I went for my IV last night. Except after an hour of drinking water, heating bags and 6 needle pokes, no IV. 3 people could not find a single useable vein. Which begs the question of how on earth I'm going to manage this @#$@$$%^** autoimmune disease if I can't get the IV?!
I've been told before that my fair, fair skin hair and eyes go along with having teeny tiny deep veins. Blood draws and IVs have always been *problematic*. By that I mean a complete pain in the arse.
Through conversation yesterday with the lovely NDs (who were VERY stressed out by my veins) I found out something else. Those of Irish descent, especially women with my fair complexion have extremely high incidences of autoimmune disease, and gluten-sensitivities. The rate of celiac is much higher than in the population of those of other descent. And so is Hashimoto's. Hashimoto's thyroiditis rates are very high in Irish colleens with reddish hair and peaches and cream skin. So not only did I inherit St. Paddy's day, a wicked temper and a love for Harp beer and Celtic music, I inherited this tendency toward autoimmune issues. Which frankly today feel like autoimmune disasters.
My ultra dry skin was mentioned several times, and I was queried as to how much water I drink. I drink enough water to waterlog a human of much larger proportions than I. It was suggested that I eliminate coffee, black tea and green tea from my diet. I admit, I cried in the car on the way home. It wasn't pretty. And my hubs listened to me rant and cry and snuffle (bluetooth is a blessing and a curse!) about how I can't ever have my favourite cookies again, pizza and Harp or Starbucks. He pointed out that 1. I drink Harp maybe 3 times a year, 2. I rarely eat cookies because I'm always trying to lose weight, 3. And eliminating caffeine was something I knew I should do anyway. I ended the conversation. How dare he point out the obvious when I was in full-on pity party mode! :)
So there you have it. I am tapering coffee (because it would be unfair to those around me to experience the withdrawal with me), and wondering what it would be like to be of say...Egyptian descent. Well, not really, I generally like my fair complexion and realistically, every ethnicity has some inherited health issue, right? I'm working on getting over the pity party, and moving on. Gluten, dairy and soon caffeine free.
I've been told before that my fair, fair skin hair and eyes go along with having teeny tiny deep veins. Blood draws and IVs have always been *problematic*. By that I mean a complete pain in the arse.
Through conversation yesterday with the lovely NDs (who were VERY stressed out by my veins) I found out something else. Those of Irish descent, especially women with my fair complexion have extremely high incidences of autoimmune disease, and gluten-sensitivities. The rate of celiac is much higher than in the population of those of other descent. And so is Hashimoto's. Hashimoto's thyroiditis rates are very high in Irish colleens with reddish hair and peaches and cream skin. So not only did I inherit St. Paddy's day, a wicked temper and a love for Harp beer and Celtic music, I inherited this tendency toward autoimmune issues. Which frankly today feel like autoimmune disasters.
My ultra dry skin was mentioned several times, and I was queried as to how much water I drink. I drink enough water to waterlog a human of much larger proportions than I. It was suggested that I eliminate coffee, black tea and green tea from my diet. I admit, I cried in the car on the way home. It wasn't pretty. And my hubs listened to me rant and cry and snuffle (bluetooth is a blessing and a curse!) about how I can't ever have my favourite cookies again, pizza and Harp or Starbucks. He pointed out that 1. I drink Harp maybe 3 times a year, 2. I rarely eat cookies because I'm always trying to lose weight, 3. And eliminating caffeine was something I knew I should do anyway. I ended the conversation. How dare he point out the obvious when I was in full-on pity party mode! :)
So there you have it. I am tapering coffee (because it would be unfair to those around me to experience the withdrawal with me), and wondering what it would be like to be of say...Egyptian descent. Well, not really, I generally like my fair complexion and realistically, every ethnicity has some inherited health issue, right? I'm working on getting over the pity party, and moving on. Gluten, dairy and soon caffeine free.
3 comments:
Since I am new to your blog, I was wondering what auto-immune disease are you receiving IV for? Is it for the Hashimoto? I know hearing that coffee has to be cut from your diet is rough..I am an avid coffee drinker and I get that! I am also trying to figure out how to cure my autoimmune disease which is causing severe joint pain and has pretty much cut off my exercise..so I am trying cut unhealhy things out of my diet like diet soft drinks, cutting down on my coffee and eating only pure whole natural foods. I replace coffee with hot rasbery and nettle tea (they say it helps with pain) and surprizinly, I liked it! Just having something hot to drink in the morning is half the battle! The point of this long comment is that if you look at this as "one door closing and another opening", it may help you to get through it a little easier. You may even find replacement foods that you like better! Just a thought! It is how I am getting through changing my diet!
Yes, for the Hashimoto's. We're trying to get my immune system settled down so we can begin to manage the disease. I'm actually ok with most of the dietary changes, but COFFEE???? Oh my. And I was very overwhelmed and frustrated last night. Feeling better today. And you're right, having something hot in the morning is the thing. I'll figure it out :)
I am hoping our sharp Irish wit and love of story-telling will make up for all the other nasties our genetic heritage has thrown our way Nicole! As it stands my Dad ( having come from Ireland) is not the parent I seem to have inherited my Sjogrens/lupus/ Raynauds from but my mom who has been here a few generations!I also share the small viens though- I had a large blood clot( DVT) during my second pregnancy requiring daily injections of heparin for four months. Not fun!All due to my " teeny veins". Be well and good luck with the coffee!
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