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Jane writes: “Thanks for your reply to my query. I really appreciate what you are doing to help those of us who have been affected in various ways by gluten.” “I'm particularly interested in information about how it can affect the brain and my stamina - since for me these are even bigger problems than my gut symptoms. “I am now 60 years old. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease about 2 years ago. I have been gluten-free since then. I live in a community with multiple cooks so it is possible that I get a small bit of gluten without knowing. But I never eat any gluten knowingly.
“I did a lot of research after being diagnosed and asked our main food suppliers about gluten within the products that we buy. The cooks try their best to keep me informed about gluten that is being served in meals, such as soy sauce etc.” “I am much healthier than I was at the time of diagnosis, but still have A LOT of brain fog problems and problems with stamina. I know that I have a number of other food sensitivities that might contribute. But I have such severe cognitive problems that I am now wondering whether I'm just drifting into permanent dementia or if there are other things that I can do to improve my memory, attention, sense of direction, and ability to make connections.” “My regular Doctor does not take my problems too seriously, since I only miss a couple of questions on the mini mental status test that everyone gives. But it is quite distressing to me not be able to follow what is happening in a movie, and not to be able to keep my home organized, and not be able to find my way to a place where I have been many times previously, and not be able to do a real job at work.” “I am well cared for and loved. But I feel that there has been deterioration and I'm not sure what to try next. I don't want to waste a lot of time and energy if there is nothing to be done. I live in a remote area, so trips to the doctor take several hours round trip - and I don't feel confident to drive due to problems with attentiveness and slow reaction time.” Believe me, I know there are no easy, clear answers. But I thought that you might have had enough experience with Celiacs to have some ideas about this. Any ideas would be helpful. Many thanks, Jane.” My response: Hi Jane, Great to hear from you. What great questions. You want some answers about brain fog problems and stamina. You are 60 and have been on gluten for a long time. Unfortunately, it seems that the longer that you are on gluten, the longer it takes to get better – and so sometimes the damage has already been done. But – obviously keep as gluten-free as you can. You may find that you do continue to find improvements. Make sure that your iron and vitamin levels are high – you should be on a vitamin/mineral supplement. And also take some fish oil or primrose oils. |
