Coping With Denial

[woolwhippet]

I am doing great on the diet and have had fun cooking up new foods but sometimes I still question my diagnosis. For example, yesterday I had myself convinced that a little bit of gluten would be fine. So I ate a lovely steaming hot maple breakfast sausage. Now today I am paying the price.

One sausage made me sick and now I am realizing the depth and breadth of this disease.

On one hand I am so releived to know what was making me sick and on the other I am starting to feel pretty annoyed and maybe even angry.

Part of it is due to lack of support.

My friends and family really have no idea what this all means or exaclty how sick I have been. When I try to talk to them about what's been going on for me I can see that they really can't empathize and don't understand the learning curve I am on.

I have really tried hard to put on a brave face and make this whole thing seem like a natural part of life. But the diagnosis is new and I am realizing that I am emotionally more raw than I thought.

Has anyone ever sought proffessional counselling?

Lenore

[Lisa]

I am doing great on the diet and have had fun cooking up new foods but sometimes I still question my diagnosis. For example, yesterday I had myself convinced that a little bit of gluten would be fine. So I ate a lovely steaming hot maple breakfast sausage. Now today I am paying the price.

One sausage made me sick and now I am realizing the depth and breadth of this disease.

On one hand I am so releived to know what was making me sick and on the other I am starting to feel pretty annoyed and maybe even angry.

Part of it is due to lack of support.

My friends and family really have no idea what this all means or exaclty how sick I have been. When I try to talk to them about what's been going on for me I can see that they really can't empathize and don't understand the learning curve I am on.

I have really tried hard to put on a brave face and make this whole thing seem like a natural part of life. But the diagnosis is new and I am realizing that I am emotionally more raw than I thought.

Has anyone ever sought proffessional counselling?

Lenore

Lenore:

Here is my personal counciling. You go through a progression when diagnosed. First, you madly try to find what is safe to consume and there is a loss period where you morn the lack of food that you have been used to. It takes several months to work out the kinks. And then, I hit the angry stage. I would walk through the grocery store and just feel damn right mad.

You will overcome it. I still get angry sometimes and very frustrated at new restaurants that I find myself in. In fact, almost in tears.

I have to be healthy. I may have a grandchild in the next few years and I want to be healthy and a productive part of that. With one autoimmune disease, I don't wish for another so this keeps me on the ball with how I cook and what I eat.

Look into the future and the quality of life you would like to have for yourself.

You will see the light, beyond the tunnel. Trust me.

[woolwhippet]

Thank you so much. Those were the words I needed to hear.

[JNBunnie1]

Actually, woolwhippet, I did the exact same thing. I was self-diagnosed, I hadn't been sick long enough for a biopsy to come back positive. So I convinced myself I was 'only' gluten intolerant, as oppsed to having real Celiac disease. So on New year's I ate Chinese food with soy sauce, and had the worst New Year's ever. Now my boyfriend won't even kiss me until he's brushed his teeth if he had anything gluten that day. I'm blessed by having such a supportive family and guy, I can't imagine how hard it is for people without that, but I promise your brain will stop betraying you! What I did was create a mental picture of the night my boyfriend had to get me from work and bring me to the hopsital, stay with me all night, and call out of work the next day. That keeps me from even having cravings anymore, because nothing that's FOOD could possibly be worth that. Just keep telling yourself that you are worth more than food.

[NoGluGirl]

I am doing great on the diet and have had fun cooking up new foods but sometimes I still question my diagnosis. For example, yesterday I had myself convinced that a little bit of gluten would be fine. So I ate a lovely steaming hot maple breakfast sausage. Now today I am paying the price.

One sausage made me sick and now I am realizing the depth and breadth of this disease.

On one hand I am so releived to know what was making me sick and on the other I am starting to feel pretty annoyed and maybe even angry.

Part of it is due to lack of support.

My friends and family really have no idea what this all means or exaclty how sick I have been. When I try to talk to them about what's been going on for me I can see that they really can't empathize and don't understand the learning curve I am on.

I have really tried hard to put on a brave face and make this whole thing seem like a natural part of life. But the diagnosis is new and I am realizing that I am emotionally more raw than I thought.

Has anyone ever sought proffessional counselling?

Lenore

Dear Lenore,

My family has not been supportive all the time, either. Half of the time, they treat me like a hypochondriac. They just do not get it. It is not their intestines that are being shredded when they ignore the fact eating toast by my drink or pouring cereal right by it is dangerous. It is not them who become violently ill. Everything is easy for them.

We are the only ones who can look out for ourselves. That is the truth. I miss Chinese takeout the most. However, I am not going to eat it no matter what. I will just make my own. It is not worth becoming so ill over.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Nancym]

Well, we're here to provide the support for one another. It is difficult to find it outside this circle. You might also want to look into a local celiac group.

[tarnalberry]

Everyone has a different starting point and a different process that works for them. If counseling would help you deal with the emotional aspects of changing your lifestyle (and there are plenty of emotional aspects), then don't shy away from it! Getting professional help is just a sign that you want to be efficient and effective about making a change!

In the meantime, thinking about the change your making, and why you're making it, and how you're going to make it in all of your life, will help get you mentally situated.

[woolwhippet]

Thanks again everyone. I think tht when I eat gluten my mind goes into overdrive as well!

[NoGluGirl]

Thanks again everyone. I think tht when I eat gluten my mind goes into overdrive as well!

Dear woolwhippet,

For me, the psychotherapy was a waste of time. That was because I was physically sick and depressed because of it. Just getting to the appointment caused me a lot of stress. Some of it was my gallbladder, which I found out later. If you feel counseling will help you, you should do it. For me, it was a waste of time and money, and really just put salt on old wounds. Not being able to put your finger on what is causing the misery makes everything harder. I actually was relieved when I was diagnosed, despite the fact there are a lot foods I could not have anymore. My doctor told me just to focus on what I am grateful for and what I am able to eat. That really helps.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl