New To This And Very Overwhelmed

[brdbntL]

I don't even know where to begin. We found out last Wed for sure that she has Celiacs. She has no symptoms, we found out because of a standard blood test. I was doing ok with it until I called Dannon today to verify that there product is gluten free. I was very disappointed to find out that I had read the label wrong and missed the natural flavoring. I couldn't even finish the call. I am just frustated and feeling guilty about it. I know there are worse things, but this just stinks. Sorry to be so down, but I needed to do it somewhere. I need to be upbeat and positive for everyone else around here.

[Guest jhmom]

I am sure you are relieved to finally find out what was wrong and how to treat it, I am assuming "she" is your daughter?

Trust me it can be overwhelming at first, you have to read every label you come in contact with and call manufactures to double check the ingredients listed.

THere are a few "gluten free food list" available online. Here is a good one that has "some" gluten-free food: www.glutenfreeinfo.com

I hope this helps and good luck to you.

[tarnalberry]

She can still have yogurt - get plain yogurt (full fat) and add jam or preserves in whatever flavor she likes.

Don't stress too much. It takes some time to learn the diet. You have to create a new habit for yourself, and that takes a while. Think how much better things will be for her with you making this change! :-)

[kejohe]

There was a post in the "Lunch Ideas" forum in this same catagory that stated that the dannon drinkables seemed to be gluten free. Also I think the Cascade fruit juice sweetened yogurt is also gluten-free.

Try not to get too down in the dumps, there are a lot of really good gluten-free products out there, and you might be amazed at what you can do when baking gluten-free. I make most from scratch for my son, but I also buy prepared snacks for him on occasion, and there are some really good and kid-friendly gluten-free things on the market now. Ener-G has some pretzles that I think are just as good as the wheat ones and my son would eat an entire bag at a time if I let him. There is an online company kinnikinnick.com that has some ok breads and doughnuts, even cinnamon rolls! You should check them out, it will at least give you some options. My suggestion is to make a list of whatever you try, and whether or not you liked it, so that you don't buy the same product more than once if it's not good.

Good Luck!

[brdbntL]

Thanks everyone. I am not really that down. I was just disappointed about the flavored yogurt and rice Krispies. My daughter has never had any symptoms of Celiacs, so it is hard for me to explain why she can't have gluten. She is 3. She is also diabetic. And I just worry about her and how she will handle it when she gets older. Thanks for all the encouragement and info.

Laura

[ja1233]

Hi Laura,

I know exactly how you feel. My daughter was diagnosed with diabetes last January, than in June, after a routine blood test she tested positive for celiac. I was/am very overwhelmed. Like your daughter she has not symptoms. We had our son tested, he is 6, and he tested positive also. He also has no symptoms. Both of my children have grown fine. I am so worried that my son may develop diabetes from untreated celiac that we have been following the diet for both of our children. It is getting a little easier, but I still wish it would end. I can say my daughters blood sugar control has improved, but I am not sure if that is because of the diet or just because we are better at figuring out her body over time.

I have found another site which is also filled with a TON of information. It is Open Original Shared Link. I go on it a few times a day and learn about products, etc.

Take care,

Jodi

[brdbntL]

Thanks Jodi,

I am feeling much better now. I am trying new recipes and this board helps. Tons of great info. And Bette Hagman's cookbooks.

Laura

[Guest shar4]

Well, all I can say is don't feel bad. I was so miserable before diagnosis, that I honestly thought I was losing my mind. I started taking anti depressant and it helped, but the diagnosis, and FINALLY finding out that I am not nuts, did a lot more for me than the antidepressants.

Someone else here on the boards (I don't remember where) stated that it is so easy to get used to feeling better, and that is SOOOO true.

As much as I would love to eat that bag of pretzels or other gluten filled food, I know on some level, that it just isn't a smart thing to do. I have days like yesterday, when I just wanted to eat everything in sight, and I did eat Doritos with wheat flour in them, and although I'm not experiencing huge symptoms, I'm almost beating myself up for the slip-up. I would love to eat what I used to eat, but frankly, I feel better. I have more energy, way less gas and bloating, and just generally feel human, again. It's been a long time.

Sorry, I know I get to rambling, but there's always a lot going on and sometimes just letting it out feels good.

Thanks for everyone's patience.

Sharon

[shula]

Hello. My pediatrician thinks my son has celiac (still waiting for bioposy results) and just wondering if anyone's heard this:

My son has just turned two, has terrible eczema since a baby (which if why he was tested originally for allergies) and was always a bad eater. He did not gain much weight the first year of his life. (went from 89th percentile to 8th percentile.)

Also, as a baby had stomachaches that lasted almost a week with a lot of vomiting.

Any links seen?

please reply, I await your thoughts

Shula

[Alison]

Shula,

Everything you have mentioned has been linked to celiac disease and/or gluten sensitivity.