Greetings, Paleopeople! Just wanted to introduce myself. I am female, age 54, married, no children. I go by the name "tsayonah" (say "chai-yo-nah") which is Cherokee for ThreeBears and is my given tribal name. Here is a list of my diagnoses BEFORE paleo: type II diabetes, major depression, bi-polar disorder, obesity, multiple allergies, sun-induced rash forming small blisters, osteo (scan read at -2.85 ie the bones of an 80 year old) and I've lost 4 inches in height, spinal disc degeneration, asthma, premature atrial heart contractions, chronic gastric ulcerations, severe diarrhea, severe fluid retention (as much as 20 pounds at times with ankles that hung in scallops), chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid or other (there's an argument) arthritis.... My health insurance is up to $2000 (yep - THREE zeroes) a quarter. I was taking over $400 of pills per month, many of them to counteract the side effects of the other pills etc ad naseum. Of course I was depressed as it seemed my useful active life was over. I have a handicap permit for my car and usually walked with a cane and rode the "golf carts" whenever possible when shopping. Around the first of this year a doctor friend asked out of the blue, "Have you ever been tested for celiac?" I hadn't and started researching. Discovered most of my symptomology was immune system related. My weight was not because I was secretly cheating, which was what docs had been telling me since my first diet pills at age 7. Nor were the teeth that rotted no matter what I did. What a relief!! My diabetes was often unresponsive to insulin injections. One morning I found it off the scale (over 550 when normal is 80-120) and took 50 units, a whopping does, without effect. By accident I discovered I could lower my blood sugar with antihistamines (docs continue to deny this altho I have documented it). I decided rather than continue to be either bankrupted or killed by the allopaths, I would quietly experiment. I stopped the useless allergy shots and got some allersodes. I stopped ALL the other meds. I began shaping my diet toward what I knew had been eaten by my Cherokee ancestors. Surprise, I got better by leaving out the wheat and rice and white potatoes. That was this Feb. About three weeks ago I discovered paleo eating. The Cherokee were farmers, growing corn, beans and squash. I dropped those and the dairy. All my symptoms are gone and I am off all medications. I still do the allersodes and some homeopathic remedy. I have energy again! I have dropped 30+ pounds in about 4 months after being plateaued at 220 for years no matter how strict a diet I followed. I eat what and when I want without measuring as long as it meets the stone or sharp stick criteria <G> If I cheat or make a mistake, I get most of my symptoms back for several days, not to mention incredible craves. I even dreamed about eating a Wendy's classic cheeseburger - oooh, the bun, the cheese! Am currently off beef as it has made me ill; perhaps because here in Iowa all beef is grain fed, even the "organic." Have found a source for grass fed buffalo and do my own free range chickens for meat and eggs. We are considering raising a beef for butcher but dunno if I could eat someone with whom I am personally acquainted. <wry G> I want to thank those who have posted recently re symptoms from cheating etc. Sorry to say it, but I felt right at home. Those interested in the weight loss may want to know what I eat: this morning, half a melon; chicken-bacon-avacado salad, no dressing, and a tomato for lunch; am planning on trying Ray's recipe for avocado shrimp for dinner (got a good deal on some avocados, can you tell?) That is fairly typical. Will probably have some asparagus and a fruit with dinner as well. With my history of allergies, I try not to eat something more than one day in a row, thereby hoping to avoid more sensitivities cropping up. Sorry about the length, folks. I promise not to talk so much in the future. Thanks for listening! -- Elisi Tsayonah, AniWodi, ghigau, St Francis River Band of Cherokee