Help For A Newbie

[lbonnell]

Hello, I have been watching for some time and decided I need help! I have had some kind of autoimmune problem for many years. Every test came out negative. I recently (because of this site) asked a Doc to do a celiac test which presented as "neg" (in his words, don't have the details). I have gone gluten-free on and off and feel great. When I eat gluten, I blow up like a balloon, my abdomen swells to about three times its size. My throat burns, I itch and become very "foggy". I am seeing a new Doc very soon and would like to know what to ask her. If I do not have celiac, I am sure I have at least an allergy. I struggle with gluten free, I know I need to expand my foods. I get bored eating the same things and end up going back to bread. Any help is appreciated! I am 42 years old and am trying to be the healthiest person I can be.

Thanks!

Lisa

[Lisa]

Welcome Lisa.......there are many Lisa's here.

If you are going to a new doctor soon, I would suggest that you stay on a gluten diet. Providing that you are going to be tested, by way of blood test. If you eliminate gluten from you diet now, you will not have an accurate test. What testing have you had done?

If you have already have the testing done. Try being totally gluten free and see how you feel. It may take some time to feel better. I have been gluten free (as best) for about a year and a half, and I still have some ups and downs.

If you have been reading here, there is more to be gluten free than staying away from breads and pastas. Gluten is in a great deal of things.... lotions, creams, lipsticks, toothpaste (?), shampoo.....

If you do have Celiac Disease, you have it for life. A gluten free lifestyle is the cure.

If you are tired of eating the same thing, this site has the most wonderful recipes. Please search this site and there are boundless options for wonderful dining, gluten free and delicious.

[lbonnell]

Thanks for your response! I actually had a Dr. appt today. She was WONDERFUL! She is testing (blood) tomorrow. She did day that I need to remain gluten free, regardless of the test because it may not show anything. She also recommended a support group. I was very pleased, all other Dr.s dismissed me. I went out and bought some gluten-free flours. I wanted to ask if Guar Gum is the same as Xantham (sp?) gum to use in recipies.

Thanks Again

Lisa

[breann6]

good for you, and good for your doctor. sounds like your feeling better off gluten from your first post so thats telling you something. hopefully you continue on getting better and expanding your diets. i love how i eat more fresh fruits and veggies....im feeling better all the time and i'm only at a bit over a month....drink lots of water during the beginning too. Try and cut back on the processed foods at first too and see if that helps, it helped me a lot...

take care!

Breann

oh and welcome to the board!!

[CarlaB]

Lisa, welcome!

If you feel better gluten-free, then stay gluten-free, as your doc said. I also feel better gluten-free, but testing does not show I have a problem with it.

There are some pretty good breads out there .... EnerG and Kinnikinnick. They get better the longer you've been away from "real" bread!! They are also better toasted or microwaved.

Tinkyada makes great pasta.

If your health problems go away gluten-free, then stay gluten-free. If you still have some problems but feel better gluten-free, then stay gluten-free and keep looking for what else is wrong .... some of us who are non-celiac gluten intolerant have other health issues that may or may not be causing the food sensitivities ... some just feel better off gluten and have no other problems.

[Rebecca47]

Hi Lisa, If you think its apropriate I would also suggest that you have a bone density test. If you haven't alreay asked her about it. My doctor had one done on myself , because of all the years of not absorbing calcium and vitamin D etc. It gets better seems like it takes forever.

[GFBetsy]

Guar gum does the same thing as xanthan gum, and I understand that it can be substituted teaspoon for teaspoon in recipes.

[clhsc]

Where can you find Tinkyada pasta? Can you order it online?

[breann6]

Where can you find Tinkyada pasta? Can you order it online?

i get it at Whole Foods, or at Nutrition Depot- you can also buy it online. there is typically a small selection of gluten free pasta's in our Natural Foods section at Kroger or Publix but they aren't as good as Tinkyada pasta in my opinion.

~breann