Happy New Me 2012!

[CarpeDiem]

New Year is always a time for reflection. Like some of you, I was diagnosed with Celiac just days ago. I haven't really stopped to think about it much until tonight, New Year's Eve, a quiet night of light snow falling. I handed in a thesis last week so I spent last night celebrating with family and friends and mentioned my diagnosis but only briefly (between the massage spa day and dinner and dancing). It is only in this quiet time that I am really starting to process what it means. I read someone else's post about being newly diagnosed and all your wonderful responses of hope and encouragement. Someone I know was recently married and with a new baby and was just diagnosed with MS so I am well aware that my situation could always be worse. That said, right now I'm feeling just a little bit sorry for myself so thank you to everyone who said that's ok. One person reminded me that my attitude can make a world of difference. I almost died in a van accident in college (my speech team was traveling back from a competition when we rolled our van six times) and since that day I have always lived by the motto "Carpe' Diem" so this is just another challenge in truly living that mission - taking advantage of each day and focusing on the good I have in my life and not the negative (which I'll admit will be hard at times). I lost 75 pounds with Weight Watchers years ago and have maintained most of that so I know I can focus in and be diligent about educating myself but I'm worried about cheating. However, I'm sure no more horrible pain will be a strong motivator to not cheat, right? So, I'm posting this mostly as a boost to myself to not feel like I'm starting the new year deprived but thankful finally to know what's been going on and hopeful to make changes that will help me feel good in all aspects of my life - physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional. I turn 40 in February and who knows... it may be my healthiest birthday ever! I would love to e-mail with anyone else going through this newly diagnosed coping stage so drop me a message anytime! There's a lot to learn!

[mushroom]

Congratulations on your diagnosis, and your attitude toward it. Believe me, the urge to cheat soon leaves when you realize how much better you feel, and how bad when you do. We soon learn to think of gluten as rat poison, not something to desire

Here's to a healthier and happier New Year in 2012 - what better way to start a new year?

[Roda]

Welcome and happy new year. Read all you can on here. There is a lot of good advice and support.

[tammyrichy]

My husband was too very recently diagnosed. It was only discovered through blood work for another condition. He does not have the painful symptoms that some people go through when they eat gluten. This is going to make it extremely hard to not want to cheat. He understands the severity of what cheating will do to his body (without feeling the symptoms). I think if he did hurt when he eats it, that would help, but at the same time, glad he does not hurt. After 24 years of marriage, this will definitely be a new lifestyle change for us. Keeping positive and learning all I can! Thanks to everyone who posts on here with any bit of useful information for us newbies!!

[sa1937]

Welcome, CarpeDiem and Tammy!

At first it is rather overwhelming to be faced with these dietary challenges but pretty soon you'll get a good handle on the foods we can eat, that it'll become so much easier (almost automatic). I remember well that first trip to the grocery store that took forever. But I found if I stuck to shopping the outer rim of the store and skipped trying to find replacements for gluteny foods, it was so much easier...and much healthier, too, I might add.

Good luck!

[BeFree]

Welcome to the board CarpeDiem and while you may struggle at times, you will be enjoying many healthy and pain-free days ahead!

I don't have a diagnosis, but after being on the gluten-free diet for four months now I feel 100% better, and I woke up this morning feeling healthy and balanced. So what a great start to 2012! Glad to be feeling better and glad to know you guys! Happy New Year 2012 to everyone at celiac.com!

[MinnesotaCeliac]

The excitement and trepidation of the newly diagnosed, oh we all know it well (I'm six months yesterday). You'll have good days and perhaps some bad ones, but knowing you can be healthy (and without taking meds) is such positive reinforcement that any thought of cheating will be put to the side. On my good days, I personally think living gluten free is mostly a convenience issue. I just need to plan ahead or do my homework and know what I can eat on the fly. Sometimes social situations are challenging, but you learn to overcome those challenges too. The key is to acknowledge your emotions and work through them. Allow the down moments, but find a way to the positive side (even when it appears there is not one). Believe me it has not been all roses, but how you handle it will make all the difference in the world. Please note that this coming from a person that was sometimes called the glass half empty type. The wonderful folks on this forum are not only great for getting information regarding celiac/gluten intolerance, but sometimes commiserating with like people gets you through the tough times(the I'm not alone feeling makes all the difference). Im still learning myself, but feel free to contact me if you have questions. Good luck and congrats on the diagnosis.

[Bubba's Mom]

Hello and welcome to our new posters!

Attitude makes a big difference in how you adapt to your new lifestyle. Always try to look for a positive.

Be aware that some of us feel relief/happiness when first DXed..but later have some days where we feel very challenged. It's perfectly normal, and we are here to lend support.

Happy 2012..may it be the start of a wonderful, new, healthy life!

PS..As my Engineer hubby says..some people say the glass is 1/2 full, some say the glass is 1/2 empty. Engineers say..the glass is the wrong size!

[Debbie48]

[PS..As my Engineer hubby says..some people say the glass is 1/2 full, some say the glass is 1/2 empty. Engineers say..the glass is the wrong size!

[CarpeDiem]

Thanks, everyone! I'm hoping for a healthy 2012 and am so happy I stumbled onto this community last night!

Dena

[clohmean]

Hi CarpeDiem,

I've been recently diagnosed with Celiac's and I found your post inspiring as I'm struggling with the diagnosis and have been

prolonging the inevitable (My GI said I could start gluten-free after the holidays if it helped). I've been reading the posts and

in between my pity party , I find glimpses of excitement in the thought of feeling better, so I'm try to hang onto it !

My husband has been so supportive and said he would go gluten free too (until he has a guys night out ) and has

been encouraging me to get started on this diet! I just turned 41 and have been getting iron infusions for iron deficiency anemia, which

at first they thought was attributed to heavy cycles, but after two years of infusions, they ran the celiac blood panel and even though it came

back negative (with the exception of an elevated TTG-IGG antibody test), an endoscopy confirmed blunted villi and Celiac's. But, I wanted to thank everyone who posted such

positive comments ! I need to continue to learn more about Celiac's, not get too overwhelmed and be thankful for

a disease that can be controlled via your diet.

Happy New Year ! Best of luck to you !

clohmean

[IrishHeart]

PS..As my Engineer hubby says..some people say the glass is 1/2 full, some say the glass is 1/2 empty. Engineers say..the glass is the wrong size!

I say...1/2 empty, 1/2 full?? either way, it's time to go back up to the bar...

Welcome to the Forum and to your New Life!

Do not fear the gluten free lifestyle. It's not as complicated as it seems at first.

It saved my life.

I lost years of my life to this disease, but I am coming back.

Anything we can do to help, just ask!!

I have a "Newbie cheat sheet" --a file of articles, menu ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a shopping list, a list of dedicated facilities, safe snacks, safe foods, foods to avoid, cross contamination info, etc. that I compiled for my friends and family, if you want it.

Happy, healthy New Year!

Cheers,

IH

[red island]

I don't usually enjoy New Years Eve - I've always found it depressing to see another year gone by but this year I found myself full of hope and anticipation for what 2012 will bring. I am 4 months into my diagnosis and things are finally clicking for me. So don't get discouraged, I found I had alot of ups and downs early on but now I see glimmers of my old self, the self thats been gone for years and that gives me great joy.

[hspichke]

I also just found out last week that my celiac panel was all positive and now am waiting on a biopsy. I have been sick for years so I totally understand how you feel about ridding yourself of the horrible pain even though you may want to cheat. I have been researching quite a bit, but so far have not started a gluten free diet.