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[MacheHill]

I was diagnosed about three years ago after complaining for quite some time about stomach issues, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. My doctor tested my blood and found that I did, indeed, have Celiac Disease. I tried to start the gluten-free diet and I lasted for a month or so and lost it. I just couldn't do it. It was so hard.

I have eaten gluten just like before for the past few years and I am just getting worse. I went to the doctor with palpitations, heachaches, fatigue, nausea, skin rash, muscle pain, and other ailments. She got onto me for not being on the diet and told me I wasn't going to feel better until I got away from the gluten.

I am starting the gluten-free diet again on Wednesday (after getting the appropriate groceries). I'm not looking forward to the diet but I am looking forward to feeling better.

If anyone has tips, let me know! I look forward to making friends with some fellow Celiacs!

[Bubba's Mom]

Hello..welcome!

Instead of thinking about what you can't have..think about what you CAN. Shop the outer perameter of the grocery store and buy fruits, veggies, unprocessed meats, eggs, and dairy.

You can have stews, stir frys, meats and veggies on the grill, omelettes, etc.

The gluten free pasta isn't bad. Maybe when you tried the diet before there wasn't as much available as now?

I like to find a new fruit or veggie to try each week. Some have been wonderful..and some..once was enough.

It is VERY important that you stay completely gluten free if you have the disease. Good luck..and good health to you!

[Marilyn R]

Hi Mache, and welcome!

What do you like to eat? Can you pinpoint what made you go off the diet before?

If you love baked goods, go to Nutsonline.com for their gluten-free Almond Flour and purchase or check out "The gluten-free Almond Flour Cookbook" by Elana Amsterdam from the library.

If you love snacks, you can still have Kettle Brand S&P Chips or Fritos Corn Chips.

The first few months are the most challenging, but like most major life changes, it gets easier after a few months.

[krystynycole]

Check out the recipe forum on here for great recipes. I would start by eating things naturally gluten-free. Tacos, stew, chicken, rice, hamburgers, kebabs, omlettes, etc. This will make you more willing to continue!

[bartfull]

I've been on this diet for a couple of months now, and yes, it is hard. I had a meltdown in the grocery store last week because I wanted ice cream and everything they had either had gluten or corn syrup in it. (I react badly to corn.)

But after risking possible cross contamination with the Ben and Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup, I satisfied my sweet tooth and promptly got sick. Was it worth it? At the time it seemed like it, but the next few days proved me wrong.

Today I am feeling strong. I am learning to cook, and the stuff I've been cooking lately is downright tasty. I ate at a restaurant last week and didn't get sick. I'm still learning, but all in all, it is getting easier.

And think about it - the pleasure one gets from biting into a nice big fat jelly doughnut is pretty nice, but I will gladly trade away THAT pleasure for the pleasure of feeling good, sleeping through the night, getting rid of my psoriasis, making one, and ONLY one trip to the "library" each morning, having the energy to get my work done and still have enough energy to go PLAY at the end of the day, being able to think clearly again, and truly feeling YOUNG again.

And all I have to do is eat DIFFERENT good tasting food than I used to. I don't have to go get misdiagnosed by some doctor who prescribes expensive drugs with nasty side effects. I don't need surgery. Think of this diet as a "magic pill" that will change your life for the better, in a way that nothing else can.

And when you're feeling weak, confused, or hopeless, remember all the fine people here who have been in the same boat and want to help you. This place has been a Godsend to me and I think most others feel the same way.

Good luck to you! I hope you start feeling so good you'll never want to see gluten again. And if you DO slip, this is a great place to come for comfort, pep talks, or whatever else you need.

[Marilyn R]

Great post, bartful. Well said.

[lilu]

You can do this and we are all here to help!

Recipes, tips, how-to-starts, shoulders to cry on, success stories to inspire, tales of mistakes letting you know you're not alone. Living with others who aren't gluten free, or keeping a gluten free home, related illnesses and other food intolerances. Whatever you need, just ask. It's here!

Best of health to you!

[MacheHill]

Thanks so much for the encouragement ladies! I have been struggling for too long. I'm only 31 and I feel much older because of my ongoing ailments. I just can't take it anymore. I have three kids and it was hard the first time around because they have all their "kid foods" like pizza, chicken nuggets, etc. I just broke down after a month on the diet and ate a pizza because I was in a hurry and didn't have time to cook a gluten-free meal. I let myself fall off and I just gave up. I guess I thought I'd go back to it eventually and I just never did. I am about to take this beast by the horns and tame it! LOL I know I can do it with a little support. I have a friend of the family who also has it and has been on his diet for about 4 years. He said he finally feels like he used to years ago. He got me connected to a local support group and I'm going to start going to the meetings. Thanks again for the words of encouragement!

[Marilyn R]

Thanks so much for the encouragement ladies! I have been struggling for too long. I'm only 31 and I feel much older because of my ongoing ailments. I just can't take it anymore. I have three kids and it was hard the first time around because they have all their "kid foods" like pizza, chicken nuggets, etc. I just broke down after a month on the diet and ate a pizza because I was in a hurry and didn't have time to cook a gluten-free meal. I let myself fall off and I just gave up. I guess I thought I'd go back to it eventually and I just never did. I am about to take this beast by the horns and tame it! LOL I know I can do it with a little support. I have a friend of the family who also has it and has been on his diet for about 4 years. He said he finally feels like he used to years ago. He got me connected to a local support group and I'm going to start going to the meetings. Thanks again for the words of encouragement!

Good for you! Let us know if we can help with recipes or anything!

[ChristinB]

I am in my second month of being gluten free and i have a 3 yr. old daughter who still gets her kid food. When I get a craving for something like that I just try to think of it as a poison for my body. Eating gluten for us is like drinking windex...toxic.

It is hard but I'm trying to change my mindset and thinking of it this way sometimes helps me. Good luck!

[Jstdied]

Just need to vent. For years I thought I had gallbladder issues. I gave it one more try and went to another Gastrologist. Well, it turns out "benign inflammation called Gastritis" and "suspicious for Celiac/gluten sensitivity" dr says we'll discuss at upcoming office visit. On top of that I have IBS-C. I hate messing with food. I had hopes it was my gallbladder, but NO. I am irrate, pissed, depressed, and totally disgusted. It has taken close to 20 years to figure out what was going on. 2 gastrologists. Getting the letter was like getting a death sentence. I hate to cook, shop for food. All I want to do is cry and scream. But I can't. I'm sure this sounds pathetic to alot of you. Sad thing is I know I will fail at this. I have research this till I am just sick over it. All I needed was more stress. I finally quit researching. I am already over looking at labels. I can't afford special foods, nor do I want to spend the money on them. I am so tired and so disgusted. I gave up drinking for the HEP C. I quit eating greasy foods, meats, pizza, anything heavy and eat small amount to keep from having attacks (which I thought was gallbladder). I can't eat any less. I guess I can go in and say " OK Doc, give me a list of 10 items and that is what I will live on" (or die on). What difference will it make. How much more does a person have to give up, just to live? I am so tired. I am not trying offend anyone, this vent is about me. Part of me just says the heck with it, go back to drinking, and eat what I want and just ask for pain meds and get numb and dumb. oh well, such is life, or lack of. Thanks for letting me vent...

[bartfull]

Just need to vent. For years I thought I had gallbladder issues. I gave it one more try and went to another Gastrologist. Well, it turns out "benign inflammation called Gastritis" and "suspicious for Celiac/gluten sensitivity" dr says we'll discuss at upcoming office visit. On top of that I have IBS-C. I hate messing with food. I had hopes it was my gallbladder, but NO. I am irrate, pissed, depressed, and totally disgusted. It has taken close to 20 years to figure out what was going on. 2 gastrologists. Getting the letter was like getting a death sentence. I hate to cook, shop for food. All I want to do is cry and scream. But I can't. I'm sure this sounds pathetic to alot of you. Sad thing is I know I will fail at this. I have research this till I am just sick over it. All I needed was more stress. I finally quit researching. I am already over looking at labels. I can't afford special foods, nor do I want to spend the money on them. I am so tired and so disgusted. I gave up drinking for the HEP C. I quit eating greasy foods, meats, pizza, anything heavy and eat small amount to keep from having attacks (which I thought was gallbladder). I can't eat any less. I guess I can go in and say " OK Doc, give me a list of 10 items and that is what I will live on" (or die on). What difference will it make. How much more does a person have to give up, just to live? I am so tired. I am not trying offend anyone, this vent is about me. Part of me just says the heck with it, go back to drinking, and eat what I want and just ask for pain meds and get numb and dumb. oh well, such is life, or lack of. Thanks for letting me vent...

It'll be OK. I too hate to cook, and I used to hate grocery shopping too. (Now I almost enjoy it - every time I find something I can eat I celebrate.)

Just start with while foods. Buy some chicken breasts (the kind with the bones and skin still attatched). Then go to your local dollar store and buy some of those disposable aluminum pans to cook it in. (Put a cookie sheet under it for stability.) Now, roast the chicken at 375 for about an hour and fifteen minutes - longer if they're big ones.

OK, once it's cooked, remove the chicken and pour a cup or more of water in the pan to loosen the drippings. Dump that into a sauce pan, maybe add a bit of parsley, rosemary or sage, let it boil for a few minute and then add your instant brown rice. Follow the directions on the box.

When the rice is cool, put it in a gallon size ziplock bag, take the meat off the chicken bones and kind of shred it. Dump THAT in the bag with the rice. Now, chop up some broccoli (or other veggie) and dump THAT in the bag. Shake well.

OK, now you have a couple of days worth of food in that bag. When you're hungry, put some in a bowl and microwave. Add a little butter when it's hot, stir and eat. Quick, easy, and it tastes GOOD.

You can do the same thing with other meats and other veggies. If you get tired of brown rice, baked potatoes are about as easy as it gets. You can DO this.

It is heartbreaking at first to be faced with this. But after a while, it's just another part of life. Kind of like having a car that you have to start in a certain way or it won't start at all - you do what you have to do, then get on with your day.

And as someone who has been there with the overindulgence of drink, I hope you won't take this wrong - but if you feel like I felt every day when I was drinking, you don't REALLY want to go back to that. Once you get the hang of this, I think you'll find that you will start enjoying life more than you have in YEARS. I know I certainly have.

[Marilyn R]

Just need to vent.

Dear Jstdied,

Welcome to the forum. You can vent and hear from people who have been there, to the bottomless despair. It gets better.

It's only food. What matters is only what you stick in your mouth. The worst thing about this disease is that it forced me to start cooking. The best thing about it is that it forced me to start cooking.

I wish you well, and want you to know that it gets better with time if you stick with it.

[Jstdied]

I can appreciate that you all have made peace with this. Years of being a junk food junkie and eating quick on the go, nuke foods, eating only to kill the hunger pains. And thank you for the recipe, but again if I have to hear someone go thru step by step on recipes, I will scream (diet or not). At this age in my life it seems all women want to do is talk about food and they have to go step by step. I just want to hang up on them, but I love them and let them go on. I have told them too many times I hate food and hate to cook. But they are older and I guess that is what gets them by. I am not interested in food. I just needed to vent. I will just ask the Doc for a good vitamin and eat less. It will be easier to deal with. Find some nutrient drink, don't know. I am tired of thinking about all of it. Just keep a minimal list. At this point I guess dating would be out also. Would not want to bring anyone into all this (Hell). The ailment list just seems to be growing. I don't know what to do, life has been overwhelming and now this too. Anyway, here I go again, useless words....Good Luck to all those able or willing to find a way to make peace with this I don't need to lay this negative here, just needed to vent......Thank you.....

[Bubba's Mom]

It can all be pretty overwhelming at first.

You will find that once you go comepletly gluten-free a lot of your symptoms you've had for years will go away. Your mood will improve too. Gluten poisons every part of your body and your mind, too.

I totally understand the not wanting to cook aspect of the diet. Fast food is so convenient and this diet doesn't really make it easy to eat that way.

Learn to grab fresh fruits and veggies you can eat raw with dips (hummus is good).

I understand your anger at not being diagnosed sooner, and the sense of loss you will feel at times. It really will get better!

[KiwiBrit]

I am also new to this diet. I dont have a definate diagnoses yet, but im pretty sure it is my issue.

I cook for my kids, food I cannot eat. Its tough. I have yet to go out to a restaurant, dreading that.

I feel like I have no one who understands. I am so glad to have found this forum.