Help Anyone?

[Justin087]

Okay, Heres my life story, well, uhh, story.... I was diagnosed this time or earlier last year with celiac disease.... and I went gluten free for about 7 months, and then it was summer, tempting tempting summertime, so, I cheated once, and ever since i cannot stop eating gluten even through the pain, I dont know if anyone else has had addiction like problems, but if you have, would you share some tips that may help me stop? Its so bad right now I live every day in pain.... Thought about looking for a support group or something but i cant find anything like that within 100 miles of here..... hopefully someone can help me, and by the way, I am new here so I will intro myself, My name is Justin! .... Thank you..

[Guest melannen]

Welcome Justin! The best tip I can give you is hang out here Lots of helpful people who're more then happy to answer any and all your questions as best they can!

Once I figured out gluten was my problem I was never tempted enough to "test the waters". I'm still tempted, oh yes I am tempted, but I just think to myself "is that donut/pizza/licorice/whatever really worth me suffering for at least two weeks??" The answer is always no. For me, the pain is too much.

Not much help I know, but it's a start! I'm sure others will be along later with other words of wisdom

[Justin087]

Oh yeah and how come i cant see my post in the Coping with section? LOL perhaps i need message boarding lessons, I clicked for the emailr eply note thing so thats how i got back here, wheres my post at? LOL....

[Guest melannen]

When new topics are first started they're not pinned until a mod reads them. This cuts back on spam. If you go to the last page of each section you'll see the new topics waiting to be approved.

I had to ask too

[Ursa Major]

Hi Justin, and welcome to this board. The reason you couldn't find your post right away (even though if you click on 'view new posts' you would) is, that a moderator has to read and approve it first, and then pin it. Which I have just done.

Justin, how old are you? If you don't stop eating gluten, you will end up very, very ill and maybe die. Yes, you are likely quite addicted to gluten, unfortunately. And you will probably go through withdrawal symptoms once you finally go off gluten. But you need to!

You don't want to end up with other autoimmine diseases or cancer down the road, because that's where you're heading. Now that you have come here, we're going to care, and we won't leave you alone until you quit. And yes, cold turkey is the only way that works.

Of course, that's likely why you came here and posted, you really do want to go gluten-free, and need support. You will certainly get that here. It's too bad that there are no support groups where you are. I have the same problem. But this board is great for support.

[aikiducky]

For a practical suggestion - start with stocking up on tasty alternatives. Go grocery shopping and buy some juicy fruits and some meat and veggies, if you have a health food store nearby, invest in some gluten free cookies and treats. The THROW OUT everything that has gluten in it. Don't give yourself the chance to be tempted!

I just realized that this doesn't work if you live with gluten eating people... in that case, you need their help to keep reminding you that you're not supposed to eat "their" food and that you have your own gluten-free alternatives.

Youre probably not going to feel well right away so be prepared for that.

And please come here and vent anytime you need support!

Hope this helps!

Pauliina

[Guest nini]

what helps me not to cheat is getting it through my head that gluten=poison and I would never willingly ingest poison... so whenever I see something yummy looking like Krispy Kreme donuts or KFC chicken or a Taco Bell enchirito I just keep repeating to myself "poison, poison, poison... nasty evil poison!" of course I miss all my old favorites, but I much prefer feeling so much better and not slowly killing myself with gluten poisoning!

Something that might help you is my newbie survival kit, just click on the link in my signature below and go to the bottom of the page on my website, there you will find the link to download the newbie survival kit. It's just a collection of files I wish I'd had when I was first dx'ed and it makes life so much easier.

[almostnrn]

First of all welcome! I can tell you that I felt like I was going through withdrawl when I quit eating gluten. I craved it, thought about it constantly, etc. After a while, and I"m very sorry I can't remember just how long, that did go away. Maybe a couple of weeks and maybe because I felt so much better. Don't know, but I do quite clearly remember making the comment that giving up gluten was like an alcoholic giving up liquor. Good luck to you, and hang in there it WILL get better.

[Saz]

Hey Justin.

For the last four years I have been cheating way to much, however unlike you and the many other people on this board, i have to eat a lot to get ill. However about two months ago I made the decision to stop this.

I had tired a few time in the last few years to stop cheating but I failed and think that was because I just completly stopped eating it.

This time tho I just slowly took it out of my diet (Im not quite perfect yet, still sometimes get a sauce or something with my meat if i go out)

Basically what I did is if I I got hamburger I asked for it without the bun (provided its ok then of course) I have found that by slowly doing this it has worked far better, the last MAJOR piece of gluten that I had was a half a piece of toast on the 23 sep. I still occasionaly crave normal bread, but I have found some alternatives that taste good if you toast it. Like other have said go to the health food shop and check all the alternatives they have, I don't about where you live but in Australia in the last 1-2 years so many things have come out and they are actaully decent tasting.

Don't keep putting off, I did this for so long I kept saying tommorrow or next week and it never came.

Another thing I that might help give you ensentive: Is there something that you really want like a dvd player , Instead of rushing out to buy it, you could set a goal, that you will get if you can stay away from gluten for a month? This may not work for you but I have had heard of people trying to give up other things who have done this.

One other thing, if you do avoid gluten for say 2 wks in the begging and then you do cheat, don't beat yourself up to much, I have found that this really doesn't help. I find it far better to go ok, I shouldn't I have done that, but its ok I will just have be extra carefull for the next few days.

Good luck to you! It will be a challenge but you can do it! And the best bit? when you do you wil feel so much better!

[GFBetsy]

Justin -

Where is "here" (in general geographic terms)? It is possible that there are people on this board from your area who might be able to form a support network with you. Try a shout-out in the Celiac Meeting Room part of the board . .. you may find somebody!

Welcome!

[mouse]

Welcome to the forum Justin. There are many people here who will be glad to help you. I really don't have any advice as I did not go through the addiction withdrawal. By the time I got my diagnosis, I was almost 62 and about 2 weeks away from NO recovery and that was according to the the GP who diagnosed me. I do understand that gluten is very addictive and I think with any addiction, that the best step is to totally stop all at once. Not easy, but certainly necessary in the case of Celiac Disease.

[Justin087]

you are all so nice, I have stopped eating gluten for 2 days now, and I am already feeling better... the pain finally got the best of my habit, My new habit is reading ingredients

[brendygirl]

Prevent the cravings. Put plenty of Gluten Free foods all over so you can have quick access to it if you happen to get hungry. Put Bumble bars or bags of trail mix in your car. Put Airheads or peanuts or M&M's at your desk at work. Keep fruit and yogurt in the refrigerator at work and at home. The night before work, prepare a gluten free lunch to bring to work. Last week I kept a box of mini-Charleston Chews in my purse. There are LOTS of gluten free candies and junk foods you can eat so you don't feel deprived. Eat them. Don't feel bad, indulge a little if it will stop you from grabbing gluten food!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Fritos are gluten-free!