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Frustrated And Really Pissed Off
#1
Posted 28 January 2004 - 07:31 PM
Diagnosed in 11/01
I prefer the Paleo Diet over all others.
#2
Posted 29 January 2004 - 08:34 AM
I remember the feelings you describe very well! I also remember the feeling of being hopelessly and helplessly out of control as I lashed out at anyone in my vicinity, and the incredible effort it took to subdue those reactions. Whenever I was thwarted by anyone or anything, an image would pop into my mind of me collapsing in a heap on the floor, because it took energy to control my explosive temper, energy to seek an alternative resolution, energy to pursue the modified course of action--and all I wanted to do was SLEEP! Now that I have been gluten-free for a while, I can roll with the punches A LOT better! I hope you experience the same benefit after you track down and exclude the rogue gluten from your life!
On that subject, a couple of things come to mind. First, the tea COULD be the culprit. Celestial Seasonings makes about five teas that DO contain gluten, and what are the odds that they use separate equipment to manufacture them? About zero percent, I'd estimate! It's unfortunate, but just because a label states "gluten free" doesn't mean the product actually is gluten-free! Here's another possibility: have you contacted the manufacturer of the pork chops you ate to verify that there is NO gluten in them? Mass-produced pork and chicken are often injected with broth to make them juicier and tastier, and the broth may very well contain gluten!
Since you mention that your fatigue and irritability come and go, I would venture to guess that there are at least one or two sources of hidden gluten that you're still consuming on a regular basis. A diet of meat, fruits, and vegetables does sound like a good thing to try--as long as the meats turn out to be gluten-free! If you find that you need SOME grain products for balance, I would recommend Tinkyada or Rizopia brand Brown rice pastas, which are manufactured in a wheat-free facility. (They also cook up al dente and have a mild, acceptable flavor. My husband says he can't tell the difference between them and semolina pasta!)
I hope these suggestions are helpful to you, and that you begin to feel better soon!
gluten-free since November 1, 2003
#3
Posted 29 January 2004 - 10:23 AM
It is quite possible that you are getting some gluten on a regular basis. I would suspect the meat as well. You may also want to have some carbohydrates in your diet, other that just fruits and veggies. Brown rice, white rice, maybe some corn bread (homemade so you know it is gluten-free).
Have you had any follow up testing since they diagnosed you? Usually it is a good idea to retest every year or so, since if you are still producing any antibodies then that means you are not 100% gluten free. You should also have your iron level checked periodically, especially if you are as tired as you are. I am very sorry you feel this bad. It can be extremely frustrating to have to live with a restricted diet, and then not even feel completely better. What do your doctors have to say about how you feel?
Have you looked into whether there are any support groups in your area? I don't know where you are in Texas, but I'm sure there have got to be at least one that is near you.
(Although I realise Texas is a big state!)
Here is a link to some support groups:
Celiac.com support group list
It might help to get together with other people in the same situation.
God bless,
Mariann
Mariann, gluten intolerant and mother of 3 gluten intolerant children
#4
Posted 29 January 2004 - 11:19 AM
Low blood sugar can also cause brain fog and irritablity. Try adding some whole grains like brown rice or beans. My favorite lunch is home made (gluten-free) chili. It keeps my brain clear and energy up all afternoon. Maybe there are some gluten-free canned chilis that you could try.
#5
Posted 29 January 2004 - 09:39 PM
Sarah - I think I am getting some sort of hidden gluten from somewhere. That is probably the most annoying thing about this disease to me, is that you know you're getting gluten, but not the slightest clue where from. That's true what you said about the tea and the pork. I'm sure even if it says "gluten free", the manufacturers don't take cross contamination of there machines into account. Where can my mom and I get some of that pasta you mentioned? Before I was diagnosed one of my favorite things to eat was broccoli and cheese Pasta Roni.
Mariann - I eat rice noodle soup from Thai kitchen on a regular basis. It's rather tasty and also says gluten free on the package. I have had follow up tests. My first test was in Oct. of 2001 where my IgA=42 and IgG=130. Since then I was tested in Nov. of 2001, IgA=34 and IgG=118. Then in Oct. of 2003 my IgA=22 and IgG=40. They also tested Iron, thyroid, B vitamins, etc. which all came back normal. I think this supports the idea of getting rogue gluten from unknown sources. We live in a town called The Woodlands which is about half an hour north of Houston. We've been to several of the Houston Celiac support group meetings and have gotten a lot of info from them. Over the Christmas holidays, my mom asked the Houston support group leader for all the names and numbers of people that are from The Woodlands area with celiac and invited them all over to our house for kind of a Woodlands celiac group party. About six couples showed up and we also got a few calls from people that wanted to go but couldn't. It was cool meeting people from the area with celiac and we're gonna try to get together bimonthly.
Lisa - I eat rice pretty often and my mom makes chili sometimes. I like the chili a lot and haven't had bad reactions to it so maybe we'll start to make that more often.
One more thing I wanted to mention. My mom found this diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) from a member of yahoo.com's celiac group. It sounds like a great diet for celiacs from what I've read. http://www.breakingt...iouscycle.info/
There's a link to the website and book about the diet. I would recommend taking a few minutes and read some to see what you guys think about it. My mom and I ordered the book and will be starting it next week. I really hope this helps clean out my intestine and brings my energy back up. Anyways, sorry that this reply is so long and thank you everyone from replying back to me, I truly appreciate it.
Lee
Diagnosed in 11/01
I prefer the Paleo Diet over all others.
#6
Posted 29 January 2004 - 11:48 PM
I can't say that I know how you feel, but I can sympathize. My son, now 3 y/o and he is just becoming aware of the fact that he can't have what all the other kids have. I try my best to give him foods that look and taste like the other kids foods, but then I worry that he will get confused as to why he can't share, or accept when the other kids want to share. I do understand your frustration. Everytime I pick up a box of food, and look at the label, I cringe when I see all the things I can't get because they have gluten in them.
He has had so many accidents from getting into things at school that he shouldn't have, that I seriously considered home schooling for a while. I even supply his school with paint, playdough and pasta made with rice, so that he can still do art with the other kids.
I think that I am finally getting the hang of this gluten-free diet, but every now and then when he gets sick, I think what the hell happened this time?!?!?! What have I done to my son this time?!?!?
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for your pain and frustration, and that while I don't feel the pain myself, I feel it for someone I love deeply and that can be as bad. I hope that you feel better soon and that you can pin down that source of hidden gluten that must be in there somewhere.
Good luck and take care not to get to discouraged, sometimes life throws curves and puches we aren't ready for, but that doesn't mean we can't swing and hit back. Someday there may be a cure and we can only take care of ourselves until then and hope that day comes very soon.
Son has been gluten-free since December 2001
#7
Guest_aramgard_*
Posted 30 January 2004 - 07:50 AM
#8
Posted 30 January 2004 - 09:31 AM
You are right that you are probably getting hidden gluten somewhere on a regular basis. After two years your antibody levels should really be at zero. If you are still producing antibodies, then you are still getting into some gluten.
That is really neat about the Christmas party.
Many people have recommended the Specific Carbohydrate diet, and it is very easy to adapt to gluten-free. As for the pasta, there are many places online that you can get them, or if you guys have a Whole Foods or another kind of health food store around where you live, they sell them there. I highly recommend Tinkyada brand.
If your mom is a member of the Yahoo Group Silly Yaks, then she can access a link from their site for the Gluten Free Pantry, and a portion of what she spends goes back to the Silly Yaks site and gets donated to Celiac Research. There are also links here at Celiac.com to good online gluten free shopping.
I'm glad you are having a better day today!
God bless,
Mariann
Mariann, gluten intolerant and mother of 3 gluten intolerant children
#9
Posted 30 January 2004 - 01:12 PM
gluten-free since November 1, 2003
#10
Posted 30 January 2004 - 03:23 PM
I am so confused about all of this. Anyway, after finding out my 6 year old has celiac, I had my 3 year olds blood tested. His came back at 8 (within normal range). From some things I have been reading, he has been producing antibodies for a reason. Dr. again said no he is fine. I said, should he be tested again at a later date to make sure the numbers don't change. The doc said no, I'd wait until he shows symptoms before being concerned. That sounds kind of idiotic to me, he could be 40 before he shows symptoms.
Thanx
Tracy
#11
Posted 01 February 2004 - 02:04 PM
I have not found two doctors in my area who agree on anything in regards to Celiac Disease.
This is my opinion though, (and I am not a doctor) but common sense seems to say, that if you know your body can't tolerate gluten, and you are developing antibodies (even a low level) then that seems to say you are consuming at least a little bit of gluten somewhere. Since if you were not getting any gluten then you would not be producing antibodies against it. Also, according to my children's pediatric GI , the tTg test is only accurate in detecting Celiac Disease if they use human tissue transglutiminase, and many labs use animal tissue transglutiminase (which has a higher rate of false negative readings). So depending on which lab you went to, your 3 year old's test may not be very accurate. You may want to find some information online to support this, and take it in to your doctor. It would be much better for your child's health if you knew early on that he has celiac disease, rather than wait until he has noticable symptoms. I would hate to see him have to get sick, when he could just eat the same as his sibling, and stay healthy.
My kids are 9, 7, and 4. I am currently waiting for their blood and gene test results. They all tested negative on their first tests, except for the IgG gliadin test. since those were done at a regular lab, their new doctor ordered the tests to be redone by Prometheus Labs, which is one of the most recommended labs for celiac disease. They are very skilled at the tests, use human tTg, and also check for IgA deficiency. If the blood tests for Celiac are negative with their tests, they automatically run the gene test on the blood. My kid's doctor says he only uses them for Celiac testing, since he wants to know he can trust the results. I want to know I can trust the results, too!
I hope you can find out for sure if your 3 year old has celiac disease or not.
God bless,
Mariann
Mariann, gluten intolerant and mother of 3 gluten intolerant children
#12
Posted 01 February 2004 - 08:02 PM
#13
Posted 01 February 2004 - 09:33 PM
One thing that really puzzles me is, here in Canada they only do the Tissue Transglutiminase test, and then biopsy. Should I be requesting the other blood tests also?
Thanx again
Tracy
#14
Guest_aramgard_*
Posted 02 February 2004 - 07:38 AM
#15
Posted 02 February 2004 - 07:52 AM
Thanks for posting this as it very accurately expresses the frustration that goes with this disease. It seems like it's 2 steps forward, 3 back, 5 forward, 4 back, etc. etc. Maddening!
I was officially diagnosed one week ago and immediately recognized it as good-news-bad-news! Good because I finally know the source of my years and years of ever increasing fatigue (not "getting old", not "depression", not "just the way I am", not menopause) and bad because of the challenges of the diet.
I'm just embarking on the task of explaining this to friends including why I can't just "scrape the breading off the fish" or take the skin off the KFC. People tend to think it's like any diet where you can get away with cheating a little bit. Fortunately, my friends want to understand so that helps tremendously. I wish there was a phrase I could use that would get the point across--so far, all I can think of is something like "Even a small amount of gluten is poison to me and gluten is common in American processed foods." I'll have my first post-diagnosis restaurant outing in a week--such fun.
P. S. Antigluten, cool car!
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