C-c-c-c-hanges....

So once again, MIA.

Here's some updates:

1. Went to doctor, tested negative for Celiac, which I thought I would. Was told by my doc I might have a wheat intolerance and it was recommended I remove some things from my diet to see if that helps. Have been doing this in moderation since then and things are ok. Getting better, but not 100%.

2. Work is busy, have a project going to print in about a week and another one to the designer at the same time. Then another right around the corner.

3. Am busy looking for a new place to live with my husband. Not buying, still renting because we don't want to buy as we may be moving in another year or so. Just need something bigger.

4. Working on (finally) paying off the last of my debt aside from my student loan. But working on getting that one whittled down too. I'm very happy about this and that most of my money will be saved since I'll only have minimal monthly bills (cable, rent, electric, car payment, student loan payment, food.)

5. It's HOT in Seattle. As in 104 yesterday, 100 today. High 90's through next Wednesday. Thank goodness we have a pool. No AC though and stagnant air which isn't helpful, but frozen washcloths with a fan blowing on you make it a little better.

6. Some other things in the works I'll be sharing in the weeks to come. New and exciting and I'm a little timid about what is to come but excited all the same.

Be back soon!

I think I might have a wheat allergy. I was looking online this morning for wheat allergy symptoms because I ate pasta yesterday and woke up with severe stomach cramping and (sorry!) constipation. It continues today although just the cramping as the constipation has subsided in the "natural" way if you catch my drift. I found a list of supposed wheat allergy symptoms and was surprised at how many of these I experience on a daily level:


Symptoms of a wheat allergy or wheat intolerance (not exhaustive by any means):

* Arthritis (don't have.)
* Bloated stomach (I have this constantly)
* Chest pains (have occasionally, not like heart attack ones but different, more sharp)
* Depression or mood swings (I would say I have mood swings and not just centered around my cycle)
* Diarrhea (have a lot - sorry if TMI!)
* Eczema (don't have)
* Feeling dizzy or faint (don't have)
* Joint and muscle aches and pains (my knees have been bothering me a lot more than usual. When I was younger I thought it was cheerleading stress on my joints. Now my knees will hurt when sitting on the airplane, or like last night when I was leaving work, got up from my desk and my knees ached and then had to take the three flights of stairs slowly because my knees felt like they were going to "pop" if I went too fast)
* Nausea or vomiting (Nausea a lot - pretty much every other day)
* Palpitations (have these a lot as well - went to the electrocardiologist and they said it's nothing to be concerned about. But now I'm wondering if they're not heart related at all)
* Psoriasis (don't have)
* Skin rashes (I have a weird one on my shins right now but it came about with my sun exposure in Houston so I don't think it's related.)
* Sneezing (occasionally)
* Suspected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)/similar effects (I occasionally feel like this is what I have but then I'll be fine)
* Swollen throat or tongue (not really, although the roof of my mouth or gums will randomly swell up)
* Tiredness and lethargy (tired a lot - and not just from all of the traveling I've been doing)
* Unexplained cough (nope)
* Unexplained runny nose (my nose runs when I eat - pretty much everything I eat. But not spicy foods (not that I eat a whole lot of spicy foods)
* Watery or itchy eyes (nope)


So I made an appt. with my doc for next Saturday (first available appt. with my doc since I don't want to see another practice doc because I always have to spend a good 15 - 20 minutes explaining my history to them and my heart condition). In the meantime, I've got a list of things you shouldn't eat with a wheat allergy and I'm going to try and keep away from those to see how they make me feel... even if I don't have a wheat allergy I think I'm going to try and give up wheat products to see how they make me feel. Hardest thing will be giving up beer!! But I'm so sick of feeling nauseous or not knowing if foods I eat will make me sick or not something has to give, you know?