Recently Diagnosed

[webbooo]

Hi All,

 

I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease after having blood test's done last week.  I've struggled with my diet on and off for about 12 months and have noticed how different foods affect my moods and make me feel lethargic etc, I've also had to deal with varying degrees of stress and anxiety.  I'm now trying to get used to the life style and understand it more I still don't know fully what it means.  Other members of my family have celiac including my sister so fortunately I'm able to get information from her.  My doctor suggested I didn't need a biopsy as my family has a strong history of it.  I started going gluten free 2 days ago and today I feel horrible plus I have a sore throat/cold anyway.   I have noticed my anxiety worse today and not sure if its just the anxiety or the removing of glutin from my diet.  I'm also having to deal with the fact I'm a sugar addict and now having to remove sugar from my diet (processed foods).  At the moment I'm trying to remove gluten and see how I feel, I also live in a shared (partner and 2 children) house also it means cooking for myself etc.

 

My blood results were, my doctor also had little advise to give other than stop eating gluten and have a look on the web.

 

Deamidated Gliadin IgG = 38 U/mL

Tissue Transglutaminase IgA = 207 U/ML

 

To help stabilise my moods should I be focusing on more fat and protein and how long before my body can start to feel some benefits?

 

Thanks in advance

Adam (Confused)

[cyclinglady]

Welcome, Adam!  

 

It's going to be nice to feel good again, isn't it?  

 

Patience.  Lots of patience is required.  Chances are you are going through withdrawal from gluten.  It usually takes a week or two for that to subside per many of our forum members.  Anxiety is common and eventually that will go away on the gluten free diet.  

 

As far as diet advice, I would focus on whole foods simply because your gut is a damaged and you want foods that are easy to digest.  Because villi is damaged, usually most folks with celiac disease have lactose intolerance.  They may have other intolerances to soy or corn.  Maybe nuts are hard to digest.  So, eliminate dairy for a few months and then add it back it starting with yogurt and cheese (contains less lactose/milk sugar).  Eliminate other foods if you find they are hard to digest.  But you do need some comfort foods so do not beat yourself up about sugar -- yet (I personally think most of us consume too much sugar).

 

Read our Newbie 101 section under the "Coping" section.  It contains valuable tips and will save my fingers from typing too much!  

 

You will have to work out an agreement about sharing a kitchen (no shared toaster, plastic, coated frying pans, wooden spoons, sponges, etc.)  How small are the kids?  They can gluten you with kisses (as can your partner) and leave a trail of crumbs.

 

Our house is gluten free.  I just give gluten things to my kid  pre-packaged for her school lunch.  If she wants more gluten, we stop and eat out for a quick fix.  Your partner might consider that.  Otherwise, a shared kitchen is possible, but you have to be very careful.  

 

More questions?  Ask!  

 

Here's to feeling better soon!  Oh, it has taken me a complete two years to feel 99% better (darn menopause and thyroid).  Within six months, I experienced intestinal healing based on my resolved anemia.  I was absorbing iron!  

[Jays911]

The easiest way is to go gluten-free with your whole household, and as CL observed, give others gluten with packaged goods or while eating out.  You will feel better once the diet kicks in.  Keep the faith.

[Celiacandme]

Be gentle with yourself. Your body is trying to adjust to this and it takes time. Be sure to check and vitamins and medications you take - make sure they are gluten free and that your pharmacy knows you need to have your medicine from a gluten free manufacturer. Getting rid of any chance of cross contamination is important. If gluten is being consumed in the house you can't share the same butter, jam, peanut butter jars, etc. As mentioned above you'll need your own new toaster, colander, wooden and plastic utensils. I'm sorry your sister also has celiac but it is also good to have someone close to you that understands. Everyone around here is helpful - ask any questions you may have. Try to get rest and do something that is relaxing for you each day. Oh, and if you haven't already, have your children tested! You never know!

[webbooo]

thanks everyone for your responses really appreciate it  I just started reading a book called 'Brain Grain' which paints an interesting picture on the average diet today.  He suggests going back to the high fat and low carb diet and eating natural whole foods and so far an interesting read.  I think for me personally I ignored for to long what I've been putting in my body.  This looks like a great site with lots of info and I'm looking forward to sharing more stories.

 

thanks again