Newbie, Longtime Lurker

[GFJo]

Hello fellow gluten-free folk!!

It's taken me 10 months but I've finally summoned the courage to join in. I've never posted anywhere online before and I feel ridiculously nervous. I'm not used to putting myself out there.

My gluten-free journey started last summer when I finally took my doctor's advice (seems I have one of the good docs). She'd suggested to me numerous times to try a gluten-free diet, but I was sure that wasn't the problem. Until I was so sick I didn't know what else to do. So I tried the diet, er new way of life, and to my utter amazement I got better, within days. And there's been no looking back.

I've been through the doubt, and anger, and depression, and I think I've finally reached acceptance. I'm still learning the finer details of hidden ingredients, and I seem to slip up more than I should. My symptoms seem to be pretty classic for Celiac (although no official diagnosis): bloating, gas, diarrhea, excessively tired, then angry, and my face will almost instantly break out. I think I may also have a wheat allergy because I get itchy if I touch wheat, and once I got a crumb on my lower eyelid (don't ask me how!) and my eye swelled up for almost 24 hours.

I live in a rural area and I have yet to meet anyone else gluten-free. Although I know they must be out there because the Kinnikinik (spelling?) pizza crusts are always selling out! There are no support groups in my area, and I'm getting a little tired of not having anyone to talk to.

I've been reading these boards for months and it has been a huge help, if not a lifesaver, for me. Thank you all for helping me through a tough time. I hope I can now return the favor to newcomers.

[Ursa Major]

Hi Johanna, I am glad you have decided to finally let us know you are around! I am sure we can all help each other.

Since you realize that there must be other gluten intolerant people around, why don't you put an add in your local paper, asking if there is an interest in forming a support group? Do you have a health food store nearby? You could ask them if they could put up an ad for you, asking other people with gluten intolerance to call you.

Or you could even put a notice up in the store you buy your pizza crust in. Since others are buying those as well, they might get in touch with you that way.

Also, maybe your doctor (a rare specimen indeed, I am glad you have an excellent doctor) knows other people with gluten intolerance. And while she can't give you other people's names, she can ask those people to call you. Or maybe you could put a notice up in the waiting room, with your doctor's permission.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Jo

Welcome to the board! I'm glad you decided to join us.

[happygirl]

Welcome to the board! So happy you decided to join. Do you feel like you "know" many of the members already?

Please chime in----as you can see, there are always so many who are in need of help. Not everyone knows every answer, but everybody chipping in where they can makes a huge difference to that *one* person that needs help....

[larry mac]

Add my welcome to the list GFJo. May I call you GFJo? You are the best kind of newbe. One that has been lurking for almost a year, is already up on the plateau of the learning curve and so won't ask a lot of unresearched questions.

BTW, don't believe anything you've heard about me. I really am a nice guy.

best regards, lm

[lizard00]

Welcome Jo!!!

Glad you decided to come out of the shadows and say hi! I look forward to hearing your experiences as another member of the gluten-free club!

[ravenwoodglass]

Welcome. I am glad you decided to join us. There is a wealth of info here and lots of very supportive folks who know what you have been going through. Glad you found us.

[elye]

Hi, Jo! A big welcome. Indeed, the more the merrier. If you stick around long enough, you really will begin to feel like you're in a big family, sluggin' it out together....

[curlyfries]

Hi Jo! I did the same thing, lurking in the shadows, but only for a couple months. And this was also my first time posting online, anywhere. (I had to get my daughter's help ) During that two months I googled the heck out of this forum I can't believe I have only been a member for just a little over 2 months! I also can't believe that in that time I have posted 70 times . ( I'm really not that talkative ) I have also discovered emoticons! Can you tell ?

Anyway, you'll feel like family in no time!!!

Lisa

[curlyfries]

Oh wow!! I was wrong--- it hasn't even been 2 months !!!

Lisa

[GFJo]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

Ursa Major--I have been thinking a lot about starting a support group. Thank you for your ideas on how to reach out to others.

larry mac--I'll try not to ask any stupid questions!

I'm really glad that I joined in!