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

Eating Disorders/weight Loss

sillyyak

By sillyyak
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Lauren M Explorer
Lauren M
Posted
I know it's been a while since anyone responded to this post and it seems to have gotten off the original topic a bit, but I'd like to throw my two cents in. I was diagnosed with celiac back in August and I have been struggling with an eating disorder ever since. For me, I think it's the guilt of the food costing so much more and all of the grief that it has caused my wife; she does a lot of the cooking for us and this made her have to completely overhaul her menu planning and recipies and grocery purchases, etc.

When I was diagnosed, I weighed 140-145 pounds - I'm 5' 10". Right now, I'm around 120-125; I've been as light as 118. Yes, I keep checking myself every couple of days. I will force myself to not eat or to eat smaller portions in order to 'make the food go further'. But sometimes, I binge eat for an hour or two, then I feel overly stuffed since my stomach has shrunken so much and I go back to not eating enough. Sometimes, I feel very cold or just kinda 'out of it', but I've learned how to deal with it for the most part.

I'm not sure if this was the original intention of this thread, but to whoever is going through similar feelings to mine, you're not alone. :(

Welcome to the board, jgross. I have the same guilt over food prices and wasting food. Have you considered going to therapy? Have you seen a doctor for the weight loss? My weight loss caused a lot of medical problems, including osteopenia (I'm only 24) and dangerously low potassium and magnesium. I'm here for you if you have any questions, I have been in an eating disorder treatment program. You can ask on here, PM me, or send me an email.

Hang in there.

- Lauren

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


clhsc Apprentice
clhsc
Posted

I don't think that malnourishment would be a problem on this diet, once you are healed. Luckily all the things that are naturally gluten free are good foods that you should be eating anyway. I also drink Ensure at breakfast and lunch in addition to trying to eat something. I go through phases when I don't want to eat anything. When I am like that I make sure to eat at the very least some vegetables and instead of steaming them like I usually do, I use a little olive oil to saute them. This at least adds some fat to the diet. I also add olive oil to salads, to cook meats, etc when I am going through a phase.

I haven't tried Boost in a while and don't know if it's gluten free, but in high school when I was severely underweight I drank four Boost a day. They have one with extra calories. Check that out, but read the ingredients first.

Hope you start gaining and are feeling healthy soon!

  • 3 weeks later...
TiffTiff Rookie
TiffTiff
Posted

I am vegan just recently diagnosed with celiacs and also anorexic im 94 pounds, in a way this is just another part of something im gonna have to deal with, each day is a new beginning sometimes, an orange to me is too much to eat sometimes: (

tiff

key Contributor
key
Posted

I have been struggling a bit with anorexia symptoms. I don't have a full blown case of anorexia by any means, but I was having so many digestive issues, that I became scared to eat, because of the pain it caused. So I have lost some more weight. NOw I am struggling with low iron and I am cold all the time. I did have my celiac tests redone and everything had returned to normal. I am doing much better since I started some different natural remedies. I am very constistent with them. I also cut out almost all dairy and started eating alot more fruits, veges, etc.

I don't think you should worry about the expense. There are SO many naturally gluten free foods that are healthy and cheap. It has taken me awhile to figure this one out. I have gone to a very natural diet and feel much better since I have. I am not eating any processed foods right now. I think the money I save by not eating out anymore and my family of 5 not eating out makes up for the extra expense. I have a son with celiac disease and he is 2, so I do buy some gluten-free breads, pastas and pancakes for him. We are also vegetarian.

I would definitely consider therapy if you are not eating. Your weight is very low and you need help. It sounds like you could be depressed and need something to get you through this change in your life. It is a HUGE adjustment! It is a year and a half for us on the diet and I am still accepting not eating out, etc. It gets better with time. Now I am happy I eat healthier then most, etc.

Take care and hang in there.

Monica

TiffTiff Rookie
TiffTiff
Posted

i myself, have tried treatment didnt work, ive learned to live with it, its a part of me i guess, its kind of like having a shadow, its always with you, and in some messed up way its my security blanket, like i can control it, mine is full blown anorexia, but i do eat when i have to, sometimes i just fast, i went to see my hematologist today for my itp and i was perfect they said so i wasnt too worried

  • 2 weeks later...
jgross Newbie
jgross
Posted

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. :)

Some days are better, some are worse. It seems like when I eat sweets is when I get the coldest, so I am trying to avoid them, which is a little more challenging this time of year. Not that I ever had a sweet tooth, but there were a few holiday treats that I can't have anymore. I've found a few recipes and that's good enough for me.

Overall, I'm still losing weight, though, because for the most part, the more I eat, the worse I feel. I get edgy, cold, sometimes kind of 'out of it'. Some days I can push myself to eat - other days, not so much.

As for the food cost issue, I've gotten past it to a point - as much as I can for now. It's cheaper to spend a little more on food than to cause more health problems that will require more trips to the doctor. Speaking of that, I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow. The last blood test I had showed a low white blood cell count. It's been four months since I was diagnosed, so I'm hoping my levels return to normal soon. Low iron was what triggered this whole thing. I might have to go see a hematologist. Great, another doctor - that's just what I want! ;)

I'm kinda disappointed with my Gastroenterologist. Anyone have a recommendation for a good one in the Chicago area - western suburbs? Thanks!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,551
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Newest Member

    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.