Hi... I have celiac disease as well and was just diagnosed about 5 months ago. I read your blog and just wanted to comment on it because I've been reading up on the disease quite a bit. I was told by my doctor that you have it for life and can NEVER go back to a gluten diet so I was just wondering how they came up with that (that it went away)..? I'm just really curious if you'd like to share. Thank you and have a great day!

My comment is to Leah.The reason you can never eat gluten again is because once your intestines heal if you eat gluten again you will start the reaction and damage all over again. I have been on the gluten free diet for about 6 months now and if I eat gluten on accident (or on purpose) my reaction is 10 times worse than it ever was before!!It sucks, but you are worth it!

Leah,
It didn't really go away, I just ignored the symptoms, when I hit about age 12 the symptoms weren't as bad as when I was a child. So I started eating the good stuff. The lady I talked to in Walmart said her daughter went through the same thing, its not that it goes away, its just that the person adapts to the symptoms. Now if I eat gluten, I am doubled over in pain. and the other symptoms are 10 times worse. So now I am on a strictly gluten free diet.


Heather,


I know for you it is going to be hard to switch your diet. It was extremely hard for me, especially with the holiday season being here. pumpkin pie is my favorite, and I love pie crust, So it has been really hard to just eat the pie filling. But I am being strong. There is a lot of stuff out there now, that wasn't out when I was a child. I don't know where you are from but here in North Carolina they have a health food store that sells gluten-free noodles, bread, pizzas, and all sorts of stuff. If you are in a state that has Fred Meyers, They have a lot of stuff too. I hope that helps.

Jodi

I have been gluten-free since May '07 and my daughter has been since Oct. '07. I thought celiac was an allergy so we went to a naturalist back in 2000 when we were both diagnosed, and we ate 'normal' foods-BUT come to find out that celiac is a disease not even close to an allergy. So this year we both strictly went back to the diet and We will NEVER go back to gluten again. It has been healthy and very rewarding to see my daughter gain some weight and grow. I know if it does not say gluten-free, then I will not buy it- it was probably made in a facility. It is a different way of eating but you are still the same person. So just enjoy life and remember that. Hope this helps a bit!! Julie

Hey everyone! My nephew has celiac and he is 12, he was diagnosed about six years ago. My sister has worked extremely hard to keep him gluten free and done a great job. The problem of ignorance of the public and cross cross-contamination are the hardest, not to mention he is a kid and the gluten free diet is NOT kid friendly and he also cannot eat milk or any kind so that makes many other things very difficult. SO, count your blessings, I know this is hard sometimes, but try to stay positive. keep looking on the web there are many helps here and many support groups- they are one of your keys to success! God Bless.
T.

For Jodi and others: There are Chinese groceries in most larger cities that carry varieties of rice noodles, rice, potato, and tapioca flours. Excellent rice crackers can be found. Most of these items are considerably cheaper than at a health food store. There is a great store between Garner and Raleigh, NC. As to pie crust, after finagling with all the gluten free recipes, I finally mixed up some more or less standard gluten free flour mix, and added a tsp of Xanthan Gum per cup, and then used it in an old standard cookbook recipe for pie crust made with Crisco. It didn't take to rolling too well, but pressing it into the pie plate made as good a crust as I've ever had, and I'm old! With a bread machine, one can make much better gluten free bread than one can buy. Almost real bread! It does need a particular bread machine.

Good luck. Bob in TN

Jessi, What kind of gluten free cookies did you use? I am going to try it out!


Julie,

When I was in school I didn't really gain weight till I was in 8th grade, when I was strictly put on the diet, my mom had found out I was sneaking cookies and stuff, anyhow to the point it is great that your daughter is gaining weight, I broke 100 lbs in 8th grade, and was 5'6. so I know how it is to be too skinny. Good luck on your Gluten free diet, I don't like calling it a diet, I call it a lifestyle, because to me that is what it is.

I just want to say thank you everyone for all the feedback!! I am getting gluten free cookbooks for Christmas so hopefully I can find some good stuff and share. Anyhow I did have a setback, see I love the Chalupas at Taco Bell, and i don't know what the breaded part is made of, but my stomach hurt after I ate it...it was soooo good though, I guess i have to work on not giving in to temptation!

The two books mentioned by Danny are excellent reads for info. and recipe ideas, and forming a new lifestyle. I'd also suggest Living Gluten Free for Dummies. Great book! I've only been diagnosed recently and am in the beginning stages of this journey. If there are any others in the WV panhandle I'd like to know. I look back on my life and see many instances of illness that were probably attributable to Celiac....wish I had known! and could have avoided so much illness. Good luck to you all!!!