I Fell Off The Wagon...

[TheresaM]

I was gluten free for over a year and a half and then fell off the wagon two months ago when my son was born. I was SO HUNGRY while breastfeeding and at first I didn't have the adverse effects...well they are back - extreme joint pain, abdominal pain, numbness in my hands and feet - I've even had eight cavities spring up since my last checkup six months ago. I know I'm going to have to go through Gluten Detox again. I'm beating myself up now for letting it go on for two months...

Can someone help me out in getting back into the swing of things...any advice? I hate having to start over...but I guess I do huh?

[cyberprof]

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. Such an exciting time for you and your family!

My opinion is that the diet itself will be the reward, once you start feeling better. You might start with fresh whole foods, with the idea of nourishing your body-- plain fresh meat, chicken and fish, tasty veggies and fruits (cooked if that helps your digestion while your system heals), non-processed foods and little fast food or junk. It's hard but will be worth it!

You might promise yourself something good for following the diet- a massage, coffee with friends, a manicure, dinner and a walk with your spouse/partner. I hope your spouse/partner/family/friends are helpful and can treat you well while you take care of your body and your baby!

[NoGluGirl]

I was gluten free for over a year and a half and then fell off the wagon two months ago when my son was born. I was SO HUNGRY while breastfeeding and at first I didn't have the adverse effects...well they are back - extreme joint pain, abdominal pain, numbness in my hands and feet - I've even had eight cavities spring up since my last checkup six months ago. I know I'm going to have to go through Gluten Detox again. I'm beating myself up now for letting it go on for two months...

Can someone help me out in getting back into the swing of things...any advice? I hate having to start over...but I guess I do huh?

Dear TheresaM,

I have been gluten-free since August of 2006. I never cheat due to becoming violently ill upon ingesting even the most minute amount of gluten. My brother, however, is just starting his gluten-free journey. Gluten detox is tough. I think your pregnancy altered your hormones and that caused you to desire the gluten.

Saving your teeth sounds like good motivation to be gluten-free again. If you continue to eat gluten, you will not have any teeth left to chew gluten-containing or any other type of food! My father had to go through the misery of getting his teeth pulled and root canaled, then having to remove a majority of his diseased teeth for false ones. This is not something you want to go through! If it is that hard on your teeth, imagine what it does to your poor, defenseless villi in your intestines. You can just hear them screaming for help as gluten passes through, flattening them.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[JNBunnie1]

If it is that hard on your teeth, imagine what it does to your poor, defenseless villi in your intestines. You can just hear them screaming for help as gluten passes through, flattening them.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone (not me, can't even draw a proportionate stick figure) should start a comic strip about the dangers of Celiac disease. They could have Schwarzenegger be gluten! "I'LL BE BACK!" HAHAHAHAH!!!!

[NoGluGirl]

Dear JNBunnie1,

ROTFLMAO! I could do the comic! I am an artist! How about Osama Bin Laden as gluten? There are a lot of good possibilities for that! Gluten is the enemy!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Saz]

Try not to beat yourself up about it, I found that when I was trying to stop eating gluten the more I would be beat myself up about it, the less easy it was. I stoped gradually eating it, start out small by maybe having fruit for breakfast instead toast ( or find a nice gluten-free one). I have to eat a lot gluten before I will get ill so this may not be suitable for you, but just thought I'd share my experince. I also like what other posters mentioned about treating yourself to something special if you avoid gluten.