Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Does This Ever Become "instinct"?

Molecular Dude

Recommended Posts

Molecular Dude Apprentice
Molecular Dude
Posted

After 4 years of being gluten free I find that I still "think" about being gluten free. I don't think about whether it's OK to drink water. I also don't think about self-preservation, or avoiding accidents, or a million other things that are just intinctual. But, even in my own house, I still think about avoiding gluten. Does this ever end, or does it go on forever because it was not learned/acquired in childhood? Does it differ for those who have "always" been gluten free?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ArtGirl Enthusiast
ArtGirl
Posted

I imagine it's always in one's mind at some level. It's not like we had a disease that we take a pill for and then can go about our business and not think about it for the rest of the day. We are constantly having to make decisions based on our need to avoid gluten.

I do believe that it becomes second nature after a while and it might not dominate our lives as it had in the beginning. But this might depend on how sensitive one is and how sick one gets with accidental glutening.

My sister had type I diabetes from the age of 9. She took daily insulin shots and had to weigh and measure her food and test her blood sugar levels constantly. From this perspective, the gluten thing isn't so bad.

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted

I've been gluten-free for four years. It's not difficult any more, but I do still think about it.

I've been dairy-free for about 12 years and that is total instinct.

So...give it 8 more years??

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I've been gluten-free for 2 years and 8 months (today!) :D

It has become second nature to me--I don't think about it all the time, but of course it's on my mind when I'm shopping and reading labels, or cleaning my kitchen, for example.

I think it becomes like anything else we deal with on a day to day basis--kind of always "there", but not foremost on our mind. That's my take, anyway :):)

Cinnamon Apprentice
Cinnamon
Posted

If a poisonous snake might jump out of your kitchen cabinet at any moment and bite you really hard, you would always have that possibility in the back of your mind. This is kind of the same thing, in a way.

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

I think it's become a subconscious thing to always be on the lookout for gluten. I just do it naturally. I don't do it at home, though. I live alone and my house is 100% gluten-free so I don't need to think about it then.

aikiducky Apprentice
aikiducky
Posted

I think it might also depend on whether or not you have a gluten free kitchen or not, and other details of your life style. If I'm at home all day I don't really have to think about it.

Pauliina

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted
After 4 years of being gluten free I find that I still "think" about being gluten free. I don't think about whether it's OK to drink water. I also don't think about self-preservation, or avoiding accidents, or a million other things that are just intinctual. But, even in my own house, I still think about avoiding gluten. Does this ever end, or does it go on forever because it was not learned/acquired in childhood? Does it differ for those who have "always" been gluten free?

It has been seven and a half years. Yes, I have developed what might be called an instinct. I read labels. I reread labels. I know which companies have a clear gluten disclosure policy. I read labels. I call companies with uncertain ingredients, or I choose another brand. I read labels. I ask questions in restaurants, and prefer restaurants that I know are aware of celiac issues (I won't list them here). Did I mention that I read labels?

pixiegirl Enthusiast
pixiegirl
Posted

I agree with Patti, at home it never even enters my mind. In the grocery I'm reading labels and such. However just yesterday I went to the health food store to buy some biotin and asked the guy and he gave me a bottle and I started walking away when it dawned on me. I said to him "oh btw, it has to be gluten-free" and he gave me a funny look and said "why didn't you say so". And I said, "I just didn't think about it".

Its just part of who I am now and for the first time in years, I'm healthy!

Susan

aikiducky Apprentice
aikiducky
Posted
...I read labels. I reread labels. .... I read labels. ... I read labels. .... Did I mention that I read labels?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

This is so true. I don't even think about it but I read labels all the time. I only notice it when I go grocery shopping with someone else, and they are already done and I'm standing there reading yet another label. I guess that shows that it has become instinct.

Pauliina

psipsina Rookie
psipsina
Posted
I think it might also depend on whether or not you have a gluten free kitchen or not, and other details of your life style. If I'm at home all day I don't really have to think about it.

Pauliina

I agree. I have my safe places where I don't really think of it at all. I remember having a panic attack the first time I had to travel because I would have to think about it all the time for days on end. Of course I think about it when I grocery shop or when I go out to eat somewhere new but that is a tiny part of my life. I feel like having my house be gluten-free is very important to me psychologically . . . to know that somewhere is safe an stress free.

Molecular Dude Apprentice
Molecular Dude
Posted
  • Author

Glad to hear that, eventually, this will likely become second nature to me. I think that I probably would have already attained that state, but I live in a gluten-filled household and that definitely complicates matters.

Actually, the most troublesome part is that family and friends are always bringing up the issue, so I always find myself discussing gluten, etc., rather than just allowing it to quietly settle in and "become a part of me." I guess that I shouldn't complain about this since they think that they're acting in my best interest, and I suppose that they really are.

Lux Explorer
Lux
Posted

By definition, it's something you will always need to be aware of - so, I think that it's simply a case of incorporating that awareness into your everyday life, of adjusting to that and that in itself becoming second nature :-)

Genie75 Rookie
Genie75
Posted
By definition, it's something you will always need to be aware of - so, I think that it's simply a case of incorporating that awareness into your everyday life, of adjusting to that and that in itself becoming second nature :-)

Yes I think it is something I will always consciously think of whenever I eat. I still eat with people who do eat glutens, and I encourage them to eat as they usually would, and not to deprive themselves of anything cause of me. And I advise them that I can manage myself and what I eat. That they don't need to worry about that. So I do have to be careful not to get my food contaminated. But I've got the hang of it.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,855
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tara M
    Newest Member
    Tara M
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
    • Me,Sue
      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      By Me,Sue · Posted

      I was diagnosed with coeliac disease a couple of years ago [ish]. I love my food and a variety of food, so it's been hard, as it is with everyone. I try and ensure everything I eat doesn't contain gluten, but occasionally I think something must have got through that has gluten in. Mainly I know because I have to dash to the loo, but recently I have noticed that I feel nauseous after possibly being glutened. I think the thing that I have got better at is knowing what to do when I feel wiped out after a gluten 'episode'. I drink loads of water, and have just started drinking peppermint tea. I also have rehydration powders to drink. I don't feel like eating much, but eventually feel like I need to eat. Gluten free flapjacks, or gluten free cereal, or a small gluten free kids meal are my go to. I am retired, so luckily I can rest, sometimes even going to bed when nothing else works. So I feel that I am getting better at knowing how to try and get back on track. I am also trying to stick to a simpler menu and eat mostly at home so that I can be more confident about what I am eating. THANKS TO THOSE WHO REPLIED ABOUT THE NAUSEA .
    • Francis M
      The Happy Tart review

      By Francis M · Posted

      Thanks. Since the back and forth and promises of review and general stalling went on for more than six months, the credit company will no longer investigate. They have a cutoff of maybe six months.
    • Scott Adams
      The Happy Tart review

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Is this the same restaurant? https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyTartFallsChurch/ Is it too late to take this up with your credit card company? Normally you have a few months to do a chargeback with them. It seems very odd that they are taking this approach with someone who is likely to be a regular customer--not a good business-minded way of handling things!
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.