Need Help-started A Week Ago

[rsj]

I have struggled with stomach issues all my life. Anything I would eat or drink would send me running to the bathroom before I could complete it. Someone suggested to me to try gluten free for about 2 weeks to see what happens. I noticed right away-I could eat and not worry about stomach pain or running to the bathroom. I actually feel "normal". It's been 6 days-I don't crave any particular food like I thought I would and I "go" maybe once a day versus up to 5 times or more a dayand I can actually eat and drink without worry. Now I have dry mouth? As I started to look into the gluetn diet, I noticed the amount of sugar and carbs I am taking in and I've read some people lose weight and some gain. What else should I expect or should I just end it after the 2 weeks. I have lived with my stomach issues for more than 30 years. Would starting to eat gluten free now actually cure me and make me healthier? Thanks!

[mftnchn]

I have struggled with stomach issues all my life. Anything I would eat or drink would send me running to the bathroom before I could complete it. Someone suggested to me to try gluten free for about 2 weeks to see what happens. I noticed right away-I could eat and not worry about stomach pain or running to the bathroom. I actually feel "normal". It's been 6 days-I don't crave any particular food like I thought I would and I "go" maybe once a day versus up to 5 times or more a dayand I can actually eat and drink without worry. Now I have dry mouth? As I started to look into the gluetn diet, I noticed the amount of sugar and carbs I am taking in and I've read some people lose weight and some gain. What else should I expect or should I just end it after the 2 weeks. I have lived with my stomach issues for more than 30 years. Would starting to eat gluten free now actually cure me and make me healthier? Thanks!

You have had a pretty strong positive reaction to the diet. If you are celiac, then yes you would be healthier and perhaps "cured" as long as you stay away from gluten.

You may look at other posts here for discussions of people trying to get diagnosed.

[ArtGirl]

Welcome to the board, and welcome to the gluten-free lifestyle. It's wonderful that you've discovered what has been your problem all along and that you had such an immediate positive response to eating gluten-free.

I wouldn't go back to gluten if they paid me. I, too, went over 30 years undiagnosed, and am really self-diagnosed. No way would I go back to being chained to the bathroom and feeling awful most of the time.

Eating gluten-free can be very healthy and, if one doesn't replace all the "goodies" with the high carb, high sugar substitutes, one can actually lose and maintain weight. I am one of those who can easily gain weight, and unless I restrict my carb intake it can get away from me very quickly.

Dry mouth?? I don't know if this is a reaction to eliminating gluten from your diet - haven't heard anyone mention it before.

Good luck on your new lifestyle.

[loco-ladi]

I am self diagnosed like you mostly, was seeing a dr for my problems for lord how many years with no luck, just more pills......

Just a few weeks into this totally gluten-free I feel so much better and yes once again I will say I LOST 5 POUNDS!!!!!

You could not pay me enough to go back on gluten to get officially diagnosed, I am here for the duration of my life!

[pedro]

Hi and welcome to the gluten free world, and to this forum.

In this diet you will feel better, and most important you will stay healthier.

When I started the diet my triglycerides was 237 and now almost six weeks into the diet my triglycerides is 71. My cholesterol was 241 now is down to 200, and I hope it goes further down.

I've lost 20 pounds.

Here we all are living proof the diet works.

About the dry mouth, lots of medications will give you a dry mouth. Please check with the package insert. If you are taking any medication, this will help you find their effects.

Take care, and best of lucks to you.

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome

[bluejeangirl]

My guess with the dry mouth is the increase of carbs to the diet. There is potato starch in many of the mixes and breads which is high in the glycemic index. You might be prediabetic and your body dumps the excess sugar by excreting it in the urine so you'll tend to be more thirsty. Its a big change in your diet and you have to adjust it gradually. I think a big mistake many people make is trying all the gluten free bakery, breads and desserts in quantities that your not used to. I would suggest to watch your total carb count and keep it at a limit and see if the dry mouth goes away. Remember too that there is also no fiber in these gluten free goods so it doesn't have the advantage of a slow release of sugar into the bloodstream that the fiber gives.

Anyway play around with it,

Gail

[Susanna]

Hey rsj--well, if the diet is working for you, I'd say stick with it. I'll give you some tips for that in a minute, but I'm concerned about your dry mouth symptom. Dry mouth can be a symptom of Sjogren's Syndrome--an autoimmune disorder that affects the moisture producing tissues. Other symptoms are dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue, joint pain--if you have any of these, I'd recommend that you see a rheumatologist about it. If you do, be sure to mention your positive response to the gluten-free diet. Celiac disease (if you have it) can also be found with other autoimmune disorders in many people. I certainly hope you don't have Sjogren's, but if you do, it's important to know, so you can treat it appropriately--I'm no expert on this, but you could read up on the Web if you want.

gluten-free newbie tips--now you can eat to treat, and soon feel better. Here are some key coping strategies to get you started.

1. Know that you will grieve your old favorite gluten-filled foods. I actually tear up when I see a brioche sometimes. Grieving is normal, BUT IT IS NOT EASY OR COMFORTABLE. People around you will eat treats you can't have and you will feel sad and isolated. Strategy: stock your car, office, purse, backpack, secret drawer at home with gluten-free treats you can reach for any time you are feeling deprived. This really helped me. I recommend Baby Ruth Bars, Snicker Bars, Lara Bars, Dove Dark Chocolate, meringue cookies, macaroon cookies (read labels), Butterfinger, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. You get the idea.

2. Know that it will take time (months, probably) to figure out what to eat (it took me 6 mos.) and during this time, it'll be kind of a daily challenge to plan meals. Every time you go to the store it'll be a challenge to choose groceries. Strategy: plan on an hour--don't bring kids or friends. Go the bathroom before you start grocery shopping. Bring your reading glasses--read every label. The good news is, THIS GETS MUCH BETTER OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AS YOU GET USED TO THE DIET.

3. It may take a while for your gut to heal, depending on how damaged it was at the time you went gluten free. So, you are going to have to be patient with your body--some people feel better immediately after going gluten-free, but most of us take longer than that. Don't give up if you don't see instant results. Strategy: Maximize your general health by getting enough rest, water, exercise, and limiting stress. Maximize your digestive health by limiting foods that are hard on the gastrointestinal tract until you're feeling better: limit irritants like dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and fried foods--these are all hard to digest--go back to them when you feel your gut is recovering.

4. Accept right now that it will be YOUR job to teach those around you about your diet

[NoGluGirl]

I have struggled with stomach issues all my life. Anything I would eat or drink would send me running to the bathroom before I could complete it. Someone suggested to me to try gluten free for about 2 weeks to see what happens. I noticed right away-I could eat and not worry about stomach pain or running to the bathroom. I actually feel "normal". It's been 6 days-I don't crave any particular food like I thought I would and I "go" maybe once a day versus up to 5 times or more a dayand I can actually eat and drink without worry. Now I have dry mouth? As I started to look into the gluetn diet, I noticed the amount of sugar and carbs I am taking in and I've read some people lose weight and some gain. What else should I expect or should I just end it after the 2 weeks. I have lived with my stomach issues for more than 30 years. Would starting to eat gluten free now actually cure me and make me healthier? Thanks!

Dear rsj,

I have a lI have a list that should really help. This is overwhelming. I went through this with myself six months ago. You spend most of your day cooking and cleaning obsessively. The rest you are on the phone with reps from companies trying to find out what is safe. I decided to save you the trouble!

1. There are a number of things in the regular grocery that are safe. Some things are labeled already. Wal-Mart's Great Value brand has numerous things you can eat.

2. For the love of God use Coupons on items you are allowed to eat. People can get them and print them out online even. Call some of the local stores and ask if they accept online coupons.

3. Check the ads online and in the newspaper. You would be surprised how many people do not do this.

4. Some items like rice flour and rice noodles are safe to buy at the Chinese or oriental market. The merchants are more than happy to help you if you cannot read the label.

Now, here is my list of great things to get you started:

Condiments:

Smart Balance Margerine*

Crisco Shortening

Crisco Oil

Pompeiian Olive Oil

Great Value soy sauce

Heinz Ketchup

Lea & Perrins Worchestershire Sauce (all Lea & Perrins Products are safe)

Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce

Kraft French Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Kraft Thousand Island Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Pace Picante Sauce

Ortega Salsa

All Classico Red and *White sauces

All Jif Peanut Butters including Smooth Sensations

Welch's Grape Jelly

Cool Whip*

Philadelphia Cream Cheese*

Miracle Whip

Daisy Sour Cream (fat-free, low-fat, regular)*

Snack Foods:

Utz Potato Chips (Found at Sam