Slide Way Off The Wagon

[dbuhl79]

So, I slipped off the wagon, a few times now. Even with constant reminders from my fiance, future-in-laws, etc, that "you can't have that..". But I do, and guess what, I don't always have symptoms, so the next day I eat it again.. and then I suffer. So I figure I'd come here for a pep talk or a lecture from my dearest gluten-free friends!

I guess the toughest part is, the reality that no tests have shown I have celiac disease, but yet the only consistent thing is eating it makes causes digestive upset/sickness for me. Then in moments of weakness I use this as my defense when I indulge on home made bread, or brownies or something of that nature. Its difficult for as the bread lover that I am. gluten-free Bread just isn't quite the same..

Thanks for any supportive commentary any of you can offer... I need a reality check.

[KaitiUSA]

Do you know for sure if you have celiac? If you think you do I would suggest find a knowledgable doctor in celiac where you live. If you do have celiac even if you don't have symptoms this ruins your intestine. This may also increase your risk of developing cancer down the road. This can lead to not only cancer but other very serious conditions. By ignoring the gluten-free diet is like setting your date to die. It is very serious.

Nobody can control you they can try to help you but only you have the power to make the change.

You have to give it time for all of the symptoms to go away. I highly recommend probiotics and enzymes if you are not on those already they help to absorb food and digest . There are also many things you can take to calm the stomach.

I have some wonderful recommendations for bread that tastes normal. There are english muffins both plain and cinnamon that taste incredible toasted. There are wonderful gluten free foods out there. I had to go through quite a number of crappy ones to find the good ones. If you need the brands of these foods let me know I would be happy to help you. Good luck

[Guest gillian502]

The first thing to do is to confirm or rule out if you have this disease. Time could be wasting for you if you're assuming you have one thing when in fact you have another. If you do not have celiac disease, but just happen to feel better off gluten, then great, cut out gluten for the most part but indulge upon occasion if in fact you have no reason not to. First things first, though...see a knowlegable doctor and get a reliable answer.

[dbuhl79]

I've been through the mill of doctors and specialists. None confirming I have celiac. Nor anything else. So its pretty much left to "gee if hurts then don't do that." basis. Trust me.. I just need to get my rear in gear an dback on the wagon. I am sure I suffer from an sensitivty to gluten/wheat if nothing else..

[KaitiUSA]

If might want to do enterolab or york lab testing.

If you feel better of of gluten listen to your body..your body tells you more than any doctor could tell you.

I would try to get something confirmed whether it is an allergy or if it is infact celiac disease or something else.

[jknnej]

Kaiti,

What kind of digestive enzymes do you take and where can I get them?

[KaitiUSA]

Jknnej-I take Enzymatic Therapy enzymes called CompleteGest. On their bottles they put what they are free of so I like that brand. Alot of their supplements I use because of that. They have really good Probiotics too.

I get them at Whole Foods, Roots, or Vitamin Shoppe. You can pretty much get them at the health food stores around. If you can't find them let me know and I can give you a link on where to order them.

[jknnej]

Thanks, I'll look for those this weekend. I'm freaking out because I just licked an envelope and I really hope it's gluten-free...what do you think?

For the person who wrote the sliding off the wagon, I say, find a great whole foods store. I started buying wonderful mixes for cookies and breads and they taste every bit as good as the regular stuff. Even my non celiac disease hubby loves them.

You have to be patient with yourself but also strict in terms of will power. Take a look at the mainstream product list; there are SO many good foods that are gluten-free; stuff you'd never think was in a million years. Keep at it and don't get discouraged.

[KaitiUSA]

Jknnej-I have always been told that envelopes are not safe to lick because of whatever is in it to make it stick. Also, most stickers I have heard have gluten in their adhesive. If you use the ones you have to lick I would recommend using a wet paper towel or something. I wash my hands even after using the peel and stick ones just to be extra cautious.

[darlindeb25]

dubhl79---only you can make you listen--we can talk and talk to you but until you want to feel good, then it wont happen--it's dicision you have to make by yourself---i was so sick that once i went gluten-free, i never once cheated on purpose--not one time--i have been glutened, that will happen to all of us, but i do not cheat--if i doubt, then it dont go in my mouth--it's that simple and i have been gluten-free now for over 3 1/2 years--4 yrs in july--it's up to you--keep at it---dont let the gluten monster take over your mind ---deb

oh yeah--i never lick envelopes--at work they found me a glue stick to use or i tape them shut--i never lick envelopes--

[rmmadden]

I am somewhat similar in that before I was diagnosed with celiac disease I could eat pasta or other gluteneous food and feel fine. The next day I would eat the pasta, etc. for lunch at work and then feel lousy. It was always the second day that got me.

Now that I have been diagnosed I have been gluten-free for the past 2-months. It just isn't worth the risk of potential damage to my intestines and the associated lousy feeling for me to go back and eat gluten (or cheat). Ask yourself when your feeling lousy if what you ate was worth it? I think most celiac disease patients would say "NO".

Best of luck!

Cleveland Bob

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

dbuhl79 - I think, if there are celiacs out there, who don't have symptoms with eating gluten-free. And there are celiacs who have symptoms. Why not be one of the celiacs, who sometimes have symptoms and sometimes not? If it only hurts you sometimes, that shows you, that it definitely hurts you. Even if not all the time. Just stick to the diet, getting hurt is not worth it. And there are a lot of tasty breads and pizze and stuff for us celiacs out there. You just have to find the right ones for you .

Hugs, Stef

[dbuhl79]

Thanks folks!

Stef, its just a matter of stupidity really. I've made a new commitment to myself this weekend that it was the end of my misbehaving. I'd gotten so sick and spoiled a pleasant time. I'm tired of being unable to go out without having the black cloud over my head of anticipated stomach pain, bathroom runs, or fatigue. Thanks for the pep talks.

Deb,

Hey great tip about the envelopes, that never occured to me!