Jump to content

  • 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:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Today My Life Changed Forever

Phoenix-Sweetheart

Recommended Posts

Phoenix-Sweetheart Newbie
Phoenix-Sweetheart
Posted

Today I got "the call" from my GI doctor which confirmed my theory that I have celiac disease. From what I understand, it is more common in woman than in men. Also, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to occur later on in life. I'm 24 and after living a life of extreme discomfort after eating nearly anything I put in my mouth, I am kinda relieved that I have finally found out what was wrong with me. Today is Day 1 of being gluten free. I have done a lot of research online and honestly I am very overwhelmed. Does anyone have any advise for someone who is just starting out in there "new way of life?" Any advise would be greatly appreciated. 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Welcome to the club. Your secret decoder ring will be shipped in 2- 8 weeks.

Read the Newbie thread.

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Welcome to the club. Your secret decoder ring will be shipped in 2- 8 weeks.

Read the Newbie thread.

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

 

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:   I'm sorry, I am not laughing at the OP's anxiety over this but the decoder ring line just did me in!

 

Phoenix......yes, read the newbie thread and if you have questions, ask away.  Relax, it isn't bad at all and food will become happy for you again as you won't be sick anymore.  It does take a little while but you will feel better.  There is a learning curve but everything can be mastered well. We'll help with food cravings and replacements...there are a lot of them out there.  :D

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

From what I understand, it is more common in woman than in men.

I can't let that go by without a comment. I don't think it is more common in women, but I definitely agree that it is more commonly diagnosed in women, for two reasons.

Men are less likely to go see a doctor about abdominal issues--gas and the runs just happen, don't they? And if they do go to a doctor, they are more likely to accept the IBS brush off--rather than persisting and insisting on a real answer.

gatita Enthusiast
gatita
Posted

Hello, and welcome! :)

 

I do have advice... First of all, don't do what I did. When I started to realize that gluten was a problem, I treated it like counting calories or carbs from my dieting days -- ie. thinking that "ballparking" it was good enough. That a little crumb wouldn't hurt me. How wrong I was!

 

I had to learn the hard way that I have to be super vigilant about keeping even a tiny amount of gluten out of my diet and my mouth.

 

That meant reading every single label ALL THE TIME, avoiding eating out until I knew a place was safe, and a few other strict measures... such as getting rid of the strainers I used to rinse pasta in.

 

But now for the good news -- once those details were taken care of, the rest has become second nature.

 

Once you start to feel better, you won't ever look back!

 

So... definitely click that link that kareng posted. You will get the hang of it and feeling better is going to be its own reward.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hi PhoenixSweetie,

 

Here are some tips for the first 6 months.  There are just a few threads on what to eat floating around.  The topic hardly ever comes up for some reason... :)  I'll post a couple for you to get some ideas.

 

Get tested before starting the gluten-free diet.
Get your vitamin/mineral levels tested also.
Don't eat in restaurants
Eat only whole foods not processed foods.
Eat only food you cook yourself, think simple foods, not gourmet meals.
Take probiotics.
Take gluten-free vitamins.
Take digestive enzymes.
Avoid dairy.
Avoid sugars and starchy foods.
Avoid alcohol.

Buy a nun's habit.

 

What's For Breakfast Today?
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/81858-whats-for-breakfast-today/

What Did You Have For Lunch Today?
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/87765-what-did-you-have-for-lunch-today/

What's for dinner tonight chat?
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/75238-what-are-you-cooking-tonight/

Dessert thread
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/93840-whats-for-dessert-tonight/page__pid__802399#entry802399

Easy yummy bread in minutes
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/56641-easy-yummy-bread-in-minutes/

Thread For gluten-free, Dairy, Soy, Corn And Nightshade Free Recipes
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/97786-thread-for-gluten-free-dairy-soy-corn-and-nightshade-free-recipes/

Super Easy Meal Ideas Anyone?
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/97027-super-easy-meal-ideas-anyone/
 

 

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Welcome to the board.

 

I only have a couple of things to add to the good advice already given. First, hang in there for those first few weeks during which time some people go through a withdrawl. Some people feel a bit worse before they feel better so if it happens to you, wait it out and it will pass.

 

Second, when you go back to the doctor for nutrient testing (many celiacs are low in calcium, iron/ferritin, D, B12 and potassium) check you thyroid too. Hypothyroidism is liked to celiac disease; I believe just over 1 out of every 10 celiacs have hashimoto's.

 

Best wishes! I hope you feel well soon.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 3 weeks later...
running like a zombie Newbie
running like a zombie
Posted

Whatever you do don't walk down the bread aisle as I did....I felt by the time I reached the end I needed antidepressants. Also make sure family knows the situation, it makes it easier around holidays when those evil gluttened foods are involved.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

It is said that autoimmune disease symptoms are excerbated by female hormones. 

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      8

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    2. MichaelDG
      - MichaelDG posted a topic in Board/Forum Technical Help
      0

      celiac.com support

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      8

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      8

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,327
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dnamutant
    Newest Member
    dnamutant
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • MichaelDG
      celiac.com support

      By MichaelDG · Posted

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.