Hives

It started about 10 days ago. My feet itched. I looked at them they were covered in bumps.

Hmmm I thought.

The next day my legs itched. They had bumps.

I asked my friends at work. Poison Ivy they said.

I bought cream. Smothered my legs with it. Took Benedryl.

The next day more on my legs.

The day after my arms.

Soon the top of my legs were rough, raw , itchy, swelling and hot.

You could feel the heat of my skin through my pants.

Monday I went to the doctor--a week after the first scratch.

Any changes in shampoo, detergent, cream? Nope.

Any changes in diet?

Well I did a "mini cleanse" ( very Happy Valley). I was feeling sluggish bloated so I gave up flour and sugar for 3 weeks.

The bumps appeared 1 day after I started eating bread.

Doctor--" I thought that looked like celiac!"

Celiac-your body can't process glutton.

Glutton is in four, wheat, barley, rye, .... everything!

Stop eating it. Take a blood test.

Blood results back in 2 weeks.

They gave me meds.

I expected to feel well.

I felt better but not well.

I still have the chills, raw skin, swelling, welts, hives, and heat.

Whenever I get warm they reappear, stronger than before.

They have stopped spreading--they are now my torso.

It's hard to sleep. I get chilled. Cover up with a blanket. I get warm. I get welts. I itch.

And so it goes.....

I haven't even begun to think about what life will be like without flour......