48 Hours Into gluten-free Life And Feeling Overwhelmed

[MxMyownsummer]

Hey guys,  got the word on Friday that I am definitively celiac.  

 

Questions:  I've been seeing alot about the gluten "threshold" which makes me freak out, considering that from what I understand gluten free is supposed to mean GLUTEN FREE and my test came back very reactive.  I don't want to expose myself at all at the very beginning.

 

I'm going on 48 hours in and my stomach is already a little different.  Not as churny, not as gassy.  Is this normal, or should it take more time?

 

I feel stupid for asking these questions, but c'est la vie!  If you never ask, you never know, right?

 

[Lisa]

Hey guys,  got the word on Friday that I am definitively celiac.  

 

Questions:  I've been seeing alot about the gluten "threshold" which makes me freak out, considering that from what I understand gluten free is supposed to mean GLUTEN FREE and my test came back very reactive.  I don't want to expose myself at all at the very beginning.

 

I'm going on 48 hours in and my stomach is already a little different.  Not as churny, not as gassy.  Is this normal, or should it take more time?

 

I feel stupid for asking these questions, but c'est la vie!  If you never ask, you never know, right?

Hello and Welcome!

 

There are no stupid questions here.

 

Begin your diet simply.  Shop on the outside of the grocery story and buy fresh veggies and fruits, meats, seafood, rice and potatoes, eggs.  Keep aways (for the time being) from any processed foods.  And avoid dairy products for a while. (Once you do some healing, they can be reintroduced)

 

Limit your spices to salt and pepper for several weeks.  And as you body does some healing, you can add other options into your diet.

 

Don't bother with gluten free breads or pasta.  You probably won't like them initially.

 

And regards to feeling better... it depends on your level of damage to you system.  For some it may take several days and for many others, it may take years.

 

If you take any medicine, call the manufacturer or check on line for their gluten (free) status.  Shampoos, could contain gluten and get into your mouth.  I generally use Suave or Dove.  Lipsticks?  I order online Red Apple Lipstick and some of Burt's Bee's glosses are gluten free.

 

Well...there is also a Newbie Thread, that I'm sure that someone will post for you.

 

It IS overwhelming.  But, rest assured, it will get better and soon you will be a pro!

[mommy2krj]

Just wanted to offer hugs! It is all overwhelming....I don't have any good advice as we're brand new to this too (get the results from my 6 year old's biopsy sometime this week) and I am definitely feeling the same way.

[1desperateladysaved]

Hi Mixmyownsummer,

 

It is sure okay to start out kind of overwhelmed.  I did, and I know many others did also.  I felt an initial improvement for a few days, so I wouldn't be surprised if you did.  I had many pits and valleys after that.  Usually the lowest lows were followed by the highest highs, so hang in there.  You are on a road and keep walking.  You won't know everything at first, but you can keep walking in the right direction step by step toward gluten free.  Most of us learn from some of our mistakes, even when you falter, you won't go back to square one.  At the same time, you will be very determined  not to make that mistake again.

 

I am glad for you that your doctors got you a definitive diagnosis.  The diet is overwhelming at first, but in time you will figure it out, and can return to healthful living.  I am about 1 1/2 years gluten free and am so happy to be feeling better after 30+ years of celiac disease trouble.

 

Get well, and Happy learning,

Flowers for you ***

D

[cahill]

Welcome and know that you are not alone .

 

One foot in front of the other, step by step, celiacs is not a race it is a journey Hang in there

[powerofpositivethinking]

welcome 

 

it is definitely overwhelming at first, but once you start feeling better you'll realize it's all worth it!  

 

check out table 1 with foods in this link:

 

Open Original Shared Link!po=2.38095

 

it makes eating very simple and gives your body the whole food/nutrient dense vit/min your body needs to heal.  I would take Lisa's advice and avoid dairy for the time being.  

 

here's the link to the newbie thread:

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

[psawyer]

Well...there is also a Newbie Thread, that I'm sure that someone will post for you.

It is pinned at the top of the "Coping" forum so it is easy to find here.

[w8in4dave]

I felt wonderful after 3 days!! I was so shocked !! So when the Doc's office said I didn't have Celiac I thought... Well may as well eat the stuff then!! Then they called and said I DID have Celiac!! Oh yes they did!! So I went back on "Gluten free" and feel wonderful!! Well I feel so much better!! Cannot w8!! Till I am 100% Gluten free!! I have made a few mistakes!! Oopsi!! I pay for it also!! Newbie thread (Love it) and these people know what they are talking about! Love it here!! Good luck!! Best wishes!!

[GlutenStinks15]

You've already been given great advice, follow it

 

Hugs and good luck. It's not easy. We've all been there. Made mistakes ourselves, been cross contaminated elsewhere, etc. Hang in. It WILL get better!!!

[nvsmom]

Welcome. 

 

Most celiacs seem to see improvements in their GI symptoms (pain and bloating) within a few days - my migraines improved really quickly too. Other symptoms like hair loss, "D" or "C" in the bathroom, rashes and arthralgias tend to take longer to imrove. As everyone has said, it really varies between people.

 

Some experience a gluten withdrawal after a few days and get a return of some symptoms (like headaches and rumbly tummy) along with some extra fatigue and moodiness. If that happens to hit you, don't be too shocked - it usually passes within a week or two.

 

Good luck! 

[BZBee]

I noticed that my joint pain went away. I abandoned my elliptical for running on the pavement. I had a meltdown in the middle of Kroger my first gluten-free shopping trip. Now, I'm pretty good at reading food labels without to research for a second opinion. Your kitchen is your shelter, it's everyone else's that's a challenge.

[come dance with me]

Hi, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at the beginning.  I only bought products that said gluten free on the label to start with, along with fresh fruit and veg.  I even stopped buying the milk we were using because it didn't state gluten free on the label even though it was.  We're vegan so use rice milk, soy milk and nutmilk.  As I became more familiar with gluten, I started buying things that didn't specifically say gluten free, but were gluten free by ingredients.  Now I'm far more confident and we haven't had any mistakes for a long time. 

[w8in4dave]

I still buy stuff by the list of ingredients , Instead of looking for the "Gluten free" Label.  ..... Not sure if the sour cream and the dip they made is Gluten free tho. I did get pain and a  lil gassy at 4 am. Hmmmmm sure makes me think....