Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Newcomer In Michigan, Diagnosed Today


seven

Recommended Posts

seven Newbie

Hello, I

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Ahorsesoul Enthusiast

Andrew,

Welcome to the gluten free world. You will find out how good you can feel. It will take some work and you might go into a withdrawal phase from gluten. Take it as it comes.

Since you've been ill for so long you will welcome the relief from eating gluten free. Slowly go over everything that comes into contact with you. You sound like you may be very sensitive to gluten. Start checking personal care products, replace the obvious gluten items and then learn the un-obvious products (medications, vitamins, soda, beer, blue cheese, soy sauce, spices......).

You will also learn about cross contamination. French fries cooked in oil that has cooked breaded fish will knock you for a set back. Plastic and wooden kitchen utensils/cutting boards, along with coated pans may need to be replaced. A toaster used for poisoned bread should not be used for your bread.

Many people find they need to give up dairy (and sometimes soy) for a few months for their intestines to heal. You will be frustrated and confused at times. It's ok. It will get better.

Remember it is not all in your head!! You now know what has caused the problems in your life. (ok, maybe not all of them!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
seven Newbie

Thanks for the words of encouragement! It has been a bit overwhelming trying to wrap my head around all of this... it seems like gluten is everywhere! I even found it in my shampoo.

You brought up some interesting points that I had not considered. I would have never thought to replace wooden spoons or to get a new toaster. Looks like I have some shopping to do.

While I think I'm starting to understand the scope of change that this will require, my biggest concern is accidental contact or ingestion because of how much I eat out. Not just at restaurants, but visiting with parents, or my girlfriend's parents... I would never expect people to change their eating habits for me so I'm trying to figure this out how this will work...

Anyway, thanks again for your insight! Can't wait to go gluten-free and finally start feeling better!

-Andrew

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FishyLibrarian Newbie

Hi Andrew,

You've definitely come to the right place! The positives that you have on your bloodwork would be enough for most docs to conclude that you have Celiac Disease. The endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, and you're a positive there too. Welcome to your new gluten-free existence! I've been gluten-free since October of 2009 and within 24 hours many of my symptoms were gone....like yours, my stomach gurgled after meals, along with gas and bloating and (thankfully only occasional) diarrhea. I had no idea how ill I had been feeling until I felt well. I had no idea how 'at peace' my gut could be. I had no idea how fatigued I was. So despite the fact that my test results are negative for celiac disease, I will remain gluten-free. Yes, THAT's how good I feel. I hope you'll feel well soon too!

If you're just starting out at this, I'd recommend you start small...pick up some gluten-free staples at your local grocery store like bread, cereal, crackers, granola bars etc. to accompany the foods you already have on hand that you know are safe - fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. These staples will hold you over so you don't starve while you figure out what you currently love to eat that will need to be altered to be gluten-free, and what you can learn to live without completely. Eating out can be very tricky, but most restaurants are aware of what Celiac Disease is and can help you figure out what they serve that's safe for you. As for sharing meals with family and friends, it's all about education, for you and for them. I hate being a high-maintenance diner, who can't eat x & y & z. But you'll probably find that lots of homecooking is already gluten-free, and only a couple of modification are necessary. There are few things safer than meat and potatoes as long as you're careful about sauces. I gave up gluten just before Canadian Thanksgiving; I skipped the stuffing, brought my own gravy and was good to go, especially since my mom baked me my own crust-free pumpkin "pie". Like most of us, you'll get tripped up from time to time on things that seem unlikely to have gluten in them (so far my biggest surprise - Twizzlers. Seriously?) but you'll figure it out and it'll be worth the effort because of how much better you'll feel.

Welcome to the fold and happy (gluten-free) eating!

Cheers,

Lynne

gluten-free since October 6, 2009

New Brunswick, Canada

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mushroom Proficient

Just a word of warning about cross-contamination, Andrew. If the previous poster's stuffing had been cooked in the bird, the turkey would be contaminated and unsafe for you to eat. This is the kind of way your family can help accommodate you--by cooking the stuffing separately, and not using any gluten-containing bouillon to baste with, for example, would render the turkey safe. It's going to be a learning curve for you and your family, but it's easy for them to help you if they are willing. Having the official diagnosis will help you as some families are disbelieving that you have to be so strict about all gluten, the "just a little bit won't hurt you" brigade. Well, just a little bit will hurt you, especially after you have done some healing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Coleslawcat Contributor

Hello, I

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,156
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Lisa Pieterse
    Newest Member
    Lisa Pieterse
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • CatherineWang
      I'm pretty sure that in stores, you can find plenty of gluten-free options. But they are usually a bit more expensive.
    • cristiana
      Hello @BunnyBrown and welcome to the forum. I cannot say that I have had the procedure you describe, but recently I did have general surgery and was routinely intubated.  That pain was what troubled me most after the operation, far more than the operation site.  It took a few days to really settle down, I was quite badly bruised. It was taking so long I was a bit concerned so asked the question on another forum. A few patients came back to me and said they had suffered the same.  I imagine in my own case possibly the throat got bashed about a bit,  maybe they had difficult inserting the tube?  I've suffered with a painful throat post-endoscopy too, but never as long as the intubation pain.   I hope you will be feeling better very soon.   PS BTW - love the name!  I saw this today in an Easter display in a shop and your name reminded me of it.🙂  
    • cristiana
      This wonderful, Anne. I think you have a point about why people disappear off forums.  I found the first few years post diagnosis a real struggle and frankly wondered if I would ever feel better (not to dishearten people, but just to say it can take a while longer for some folk to heal).  However, once my antibodies were back within normal range it really has made a big difference to my health.  I've chosen to stick around because I'm a Mod, otherwise I might have been one of those that disappeared, too!      
    • Exchange Students
      Yes absolutely, we work with all public schools and some private schools in all 50 states.
    • Scott Adams
      Just a quick question, can the host live in any state in the USA?
×
×
  • Create New...