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

Best Advice For A Newly Diagnosed


Kaycee

Recommended Posts

Kaycee Collaborator

I am so frustrated about coeliac and the lack of information that is available to us from the medical system. My doctor just told me avoid gluten! When I went back after a couple of months I was told to give myself a chance to heal. I am a bit reluctant to go back and throw good money away after bad. In the shops and the libraries there does not seem to be many books and information available. It would seem that the only way to get information is through the net, which is okay if you can get on the net and know your way around it. What about other people who do not surf the net and totally rely on the medical profession?

My most valuable piece of information to anybody else, especially older people (I could be wrong here.) is to avoid dairy products, until we are healed. I know not everybody is lactose intolerant, but it seems that the chances are that we are to start with.

My frustration is in finding out that this is probably is my problem as well. To start with it seemed that going gluten free was the answer, and all my symptoms were disappearing, even the ones I did not know would’ve been related to gluten, and that was for about a month, and then the symptoms crept back in and I thought for such a long time that I must be getting glutened. But it was without the brain fog, just upset stomach and diarrhoea.

I figured it out to be diary products, and am knocking those back. If I had known to avoid these products would I be further down the track today. I probably would be, and with less stress all around. My husband must surely thing I am off my head the way I go on at times.

So what would be you excellent piece of advice to a newly diagnosed coeliac?

Another one would be a recommendation to this forum, you have been oh so helpful.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor

The best advice I got as a newbie was to make sure all my non-food stuff was gluten free also. It was in almost every shampoo, makeup, lotion, pet food (didn't think to use seperate can-opener for 3 yrs!!!), pastes, paints, etc.

sillyyak Enthusiast

The best advice that someone gave me was that "It gets better".

tiffjake Enthusiast
there is a ton of misinformation on the web, including on this site. i would recommend you get the book by dr. peter green, who runs the celiac center at columbia university in new york. you can buy it on the internet at amazon .com.

Ditto, there are good-hearted people who have bad information (and I am not perfect either! LOL). Buy books, lots of books! Wheat Free/Worry Free by Danna Korn, Gluten Free for a Healthy Lifestyle (can't remember the author)......I have ordered a bunch on amazon and then lended them out the friends.

Also, look for a local support group! There are great groups that provide info, food samples, advice on local eating, etc.

You have to become your own doc in many ways, and from the docs I have seen, that is fine with me!

evie Rookie
Ditto, there are good-hearted people who have bad information (and I am not perfect either! LOL). Buy books, lots of books! Wheat Free/Worry Free by Danna Korn, Gluten Free for a Healthy Lifestyle (can't remember the author)......I have ordered a bunch on amazon and then lended them out the friends.

Also, look for a local support group! There are great groups that provide info, food samples, advice on local eating, etc.

You have to become your own doc in many ways, and from the docs I have seen, that is fine with me!

Very good info above!! I 2nd the book by Dana Korn, I am now reading it. Just got itTthursday and near 1/2 thru. Lots of good info, have heard some of it right here but it is all in one book before me. It also has some good references. When you get ready to strike to bake for yourseld Betty Hagman's baking book is a good source of recipes, but do not go overboard/ too much subdtitute bars, cake or?? It can be higher in calorie and cause weight gain past what pleases you. Just wish you lots of patience, can't learn it all in a few weeks.

;) evie "Been there, done that".

GFBetsy Rookie

My best advise would be: Make a list of all the things you CAN eat. It helps to look at a gluten-free diet from this positive perspective.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,912
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    westman3d
    Newest Member
    westman3d
    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

    • Rogol72
      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • 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.