Recently Diagnosed, So Many Questions And Concerns!

[nicholemarie123]

Hello everyone, my name is Nichole. I am a 21 year old female and recently diagnosed. I have been in and out of the doctors for years for issues ranging from severe headaches and dizziness, to joint pain and awful fatigue. I keep going through waves of being very overwhelmed by all of this. I have a one year old daughter and she is everything to me, I want to be the healthiest I can be and live a long healthy life with her. I have been losing weight which is what lead to my diagnosis. I am currently 90 pounds. I have been gluten free for 2 weeks now and hope I start feeling better soon. My doctor has not given me very good info about this disease he told me to get online and read as much as I can. Problem is, there is so much conflicting information. I just dont know where to start with trying to gain weight, and live healthy. Symptoms: fatigue headaches dizziness blurred vision joint pain in hips, knees, ankles, heels, wrists, elbows back pain muscle pain irritability weight loss I'm sure I could keep on going ^^ Questions: 1. Am I really at risk for cancer and other diseases? How can I prevent this? 2. How can I gain weight? Are shakes and smoothies with protein powder a help? 3. How can I be sure that I am 100 % gluten free? 4. Do I need new pots n pans and kitchen utensils? 5. Can I be 100 % gluten free while my daughter and fiance still eat gluten? 6. How do you help family and friends understand better that this is serious and I am constantly in pain even though it may not look like it? Please any advice is welcome and appreciated, I dont expect anyone to answer all my questions, but any that you can is a big help. I have thousands more questions. I just dont have anyone to answer questions or even vent too. Know one understands, besides I'm assuming you guys who are going through the same thing. My own doctor doesnt even know and tells me to get on here and speak with other people who also have the disease

[kareng]

Here is a good place to start

 

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

[SuzLin]

I can't remember all of your questions, but I'll address a few. You may gain weight naturally. I too lost weight and always felt "shakey-hungry" as I'd say. After about 6 weeks 100% gluten free it stopped and I'm back up to my normal weight. You may not need to "try" to gain it. My entire family still eats gluten, but I've slowly substituted. If I make mac N cheese, I use brown rice elbows or shells. The kids still love it! I buy gluten free bread and my son eats it. I think you can slowly transition. They all still eat pizza and stuff.

Regarding cancer, there is no scientific study that I know of. In theory, chronic inflammation of anything can raise your risk. However, it's years in the making. You are only 21, but will need to be gluten-free your entire life to keep the inflammation away. You are at a higher risk of death every time you start your car. If you don't fear starting your car, don't fear this.

I had all of the same symptoms! My shoulders and joints hurt...like really hurt. I felt like I was going crazy.

I eat the following kind of stuff (always double check ingredients):

hummus

Gluten free breads, chips, etc

Fruit

Veggies

Chicken (sauceless)

Turkey (sauceless)

Fish

Cheese

Almonds

I make my own spaghetti sauce

A favorite of mine is a pasta salad I make w/ gluten free brown rice pasta, bag of frozen veggies (has black beans, brocoli, green beans), can of drained olives, can of drained quarter artichoke hearts w/Annie's Tuscany Italian dressing. My son loves it too.