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

Found My Brother In A Heap! Starving, Dying, Weak.....

winki4

Recommended Posts

winki4 Apprentice
winki4
Posted

As a 11 year gluten free Celiac that endured my entire family pooh poohing the idea of a gluten free diet or Celiac in general, I was shocked to get a call a few days ago from my 54 year old brother. He wanted to go to the hospital. Says he is dying and needs me to take him right away. I go over to his home a few minutes away and find him looking like a death camp survivor. Emaciated, wracked with belly and intestinal pain and pale in color. I knew his backround was like mine, with stomach troubles all his life, so I knew I was looking at a full blown Celiac in serious trouble. I was in the same place 11 years ago, only days away from dying, diagnosed by my mom bringing in a magazine article from Diabetic Forecast magazine.

I knew how to help him, cleaned his kitchen of gluten, filled his cupboards with safe food, convinced him to just try the diet and voila! 4 days now and he thinks I am a genius. We have traded stories now about our past "problems" with eating certain foods. His son came for a visit today and was reading some info I printed off this forum for my brother to read. The son showed me his purple scars on certain key spots of his body and now I see the son has Demetitus Herpetiformus. You could have knocked me over with just a breath! Another Celiac in the family. So now both of them are doing the gluten free diet. I am elated and sad at the same time. My brother is getting well day by day, as all of us know the drill. He has a long road in front of him to getting well. As all of us can understand so well, he's been seen by too many doctors, been diagnosed with Bi-polar, depression, and called nuts all too often. I assured him that those bad days are largely over now. Thanks for this forum. Thank goodenss my brother will make it. :D

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


AndreaB Contributor
AndreaB
Posted

I'm so sorry he was so sick....but glad you were able to help him and that he has started on the road to better health. :)

Matilda Enthusiast
Matilda
Posted

...

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

he is so lucky to have you!

Sweetfudge Community Regular
Sweetfudge
Posted

Wow! I guess sometimes it takes getting that sick to convince people that something's wrong! Glad he's doing better!

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Wow--I'm so glad you were there for him, and that he's doing better :)

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted

Oh my gosh, you were a godsend to him. That is an amazing story! He is quite fortunate to have someone who knows the ropes and has been there all this time. :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


winki4 Apprentice
winki4
Posted
  • Author

Thank you everyone for your unending encouragement and support. When I was first diagnosed a Celiac, there was little gluten free food available off the shelf, no cookbooks, no internet help and I was on my own. Newbies have it really good these days. Again, thank you everyone. This forum helps even an "old timer" like me! :lol:

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

Your brother is really lucky to have you!

CatandCanary Rookie
CatandCanary
Posted
As a 11 year gluten free Celiac that endured my entire family pooh poohing the idea of a gluten free diet or Celiac in general, I was shocked to get a call a few days ago from my 54 year old brother. He wanted to go to the hospital. Says he is dying and needs me to take him right away. I go over to his home a few minutes away and find him looking like a death camp survivor. Emaciated, wracked with belly and intestinal pain and pale in color. I knew his backround was like mine, with stomach troubles all his life, so I knew I was looking at a full blown Celiac in serious trouble. I was in the same place 11 years ago, only days away from dying, diagnosed by my mom bringing in a magazine article from Diabetic Forecast magazine.

I knew how to help him, cleaned his kitchen of gluten, filled his cupboards with safe food, convinced him to just try the diet and voila! 4 days now and he thinks I am a genius. We have traded stories now about our past "problems" with eating certain foods. His son came for a visit today and was reading some info I printed off this forum for my brother to read. The son showed me his purple scars on certain key spots of his body and now I see the son has Demetitus Herpetiformus. You could have knocked me over with just a breath! Another Celiac in the family. So now both of them are doing the gluten free diet. I am elated and sad at the same time. My brother is getting well day by day, as all of us know the drill. He has a long road in front of him to getting well. As all of us can understand so well, he's been seen by too many doctors, been diagnosed with Bi-polar, depression, and called nuts all too often. I assured him that those bad days are largely over now. Thanks for this forum. Thank goodenss my brother will make it. :D

winki4,

Your story is so moving to me, my brother is also sick and is unwilling to do anything about it. Thank God you were able to reach your family at just the right time. I was sick for so long and now you and the others on this web page have realy changed my life and have given me the hope that some day my family will get better. My mother was very sick for years and passed away at age 44 from what I think was Celiac related illness. I believe she is watching over me now and would have given her own life to save mine. I know you must be a very strong and wonderful person. My thoughts are with you and your family. What a wonderful gift you have received for the holidays.

LOL

Cathy :D

girlfromclare Apprentice
girlfromclare
Posted

Well done you!! Im so glad that you were able to help your brother and now son as well. I know what its like to see people you love with symptoms and getting sicker and them not doing anything about it... its so frustrating. I hope it doesnt take them getting as sick as your poor brother did before they will listen to what i have to say...

well done again and I wish you all the best of luck

Liz (Ireland)

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      Curious question

      So I've been dealing with chasing the name celiac because of my body actively dealing with health issues related to celiac though not eating. Diagnosed in 1994 before foods eliminated from diet. After 25 years with former pcp I googled celiac specialist and she wasn't because of what ive been through. I wanted my results to be sent to my pcp but nothing was...
    2. Amy Barnett
      - Amy Barnett posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      0

      Question

      What is the best liquid multivitamin for celiac disease?
    3. Scott Adams
      0

      Quick Gluten-Free Shrimp Stir-Fry With Crisp Vegetables

    4. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      Alarming

      I've noticed with my age and menopause my smell for bread gives me severe migraines and I know this.Its alarming that there are all these fabulous bakeries, sandwich places pizza places popping up in confined areas.Just the other day I suffered a migraine after I got done with my mri when a guy with a brown paper bag walk in front of me and I smelled that...
    5. Maggieinsc
      - Maggieinsc commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      5

      Celiac Disease and Longevity: Can Treatment and Healing Improve Long-Term Survival?

      Thanks for the prompt reply. Interesting that blood test could be caused by other things. I am sure Dr Fincher will get to the bottom of it. I know he ate nowhere near that amt of gluten before the endoscope. Always interested in any new info abt celiac. U can not trust what is said on fb- That would be a piece of bread a day. He didn't even make that...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,321
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Yvonne Thomas
    Newest Member
    Yvonne Thomas
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jmartes71
      Curious question

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      So I've been dealing with chasing the name celiac because of my body actively dealing with health issues related to celiac though not eating. Diagnosed in 1994 before foods eliminated from diet. After 25 years with former pcp I googled celiac specialist and she wasn't because of what ive been through. I wanted my results to be sent to my pcp but nothing was sent.I have email copies.I did one zoom call with np with team member from celiac specialist in Nov 2025 and she asked me why I wanted to know why I wanted the celiac diagnosis so bad, I sad I don't, its my life and I need revalidaion because its affecting me.KB stated well it shows you are.I asked then why am I going through all this.I was labeled unruly. Its been a celiac circus and medical has caused anxiety and depression no fault to my own other than being born with bad genetics. How is it legal for medical professionals to gaslight patients that are with an ailment coming for help to be downplayed? KB put in my records that she personally spent 120min with me and I think the zoom call was discussing celiac 80 min ONE ZOOM call.SHE is responsible for not explaining to my pcp about celiac disease am I right?
    • Amy Barnett
      Question

      By Amy Barnett · Posted

      What is the best liquid multivitamin for celiac disease?
    • Jmartes71
      Alarming

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I've noticed with my age and menopause my smell for bread gives me severe migraines and I know this.Its alarming that there are all these fabulous bakeries, sandwich places pizza places popping up in confined areas.Just the other day I suffered a migraine after I got done with my mri when a guy with a brown paper bag walk in front of me and I smelled that fresh dough bread with tuna, I got a migraine when we got home.I hate im that sensitive. Its alarming these places are popping up in airports as well.I just saw on the news that the airport ( can't remember which  one)was going to have a fabulous smelling bakery. Not for sensitive celiacs, this can alter their health during their travel which isn't safe. More awareness really NEEDS to be promoted, so much more than just a food consumption!FYI I did write to Stanislaus to let them know my thoughts on the medical field not knowing much about celiac and how it affects one.I also did message my gi the 3 specialist names that was given on previous post on questions on celiac. I pray its not on deaf door.
    • xxnonamexx
      Gut nutrition supplements?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      Thanks for the info. I have been taking the ones you recommended but when I saw this I was curious if it was something else to add to the journey Thank  
    • Jane07
      Gluten free Yogurt suggest

      By Jane07 · Posted

      I used to be able to get the Rivera yougut i havent been able to get it lately. I like getting it did say it did say gluten free. I just looking for a good yogurt that gluten free that i can add some fruit and nuts to any suggestion would be helpful  thanks
×
×
  • 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.