Journal

Well I have continued to have no asthma symptoms.  I remain free of all medication.  I still carry my rescue inhaler just in case.  I feel so good and I maintain a peak flow personal best of 550!  The weather is getting warmer and daylight savings has helped the nights be lighter later.  I am walking more and more.  My weight loss has slowed down considerably.  I have confidence that I will lose more as my activity increases.  I will be participating in a five K in April.  I can't wait!

I have avoided eating tomatoes and oranges since I was a teenager.  I discovered that when I ate them I felt sick.  I felt bloated and experienced stomach cramps that caused me to double over.  I would feel this way then I would have diarrhea.  I had GI problems to tomatoes since I was little.  My Mom told me that she felt like I avoided doing the dishes by hiding out in the bathroom after dinner.  We ate pasta frequently with spaghetti sauce.  Little did she know that I felt sick after dinner.  I did go to see a gastroenterologist in my early 20's and he diagnosed me with IBS.  The medication he started me on did nothing to help me.  I came to realize that I did not have IBS but determined that I must be allergic to these foods.  I excluded then from my diet and felt better but still experienced GI distress often.  Reading about what gluten does in the body of a celiac I have come to realize that for years I have been blaming the wrong thing for causing my distress.  It was the gluten that was making my body sick!  The pasta sauce was fine but it was the gluten making me sick!  Over the past month I have tried to reintroduce oranges to my diet. I can now eat them with no symptoms!  They are delicious and I eat them often.  Today I was curious to see if I could eat a fresh tomato.  On super bowl sunday I had chili and had no problems with it.  So cooked tomatoes were ok.  I ate two small slices and had no ill effects!  I am thrilled!  As for my asthma, I remain symptom free and I continue to be on no meds.  It is so remarkable how quiet and calm my breathing is.  My pulse rate has dropped and I no longer experience a racing heart beat.  A friend of mine told me the quality of my speech has changed.  She said that I sometimes sounded hoarse and breathless when I spoke.  She says I sound so different.  Wow!  My weight loss has slowed, but I know that I will lose more.  The weather is beautiful and I cannot go without a nice long walk with my puppy.  I am also planning to go to the pool about once or twice a week for water aerobics.  Until later!   

Okay Believe it or not I take No Asthma meds right now and I have had no symptoms of asthma.  My breathing is so much calmer and quieter.  I am unaffected by cold air and strong smells.  My peak flow has increased from a personal best of 400 to 550!!!!  I have lost 45lbs. and I wear a size 16.  I feel great and I can move so much easier.  I can even run in short sprints without gasping for breath.  Going gluten free has been challenging but it has been a process too.  I am thankful for friends and family and their support!  I still have not gone to the doctor yet.  As I see no need to go at this time!  Yippeee!!!