Hampton Roads Va

[gdobson]

I have been gluten free for more than 5 years now. And my son for just over a year. And for some reason, it has only been recently that I started feeling a little alienated...like everyone must be getting sick to tears of hearing why I don't go out to lunch or why my son can't use the toaster at someone else's house. I went to a celiac support group picnic last year - and I was in heaven. But I didn't go to the meetings...I'm just not a meeting kind of gal. I'ld rather do something more social. I'ld rather get together for a wine tasting or a gluten-free pizza party or anything like that? So I'm out here in Hampton Roads VA wishing I knew more folks like me so I didn't feel like such a nut all the time. Anyone out there?

[gbrad71]

I have been gluten free for more than 5 years now. And my son for just over a year. And for some reason, it has only been recently that I started feeling a little alienated...like everyone must be getting sick to tears of hearing why I don't go out to lunch or why my son can't use the toaster at someone else's house. I went to a celiac support group picnic last year - and I was in heaven. But I didn't go to the meetings...I'm just not a meeting kind of gal. I'ld rather do something more social. I'ld rather get together for a wine tasting or a gluten-free pizza party or anything like that? So I'm out here in Hampton Roads VA wishing I knew more folks like me so I didn't feel like such a nut all the time. Anyone out there?

Hello from Falls Church, VA!

I was diagnosed about two and half years ago with Celiac disease by my primary care physician, she acutually did three blood tests and all came back positive. I had severe joint pain so she sent me to a Rhumatologist and I just finished with him after all this time. He keep me on pain medication until last month, this was my decision to stop. I was in total denial at first and just keep eating like I normally do, and then I would get the feeling as if every joint in my body was slowy being squeezed by a vice, to the point of tears. Gut was hurting so bad, I could barely touch it, but I would just take the pain pills the doctor gave me and I would be okay, until of course they wore off, and then you repeat the viscious cycle of taking another pill to make the pain go away, then running out, making another appointment with the doctor to get more meds, waiting three hours to see the doctor when you get there, going to get the prescriptions and waiting in line forever at the drug store. I just go so tired of this and tired of feeling like I had been run over by a Mack truck everyday so I just stopped, cold turkey, eating wheat, rye and barley about a month ago and have no pains. It took a week of pure torture (withdrawal) coming of the meds. but I suffered through it, so now being off the bread and the pills I am starting to feel great again. I have been taking this very, very serious, mostly researching the net and this is how I came across your forum. This diet is so difficult to maintain (alienation a part of it), seems like all the foods out there that are easy to just pop in your mouth without little prep time have gluten in them. I have to get used to this, when I am hungry I want to eat, and not spend an hour or more trying to make something.

I live in the Falls Church, VA area, and my girlfreind and I are always looking for great resturants to go to that have gluten free food and new health food stores etc to go to.

Maybe we can all get up together and go to resturants etc. - she lives in Fredericksburg, VA and I go down to her house almost every weekend.

Looking forward to speaking with you -

Greg

Diagnosed with lupus 7/04

Decieded it was celiac disease 9/04

Diagnosed with Rhumatoid Arthritis 9/04 (but I think it is the exposure to the bread - I feel fine now)

[happygirl]

gdobson....

are you still around?

[Lisa]

Gina

Lindalee lives in Virginia Beach. Send her a PM

I'm about an hour and 15 from Chesapeake, in eastern NC. If you need some restaurant suggestions, let me know.