Celiac's & Type I Diabetes

[Peacock93]

Trying to get up the courage to make ONE MORE diet adjustment in my life!!!!!!

Gone through the gamet of testing, colonoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound, CT w & w/out contrast...trying to find the problem I've been having for over two years. I just had a blood draw today, but it doesn't sound like I should hold much hope (or should I say wishfull thinking) in that endeavor.

So...here I am...trying to figure out where to start. I live in a fairly small town and I'm not sure where to begin. My diet is already restricted because of my diabetes. I'm on an insulin pump and would really like to hear 1) from anyone who can help me get started, but 2) from other insulin dependent diabetics and how they made the transition. I think after the last few years my doc is ready to give up on me. She told me the only way to know is to try the diet and see if it works. Which after reading postings on this site seems like good advice; however, she didn't give me any real direction.

One question I have is how long does it take from when you start the diet until you feel a significant change?

Thanks to all and any,

Nanc

p.s. My maternal grandmother had Celiac's which was misdiagnosed for a number of years.

[RiceAddict]

Peacock,

I'm there for ya, babe! I have had Type 1 for 17 years and now on a pump. I was DX celiac by accident just before thanksgiving. We were trying to explain the cause and prevention of a number of low blood sugar attacks that sent me to the ER. In fact, I'm writing this at 2:30am because...well...you know what happend at 2am, and what keeps you awake until 2:30, time to grab another juice.

OK, I'm back and we are on the way up, now at 63. You see, These are real problems that many others just like you (and me) have to deal with. Yea, it sucks, but we get over it and help each other out whenever we can. You CAN do this.

I have a pretty good grasp on the gluten-free diet now, been just under 2mo. I am starting to feel a little better, but the change is gradual. I find the diet doesn't really change much in the way of diabetes. I count carbs more vigorously, and I have to make sure that a gluten-free glucose source is always nearby--it is no longer acceptable to just go grab a doughnut. Like so many others in this forum I have other food restrictions that make the celiac more difficult to manage.

Each time I get a new diet restriction from the Dr, I meet with a specialized dietician at Mayo in Rochester (I'm not far away) If they are not covered by yyour insurance it can be excpensive I'm sure, but I find the help and the resources they provide to be wonderful. They always give me a business card and I call one of them when I need some questions answered. My experience with the dietitians has been great, don't know what other's opinions are. I have dupes of a lot of the material and I can get more I'm sure. I'd be more than happy to send them along to you if you'd like.

OK, last juice run then back to bed.

[Peacock93]

Thanks for the quick response....yes...I do understand the 2:00 thing...for me it's between 3-4...and I finally fall asleep right before it's time to get up.

How ironic the first person to respond lives near Mayo...I live in the Brainerd/Baxter area. My diabetes healthcare is provided through the VA. I have an appt with that Dr. on the 16th. My experience with dieticians is that I generally know more about how to manage my disease regarding food than they do. I suppose I just need to get my but to the store....and get started.

Nanc

[happygirl]

Nanc,

Welcome to the board! I am happy you have found us. This board is a great resource and full of a lot of information and support.

In general---its hard to say how long it takes. Some people see an immediate difference (less bathroom problems) but it takes them awhile to regain their full health back. Others don't see any differences for awhile (weeks, months). As Celiac has multiple symptoms, and everyone's bodies seem to react differently to Celiac, it really depends. You may see improvements, but overall, it is not unusual to take awhile to return to any sense of normalcy. This is because our bodies have to recover from the damage done, it needs to build itself back up and start absorbing nutrients again, etc.

Plus, the diet can be hard to get a grasp on to start with. So, you will have slip ups, and eat things with gluten, and get gluten through cross contamination, etc. and that can delay your full healing. But, we have all gone through it. Let us know what we can do to help!

Laura