How I Can Handle The Cravings?

[soniah]

I am a deployed soldier with Gluten sensitivy. My face look like a ballon, I gained weight and I know is water. I know is bad for me. After I eat something with gluten I get a high and them depress. It is hard for me because I do not have any distraction and everything here has gluten. I am in a remote location in Iraq we do not get fruits or vegetables. Is there any magic solution for the cravings?

[ravenwoodglass]

I am a deployed soldier with Gluten sensitivy. My face look like a ballon, I gained weight and I know is water. I know is bad for me. After I eat something with gluten I get a high and them depress. It is hard for me because I do not have any distraction and everything here has gluten. I am in a remote location in Iraq we do not get fruits or vegetables. Is there any magic solution for the cravings?

Have you gone to the medic? Do they know you have celiac, have you been diagnosed? If the answer is no then you need to bring this to the attention of your command. Stress like what you are undoubtedly under is likely to make your problems worse. It is going to be very, very hard if not impossible for you to eat gluten free in the field. Do NOT make light of your symptoms, the depression is a byproduct of the neurotoxic effects and could be very dangerous or deadly to you and even, if you should become ill enough, to those around you. My son was an unundiagnosed celiac during his time his the service. Not to scare you but during the time they were searching for what was wrong some of the meds he was put on made him psychotic. He fortunately was hospitalized at the time he called home and threatened suicide and other horrific things that I don't even want to think about let alone mention. If he had been in the field he would not be alive today, nor likely would be his commanding officers. Please get some help for this situation and this is not a time to 'buck up' and just deal with it.

Thank you so much for being where you are and doing the job you are doing. You are in a real tough spot and I hope you can address the celiac issue promptly even though it will most likely result in your being sent stateside or discharged.

((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) to you and all.

[mamaw]

Dear Soldier

I agree with Ravenwoodglass so I can't add.

But I did want to Say big "THANK YOU" for serving our country I'm proud to be an American & I have great respect for all military. May GOD keep you safe .

Talk to your commanding officer soon......I can't find the thread but there is one about the military & celiacs , maybe someone else will remember.

blessings

mamaw

[soniah]

Have you gone to the medic? Do they know you have celiac, have you been diagnosed? If the answer is no then you need to bring this to the attention of your command. Stress like what you are undoubtedly under is likely to make your problems worse. It is going to be very, very hard if not impossible for you to eat gluten free in the field. Do NOT make light of your symptoms, the depression is a byproduct of the neurotoxic effects and could be very dangerous or deadly to you and even, if you should become ill enough, to those around you. My son was an unundiagnosed celiac during his time his the service. Not to scare you but during the time they were searching for what was wrong some of the meds he was put on made him psychotic. He fortunately was hospitalized at the time he called home and threatened suicide and other horrific things that I don't even want to think about let alone mention. If he had been in the field he would not be alive today, nor likely would be his commanding officers. Please get some help for this situation and this is not a time to 'buck up' and just deal with it.

Thank you so much for being where you are and doing the job you are doing. You are in a real tough spot and I hope you can address the celiac issue promptly even though it will most likely result in your being sent stateside or discharged.

((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) to you and all.

[soniah]

Thank you so much for the response. I am the commanding officer and my boss knows about my condition. I guess I will be diferrent it was one of my soldiers but I knew I was able to manage. All my soldiers know about my condition and are very protective of my health. I only have 9 weeks to go but I was wonder about anything that made the cravings go away. I heard flax seed is good but it taste so bad. I always do really good when I am home and I have all the support of my family specially my husband. I took this mission because I belived on it. I am leaving with the Iraqi Army, training them so all the combat troops can go home. I know is a little sacrife for what others have done. If anybody have any ideas in what to do for the time been please let me know.

[Takala]

Uh, ah,.... gluten sensitivity would qualify you for an immediate military medical discharge in the United States.

Other than that, one eats sufficiently quantities of all the other foods which provide necesary carbohydrates and proteins and fats, plus some vitamin and mineral supplements, and the cravings go away eventually. If other alternative starchy grain foods are not available such as rice, tapioca, or plain corn, beans or potatoes, then the subsitution can be done with fats such as oil or butter and proteins such as meats. Proteins eventually break down to the same basics as carbs but the digestion process is much longer. Fats provide a long term source of energy.

[aeshlea]

This may sound a little strange but how much water do you drink? I am a natural health consultant and when I deal with clients who are having cravings I tell them they need to quit drinking ALL sugary drinks..including juice..but especially sodas (diet sodas too!). I dont know what you have access to over their beverage wise, but something that I can tell you works, is if you drink only water, or at least 80% of your beverage intake needs to be water. And you need to be drinking a lot of it...im talking half your body weight, in ounces. So if you weigh 130 lbs, drink as much WATER (other drinks dont count) as possible, trying to get as close to 65 ounces a day as possible. I hope that made sense?! Water cuts cravings incredibly..if you are properly hydrated you body will stop craving sugars (which is what bread is mostly broken down into in your body when it is processed). Also, stop eatting other sugary things. Good luck over there, my brother was in Iraq serving for a year so my heart goes out to all of you over there.

[KimmyJ]

I don't actually have any help to offer, but I wanted to say thank you for your service - my husband is currently serving in Iraq and I know that he often finds it to be quite the stressful situation, so I hope that you are finding time to relax and take care of yourself. I find that most cravings worsen when I am really stressed and that taking care of myself will often lessen the problem.

[soniah]

This may sound a little strange but how much water do you drink? I am a natural health consultant and when I deal with clients who are having cravings I tell them they need to quit drinking ALL sugary drinks..including juice..but especially sodas (diet sodas too!). I dont know what you have access to over their beverage wise, but something that I can tell you works, is if you drink only water, or at least 80% of your beverage intake needs to be water. And you need to be drinking a lot of it...im talking half your body weight, in ounces. So if you weigh 130 lbs, drink as much WATER (other drinks dont count) as possible, trying to get as close to 65 ounces a day as possible. I hope that made sense?! Water cuts cravings incredibly..if you are properly hydrated you body will stop craving sugars (which is what bread is mostly broken down into in your body when it is processed). Also, stop eatting other sugary things. Good luck over there, my brother was in Iraq serving for a year so my heart goes out to all of you over there.

[soniah]

Thank you thats really helps, I do not drink sodas any more but I do drink coffee and I use cream. I will start the water right now. what about the flax seed oil or the flax seed in the dry form. Do you know anything about that?

[aikiducky]

The only way I know of to get completely off the gluten cravings is to be 100% gluten free. But I think the suggestion to replace with opther starches as much as possble is a good one.

Something else that might help with the depression and such is taking extra vitamin B's. I'd take a supplement with all he different ones (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, biotin etc).

Pauliina

[soniah]

The only way I know of to get completely off the gluten cravings is to be 100% gluten free. But I think the suggestion to replace with opther starches as much as possble is a good one.

Something else that might help with the depression and such is taking extra vitamin B's. I'd take a supplement with all he different ones (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, biotin etc).

Pauliina

[soniah]

Thanks. I should not use the word depress. I mean I get sad if I eat anything that I know will make me fill bloated. I just get like down because I let myself down. I am not depress or anything I am a really upbeat person. I am sorry if used the incorrect words. The problem is the cravings and how to deal with them but I used the water today and went for a walk to take my mind off the cake that was in the kitchen. I know the best way is to stay 100% away. I only have 8 weeks to go here and I be back home. Thank You so much for all the support and the prayers for us here in harms ways.

[Lins]

Huge hugs to you for all you're doing.

I too immeidately thought they should get you discharged. But it doesn't sound like you consider that an option. So, that in mind, I have to agree with the other gal who said you should increase your water. Sorry, I've forgotten her name.) Way back when, before I even ahd symptoms, I lost weight on the South Beach Diet. The biggest initial hurdle was how to stop the cravings. And the increase in water as well as lean meats and veggies (not available to you unfortunately) will help reduce those gluten cravings. You could even notice a difference in just a few days.

Hang in there and stay safe!!!