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
      131,979
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    volivier
    Newest Member
    volivier
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Outgrow celiac?

      By trents · Posted

      @Riley, on this forum we sometimes get reports from people with similar experiences as you. That is, their celiac disease seems to go into remission. Typically, that doesn't last. At age 18 you are at your physical-biological peek in life where your body is stronger than it will ever be and it is able to fight well against many threats and abuses. As Wheatwacked pointed out, absence of symptoms is not always a reliable indicator that no damage is being done to the body. I was one of those "silent" celiacs with no symptoms, or at least very minor symptoms, whose body was being slowly damaged for many years before the damage became pronounced enough to warrant investigation, leading to a diagnosis. By that time I had suffered significant bone demineralization and now I suffer with back and neck problems. Please, if you choose to continue consuming gluten, which I do not recommend, at least get tested regularly so that you won't get caught in the silent celiac trap down the road like I did. You really do not outgrow celiac disease. It is baked into the genes. Once the genes get triggered, as far as we know, they are turned on for good. Social rejection is something most celiacs struggle with. Being compliant with the gluten free diet places restrictions on what we can eat and where we can eat. Our friends usually try to work with us at first but then it gets to be a drag and we begin to get left out. We often lose some friends in the process but we also find out who really are our true friends. I think the hardest hits come at those times when friends spontaneously say, "Hey, let's go get some burgers and fries" and you know you can't safely do that. One way to cope in these situations is to have some ready made gluten-free meals packed in the fridge that you can take with you on the spot and still join them but eat safely. Most "real" friends will get used to this and so will you. Perhaps this little video will be helpful to you.  
    • Wheatwacked
      Outgrow celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      @Riley., Welcome to the forum.   It was once believed that Celiac Disease was only a childhood disease and it can be outgrown.  That was before 1951, before gluten was discovered to be cause of Celiac Disease, also called Infantilism.  Back then Cileac Disease was thought to be only a gastro intestinal disease, once you  "outgrew" the colicky phase, you were cured. You were so lucky to be diagnosed at 5 years old so your developing years were normal.  Gluten can affect multiple systems.  The nervous system, your intellegence. The muscules, skeleton. It can cause neurological issues like brain fog, anxiety, and peripheral neuropathy.  It can cause joint pain, muscle weakness, and skin rashes. Epilepsy is 1.8 times more prevalent in patients with celiac disease, compared to the general population. Because through malabsorption and food avoidances, it causes vitamin D and numerouus other essential nutrient deficiencies, it allows allergies, infections, poor growth, stuffy sinuses and eustacian tubes. There is even a catagory of celiac disease called "Silent Celiac".  Any symptoms are explained away as this, that or the other thing. Gluten is one of the most addictive substances we consume.  Activating the Opiod receptors in our cells, it can numb us to the damage that it, and other foods are causing.  It has become socially acceptable to eat foods that make us feel sick.  "There's a pill for that".   It is generally accepted that n fact you are weird if you don't. The hardest part is that if you don't eat gluten you will feel great and think why not.  But slowly it will effect you, you'll be diagnosed with real diseases that you don't have. You'll be more susseptable to other autoimmune diseases.  As you read through the posts here, notice how many are finally dianosed, after years of suffering at older ages.  Is it worth it? I think not. Perhaps this book will help:  Here is a list of possible symptoms:   
    • Riley.
      Outgrow celiac?

      By Riley. · Posted

      Hi! Im Riley, 18 years old and have been diagnosed for 13 years.. the testing started bc I stopped growing and didn’t gain any weight and was really small and thin for my age.  I got diagnosed when I was 5 and have been living gluten free since, in elementary and middle school it was hard for me and I kept contaminating myself bc I wanted to fit in with my friends so so badly. I ate gluten secretly at school and mostly regretted it 30 minutes later.  I’ve had symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, headaches, stomachaches, threw up a lot and was really emotional.  In 2022 I really started working on myself and tried to stay gluten free and if I did eat gluten I wouldn’t tell anyone and suffer in silence.  Last year in July I begged my mom to let me „cheat“ one day bc I just wanted to fit in… I ate a lot of different stuff, all the stuff I missed out on in my childhood like nuggets, pizza and all that.. I didn’t have symptoms that day and was doing really fine My mom and I wanted to test how far we can go and said we would test it for 12 weeks to get my blood taken after to see if I’m doing good or if symptoms start showing  As a now 18 year old girl who finally gained a normal weight and doesn’t get symptoms I’m to scared to get tested/my blood taken cuz I finally found comfort in food and it got so much easier for me and my family.  A year and 4 months later i still didn’t get any symptoms and have been eating gluten daily.  I’m scared to get tested/my blood taken cuz what if I’m actually not fine and have to go back to eating gluten free. Any tips to get over that fear and „suck it up“ cuz I know I could seriously damage my body… sorry if I seem like a idiot here… just don’t really know what to do :,)
    • Mari
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By Mari · Posted

      There is much helpful 'truth' posted on this forum. Truths about Celiac Disease are based on scientific research and people's experience. Celiac disease is inherited. There are 2 main Celiac 'genes' but they are variations of one gene called HLa - DQ What is inherited when a person inherits one or both of the DQ2 or the DQ8 is a predisposition to develop celiac disease after exposure to a environmental trigger. These 2 versions of the DQ gene are useful in diagnosing  celiac disease but there are about 25 other genes that are known to influence celiac disease so this food intolerance is a multigenic autoimmune disease. So with so many genes involved and each person inheriting a different array of these other genes one person's symptoms may be different than another's symptoms.  so many of these other genes.  I don't think that much research on these other genes as yet. So first I wrote something that seem to tie together celiac disease and migraines.  Then you posted that you had migraines and since you went gluten free they only come back when you are glutened. Then Scott showed an article that reported no connection between migraines and celiac disease, Then Trents wrote that it was possible that celiacs had more migraines  and some believed there was a causal effect. You are each telling the truth as you know it or experienced it.   
    • tiffanygosci
      Aldi Pueblo Lindo Yellow Corn Tortillas

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Another annoying thing about trying to figure this Celiac life out is reading all of the labels and considering every choice. I shop at Aldi every week and have been for years. I was just officially diagnosed Celiac a couple weeks ago this October after my endoscopy. I've been encouraged by my local Aldi in that they have a lot of gluten free products and clearly labeled foods. I usually buy Milagro corn tortillas because they are cheap and are certified. However, I bought a package of Aldi's Pueblo Lindo Yellow Corn Tortillas without looking too closely (I was assuming they were fine... assuming never gets us anywhere good lol) it doesn't list any wheat products and doesn't say it was processed in a facility with wheat. It has a label that it's lactose free (hello, what?? When has dairy ever been in a tortilla?) Just, ugh. If they can add that label then why can't they just say something is gluten free or not? I did eat some of the tortillas and didn't notice any symptoms but I'm just not sure if it's safe. So I'll probably have to let my family eat them and stick with Milagro. There is way too much uncertainty with this but I guess you just have to stick with the clearly labeled products? I am still learning!
×
×
  • 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.