I Have A Canker Sore

Which I realize may be no big deal to you.

Allow me a moment to explain why this particular bugger is blogworthy.

I have been plagued with canker sores for YEARS. They aren't contagious, and are thought to be hereditary (Ummm, thanks Gene Pool - I really freaking appreciate that.)  Here's what WebMD has to say about these most painful little lesions of perdition:

What Causes Canker Sores?

The exact cause of most canker sores is unknown. Stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores. Certain foods - including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, and strawberries) - can trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Sometimes a sharp tooth surface or dental appliance, such as braces or ill-fittingdentures, might also trigger canker sores.

Some cases of complex canker sores are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system; nutritional problems, such as vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron deficiency; and gastrointestinal tract disease, such as Celiac disease and Crohn's disease.

Are Cold Sores Another Name for Canker Sores?

No, although cold sores and canker sores are often confused for each other, they are not the same. Cold sores, also called a fever blister or herpes simplex type 1, are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. Also, cold sores typically appear outside the mouth - usually, under the nose, around the lips, or under the chin while canker sores occur inside the mouth.

Did you, by chance, catch that little ditty about complex canker sores being linked to Celiac?

Yeah.

THAT part.

Which is why, my friend, I'm bringing it to the blog.

It's confession time.

Here goes...

While on our little get away last weekend, I cheated.

Yes.

I did.

Over the course of the weekend, I ate ONE onion ring, ONE hush puppy, ONE piece of baklava, and a few scattered bites here and there of stuff off Jay's plate that just looked too good not to try.

(Which, by the way, I would NEVER have done had Sugar been with us.  She gets SO SICK if she's exposed to gluten!!!  Besides, I do **try** to set a good example for her.  Anyway, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right??  So this is just between YOU and ME -- wink, wink -- I'll deny it to the bitter end!)

You see, I never had any classic GI symptoms of Celiac.

Nothing.

Zip.  Zero.  Nada.

(For leisure reading, you're welcome to check out our Celiac diagnosis stories HERE.)

The ONLY outward symptom I've ever thought **MIGHT** be linked to my Celiac diagnosis are these stinkin' canker sores.

Since transitioning my lifestyle to becoming 100% gluten free a little over a year ago, these little suckers have almost disappeared.  On the few occasions I have noticed, them, I found it difficult to differentiate their cause, because hormonal changes (thank you, Bertha - aka - My Period...sorry, Boys!!), stress, and lack of sleep could be contributory.

(I mean...there's no stress or lack of sleep when raising a child with diabetes, wouldn't you agree?)

That is....until THIS one.

I slept well while we were gone!

I wasn't stressed!

Bertha was nowhere in sight!

But I **DID** intentionally ingest gluten.

Hmmmm....can I **FINALLY** link a physical symptom to my Silent Celiac diagnosis?

Maybe.

This sucker oughta teach me not to eat a random hush puppy again.

Well it SHOULD anyway...