This Is So Sad

[jasonD2]

Im connecting with old friends and looking at a lot of old pictures from way back before I developed all my digestive ailments and its depressing me because I used to be so healthy and could eat anything. Now I feel like damaged goods and just dont enjoy things the way I used to and never will again. I still to this day believe everything couldve been prevented if i took appropriate steps to reduce my stress and circumvented the events that destroyed my insides. how can i get past this and get on with my life? why do i always look back?

[CeliacMom2008]

Jason, I don't know your circumstances, so I don't know about your health, but you can have a good life. Life is what we make it. Seeing how my son has adapted over the last year has been such an inspiration to me on so many aspects of life. Your life may never be exactly the same as it was, but that doesn't mean it has to be worse. By eating healthy you can regain some if not all of your body's strength and health. It's just food after all.

We all have "something" that keeps us from being what we perceive as "normal". I truly believe in accepting what ever "something" you have, learning to live with it, and then learning to love the life you have.

What is your favorite thing in the world to do?? What is your second? How about your third? Can you do at least one of them still? What is your favorite thing about yourself? Try to focus on these and be thankful for them. Try every day to be thankful for at least one thing. Try to find one "good" thing in every day. Some days it may be bigger than others, but at least if you're thinking about it you'll be thinking more positive thoughts. And if you think you don't have any "good news" for today or don't have anything to be thankful for, you're not looking hard enough!

And keep coming here. Find out what bothers you most about being a Celiac and see what others do to get around that. You're not alone!!

[cattriona]

The thing that has helped me to cope with celiacs is this fact that I keep telling myself: even though you may not feel well, eating a gluten-free diet forces you to be healthy. Yeh, boring I know, but think of all the other health problems that you may be avoiding in the future. and eating gluten-free is all about substitution. the diet i have now is hardly different to the one i used to eat except for different ingredients. also, like Celiac Mom says, I don't know what your situation is but sometimes there are stresses in life that we can't avoid too much and if we could have now you've learnt. Be happy with the fact that you now know what is wrong with you and that you have a solution to your problem. many people will never know what's wrong with their health and the good thing about being celiac is that there's no nasty medications or treatments that we have to undergo in order to get better and survive.

[YoloGx]

In time you will more than likely feel better and better. If not, you may have other food sensitivities as well that you need to track down.

Meanwhile things like marshmallow root and slippery elm should help heal your digestive tract. And enzymes like bromelain/papain and pancreatin will help you digest your food more easily. Taking enterically coated acidophilus seems to be de riguer (sp?).

I know that for myself I overall feel better and actually am healthier than I ever have been. My only real limitation is socially dealing say with a new boyfriend. But I can get past that if its the right guy. Plus some family issues where some of my family is in deep denial. This condition helps eliminate the superficial people as well as those who really don't care. Travel is a little challenging, however do-able generally speaking by planning ahead. Otherwise its no problem usually since I just bring my own food.

Mainly have faith and patience. You will get better!

Bea

[gabby]

Hi,

Sorry that you are going through this. I personally was helped with a similar situation via a book that was recommended to me a few years ago. You should be able to find it in the library...or order it online somewhere. It isn't about celiac disease, instead it is about dealing with regrets from the past. I urge you to get your hands on this book, and read it through a few times. It helped me a lot, and I hope you'll find it helpful too!

The book is called:

"Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: Overcoming Regrets, Mistakes, and Missed Opportunities", by Arthur Freeman

Hope that helps!