29 replies to this topic

[GFdoc]

Hi - this is in reply to corryne. There are lots of great gluten-free mixes you can get (try Gluten Free Pantry's brownie mix - I make up a batch, cut into squares and freeze - they are addictive and AMAZINGLY good! in fact, I serve them to nonceliacs, who compliment them) You should learn to bake on your own - the mixes are really good, but if you want to experiment, I made Toll House chocolate chip cookies yesterday using Bette Hageman's gluten-free featherlight four (I added only xantham gum to the original recipe) and the cookies were a huge hit at the superbowl party we were at (and I was the only celiac there).
As for restaurants, I would recommend staying away from Bennigans-like chain restaurants - they usually don't make their food fresh - so you can't ask for modifications on any meals. You are better off going to a better/more upscale place that makes everything from scratch. It's worth the extra bucks. Try a fresh seafood restaurant or a steak place. Good Luck.
Sara

[AntiGluten]

Hi everyone. Thanks again for replying.

Shirley - Thanks for the electrolyte tip. I've been eating bananas more frequently and also got a big bottle of gatoraide in the fridge to drink, it's supposed to have electrolytes too. It seems to be making a small difference.

Corryne - You don't have to worry about lack of brownies, cookies, cakes, etc. on a gluten free diet. There are plenty of great mixes out there. The gluten free brownies are excellent, in fact a lot of my friends have said they like them better than traditional brownies. One thing I like to do is take a brownie and put it in the microwave for little bit to make it hot, then put a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream on top and let it melt a little. Also, there is a chocolate chip cookie cake mix that I really love. We've made it a few times. Pamela's chocolate chip cookies are great in milk too.

Mariann - The Prometheus lab is definately the best. My mom had taken my great grandmother to our doctor for classic celiac symptoms and he's tested her twice. They sent the blood to Quest diagnostics here in Houston, and they said it was negative, which I think is BS. My Aunt has also had her family tested since finding out what my mom and I have, and one of her daughters came back positive, then got tested again and was negative the second time. That kind of pisses me off. She doesnt have any symptoms yet except for stomach aches every now and then, but my Aunt said she would keep an eye and get her tested in a couple years or sooner if symptoms occur, she's still pretty young though.

YankeeDB - I'm glad that you found out that you have celiac disease and know why you've been feeling bad. The diet really isn't bad. It's not. The only thing I'm frustrated with is all the hidden gluten and everyone you meet not having a clue what celiac is. It's good too that your friends sound supportive. Luckily my friends are quite understanding and accomodate when they can. I still miss going out for pizza with them though. And thanks for the compliment on the car. I wish it were mine. It's actually a Ferrari Enzo. My friend and I saw it last september at Ferrari Challenge at Texas World Speedway. It's a $660,000 car, very fast.

My mom and I got the "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" book in the mail today so we're gonna start the SCD soon. I really hope it helps clean out my system and lets my intestine heal 100% (which I think it hasn't even in 2 years, I was in pretty bad shape). Even if I have to stay on this special carbohydrate diet, I won't care as long as I have energy again and can go a full day without dozing off or feeling clouds in my head.

[scribble]

I don't really have a reply for you, I just need a little help. How do I post a message on this board. Call me crazy, but I can't seem to find a link/button for new posts. Anyway, I'm currently on a 14 day gluten free trial, and I have a few questions.
thanks,
Scribble

[gf4life]

Shirley- Thanks for pointing out that article. I read it and was very glad to see that more researchers are picking up on the fact that the intestines is the place to test for antibodies! Again, thanks.

Corryne- You certainly do not have to live without your sweets. You just need to make your own gluten free ones. My kids love the gluten-free brownies that I make. I use a box mix and I have tried a few brands, they all seem to be good. The trick is to not eat too many of them! You should certainly try it. With such a restrictive diet, you should not deprive yourself of occasional treats, especially with so many good gluten free products available to us.

Scribble- were you able to post a new topic? The "New Topic" buttons are located on the top of the page and the bottom of the page right next to the "Add Reply" button.

[noglutenallgood]

In response to AntiGluten going on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), I applaud you! This diet is even more difficult than a gluten free diet, but I have read nothing but great things about it. I would really like to know if it helps you. One of the books that Elaine Gottshall references in Breaking the Vicious Cycle, is Management of Celiac Disease by Drs. Sydney and Merrill Haas. It's an old, but very interesting book; it was published by two doctors a father and son in the 1950's. They had remarkable success with the SCD. This book is out of print and difficult to find, but worth it.

[johnnygluten]

BEWARE THAI KITCHEN (brand) SOUPS.

Pics: http://www.shopnatur...ory_Code=B32405

I've been burned several times by "Thai Kitchen" soups.

Some of them say "Gluten Free", Some of them say "MSG FREE", and some of them say both. I've gotten VERY sick several times after eating the ones that only say one or the other and list "Natural Flavor" as one of the ingredients in the flavour packet. It can make things very difficult, especially if you're not doing all of the shopping yourself.

I'd avise that you **always** be wary when a supposedly safe product has "Natural Flavor(s)" listed in the ingredients... I'm new at dealing with all of this, and I am NOT a doctor, but I've read that a *LOT* of people with Celiac disease are also VERY allergic/sensitive to MSG (as I am).


Johnny Gluten

------

-- FOR THE SITE ADMINISTRATORS --> Your site's strict cookie requirements (beyond simple session cookies), and manditory javascript ARE quite offensive to any privacy minded individual. <-- -- FOR THE SITE ADMINISTRATORS --

[sportnut]

Hi everybody. I was diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago and it's been a constant struggle ever since to stay gluten free. I used to be on the message boards every day but have been lax about it lately. But I've been having more problems than usual lately and wanted to see if anyone would share if they're having the same problems.
Which is horrible mood swings. I go from being overly jealous over anyone not having celiac disease, to being angry at my boyfriend for no reason at all. It's starting to effect my relationship and I'm sick of it. Does anyone else out there have uncontrolable and frequent mood swings? If you are willing to share some experiences it would help a lot. I'm glad I'm back. I"ll check in a couple of days to see what anyone has to say.

[fanfaire]

AntiGluten, I'm wondering if it's possible that you have food allergies in addition to celiac disease? That it's not necessarily just gluten that sets you off. I could be wrong of course, but I thought I'd just throw that out there.

Have you ruled out other autoimmune diseases? Brain fog, mood swings, etc. also occur with hypothyroidism, connective tissue disorders and fibromyalgia. I have all three of those ailments in addition to being gluten intolerant (no official celiac diagnosis). Thyroid and adrenal issues in particular can make you spacey, moody, light-headed and just feeling like you could die of exhaustion.

Then again, it could certainly be hidden gluten. Just the variety of possibilities is frustrating, isn't it?

Hope you do find the source of the problem. I am just now finding out what it's like to be free of stomach pain, for the first time in at least six years.

[sportnut]

Libby,
I agree with you that the mood shifts come on quickly and without notice. I find myself saying things that I don't realize I'm saying. I have to say I don't snack. I don't eat much at all. Usually just tea for breakfast and then some dinner. It seems like nothing tastes like food anymore. Maybe I'm just tired of eating the same things over and over. Cuz what I really want is a Big Mac!!! I'm going to try and do the snack thing and see if it helps even things out. Don't get me wrong, my boyfriend is great about working around the whole celiac thing, but he's getting pretty tired of living with Dr. Jekyl and Ms. Hyde.

[ham&ex]

AntiGluten, it looks like you might have stopped checking this already, but I'll put in my two cents anyway.

I am also 19, have been off gluten for 2 years and live with my mother while attending trade school. My Ma is also gluten intolerant so our house is gluten-free and there aren't any poisonous crumbs around to hijack our dinner plates.
That being said, I still get contaminated food sometimes (even when it says "gluten-free".) If I have eaten "dirty food," that is, food with gluten in it, I know by the next morning because I wake up looking like the un-dead. Small children run from me and so they should.

On the bright side, I have figured out how to minimize the monster effect when I accidentally ingest. I feel better much faster if I take enzymes, sleep ten hours a night, and drink more water. I think I prolonged the healing process for a while by sleeping to little.

I have a love/hate relationship with this whole thing. I'm healthier than ever and I'm a better cook than ever, but I do have the occasional, really, really bad day.
I know how you feel.

-Solveig

[tgirl]

Hi

I am new here. Totally angry. Very sad and depressed. I have been feeling so so terrible for such a longtime. You go to the doctors and they think you make it all up. Although I am feeling overwhelmed it also makes me feel better that I am not alone.

I am well on my way to getting a celiac diagnosis so I am gathering all possible information.

Are there any members out there who live in the Ipswich MA area?


THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

LISA