All You Celiacs Hiding In Tacoma/puyallup

[Thx4noticingMe]

My daughter (18 yr) was dianosed and tested August 2005 and I hid in denial until my endoscopy was done in Jan 2006. No more denial for either of us and a much better lifesytle has begun. Once in a while we go through a typical mourning period for one of our old favs, but the pain free life style offers much to be thankful for.

Now I work at grocery store that has a great nutrition center with gluten free products. The head of that department calls me over whenever a new person has discovered they have celiac. And the word has spread and other locations in Pierce County call me regarding gulten-free products or questions that customers have. I am far from being a pro at this, although I do lots of homework regarding my new lifestyle.

I meet people all over Pierce County who have this or have family members but refuse to explore it or give it a good shot. It is unforturnate that Pierce County does not have support groups. Seattle has many bonuses for celiacs, but since our traffic really stinks it makes it very difficult for us to enjoy those extras.

I would like to hear from some of you and know if a support group would be viable in Tacoma/Puyallup.

[BRUMI1968]

I grew up in Tacoma - went to Sunset Elementary (then moved to Harbor so went to Gig Harbor High School) and then moved back and lived near Wright's Park for a few years. It seems I keep moving north - first to Seattle, then to Whidbey Island, then to Sedro-Woolley, and now to Bellingham. My parents and sister live in Tacoma - I'm trying to get them to be tested. My mom is having her mom tested in a few days - then is that's positive, she'll do it.

Anyway, good luck to you. Obviously I'm not up on the support groups - but the national support group, what are they called, have a listing. You might want to Private Message "Nini". If you go to "members" and then hit "n", you'll find her. She has a Newbie pack that might well contain the info you need.

At which store do you work?

[Thx4noticingMe]

I grew up in Tacoma - went to Sunset Elementary (then moved to Harbor so went to Gig Harbor High School) and then moved back and lived near Wright's Park for a few years. It seems I keep moving north - first to Seattle, then to Whidbey Island, then to Sedro-Woolley, and now to Bellingham. My parents and sister live in Tacoma - I'm trying to get them to be tested. My mom is having her mom tested in a few days - then is that's positive, she'll do it.

Anyway, good luck to you. Obviously I'm not up on the support groups - but the national support group, what are they called, have a listing. You might want to Private Message "Nini". If you go to "members" and then hit "n", you'll find her. She has a Newbie pack that might well contain the info you need.

At which store do you work?

Sorry it has taken so long to respond. I just returned from Eastern WA. My father had a large tumor removed from his neck. He is fine.

It seems that the Tri-cities has a larger group of Celiacs because the stores cater to our needs. I've discovered many new products.

By the way work for Fred Meyer.

It looks like you have lived in just as many places in the PNW as I have. Seattle and West Seattle as a young child. Burien during elementary and jr. high. Federal Way and Salem in high school. And just to round things out, I lived in Tacoma, Federal Way (Redondo) and now Puyallup/Sumner area during my adult years.

Thank you for the response and the information.

[Christina62]

-Thx4noticingMe - I'm from puyallup area, I actually worked at Fred Meyer's on 176th last summer. I was diagnosed w/celiac a few years ago, but I have never been able to stay gluten free. I am trying to find a new doctor, my doctor dosen't seem to know much so if you know of a good doctor that would be great! I really wish there was a support group around here so I could meet other people who are going through the same thing. I've been wanting to go gluten free, but it seems so hard to do if you have any tips please let me know. I hope I hear back from you. Thanx

[lonewolf]

I don't live in Tacoma or Puyallup, but I am close by in Federal Way. Just wanted to chime in. I would love to have a support group in the area and wanted to start one, but my life has been too busy to take on one more thing.

Sorry Christina62, I don't know of a good doctor - I'm doing this on my own. There's a good naturopath in Fife named Dr. Data that's good with giving help with nutrition and diet. She's covered by most insurance and might be a good place to start.

[Thx4noticingMe]

Christina and Lone Wolf.. glad to hear from you. Chistina... I understand the difficulty of staying on a gluten free diet. However, the way you feel after following the diet is extremely worth it.

Finding a good doctor and a knowledgeble dietician is very difficult. My oldest daughter saw the top gastro doc at Mary Bridge and after the biopsy, we were handed a two page hand out of foods that were no-no's. It was printed in 1985. After speaking with the Gluten Intolerance Group in Seattle, we found out much of the info was out dated. My daughter is also diabetic and recently became very ill and had a hospital stay for over five days. Large print on her chart...NO GLUTEN/DIABETIC... what do they bring her for dinner? A turkey sandwich (with wonder bread). She sends it back and they tell her the kitchen is now closed and tried to give her instant chicken noodle soup and saltine crackers. So much for the medical knowledge of celiac. The ironic side of this whole story is when the hospital dietician came to her room and asked her what she could eat. She simply stated to her, "You're the dietician, you tell me."

I went to Digestive Health Specialists in Puyallup. My doctor was knowlegeble about celiac and after my biopsy he spoke with me and confirmed diagnoses. However he did call me four days later at 7 p.m. explaining that I was very malnourished and he was very concerned. He never seen such a case. Kinda scary huh? This is what happens when a diagnoses goes undiscovered for many years. It is also an example of what happens when you don't follow a celiac diet.

Now here is the bad news... ususally after diagnoses and biopsy the doctor doesn't have much to do with you again for about a year and re-tests you. You can go to dieticians, but that is also shot in the dark sometimes. Keeping in touch with others and asking questions is your best bet. The other important is to have family and friends who are supportive because this is a life changing condition. Restaurants, potlucks at work, even going to other peoples houses for meals or any length of time can be challenging.

Well speaking about food, I'm hungry.

[seattlecdfriend]

lonewolf.. I'm interested in contacting your Fife naturopath. How long have you been going, what have you learned/benefited, etc. Thanks.

[lonewolf]

lonewolf.. I'm interested in contacting your Fife naturopath. How long have you been going, what have you learned/benefited, etc. Thanks.

I've been seeing her for about 9 years. She's really good and takes the time to listen to you. She's not super knowledgeable about Celiac, but she's well-versed in nutrition. She doesn't push supplements either. I gotta run, but PM me if you want her name and more info.

There's also a good naturopath in Federal Way that a friend really likes. My friend has Celiac (and a bunch of other food intolerances) and has been really happy with her.

[Emily4u]

I would love to start a support group. Currently I am between Sumner and Orting. I am a former member of the Bellingham Gluten Intolerance Group. Every year they had a gluten-free Christmas cookie exchange, a 3 course dinner night, cooking classes, field trips to gluten-free stores, etc... Also if anyone wants wondeful gluten-free food like: crutons, stuffing, sauces, scones, cookies, breads, buns, beer, pies, etc... there are two cafes in Vancouver BC that are wonderful and well worth the trip Panne Rizo and The Rice Bakery. Whole Foods in Bellevue is also wonderful because they have frozen pie crusts, breads, cakes and many other great items (Even some in the Bakery!). I think it would be great if we could start a group. Maybe meet once a month? e-mail me smlemily@gmail.com

[Flotenspieler]

Hi my fellow Puget-Sounders!

I live near Des Moines. There used to be a gluten intolerance group in this area, but I think they moved elsewhere recently. I was just diagnosed with gluten intolerance in August by Dr. Stephen Wangen. He has an office at Swedish Medical Center in downtown Seattle. Here's a bit about him from his website:

"Dr. Stephen Wangen is a board certified physician specializing in the identification and treatment of food allergies to improve your health. He has first-hand experience with food allergies, having been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance (wheat allergy) in 1996. He has since developed a comprehensive program to diagnose and work with food allergies and the multitude of potentially associated conditions.

Because food allergies have become a major (but under-recognized) factor in causing chronic disease, Dr. Wangen is focusing his practice on natural methods to deal with food allergies and related conditions and nutritional deficiencies."

He's extremely knowledgeable about celiac/IBS/food allergies and so much more. He spends a lot of time with his patients getting very thorough medical histories from them. Here's the link to his website if anyone wants to learn more about his practice: Open Original Shared Link

Meanwhile, if you hear of any gluten intolerance/celiac support groups cropping up in my neck of the woods, please post it here and thanks in advance!

[Emily4u]

Hello everyone. I am going to have a support group meeting at the Puyallup Public Library on Tuesday April 24th from 7-8:30pm. Everyone is welcome. There will be good resources and gluten-free treats. The Puyallup Public Library is located in downtown Puyallup in the back of Pioneer Park at the intersection of Meridian and Pioneer. GIG will be e-mailing its members about the group. If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail me at smlemily@gmail.com.

[Smacd]

Hi, I have met and talked with the Freddies health section manager. My family has truly appreciated how much Freddies has done for the Celiac community.

My husband and I have experimented with baking gluten-free breads, cookies, quick breads, muffins, pizza and have had great success. I want to open a South Sound gluten-free bakery and coffee shop next year. However, we need a two things: one is support for the community - letters of support, stating that as a consumer you would patronize such an establishment. The other thing I need is a business partner. I am looking for someone who would like to in with me on this venture, who is willing to put in the time that it takes to do a business. My email is scottandshila@msn.com.

[lonewolf]

My husband and I have experimented with baking gluten-free breads, cookies, quick breads, muffins, pizza and have had great success. I want to open a South Sound gluten-free bakery and coffee shop next year.

Where in the South Sound area? I'm in Federal Way and would definitely like to see a GOOD gluten-free bakery in the area. I bake a lot myself, so would only go occasionally for treats for my kids when I was busy or for a fun trip out. I've thought of doing the same thing, but don't have any business sense whatsoever.