Seven Things You Love About Celiac Disease

[pedro]

Hello everyone.

We need to vent the frustrations.

Seven things you love about Celiac.

1. I look at my kitchen in a different way now

2. I Like the cooking

3. I like to bake, but don

[burdee]

I appreciate your positive 'count your blessings' perspective. I hope more people will consider the benefits, not just the burdens, of having celiac disease. Here are my '7 things I love about celiac disease':

(1) Because I also have other celiac disease related food allergies (dairy, egg, soy and cane sugar), I'm FORCED to eat a healthy diet of mainly vegies, fruits, meats, nuts and gluten-free grains. No junk food for me! LOL

(2) I've been thin all my life. I'm the same weight I was during college 40 years ago and wear some of the same clothes. I've kept my weight within a 10 pound range for 40 years.

(3) People think I'm 20 years younger than I am chronologically at age 60.

(4) Food reactions give me OBVIOUS symptoms (intestinal cramps, bloating and gas) which motivate me to avoid sources of food allergies and intolerances. I don't have one of those 'silent' diseases which would allow me to mistreat my body until I'm seriously ill.

(5) Since diet is the only effective treatment for celiac disease, I divorced myself from the drug obsessed mainstream medical community and rely on the whole body preventative approach of naturopathic doctors.

(6) At age 60 I take NO PRESCRIPTIONS and only occasional OTC DRUGS (Tylenol for rare headaches).

(7) I control my health, rather then being at the mercy of some clueless doc for drug treatment.

I will add more as those occur to me. Thanks for this thought provoking topic.

BURDEE

[Nantzie]

1) I've learned to cook. Same thing though - like to cook, hate to clean up.

2) I feel better than I ever remember feeling.

3) I don't feel like I'm in a constant battle with my body.

4) I'm not overly concerned that I'm going to die before my kids are grown up.

5) I know that my kids and grandkids will never have to go through years of misdiagnosis.

6) My life isn't driven by cravings anymore.

7) I don't feel guilty eating chocolate and other gluten-free goodies. I figure it's a trade off for what I can't have. Plus, without the cravings, I'm not eating or wanting as much of this as I used to.

Nancy

[nikki8]

I know I can think of seven, but am short on time so I'm going to post the one that keeps me sane:

****Whatever has gluten in it really isn't that good for you anyway.****

I'm trying to lose a little weight. Everytime I face a tempting food that has gluten, I think "well, that isn't healthy anyway. Good thing I can't have it."

Nikki

[confused]

1. I love that i now know what is wrong with me, no longer thinking I am dying from somthing that is not controllable.

2. I love that I have an excuse to eat more organic foods.

3. i love that we know now what is wrong with my Step-son.

4. i love that i can no longer eat fast food stuff that has way too many calories

5. i love that my family has grown closer since being diagnosed

6. i love that when you call manufadtors to see if stuff is gluten free, they will send u coupons lol

7. And lastly I love that i have the energy to keep up with my 5 very active kids.

paula

[jerseyangel]

1--I finally know the reason for all of my "stomach flu's" and panic attacks.

2--I eat a very "clean" diet now.

3--I don't wake up depressed anymore

4--I get to be a member of celiac.com.

5--I don't have to take any meds for it--so no side effects.

6--I no longer question my own sanity

7--For at last, being able to tell the people in my life who rolled their eyes at me, told me I was just trying to lose weight, it was all in my head, I was just "sensitive", got mad at me for missing functions, thought I was too picky, etc, etc, that this is REAL! (I felt so vindicated )

[1-out-of-133]

1. I can fix it. The solution to a lot of my distress is simple- I don't eat gluten, I don't feel bad. I don't have to pay big bucks on medication for the rest of my life.

2. Coconut oil. I've learned so many great things about coconut oil from this web site, and use it all the time. I never would have tried it otherwise.

3. My joint pain is a lot better- I didn't even know I had joint pain. I thought I was just getting old!

4. More energy- ok sometimes it's only a 3 or 4 out of 10 but... it used to be a .25

5. Not so anxious/ depressed.

6. Helping others. Hey 1 out of 133. Since I started this last October, I have had so many discussions with other people about their chronic problems and/ or digestive issues. One of my friends I talked to about this said something about getting the fecal test done.

7. My diet is so much healthier. OK- the first month I sulked and ate Fritos and Pepsi, but now I'm into a pretty healthy basic diet.

[Creative-Soul]

Here are my first seven...

1. I finally know why I was feeling so incredibly crummy for most of my life...yea!

2. The only "prescription" that works is a change of diet - NO DRUGS!

3. I am much more aware of, and in tune with, my body

4. I no longer have those crazy annoying sugar / salt / diary cravings!!!

5. I know even more about diet / nutrition than I did before; and I thought I knew a lot!

6. Rediscovered coconut oil and my cultural - more healthy - way of eating; I've come full circle, so to speak...

7. Losing @ 20lbs of unhealthy weight, especially around the middle!

And...

I've met a great group of people here... you guys rock!

[loco-ladi]

keeping in mind I diagnosed myself (and so far appear to be right, not that I will gloat next time I see the Dr who said I am nuts)

#1 I feel so much better

#2 I feel better without the handfulllllllllssssssss of pills "he" wanted me to consume daily

#3 I have lost 5 yes people count each one of those 5 pounds in about 2 months time

#4 I am once more allowed to get creative when I have time to bake

#5 I ate a dang chocolate chip cookie (yes it was indeed gluten-free!) for the first time in 3 years and dang it all it tasted awesome!!!!!!!!!

#6 My husband is so very supportive and jumped for joy with me this morning at my bathroom scales!

#7 To heck with it next time I see the "Dr" (and I use that term loosely) on the street (cause I will be danged if I pay for another visit) I am gonna gloat to the tops of the trees!

[pedro]

You guys reminded me why I need to keep the gluten-free diet going.

Thank you for all you support.

I am here to stay!!!!!!!!!

[Kaycee]

1 I have a better awareness of food and particularly additives. I make informed choices.

2 I have learnt how to put myself first for a change. But I don't forget the rest, I just have a bit more respect for myself.

3 I have learnt how to cook from scratch again. I knew how to do it once before, but the skill went out the door when I discovered frozen packaged food.

4 I am feeling healthier.

5 I don't ever have to eat another mcd's hamburger. I can now go to posher restuarants if I want, but I don't.

6 For me, being a coeliac does not entail having to take drugs. I thank my lucky stars that I have no other diseases to contend with.

7 Can I say I have become fanatically passionate about gluten free and everything about it. Finally I have found something that gets me going. It sounds strange and probably not really a good place to be, but I have never been passionate about anything else in my life before.

Cathy

[happygirl]

4--I get to be a member of celiac.com.

Patti, you get the award for best celiac.com moderator for the above post

[jerseyangel]

Patti, you get the award for best celiac.com moderator for the above post

I'll take it!

[Judyin Philly]

hi

I was just cking to see what Patti had posted re: Laura post

This is wonderful Patti.

I hope to get there someday too.

Can you copy and put in your d/s journal.

It is just the best.

I printed it out and will add to my journal when I remember the '''sunday debacal"'

I am so greatful to know I've some so far in almost 2 years even tho i still have a long way to go.

Alot of answers are clearned now.

OK LETS JUST SAY THE LAST SENTENCE 7 TIMES.

[pedro]

7 Can I say I have become fanatically passionate about gluten free and everything about it. Finally I have found something that gets me going. It sounds strange and probably not really a good place to be, but I have never been passionate about anything else in my life before.

Cathy

[Kaycee]

Pedro, you may have my number 7 on your fridge (it should be number 1), but thanks to you I have just realised what having coeliac has done for me. By addressing the problem and going gluten free it has given me a passion, and this passion is for my life. I have found life again, and I am enjoying it.

Thank you for this reality check.

Cathy

[Karen B.]

Do I have to stop at 7? In no particular order...

1. So few of the people I work around bake that they think I'm a genius because I can make a cake or bread -- much less one without wheat!

2. gluten-free baking satisfies my inner geek because experimenting with recipes is like a science experiment. Being able to surprise a gathering of other Celiacs with a treat like powder sugar donut holes make you feel really good!

3. I'm losing weight for the first time in my life! It never worked before, but since going gluten-free I'm able to lose weight.

4. I know what goes into my mouth (and body) now.

5. Finding the answer to the muscle cramps and potassium depletion my Mom has suffered from for years that her docs couldn't solve and helping my sister heal after neck surgery #4 so she won't have to have a #5.

6. Having my broken wrist heal so well (95% usage returned) that my doc was surprised. One of the people in our Celiac group was referred after his broken bone wouldn't heal. Fortunately, my wrist broke 3 years after my diagnosis!

7. Having a health issue that doesn't require pills or treatments, just eating right. The initial tentative diagnosis was bleeding ulcer or colon cancer. Celiac was good news!

8. Having my hubby love me so much that he charted the days of an unexplained reaction against his breakfast of a gluten-free cereal or raisin bran and convinced me that it was his morning "Goodbye" kiss that was giving me problems. (I didn't think it could be that sensitive) At his insistence, we now have a gluten-free kitchen.

9. Not having to drink a Vente (20 oz) at Starbucks in the morning and another one in the afternoon to be able to function at work.

10. Discovering Chebe bread, Tinkyada pasta and quinoa hot cereal.

[Jo.R]

1) I can now enjoy my children.

2) I have been forced to deal with carb addiction.

3) I am forced (thankfully so) to cook and creat healthier meals for my family.

4) I have a good doctor.

5) I had to learn what a message board was, liked it and the people on it.

6) I have become more aware of my body.

7) I have Celiac Disease A Hidden Epidemic as a bathroom reader and no longer need a bathroom reader.