What's Normal?

[January Flower]

Hey! i've just been diagnosed with Celiac one month ago. The doctor told me to go buy a book about it. I'm feeling very alone and confused. To be honest a month ago i didnt even know what gluten was. I've been trying hard to be gluten free, and for the most part i feel alot better. But every few days i'll have a bad day, and its so frustrating. I'm not sure how long it takes to get rid of the GI problems. It's so embarassing when i'm at work or out with friends, i feel like i always have to know where all the bathrooms are at all times. I think about it constantly, and i'm sure that only makes my tummy more upset. Just wanted to see what everyone else's experiences were.

[Lisa]

Jan Flower:

Boy, you sure sound like me and I have witnesses to vouch for that! I never went anywhere without checking out the bathroom first.

I too, never heard the word. I had to google it just to know what I was dx'd with. My doctor was not help what so ever.

It does get better. As it is often said here "the learning curve is steep". That is why we are hear to help each other.

Please feel comfortable to post what every concerns or questions you have. Lots of people helped me through this and that's why a lot stick around...kinda pay it forward, thing.

Welcome to celiacland.

Lisa

[dionnek]

something that most dr's won't tell you and probably don't know is that you need to check your medications (call the manufacturer if need be), lipstick/chapstick, and maybe even shampoos/hair products and soaps/lotions (some people don't do this, but basically anything that can ever find it's way into your mouth - I eat/prepare foods with my hands a lot so lotions are important). I read the book "Wheat Free Worry Free" by Donna Korn (got it off Amazon) and it was really good, plus it has some recipes. Keep reading this board - it has the best information I've found!

[January Flower]

Hey thanks!! I feel like no one understands. Not my friends, my co-workers or my boyfriend. I guess it just takes some getting used to. I do think about it alot, everyday i wake up and think how bad will it be today?? Will i have the big D at work aggain?? Its hard. You really take for granted being able to eat whatever you want.

It is normal that its been a month since i've been cutting gluten out of my life and i still have gas/BIg D sometimes?? Its been better then it was before, but it wasn't like some miracle cure or anything. How long will i go around wondering where the nearest bathroom is??

[Lisa]

It may be time to pull up " I might Celiac if..." It is soooo wonderful and adds a level of humor.

Yup, time once again.

[Viola 1]

It's going to take awhile for you to heal ...

Also it's going to take awhile for you to realize where all that gluten is hiding. For the first few months you will likely have contamination issues. Things like putting gluten free bread in a gluten contaminated toaster. Or getting all that gluten scrubbed out of baking pans (I went out and bought new ones).

For the first while there is a lot to think about, and oodles of labels to read. You'll soon get the hang of it though.

My doctor used to say that it took a long time to do that much damage to my intestines and body, you can't expect it all to go away over night.

However, you are on the right road, and little by little you'll notice it getting better.

Welcome to the board!

[PeggyV]

I think it takes awhile, I think it is different for someone. It is harder then you think to totally remove all gluten. In the beginning I would be doing great for days and all of the sudden....bathroom attack...

5 months later, most the time I do fine, but I am not as sensitive as a lot of people on the site. Try to think of this as a healthier way to eat, and better for you. If I really crave something, I find an alternative reciepe and I make it.

This weekend my daugher, her fiancee and a friend are coming for dinner. I am making a cheesecake (been craving one all week) Beef Strogganoff and salad, all gluten free. I will provide bread for the others, but my daugher and I cant have it. I guess what I am saying is you can live a normal life. We are lucky, it could be so much worse.

[January Flower]

I think it takes awhile, I think it is different for someone. It is harder then you think to totally remove all gluten. In the beginning I would be doing great for days and all of the sudden....bathroom attack...

5 months later, most the time I do fine, but I am not as sensitive as a lot of people on the site. Try to think of this as a healthier way to eat, and better for you. If I really crave something, I find an alternative reciepe and I make it.

This weekend my daugher, her fiancee and a friend are coming for dinner. I am making a cheesecake (been craving one all week) Beef Strogganoff and salad, all gluten free. I will provide bread for the others, but my daugher and I cant have it. I guess what I am saying is you can live a normal life. We are lucky, it could be so much worse.

[mamabear]

Hey! i've just been diagnosed with Celiac one month ago. The doctor told me to go buy a book about it. I'm feeling very alone and confused. To be honest a month ago i didnt even know what gluten was. I've been trying hard to be gluten free, and for the most part i feel alot better. But every few days i'll have a bad day, and its so frustrating. I'm not sure how long it takes to get rid of the GI problems. It's so embarassing when i'm at work or out with friends, i feel like i always have to know where all the bathrooms are at all times. I think about it constantly, and i'm sure that only makes my tummy more upset. Just wanted to see what everyone else's experiences were.

Hi January Flower,

I wanted to wish you a welcome to the board. It is a fantastic source of information and if you have a question,there are tons of folks ready and willing to help. I found Bette Hagman's books(cookbooks for the most part but with great prefaces) were a fast and quick resource when I got started in celiacland(I like that !)...I also was pointed to paper and print for my education. I didn't really find this site until I had been dealing with celiac for nearly 4 years. So try not to be overwhelmed....take it one day at a time and learn to ask questions, don't be shy in restaurants, ask for a dietician or nutritionist referral, and mostly enjoy a renewed sense of wellbeing which is on the way. As to how long...well it's variable, but usually it starts to improve within 2-4 weeks......some a little longer,few very quickly. Don't forget to add gluten free multivitamins daily to help replace deficiencies . But above all, ask away. There are many very active members here to help.