosis can be devastating.  It completely alters the way that you have to eat.  Thankfully, I had been wheat free since May, so the changes that I have to make aren't quite as drastic.  I have been 100% gluten free for 2 weeks and I feel awesome!  I have energy, strength and mental clarity {Thankfully just in time for the Holidays! :) }  I don't intend to turn this blog into a Celiac blog, since there are plenty of those to go around.  I simply wanted to share my story.  Thanks for listening!

Oh, and just for fun, here's one of the YouTube videos we watched.  Just promise me you won't try this at home!  {Wink and a Smile!}