Worried

[AndiceRMT]

I know I should just wait for the test, but I can't. I think I am pregnant, and would be a little more than 3 weeks. I was diagnosed with Celiacs 2 years ago, and have been on a mostly Gluten Free diet. I was pregnant about a year ago only to miscarry at 10 weeks. I believe I am pregnant since my breasts are killing me (not like they do when I'm about to start), and my lower back hurts and if I remember correctly that is what happened the last time.

I am worried because I have been having cramps for a few days now. They aren't horrible or anything, just mild, but I don't think I remember feeling anything this early, especially since I didn't know I was pregnant before until 5 weeks. I had a normal GYN apt right after my last period a few weeks ago, but just worried that something is wrong. Is the cramping normal to have, and last for a little while? I would talk to my doctor, but I know they don't want me coming in every month to have a blood test done, etc.

Also I wanted to know what else I should be taking besides a prenatal vitamin. The one I am taking is a generic Target brand, and has 800 mcg folic acid. Should I be taking anything else, especially since I've had previous miscarriages? I plan on making a doctors appt. as soon as I get a positive test result, but don't want to jump the gun. I'm sure you all understand the worries of being a celiac, and the miscarriages. I've always wanted lots of kids, and have been ready for about 2 years, just didn't know it would take this long, and put my husband and I through so much. I appriciate all the advice I can get!!.

[Rikki Tikki]

I don't know about the vitamins but you should call your doctor about the cramping. Every pregnancy is different. The doctor should be having you coming in monthly for the first 2 trimesters, please call him.

[Guest cassidy]

Certainly call your doctor, but I wouldn't worry, and they may blow you off.

My breasts got very sore, so that is a good sign. Three weeks almost exactly I got very intense cramps, I believe it was implantation cramping and it lasted for about 30 minutes. I couldn't move they were so bad. A few days after that I had all sorts of weird feelings and little cramps and aches and pains in that area. Things are changing and I think most of that is normal. From what I read the cramping you have to worry about is when it comes with bad bleeding, although my sister in law had horrible cramps and bleeding for 3 days and the baby was fine and she had had 2 miscarriages.

The only recommended thing to take is prenatal vitamins and to eat healthy and stay gluten-free. I take perry prenatal vitamins and I've been happy with them. I get them online and they don't have any allergens in them.

Try not to worry and good luck!

[Melzo]

Call your ob/gyn - they can give you a pregnancy test to see if you are in fact, pregnant. Even at this early stage they should be able to tell. They can also address the cramping issues that you are having. I really didn't have these cramps with my pregnancy but everyone is different.

PLEASE, stay on a gluten-free diet as that is one of the most important things you can do while being pregnant. Being on a "mostly" gluten-free diet does not cut it. Miscarriages have been linked to celiac disease (and the lack of diagnosis or not being on the diet). You are probably already aware of this. Also, taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 800 mcg is great - just make sure it is gluten free. I go to Costco and buy Nature Made brand. They are gluten free and CHEAP!!

I wish you (and your hubby) the very best of luck! I hope that you get that baby you have always dreamed of!

[Alexandra]

Hi, and congratulations!

I think the other posters have already given good advice. I would go ahead and get to a doctor. Increasingly, it is suggested than a basic thyroid screen be included as part of an early pregnancy checkup and I'd try to be sure this is included in what you get (i.e. ask your doctor). Thyroid problems are more common in celiacs than the general population and are a common and treatable cause of problems in pregnancy (including things like premature birth and miscarriage). While chances are good you don't have a thyroid problem, it cannot hurt to get checked.

-- Alexandra

[AndiceRMT]

So I took a test yesterday, and it was negative, and then I got my period this morning. So I guess we will just have to start really trying. Anyone have any suggestions?? I have been a celiac for 2 years, but didn't really realize how much stuff can go wrong until a few months ago, so I have started to eat completely gluten free. Only problem, I still sometimes eat things with gluten in it, that I didin't know had gluten in it. How do you know for sure without calling evey company?? Plus when you go out to eat, the only place I know of that has and actual gluten free menu is Outback. I guess I'm just really confused.

Also, who do you talk to about pregnancy, conceiving, and infertility with Celiacs? The Gastroenterologist or the OBGYN. I don't think my OBGYN knows anything about Celiacs, not that I have ever met her, but my nurse right now was recently diagnosed with Celiacs Disease. I know this is a little scattered, but I just need to get all my ducks in a row before we start actually trying. Thanks

Carissa

[happygirl]

Have you had the bloodwork recently (the FULL Celiac panel) to see if you are still producing antibodies?

Also, what types of things are you eating? We can easily help you go 100% gluten free!!!!!!! Are you careful about cross contamination? You might want to decrease your eating out to ensure that you really are gluten free. If you are 100% gluten free and your body has healed, then your fertility should not be affected by Celiac. It is when you are ingesting gluten and setting off the Celiac autoimmune reaction that causes the problems. If you aren't 100% gluten free, then you are only gluten lite...and to control the Celiac and try to get pregnant, you definitely need to be as gluten free as you can. It requires some extra planning, but is well worth the effort!

I highly recommend Dr. Green's book "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic"-it has been an invaluable resource for me and he has a chapter on pregnancy/fertility.

[Guest cassidy]

So I took a test yesterday, and it was negative, and then I got my period this morning. So I guess we will just have to start really trying. Anyone have any suggestions?? I have been a celiac for 2 years, but didn't really realize how much stuff can go wrong until a few months ago, so I have started to eat completely gluten free. Only problem, I still sometimes eat things with gluten in it, that I didin't know had gluten in it. How do you know for sure without calling evey company?? Plus when you go out to eat, the only place I know of that has and actual gluten free menu is Outback. I guess I'm just really confused.

Also, who do you talk to about pregnancy, conceiving, and infertility with Celiacs? The Gastroenterologist or the OBGYN. I don't think my OBGYN knows anything about Celiacs, not that I have ever met her, but my nurse right now was recently diagnosed with Celiacs Disease. I know this is a little scattered, but I just need to get all my ducks in a row before we start actually trying. Thanks

Carissa

I have the best book - Taking Charge of your fertility. It explains all about your monthly cycle and how to figure out when you are ovulating so you know when to try. I thought I knew a decent amount about my body and how things work and I was blown away by this book.

I verify everything I eat, but I have done that from the start. From what I understand it is important to eat gluten-free, however if you get glutened a few times that baby will be ok. Many people here had babies before they knew they should be gluten-free and they were ok. The doctors don't recommend anything special other than staying on the diet so there isn't really a need to talk to them about it. My OB asked if I wanted to talk to a geneticist so I said yes. She basically said celiac is common (first medical professional to admit this) and just tell your pediatrician and keep it in mind if the baby gets sick. She didn't say anything about delaying introducing gluten or getting the baby tested so I'm going to look into all that in a few months.

Good luck!

[tarnalberry]

I also would encourage charting so you know when you are fertile. And make sure to stay 100% gluten free - if you don't know something is gluten free, don't eat it. I know it can get tough, and requires plenty of planning, but untreated (or insufficiently treated) celiac is a problem.

[kbtoyssni]

If you don't know if a food is gluten-free call the company. Yes, it's a pain, but it's the only way you can know for sure. Or ask here - most likely someone else has called before

A lot of mainstream restaurants will have gluten-free menus if you ask for them. They're just not as well-known as the Outback's gluten-free menu. And even places without gluten-free menus can make things gluten-free. Think plain - most meat, potato, veggies can be made gluten-free. Mexican is great because of the corn-tortilla base. Thai food is great because of the rice-noodle base. And I'm finding Indian food to be pretty gluten-free friendly, too. Don't be afraid to ask for substitutes. Rice or potato can be substituted for noodles, corn tortillas for wheat. Sometimes I don't even look at the menu. I'll just say I want a salad WITHOUT these ingredients and they make me something. Or plain chicken and veggies. If you call the chef before you go he/she will often get creative and make you something special.

[Alexandra]

Carissa,

If you need medical help conceiving a healthy pregnancy -- and I don't know whether you do or not -- the type of doctor you want to see is a Reproductive Endocrinologist. An OB/GYN may be some help but many are not, and a celiac specialist isn't going to know about reproductive medicine (though is important, obviously, in terms of helping you reach a healthy state suitable for pregnancy).

The general advice given is that if a couple has been trying for 2 years without success, they should consult a reproductive endocrinologist. I don't know, honestly, how miscarriages fit into that advice. I do know that the older you get, the more important it is to act quickly as female fertility declines starting (no joke) at about age 20. While most of us can conceive easily well into our 30s, and some into our 40s, the older you are (on average), the less likely it is that current medical technology can help you if you need it (this applies only to women; men's fertility is not affected by age in the same way). I think this is something many people don't realize -- medical help (if needed) can help with fertility problems but not with those caused by a woman's age, and as a woman ages, it is more difficult to treat other problems if they exist.

This is written from the experience of an infertility veteran -- I am now 20 weeks pregnant (for the first time ever) after my 4th IVF. Hopefully you won't need the kind of interventions I did, but if you do, it is better to find out soon. It may be a good idea to schedule a consult just to get a basic workup and the doctor's advice.

Finally, celiac is an auto-immune disease and people who have one auto-immune condition are more likely than other people to have others (including the thyroid stuff I mentioned above). As a number of auto-immune problems do affect fertility and some, though not all, are treatable, it would be worth drawing this to the attention of any doctor you consult and asking if there are other things you should be tested for.

-- Alexandra

[Judyin Philly]

Carissa,Welcome

Jim and I tried for 10 years with 2 miss's way before I was ever dx'd.

it's been so long ago since my now 31 year old son was born.

There is a good article of hope from Alice Blast in a recent magazine.

I will try to find it for you and post it.

she spoke at our celiac support group.

what a powerful woman she is.

soo sorry your not pregnant..I do know the feeling.

judy

[ylimaf]

really very seriously important. Get OFF the prenatal from unless they specifically say GLUTEN FREE!!!!!!!! Yes medicines and vitamins contain gluten. I misscarried a set of triplets becouse of gluten. I am pregnant again in the shadows of that pregnancy. It doesnt matter if you have had a test for celiac disease or not. If you suspect you have celiac disease then immediatly get off gluten at least until the pregnancy is over if the pregnancy survives. Two places I have gotten prenatals from that are listed as gluten free are GNC (it gave me headaches), and Perry makes a gluten free prenatal (I am taking those now). If you have seriously been gluten free that is very wonderfull. Just watch that medication and vitamin challenge.

[AndiceRMT]

I have been completely Gluten Free for about 2 weeks now. I think the reason it has always been so hard is because I don't have symptoms very often. I know I have Celiacs Disease, but the only thing presenting when I was diagnosed was nausea. So if I ate something with gluten in it after I just eating most things I didn't notice. It has been very hard since I am a very picky eater, and don't really like to try new things. I have a my thyroid checked a few months ago since I have trouble loosing weight, adn everything cam e back normal, so aparently that is not an issue. My husband and I decided that we will wait till this summer to start trying again just to make sure my body is fully healed. Thank you for all of your help and making me go gluten free. If any of you know some good queso recipes or stuffing recipes let me know. Queso is my most favorite comfort food, and well as you know it is not gluten free, so that can be hard.

Carissa

[CarlaB]

Melted Velveeta with a can of tomatoes with green chilies (check the can to be sure it's gluten-free, I would guess most are) makes a great queso. You can also add some browned gluten-free sausage.

[Guest nini]

I have been completely Gluten Free for about 2 weeks now. I think the reason it has always been so hard is because I don't have symptoms very often. I know I have Celiacs Disease, but the only thing presenting when I was diagnosed was nausea. So if I ate something with gluten in it after I just eating most things I didn't notice. It has been very hard since I am a very picky eater, and don't really like to try new things. I have a my thyroid checked a few months ago since I have trouble loosing weight, adn everything cam e back normal, so aparently that is not an issue. My husband and I decided that we will wait till this summer to start trying again just to make sure my body is fully healed. Thank you for all of your help and making me go gluten free. If any of you know some good queso recipes or stuffing recipes let me know. Queso is my most favorite comfort food, and well as you know it is not gluten free, so that can be hard.

Carissa

why is queso not gluten-free? isn't it just cheese? instead of dipping flour tortillas in it, dip corn chips? Am I wrong? Is there something about the way queso is made?

[AndiceRMT]

Melted Velveeta with a can of tomatoes with green chilies (check the can to be sure it's gluten-free, I would guess most are) makes a great queso. You can also add some browned gluten-free sausage.

On the ingredients on velvetta it has whey in it. We aren't supposed to eat whey right?

[Guest cassidy]

On the ingredients on velvetta it has whey in it. We aren't supposed to eat whey right?

Whey is fine, it is made from cheese. I haven't looked at a velveeta label but since someone mentioned eating it, then I think it would be fine (but please verify). There is a list somewhere on this website that lists all the names that gluten can go by, maybe someone can direct you to it better. Gluten can go by many names but lucky for you, whey isn't one of them. I hope you enjoy your velvetta.

I would definitely agree with the idea of waiting to get pregnant since you just went gluten-free. Besides the healing process no one told me how crappy I would feel in the beginning. It is totally worth it but I only had 6 months of feeling good after going gluten-free before feeling bad every day again. If it realized it would be this hard I think I would have given myself more time to feel good in between. If you are a picky eater (I am to) it makes it more difficult. All the things I used to like taste gross now so I have to find new gluten-free foods because I can't starve and I think it would have been better to try more stuff before so I would have more options now.

[Judyin Philly]

I sent you a PM last nite did you get it.

Judy

[happygirl]

make sure you use the lists on celiac.com...they will be helpful in finding which ingredients are/aren't safe until you learn more

https://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=12

Also, I would recommend Dr. Peter Green's book "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic"...it has a chapter that goes in depth about celiac-pregnancy-fertility/infertility. Plus, it is an excellent source of info about Celiac.

[AndiceRMT]

I sent you a PM last nite did you get it.

Judy

I don't think so, but I don'

t know what that is either.

[Guest nini]

On the ingredients on velvetta it has whey in it. We aren't supposed to eat whey right?

whey is dairy

[Judyin Philly]

I don't think so, but I don'

t know what that is either.

did a cut and paste of the pm.

if you go to the top of the subject thread..there is your user sign in name and right across the line is you controls , etc. and ___ new messages, if there is a 1 in there it means you have one message.

click on controls and you'll find it.

this is the message i left

**********************

Hi Carissa

I spent so much time trying to find the article in Good Housekeeping..Aug 2006 with rachel Ray on the cover..

It has a great article from Alice Blast and then someone on here posted a video a couple of days ago and there she was in video with her story...

I'll try to link this to another pm.

want to add you to my buddies so i can keep track of you if that's ok.

I did post to you earlier on the 'worried' thread but then couldn't remember where it was..oie..

I'm not on this forum much anymore so if you can please pm me we can keep in touch as email will alert me i have a message from you

i'll try to link now..hope i can find it.

good luck honey..i've been there as i posted earlier.

judy in philly

*************************

gosh it's been so long can't remember who did the thread on the video..oh think it was MOM'S ON THE MOVE... MY SOUND ISN'T WORKING SO COULDN'T LISTEN BUT KNOW SHE'S HAD ALOT OF INFERTILITY ISSUES WITH HER celiac disease.

i KNOW SOMEONE PUT A LINK TO THE GOODHOUSE KEEPING ARTICLE TOO BUT CAN'T FIND IT EITHER.

MUCH LUCK.

JUDY IN PHILLY