Newbie Here...

[Phedre]

Hello everyone - my name is Phedre and I'm new here. I'm currently awaiting test results to find out if I have Celiac, though from everything I've researched, I'm 99% certain that I am. Our family has always had stomach issues - my grandmother has them, my father has them, and my sister as well and all of us with very similar symptoms. For the longest time, we were told it was likely IBS and that there was little that could be done for us but recently a new light has been shed on the situation...

My sister was just recently diagnosed with Celiac after years of misdiagnoses and difficulties. She's been through just about every test we could imagine and after being found to have several vitamin deficiencies and severe anemia, she tested very highly positive on a Celiac panel. We got word today that her biopsy came back positive as well (we had anticipated this - it was just for confirmation.

When the test came back, her immunologist told my mother that any first and second degree relatives with symptoms should be tested as well because it is very likely that they are also suffering from Celiac. I went in yesterday to speak with my PCP and to have blood drawn for my Celiac panel. He agreed with me that all of my symptoms match and that it would explain the GI problems that he and I have been working for months to try and explain.

When I first found out that Celiac was a possibility, I was devastated, however now that I have had some time to process and do some research, I am feeling much more positive. I have had these unexplainable GI issues since I was 12 years old along with fatigue, depression, and other symptoms and just knowing that this could explain them and allow me some relief is a huge thing for me. For that reason, I am trying my best to stay positive and also to learn as much as I can about gluten-free living in the meantime.

I joined this board on a recommendation from a friend (she is not a member but she often reads for information because her mother is a Celiac) and I am hoping to find good information and support here. From what I have read so far, I have not been disappointed! I am also hoping my mother will join as well as I think she could use some help too.

So that is my story... I probably won't have my results back on the blood test for a week or so and my doctor said that it would probably be a good idea to have an endoscopy to confirm once that happens. The waiting game is frustrating for me but at least now I feel like we might have some sort of a lead on what is going on.

I look forward to getting to know the others here and to learn from their experiences

Phedre

[happygirl]

Phedre,

Welcome to the board! I think you'll find that this board really is a great resource. I'm glad that you joined and introduced yourself.

That's great that the doctor recommended that all relatives are tested. In case you need the list of the Celiac tests for other family members, you can find it here: Open Original Shared Link The rest of that website is great, also.

To make life a little easier when food shopping, here is a list of "bad" ingredients. https://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsaf...ents/Page1.html The good news is that on a daily basis, you won't often see a lot of those ingredients (unless you are looking at obvious gluten products....breads, pastas, pastries, etc.)

Here is a list of companies that won't hide any gluten in the ingredients. If you don't see wheat, rye, barley, malt, or oats clearly listed, then you don't have to worry that its in there "somewhere." It helps so that you don't have to worry about starches, colorings, flavorings, etc. Open Original Shared Link

When you get your results, make sure that you get a copy so that you know which tests were run and what the results were. Keep in mind that testing is not perfect, so even if you are negative, it may be worth it to try the gluten-free diet to see if it alleviates your symptoms.

If you are looking for a good pasta, try Tinkyada. Its a rice based pasta and one of the favorites of members of this board. www.tinkyada.com. You can often find it in grocery stores, health food stores, and online.

Best of luck! I hope that you find some much needed answers.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Phedre

I just wanted to welcome you to the board. Feel free to ask any questions you might have--we're glad to help!

[kbtoyssni]

Welcome! Going gluten-free is the best thing that ever happened to me. My life is so much better now that I have my health so hopefully this will be the answer to your health problems, too.

[mamaw]

welcome.

You will find more info here than most doctors could tell you & yummy recipes to boot!!!!

mamaw

[Guest lorlyn]

Just wanted to also welcome you to the board. I was so confused when they told me my 11 yearold daughter had Celiac. I had never heard of this disease before. It makes me sad for her and my husband who we know has it to, but did not get him tested to him being self employed. My daughter just had her one year gluten free anniversary 2 months ago and my husband will be gluten free for a year in a couple of weeks from now. My daughter has no more stomache aches now but my husband still has lasting effects. Every thing gets easier as time goes by, so just hang in there and read all you can from this site it is the best.

Take care

[Phedre]

Phedre,

Welcome to the board! I think you'll find that this board really is a great resource. I'm glad that you joined and introduced yourself.

That's great that the doctor recommended that all relatives are tested. In case you need the list of the Celiac tests for other family members, you can find it here: Open Original Shared Link The rest of that website is great, also.

To make life a little easier when food shopping, here is a list of "bad" ingredients. https://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsaf...ents/Page1.html The good news is that on a daily basis, you won't often see a lot of those ingredients (unless you are looking at obvious gluten products....breads, pastas, pastries, etc.)

Here is a list of companies that won't hide any gluten in the ingredients. If you don't see wheat, rye, barley, malt, or oats clearly listed, then you don't have to worry that its in there "somewhere." It helps so that you don't have to worry about starches, colorings, flavorings, etc. Open Original Shared Link

When you get your results, make sure that you get a copy so that you know which tests were run and what the results were. Keep in mind that testing is not perfect, so even if you are negative, it may be worth it to try the gluten-free diet to see if it alleviates your symptoms.

If you are looking for a good pasta, try Tinkyada. Its a rice based pasta and one of the favorites of members of this board. www.tinkyada.com. You can often find it in grocery stores, health food stores, and online.

Best of luck! I hope that you find some much needed answers.

Thank you for the warm welcome and the links! Already, they are helping to ease my anxiety about going gluten free. I feel fortunate to have found this place, especially because I already have a stockpile of recipes I am dying to try!

I am also fortunate to have some support during this transition - my mother is constantly researching and sending me the things she finds (as I send her what I find). Two heads are better than one, of course, so this has been really helpful. I'm still hoping she will join up here as well

Also, my boyfriend is a chef and many of the things he cooks have gluten in them (just by the nature of New Orleans food!) but he's already begun researching gluten free options for his recipes. He is even looking into making his own flour! We recently discovered the wonder of quinoa together (before I found out this was a factor) and now he is all excited about trying to find new ways to use it. His understanding and support means so much to me, I can't even tell you how much easier it is making things for me!

I am so happy I found this place because it just makes the gluten-free life seem so much less daunting. I'll take any help I can get!

I should add that I decided this morning that regardless of my test results, I will be going gluten-free (at least for a while) to see if that aleveates my symptoms. I figured "why not?" Even if the results are negative, having a positive change on the diet is confirmation enough for me!

Thanks for all of your help!

Phedre