It's Feeling Better The Best Way To Go?

[alissa]

Just reading some the the topics.... it's funny how family members that have stomach problems and "D" , pretty much all symptoms of celiac will not ask to be tested. I have been gluten-free for the past two years and always had stomach problems as per the rest of my family members on my mom's side. A couple of them are on stomach pills (we all have had galbladder removed) yet none of them have sinced been tested for celiac. I think there is a fear in them that the tests could actually be positve and they would have to go gluten free. I feel finding out and going gluten free has made all the difference. Isn't feeling healthy better than the suffering?

[wowzer]

Alissa, I'm with you. If you are gluten free and feel better, then why would you eat it? I grew up with a little sister that was diagnosed with celiac at a year old. I'm still trying to figure out if I am. My blood test came back negative. I have had many bouts of strange rashes over the years and I'm wondering if it might be DH. I finally went on the diet a month ago. I have had quite a few improvements in that little amount of time. I do notice if I eat gluten I seem more sensitive to it now. I was using a lip gloss that I didn't realize for about a week. I'm still learning.

[Guest cassidy]

My mother and I have several family members that we suspect have celiac. We have told them but they don't want to listen. When my mom first told me about it I didn't want to hear anything, but that was only for a day or two. I got tested and went gluten-free right away but at first I was in denial and I didn't want to have to deal with it. Maybe the denial phase lasts longer for some people, especially if they don't live with the celiac and aren't reminded of it often.

Same goes for people who smoke and now have a "smoker's cough" or people who are overweight and have diabetes or joint problems. They could stop doing something they like to make themselves feel better, but most people don't.

[Jestgar]

There's a lot of personal responsibility associated with this disease. Some people accept that easily and others don't.

[kbtoyssni]

There's a lot of personal responsibility associated with this disease. Some people accept that easily and others don't.

I agree. It seems like most people have to be very sick before they seek answers. If you just feel a little tired or get a bit of a stomach ache every now and then, it's not worth giving up all that yummy food. Now if you were throwing up after every meal and were too exhausted to get out of bed, you might reconsider how badly you want that food.

[jlinc]

There's a lot of personal responsibility associated with this disease. Some people accept that easily and others don't.

I agree. I think that modeling good behavior is the only way to teach. If I take care of myself, people in my family are more likely to, as well. I've found that's been true for several people I'm close to.

I don't like to "educate" people unless they ask me.

Sometimes I feel compelled to say something, like to my parents about my mom's persistent rash (sure looks like DH to me!), but if they don't listen, I have to be satisfied with having tried. Nagging is something I don't like when it's done to me, and I don't want to do it to anyone else, either.

Josh.

[blueeyedmanda]

My mom has "D" all the time so if we are going shopping or anywhere she will not eat or drink. If we go to eat out, she won't have any coffee or drinks cause she says that is what causes her problems. She also sometimes blames herself for worrying. I love her to death but I know what her problem could be...gluten! She is 65 and I don't see her testing or changing her diet. I guess by now she probably feels like why bother. I am not going to be the one to push her. The frustration is not worth it.