fed up italian

[Sicilygirl]

I am looking for words of encouragement because I have just had enough with this celiac diagnosis. I recently got diagnosed in October this year and its been hell let me tell you. Fist of all my doctor did not want to do the test saying that I was not Celiac because I did not have blood in my stool. Really??? I thankfully insisted that he do the blood work test just to make sure., since I was sick while in italy after eating both pasta and pizza and I knew something was wrong. I exhibited all the signs of gluten sensitivity, bloating and bad stomach pain which I never had ever after eating gluten.  After a week of waiting patiently for the test result it showed positive. I was both happy and floored at the same time. It has been an emotional roller coaster. Having to now work hard  to read labels constantly making sure they don't add gluten EVERYWHERE!! buying some comfort expensive gluten free foods to somehow make me feel like I am a normal person again. Hiring a dietician to put me on a diet to get my nutrients needed and to fix my villi that is destroyed. I feel sad, angry, depressed and why me?? is it an italian thing? I do not know. Anyways any feedback would be helpful. I am still extremely tired and have bowel symptoms and brain fog when do these go away?

[Beverage]

Oh gosh. I remember being shocked when my new doc said he thought I had Celiacs (went in bcuz kidneys were failing, no intestinal issues), but relieved at first to find an explanation for my issues.  Then as I hit the library and the internet and read up on Celiacs, I got sooooo depressed and overwhelmed.  Funny you say "is it an italian thing?" ... I'm not Italian, but half Portuguese, so we're both full of fire.

I had to keep repeating in my head something my Mom used to say (she had been raped as a teen, got pregnant from it, forced to marry the bastid, he beat them, she finally got away, married my dad years later and had a wonderful life full of love and lots of laughing), she would say "it's not what happens to you in life, it's what you do with what happens to you in life, how you go forward"

So I finally accepted that this is what i have, everyone has something, and i will do what i have to do to get healthy and will probably end up living longer and better in the long run. 

Start with your home, clean the kitchen from top to bottom. Read the info here on what to keep and what to toss, food and cookware, body products, just go through everything one at a time. You will get better at reading labels, it will be second nature.  Eat more whole foods, meat and veggies.  I remember running every dish in my house through the dishwater on the super cycle. It was probably overkill, but I felt better.

You will make mistakes and have set backs, but you will prevail and the fire in your soul will get you through.  The people here are so supportive, never give up. 

[Scott Adams]

Your feelings are completely valid, and I want to commend you for advocating for yourself despite the initial resistance from your doctor. Navigating a new celiac diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when you're adjusting to such a big lifestyle change. It’s natural to grieve the loss of your old eating habits and to feel frustrated by the constant label-reading and vigilance required. But please know that you are not alone, and many others have walked this path and come out stronger on the other side.

Healing takes time, and while the brain fog, fatigue, and bowel symptoms can be discouraging, they often improve as your body begins to recover. It’s great that you’ve hired a dietitian—that’s a big step in supporting your healing journey and ensuring you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to rebuild. Remember, each small step you take is progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

It’s okay to feel sad and angry, but also try to give yourself credit for your strength in facing this. The fact that you pushed for answers shows how resilient you are. While the road ahead may have challenges, many people find that over time, they feel better than they ever imagined possible once their gut begins to heal. You’ve got this, and the celiac community is here to support you every step of the way.

If you have time, this book was published on Celiac.com's and you might find it helpful:

Also, this article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):