Just Diagnosed...need Advice/moral Support

[tonalynn]

Hi neighbor

 

I found out about a restaurant in Manitou Springs that is all gluten free.  I will be checking that it.  Sounds delish.  Everything sounds delish.  I have noticed that food commercials are everywhere torturing me.  I hope this hunger thing gets better soon!

 

You said you aren't feeling better?  Isn't that discouraging?  I'm on day 9 and don't feel better and just cried last night.  I was mad and sad and all that stuff.

 

I would so love to have a freaky eating buddy.  LOL!  I'm going to contact the Pikes Peak Celiacs...when I find out something I will let you know.

Manitou Springs is pretty, I can't wait to hear what you think of their gluten-free restaurant!

 

Sadly, no I'm not feeling any better. I've had fatigue issues since I was 14 and had a horrible case of mono that kept me out of school for almost 2 months. My energy lever never returned, and I've been scheduling my life around naps ever since. Always tired, can't sleep. I would say my motivation level has increased maybe 2% in the last 4 months, up from 0. Instead of lowering or eliminating one of my anti-depressants, one was increased because I was feeling so angry and irritated all the time, and the gluten-free transition finally hit home, and I had a mini-meltdown. I've lost 10 pounds since October 1, and I haven't done any exercise (mainly because I have no energy or motivation - and I hate exercise). I need to lose 25 more. I've always had problem skin, but it seemed to have gotten worse in the last few months, and my face is broken out like a teenager (I'm 43). My appetite has really decreased and nothing sounds appealing. The money I save from not being able to eat out so much is now going to the grocery store to pay the tripled prices of things because they're either "all natural" or "gluten free."

 

I'm an introvert and a homebody, so I don't mind too much that I can't go out to eat. But I hate cooking and preparing food, so that doesn't help the situation. Cooking for one just isn't something I've ever liked doing, and I miss the convenience that gluten provided. But it is rather discouraging that I'm not seeing anything change. It's like trying to lose weight and even though it's water weight you lose first, seeing that big drop on the scale is a great motivator to keep going. I haven't seen that, and the only reason I stay gluten-free is that I hate vomiting more than I hate being gluten-free, so it's the lesser of two evils.

 

I hope to see results soon (well I do think maybe my lactose intolerance may have gone away, but I never considered that a big deal anyway) because I could really use some motivation right about now. I've tried so many other things before I was diagnosed with celiac and every one of them swore I'd feel better (anti-depressants, thyroid meds, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy, regular exercise) and not one of them delivered as promised. Now it's being gluten free, and I hope this is the one that breaks the pattern and really DOES make me feel better. So I get your crying jag and being mad and sad. I did that a LOT at the beginning. If it wasn't for accidentally glutening myself a few weeks ago and vomiting for the first time in almost 15 years, 3 hours after eating gluten, I'd STILL be super angry. That was what did it for me. I'm resigned. But still not happy about it if I don't feel better soon.

 

If your family went gluten-free with you, or are at least supportive, that helps a lot. This board helps a lot. We're fortunate we live in Colorado, where the Boulderites have made us progressive enough and environmentally aware enough to be a more gluten-free friendly state. Never thought I'd say this, but thank you, Republic of Boulder, for being so weird and out there! :-)

 

Just take things one step at a time, if you have a doctor you work with, keep them up to date with how you feel, what you're doing, etc. My naturopath wanted me to cut out dairy (she thinks that's the reason for my breakouts, although I've had acne since I was 11) and I told her to forget it - not happenin! Bread was my life, my love, my go to food. I'm originally from SF, and to think I'll never get to have authentic SF sourdough bread again breaks my heart and I tear up just thinking about it. Now you want to take my other love, ice cream, away too? Are you TRYING to get me to snap and start killing people just because they can eat gluten and I can't? Baby steps.....just little baby steps.... :-)

 

Feel what you feel, and don't apologize for any of it. This is a MAJOR life change - the way you've looked at food your entire life has to be thrown out the window, all at once. I'm convinced nobody would go completely gluten-free by choice - it's too hard. I've heard people say they went gluten-free to eat healthier, but they all cheat now and again, and we don't have that luxury. If you come from a culture where food is central (I'm Italian) then it's even more difficult. If your emotions aren't all over the place during this transition, then I don't think it's really hit you yet. Crying your eyes out seems to be normal to me. The rug has been ripped out from under us, how could we NOT react?

 

From what the experienced celiacs here say, we'll find our "groove" and I believe them. I think it's just buried somewhere under a lot of gluten and we haven't found it yet, lol. Keep your chin up. And know that some of us newbies (at least me anyway) is just as mad and sad as you are, you're not alone in that!

[ArPlasma]

Hey icelandgirl, have you tried the Pamela's pancake mix? It passed the kids' test in our home. We found that a lot of our regular store brand products were gluten-free including their breakfast sausages and breakfast meats and sausages in general. Hang in there, we're new in this too, we 'shall conquer this!' I don't have celiac disease but made the house gluten-free for the sake of my son( and husband who tested positive but still waiting for biopsy).

[icelandgirl]

Manitou Springs is pretty, I can't wait to hear what you think of their gluten-free restaurant!

 

Sadly, no I'm not feeling any better. I've had fatigue issues since I was 14 and had a horrible case of mono that kept me out of school for almost 2 months. My energy lever never returned, and I've been scheduling my life around naps ever since. Always tired, can't sleep. I would say my motivation level has increased maybe 2% in the last 4 months, up from 0. Instead of lowering or eliminating one of my anti-depressants, one was increased because I was feeling so angry and irritated all the time, and the gluten-free transition finally hit home, and I had a mini-meltdown. I've lost 10 pounds since October 1, and I haven't done any exercise (mainly because I have no energy or motivation - and I hate exercise). I need to lose 25 more. I've always had problem skin, but it seemed to have gotten worse in the last few months, and my face is broken out like a teenager (I'm 43). My appetite has really decreased and nothing sounds appealing. The money I save from not being able to eat out so much is now going to the grocery store to pay the tripled prices of things because they're either "all natural" or "gluten free."

 

I'm an introvert and a homebody, so I don't mind too much that I can't go out to eat. But I hate cooking and preparing food, so that doesn't help the situation. Cooking for one just isn't something I've ever liked doing, and I miss the convenience that gluten provided. But it is rather discouraging that I'm not seeing anything change. It's like trying to lose weight and even though it's water weight you lose first, seeing that big drop on the scale is a great motivator to keep going. I haven't seen that, and the only reason I stay gluten-free is that I hate vomiting more than I hate being gluten-free, so it's the lesser of two evils.

 

I hope to see results soon (well I do think maybe my lactose intolerance may have gone away, but I never considered that a big deal anyway) because I could really use some motivation right about now. I've tried so many other things before I was diagnosed with celiac and every one of them swore I'd feel better (anti-depressants, thyroid meds, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy, regular exercise) and not one of them delivered as promised. Now it's being gluten free, and I hope this is the one that breaks the pattern and really DOES make me feel better. So I get your crying jag and being mad and sad. I did that a LOT at the beginning. If it wasn't for accidentally glutening myself a few weeks ago and vomiting for the first time in almost 15 years, 3 hours after eating gluten, I'd STILL be super angry. That was what did it for me. I'm resigned. But still not happy about it if I don't feel better soon.

 

If your family went gluten-free with you, or are at least supportive, that helps a lot. This board helps a lot. We're fortunate we live in Colorado, where the Boulderites have made us progressive enough and environmentally aware enough to be a more gluten-free friendly state. Never thought I'd say this, but thank you, Republic of Boulder, for being so weird and out there! :-)

 

Just take things one step at a time, if you have a doctor you work with, keep them up to date with how you feel, what you're doing, etc. My naturopath wanted me to cut out dairy (she thinks that's the reason for my breakouts, although I've had acne since I was 11) and I told her to forget it - not happenin! Bread was my life, my love, my go to food. I'm originally from SF, and to think I'll never get to have authentic SF sourdough bread again breaks my heart and I tear up just thinking about it. Now you want to take my other love, ice cream, away too? Are you TRYING to get me to snap and start killing people just because they can eat gluten and I can't? Baby steps.....just little baby steps.... :-)

 

Feel what you feel, and don't apologize for any of it. This is a MAJOR life change - the way you've looked at food your entire life has to be thrown out the window, all at once. I'm convinced nobody would go completely gluten-free by choice - it's too hard. I've heard people say they went gluten-free to eat healthier, but they all cheat now and again, and we don't have that luxury. If you come from a culture where food is central (I'm Italian) then it's even more difficult. If your emotions aren't all over the place during this transition, then I don't think it's really hit you yet. Crying your eyes out seems to be normal to me. The rug has been ripped out from under us, how could we NOT react?

 

From what the experienced celiacs here say, we'll find our "groove" and I believe them. I think it's just buried somewhere under a lot of gluten and we haven't found it yet, lol. Keep your chin up. And know that some of us newbies (at least me anyway) is just as mad and sad as you are, you're not alone in that!

First I want to tell you how much you've helped me already...thank you.  Just having someone to identify with is helpful.

 

I'm so sorry that you've struggled for so long and really hope for you that you'll start feeling better soon.  Sending ((hugs)) your way.

 

It really is such a huge change.  I'm originally from Iceland and grew up eating a lot of bread.  I love bread...really good bread.  And pastries and cakes.  And I miss them all now.  But, I really want to feel better more than I miss anything.  I love to cook and bake, but I have to learn a new way to do it all.  It's overwhelming to be sure.  

 

I contacted the Pikes Peak Celiacs today...got a response that they have a February meeting at a local library.  I was disappointed to see that the last even had 1 attendee.  Everything I read says that so many people have celiac.  So, where are they all?  Don't any of them have a need to talk to other people in the same boat as them...cause I sure do.  Here is the info from the group:

 

We will meet on February 8 at 10:30 am at the Ruth Holley Branch Library. Our discussion this month is about label reading and the FDA standard for Gluten Free. You are welcome to join us on this journey!

Marie Pizzolatto

719-572-0548

 

Hopefully we both get to feeling better soon...keep me posted on how you are doing.

[MGR]

Those sound yummy!  I'm in the U.S. so don't have that brand...but I got some flour and I'm going to try this in the morning.  Where in the UK are you?  I've been to London twice and I loved it!

I'm in Scotland, in Edinburgh - I came here 25 years ago to improve my English after uni ... And married a Scotsman.. We are very high up into the North and sometimes even get to see the Northern Lights on a clear night ....

[tka]

I was diagnosed a week ago with celiac.  I was relieved to get a diagnosis after feeling so bad for so long, but now I feel kind of depressed/alone/confused.  I don't know anyone else with this disease and am hoping here I can get some advice and moral support.  Encouragement, something.

 

SInce my diagnosis I've been gluten free...I think anyway.  It seems like all I do is read labels.  I'm also hungry all the time.  Starving.  I still feel completely exhausted.  I don't know that I can tell any difference yet.

 

Can anyone provide some words of encouragement?  How you got started...books to read...recipes to try...anything that really helps you.

 

Thanks so much!

Icelandgirl,

So glad you found this site.  It has some great people that give great advice.  I don't know what I would have done if I had not found them last year when I was looking for answers.  Just wanted to comment on a coupe of questions you had.  Don't let anyone convince you what you are going through is all in your head.  The gluten withdrawal is real.  Like has been posted, mine lasted about 3 weeks.  After that, I had a noticeable lift in spirits...that's not to say it doesn't go there again, but it will get better.

 

I also wanted to address your questions about what to do with your diet while you have three kids and a husband to worry about too.  I have had some difficulty with that.  I have found that I cannot cook both ways at the same time.  I end up tasting the gluten version if I do.  I usually find what works for me best is to take a Saturday morning and cook a couple of casseroles for me that I can freeze part of for later.  There are lots of straight across simple replacements in dishes that can help you too.  Many times, my husband can't tell if it's gluten free or not.

 

I know it's one the newbie thread, but one of the first things I did for myself that made a huge difference is I got an inexpensive toaster just for me.  You can make toast (my favorite breads are Udi's), waffles (my favorites are Vans), and English Muffins (Glutinos are great).  I can find all of those at Walmart.  The other thing that helped me was finding Udi's muffins...I love their Blueberry and Lemonpoppyseed.  Pop them in the microwave oven and they are great for breakfast.  My favorite pancake mix is Pamela's...and I also have a great recipe for mini donuts that my husband and grandkids love made with the same Pamelas flour.  I bake them in the oven.  I will send it if you like.

 

Gluten free mushroom soup will be your friend.  There are many simple recipes that use it.  I just made a very good roast with carrots and potatoes for my mom and dad to have in the crockpot...so simple.

 

I always make extra pancakes so if I need something quick to take with me (I teach and need something I can take on field trips or to the zoo with grandkids), I can eat them just like a slice of bread with fruit or carrot sticks for work too.  Same for gluten free pasta.  I keep some so if I need something and just don't feel like having to cook, I can add some butter and parmesan cheese (grandkids love this too) or some gluten-free marinara sauce.

 

Udi's also makes a great gluten free pizza.  Costco in my area sells gluten-free pizza in a larger size and sometimes has gluten-free bread.  They also have some pretty good gluten-free tamales.

 

One place I have had good luck with to eat out is Chilis. Outback Steakhouse is another good place.  They even have a gluten free dessert.  PFChangs gluten-free menu is terrific. But most of us don't eat out much due to fears of cross-contamination.

 

One of the best places I have found for gluten-free recipes is Pinterest. 

 

Hope this helps and you're feeling better soon.

[C-Girl]

I must have coffee too! 

 

i love to make waffles for breakfast on the weekends and my kids love them.  What do you use?  A Gluten-Free baking mix or flour?  Any particular one you like?

Welcome Icelandgirl - so sorry you have to join us all, but once you get to feeling better you'll find it's not so bad after all!

Sunday morning pancakes was my tradition, and when I was diagnosed I was afraid I'd never enjoy them again. However, King Arthur makes a fabulous gluten-free pancake/waffle mix. It's really good. I couldn't even believe it was gluten free.

 

Not everyone on the forum agrees, but I consulted with a nutritionist on the advice of my gastroenterologist, and she was a world of help. There is so much confusing information out there on the internet about supplements and vitamins, and you can find so many frightening related disorders that you might be scared into thinking you have... but consulting with a real professional who is an expert in celiac is indispensable.

 

Best of luck!

[icelandgirl]

Tka...thanks for all of the info! I'm headed to Walmart today to see if I can find those English muffins. They sound delish. I love bread. I was having eggs this morning and an English muffin would have been so good too.

This board has been so helpful already. I still don't feel good, but I do feel more hopeful.

[icelandgirl]

Welcome Icelandgirl - so sorry you have to join us all, but once you get to feeling better you'll find it's not so bad after all!

Sunday morning pancakes was my tradition, and when I was diagnosed I was afraid I'd never enjoy them again. However, King Arthur makes a fabulous gluten-free pancake/waffle mix. It's really good. I couldn't even believe it was gluten free.

 

Not everyone on the forum agrees, but I consulted with a nutritionist on the advice of my gastroenterologist, and she was a world of help. There is so much confusing

information out there on the internet about supplements and vitamins, and you can find so many frightening related disorders that you might be scared into thinking you have... but consulting with a real professional who is an expert in celiac is indispensable.

 

Best of luck!

Welcome Icelandgirl - so sorry you have to join us all, but once you get to feeling better you'll find it's not so bad after all!

Sunday morning pancakes was my tradition, and when I was diagnosed I was afraid I'd never enjoy them again. However, King Arthur makes a fabulous gluten-free pancake/waffle mix. It's really good. I couldn't even believe it was gluten free.

 

Not everyone on the forum agrees, but I consulted with a nutritionist on the advice of my gastroenterologist, and she was a world of help. There is so much confusing information out there on the internet about supplements and vitamins, and you can find so many frightening related disorders that you might be scared into thinking you have... but consulting with a real professional who is an expert in celiac is indispensable.

 

Best of luck!

Thanks for that info too! I love to bake and I'm not sure what to bake with. I grabbed a celiac cookbook from the library and every recipe calls for like 4 different flours. Crazy...especially because they are all expensive.

I have an appointment to see a nutritionist next week. I really hope it helps. I'm not even sure if my insurance covers it. When I called the person I spoke to said it was covered if it was medically necessary but she had never heard of celiac so couldn't say if it was? Really??

Anyway...good to know that it helped you. How long did it take for you to feel better?

[bartfull]

"Not everyone on the forum agrees, but I consulted with a nutritionist"

 

Coffngrl, it's not that we disagree, it's just that some of us wound up with nutritionists who were clueless about celiac. I WISH I could have found one like yours, but unfortunately the one I went to suggested wheat grass, and finally admitted she didn't know much about celiac. (I give her credit for admitting it.)

 

There are others here who found good ones though, and they helped a lot. I guess they're like doctors - some are educated about celiac and some are not. Like I said in another thread, if they don't keep up with continuing education they can be more of a hazzard than a help.

[HavaneseMom]

Hi Icelandgirl,

One of my favorite places to shop for gluten free food is Trader Joe's. Maybe you have one near you? I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to get there, but we make a fun day trip out of it and stock up on everything since their prices are so reasonable. Their frozen gluten free waffles are really good, and their gluten free Oreos are too. Their gluten free pizza had a little too much garlic for me, but I'm a plain eater. They have a five page list of gluten free products that they carry on their website. It could give you a idea of what types of gluten free foods are out there. (I tried to copy the link to the list here, but it didn't work)

My favorite book so far has been "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic by Peter H.R. Green M.D.

I am about 3 1/2 month gluten free and still don't feel 100% yet, but am feeling better everyday (most days). I have had excessive hunger like you we're saying you have. It was even worse for a while when I went gluten free. Mine would go away for a few days and then come back with a vengeance. I just started to experience days when I'm not hungry and it is a strange sensation after feeling starved for so long.

In my case, I am just trying to be patient and dealing with the ups and downs, and am hoping I will feel really great by the spring. It just seems like everyone has different symptoms and heals at different rates. A girl I work with was diagnosed with celiac disease and felt great after 2 weeks! Hopefully you will be one of those lucky ones too.

[NoGlutenCooties]

Just a comment on the "cooking for one" issue.  I've been cooking for one for several years now and I know exactly what you mean.  One of my favorite go-to dishes when I really don't feel like cooking is stir-fry.  I use frozen veggies and pre-cooked sausage (Aidell's is awesome).  I just saute the veggies in a little olive oil, cut up the sausage and throw that in the same pan, add a little ginger and garlic and gluten-free soy sauce.  One pan and it's ready to eat in like 15 min.  And I found that I can throw in healthy veggies like broccoli and cauliflower that I don't really like but with the sausage and the soy sauce I hardly notice they're in there.  Very tasty and I hardly feel like I actually "cooked".

[C-Girl]

Thanks for that info too! I love to bake and I'm not sure what to bake with. I grabbed a celiac cookbook from the library and every recipe calls for like 4 different flours. Crazy...especially because they are all expensive.

I have an appointment to see a nutritionist next week. I really hope it helps. I'm not even sure if my insurance covers it. When I called the person I spoke to said it was covered if it was medically necessary but she had never heard of celiac so couldn't say if it was? Really??

Anyway...good to know that it helped you. How long did it take for you to feel better?

Mine had me cut out all FODMAPs for a month (google it). Celiac wipes out the small intestine so lots of bad things get thru to your colon and cause problems. I felt better in a few weeks, and after six weeks I was feeling good enough to get over ambitious and ruin it all with bad gluten free beer...(see omission thread). Better now with one week on the elimination diet after three weeks of denial. Still healing I guess - am three months gluten-free.

Btw Nuts.com was recommended here and they are far cheaper than the grocery for your gluten-free flours. Be forewarned - they don't have gluten-free buckwheat. I ordered some then noticed it lacked the icon, called and was told it is not gluten-free. I had great success with their gluten-free yellow cake on my birthday! Back to nutritionist, check with your gastro to Rx the visit so the insurance deems it necessary, if possible. I got no hassles from my insurance.

[icelandgirl]

Hi Icelandgirl,

One of my favorite places to shop for gluten free food is Trader Joe's. Maybe you have one near you? I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to get there, but we make a fun day trip out of it and stock up on everything since their prices are so reasonable. Their frozen gluten free waffles are really good, and their gluten free Oreos are too. Their gluten free pizza had a little too much garlic for me, but I'm a plain eater. They have a five page list of gluten free products that they carry on their website. It could give you a idea of what types of gluten free foods are out there. (I tried to copy the link to the list here, but it didn't work)

My favorite book so far has been "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic by Peter H.R. Green M.D.

I am about 3 1/2 month gluten free and still don't feel 100% yet, but am feeling better everyday (most days). I have had excessive hunger like you we're saying you have. It was even worse for a while when I went gluten free. Mine would go away for a few days and then come back with a vengeance. I just started to experience days when I'm not hungry and it is a strange sensation after feeling starved for so long.

In my case, I am just trying to be patient and dealing with the ups and downs, and am hoping I will feel really great by the spring. It just seems like everyone has different symptoms and heals at different rates. A girl I work with was diagnosed with celiac disease and felt great after 2 weeks! Hopefully you will be one of those lucky ones too.

I've heard great things about trader joes. We don't have one here but there's one in Boulder. May have to make the trip. I sure would like to see some positive results from all this.

I'm in the process of reading that exact book. The only thing I haven't liked so far is reading all of the cancers I seem to be at risk for because of this and the other autoimmune diseases. Kind of scares me.

[livinthelife]

I'm so sorry you're frustrated and you have my complete empathy. I remember when the doctor called me with the diagnosis, I felt stuck inside a whirlwind. On the one hand I knew what he was going to say, but hearing it from him was a different story. And the next day was Thanksgiving. I remember feeling so overwhelmed that I couldn't even figure out how to reorganize my kitchen and what all I had to replace. I now can see that I was overwhelmed from sheer exhaustion and no nutrition. This life changing diagnosis is HUGE. I felt almost like I grieved in a way. It wasn't fair, I was angry, all that stuff. 

 

Another thing was that I had to refocus my views on food. How many times have we all said, "Hey! Let's go somewhere fun to eat!" Well, it wasn't fun anymore; it was scary. I'm getting past all that now. Slow and steady wins the race! I either call ahead or eat before. Piece of cake! Going out to eat and not eating most of the time if for one second I don't feel safe was odd at first. Everyone else at the table feels, I think, worse than I do!! I keep saying, "It's OK!! It's OK!!! I promise!!! I don't like that anyway!!!" Lying works wonders!!! After a few meals I got over it. I carry food with me in a little make-up bag in my purse and laugh it off. I also know what you all mean about feeling so hungry all the time and then not eating at all. I force myself to eat sometimes and always feel better when I do.

 

I've had GI troubles since high school. I thought everyone either didn't go for a week and then then next week went twelve times a day for a week. I had no idea everyone didn't have cramps and headaches and on and on. It wasn't until two years ago, after thyroid troubles and two polyp filled colonoscopies that things took shape. One doctor even said, "You present classic celiac" but wouldn't do the test because he didn't think I had it. Took me time to get over that little fury. I'm not sure I am over it!

 

The single thing that keeps me going is how much better I feel when I eat correctly and how shi**y I feel when I don't. I've never been a big bread/pasta eater anyway but when I want that stuff, I WANT THAT STUFF!! I want it hot and slathered in butter. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

 

My friends are also such a great support. Our dark humor gets me through! The sicker the better. The better I feel, the more incentive I have. I hope you feel better each and every single day. 

 

My favorite go-to breakfast is a plain greek yogurt with sliced almonds and fresh blackberries stirred in. SO good! And so healthy! This forum is amazing. I read it all the time. Keep us posted!

[icelandgirl]

I'm so sorry you're frustrated and you have my complete empathy. I remember when the doctor called me with the diagnosis, I felt stuck inside a whirlwind. On the one hand I knew what he was going to say, but hearing it from him was a different story. And the next day was Thanksgiving. I remember feeling so overwhelmed that I couldn't even figure out how to reorganize my kitchen and what all I had to replace. I now can see that I was overwhelmed from sheer exhaustion and no nutrition. This life changing diagnosis is HUGE. I felt almost like I grieved in a way. It wasn't fair, I was angry, all that stuff. 

 

Another thing was that I had to refocus my views on food. How many times have we all said, "Hey! Let's go somewhere fun to eat!" Well, it wasn't fun anymore; it was scary. I'm getting past all that now. Slow and steady wins the race! I either call ahead or eat before. Piece of cake! Going out to eat and not eating most of the time if for one second I don't feel safe was odd at first. Everyone else at the table feels, I think, worse than I do!! I keep saying, "It's OK!! It's OK!!! I promise!!! I don't like that anyway!!!" Lying works wonders!!! After a few meals I got over it. I carry food with me in a little make-up bag in my purse and laugh it off. I also know what you all mean about feeling so hungry all the time and then not eating at all. I force myself to eat sometimes and always feel better when I do.

 

I've had GI troubles since high school. I thought everyone either didn't go for a week and then then next week went twelve times a day for a week. I had no idea everyone didn't have cramps and headaches and on and on. It wasn't until two years ago, after thyroid troubles and two polyp filled colonoscopies that things took shape. One doctor even said, "You present classic celiac" but wouldn't do the test because he didn't think I had it. Took me time to get over that little fury. I'm not sure I am over it!

 

The single thing that keeps me going is how much better I feel when I eat correctly and how shi**y I feel when I don't. I've never been a big bread/pasta eater anyway but when I want that stuff, I WANT THAT STUFF!! I want it hot and slathered in butter. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

 

My friends are also such a great support. Our dark humor gets me through! The sicker the better. The better I feel, the more incentive I have. I hope you feel better each and every single day. 

 

My favorite go-to breakfast is a plain greek yogurt with sliced almonds and fresh blackberries stirred in. SO good! And so healthy! This forum is amazing. I read it all the time. Keep us posted!

I have so felt that...it's not fair, etc.  

 

I've had digestive problems always I think.  Constipation, diarrhea...having to run to the bathroom.  Always had headaches, terrible periods, etc.  

 

I appreciate all the support so much!  How long did it take you to start feeling better after going gluten free?

[livinthelife]

I have so felt that...it's not fair, etc.  

 

I've had digestive problems always I think.  Constipation, diarrhea...having to run to the bathroom.  Always had headaches, terrible periods, etc.  

 

I appreciate all the support so much!  How long did it take you to start feeling better after going gluten free?

I remember it was about five days after no gluten when I realized I was still awake at ten pm. I'd started taking more probiotics, good vitamin, sublingual B12 and more calcium. After that it was day to day just better and better. I've glutened myself a few times - all out to eat. I can't stress enough how much that's just not an option most nights. We never realized how much we ate out until we couldn't. 

 

I've started cooking all afternoon on Sundays for the entire week's worth of lunches and then something else for when I'm too tired to cook. Good thing today was cold and rainy, so staying inside was great! Today I fixed crock pot mexican chicken for wraps and also a huge pot of pinto beans - in my new iron dutch oven! Do you like to cook? If so, it's the perfect time to try a whole bunch of fun recipes. If not, it's fun to learn!

 

You will feel better. Just give yourself time. And rest when you can. And drink lots of water - doesn't that help everything!?!?! 

[icelandgirl]

I remember it was about five days after no gluten when I realized I was still awake at ten pm. I'd started taking more probiotics, good vitamin, sublingual B12 and more calcium. After that it was day to day just better and better. I've glutened myself a few times - all out to eat. I can't stress enough how much that's just not an option most nights. We never realized how much we ate out until we couldn't. 

 

I've started cooking all afternoon on Sundays for the entire week's worth of lunches and then something else for when I'm too tired to cook. Good thing today was cold and rainy, so staying inside was great! Today I fixed crock pot mexican chicken for wraps and also a huge pot of pinto beans - in my new iron dutch oven! Do you like to cook? If so, it's the perfect time to try a whole bunch of fun recipes. If not, it's fun to learn!

 

You will feel better. Just give yourself time. And rest when you can. And drink lots of water - doesn't that help everything!?!?! 

I do love to cook and bake.  I didn't realize until now how much gluteny stuff I cooked.  Would you share your chicken recipe...that sounds yummy!

[livinthelife]

I do love to cook and bake.  I didn't realize until now how much gluteny stuff I cooked.  Would you share your chicken recipe...that sounds yummy!

Yes! I sautéed about half of a huge onion in a little butter with a little salt. While that was going I took a package of boneless, skinless breasts and boneless skinless thighs (I guess you could do all breasts but my family is split as far as white/dark and I think breasts need a little fat) and coated them in a little garlic olive oil then dusted them with kosher salt, pepper and McCormick's salt-free "sweet and smoky" seasoning. I threw the chicken in with the onions and added three whole garlic cloves. Browned for a little bit then put it all in crock pot. I added just enough chicken broth to cook them (sorry don't know how much but not much at all) and then let 'em go for a few hours. Then I poured in an entire can of enchilada sauce - the only one I could find without corn syrup. I let that simmer for a couple more hours in the pot on low. SO SO GOOD!!! I made Mexican rice (homemade - rice, tomato sauce, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic powder then sauté a little) and served it with corn tortillas, refried beans perked up with some cheese. We love cilantro, but I know a lot of folks don't like it.

 

I made a million lunch-sized portions for my lunch in the past weeks! It's so convenient to be able to just grab something and not over think eating. 

 

I hope you feel better today!!

[icelandgirl]

Yes! I sautéed about half of a huge onion in a little butter with a little salt. While that was going I took a package of boneless, skinless breasts and boneless skinless thighs (I guess you could do all breasts but my family is split as far as white/dark and I think breasts need a little fat) and coated them in a little garlic olive oil then dusted them with kosher salt, pepper and McCormick's salt-free "sweet and smoky" seasoning. I threw the chicken in with the onions and added three whole garlic cloves. Browned for a little bit then put it all in crock pot. I added just enough chicken broth to cook them (sorry don't know how much but not much at all) and then let 'em go for a few hours. Then I poured in an entire can of enchilada sauce - the only one I could find without corn syrup. I let that simmer for a couple more hours in the pot on low. SO SO GOOD!!! I made Mexican rice (homemade - rice, tomato sauce, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic powder then sauté a little) and served it with corn tortillas, refried beans perked up with some cheese. We love cilantro, but I know a lot of folks don't like it.

 

I made a million lunch-sized portions for my lunch in the past weeks! It's so convenient to be able to just grab something and not over think eating. 

 

I hope you feel better today!!

This sounds delicious!  I will be making this for sure.

 

Yesterday I realized for the first time that I wasn't starving all day...that's good!