Very Encouraged

[Ems1984]

Hi All!!

Well today is day 16 of my month long gluten-free challenge (as suggested by my GP) and things are looking realy good!! I have seen a very positive improvement in my BM's, bloating and stomach pain. The added bonus is that i feel like i have a more consistent mood and energy level - something i wasnt expecting. Whlst im only half way there, if things continue to improve the way they have been then i think i will be committing to gluten free for life... but will still give it another 2 weeks.

Something else i love is the challenge of cooking gluten-free food, there are so many creative ways to go about it, and i am cooking far more yummy things now than i was before this challenge!

Just one quick question... i am going to a Thai restaurant today and am wondering if anyone knows of any particular Thai menu items that generally are free from gluten??

Thanks for reading!

Em

[GlutenWrangler]

I'm glad to hear that the gluten-free diet has helped you out so much! It definitely sounds like it would be a good idea for you to commit to the gluten free diet for life. It's great how the gluten-free diet ends up forcing you to cook healthier and tastier things for yourself. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Thai food, but I'm sure someone will come along who can tell you what is safe. I hope the improvements continue for you. Take care,

-Brian

[adelaidez]

Congrats, im glad your having success:) May i ask how long did it takes for your bloating to go down? and was it worse at first? i am trying to get past like 6 days being glutened free but i seem to give up and eat something with gluten in it as i feel that it isnt doing anything and my stomach is still bloated.

And sorry i cant help you with the restaurant, maybe ask them? and make sure you tell them to be careful and things? i am going out to eat with my friend soon and i am worried about oging to a restaurant, so good luck with that:D.

Keep on with the gluten free diet, i will use you as a good role model and make myself get past 6 days and make it 16 days!

[Gemini]

Something else i love is the challenge of cooking gluten-free food, there are so many creative ways to go about it, and i am cooking far more yummy things now than i was before this challenge!

Just one quick question... i am going to a Thai restaurant today and am wondering if anyone knows of any particular Thai menu items that generally are free from gluten??

Thanks for reading!

Em.........you have an incredibly good attitude about all this and deserve a gold star for your efforts!

I operate the same way as you.....I view the diet as a challenge and have totally enjoyed cooking gluten-free and learning new methods. My health has never been better and that's my reward. It's nice to hear from those who have risen to the occasion and are not letting this little food issue become a life swallowing ordeal. I can guarantee by the end of the month you'll never want to eat gluten again!

As for Thai food, it differs from place to place so be sure to ask your server about whatever you want to eat. I would pick out something you like that would seem to be gluten-free and then go from there. Sometimes there is a language barrier which can confuse things. You will probably have more luck with Thai than Chinese. Enjoy!

[Ems1984]

Congrats, im glad your having success:) May i ask how long did it takes for your bloating to go down? and was it worse at first? i am trying to get past like 6 days being glutened free but i seem to give up and eat something with gluten in it as i feel that it isnt doing anything and my stomach is still bloated.

The bloating went down after a day of two... i had no idea it was gluten that was causing it, until i was 'glutened' one day and saw how much more my stomach stuck out! the further i am along this challenge, the flatter my stomach looks. i actually think after years of damaging my small intestine, it may still take a while for complete healing and a complete flat tummy...

well done for getting to 6 days!! i know how hard it is at first, the worst is prob eating out where you cant control what u eat as much... but the only way to truly know if the gluten-free diet is the answer to your symptoms then you really do need to be very strict! can i ask what symptoms you have? and have you actually been diagnosed with celiacs?

[Ems1984]

oh and i ended up going to the Thai resturant and ordered a chicken stir-fry because the only gluten free item was fish and chips!!

i felt fine afterwards and started questioning whether or not my body can tolerate gluten. the next day though, i felt really fuzzy headed, lethargic and gassy... symptoms i usually dont question but now i can see their source

[Tallforagirl]

oh and i ended up going to the Thai resturant and ordered a chicken stir-fry because the only gluten free item was fish and chips!!

i felt fine afterwards and started questioning whether or not my body can tolerate gluten. the next day though, i felt really fuzzy headed, lethargic and gassy... symptoms i usually dont question but now i can see their source

You just learned an important lesson, which is when you're going out to eat gluten-free it's best to check beforehand that there are options available.

Even things like chips can be a problem, because while they are gluten free they may be cooked in oil which is used for other items which aren't (breaded or battered foods), and this means they are likely to be cross contaminated.

[karenhockley]

Congratulations! I'm on day 4 and have already noticed a change in how I feel and my energy seems to be coming back. I'm sure my three kids will be glad to have their playfully mummy back! I didn't think that I would see such and improvement so fast! And I must say I also enjoy the challenge of the gluten free cooking.

As for the thai cooking all I can do is pass on some advice I got from a Dietician, when cooking gluten free you have to be creative. All I know is it seems to work for cookies! Which I love! Well I'm off to tackle my first batch of gluten free bread. Good luck and stay healthy

[GottaSki]

May i ask how long did it takes for your bloating to go down? and was it worse at first? i am trying to get past like 6 days being glutened free but i seem to give up and eat something with gluten in it as i feel that it isnt doing anything and my stomach is still bloated.

my bloating got very bad at week 3-4 but has improved a bit the past few days. i couldn't understand because we are being very careful...went to dietician yesterday and found out that i haven't been eating enough grains and the grains we celiacs eat are not fortified with vitamins like the wheat we americans consume by the ton. Anyway she thought my bloating and other symptoms would improve once i find the right balance of food with the essential vitamins and amino acids.

good luck to you!

[GottaSki]

oops...i think i'm supposed to call her a nutritionist

it was a very helpful visit at this stage (day 37) as i had a list of questions that she was able to answer for me along with some great suggestions

i do find it curious that a when you are diagnosed with a disease that the only treatment is diet that medical insurance does not cover a nutritionist...but still well worth the fee for the peace of mind received

[chris s]

Hello,

I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better, and am glad I saw this posting so I could write you. I, for years, have had symptoms similar to celiac, but have recently tested negative for the disease (both blood and endoscopy). With the doctor's help, I self-diagnosed myself with gluten intolerace. I have been gluten free for 4 days and nothing has really changed, which is extremely discouraging.

As you think back on your experience, how did your first couple of days go? I realize that everyone is different, but am trying to put things in perspective for myself.

Thanks!

[Ems1984]

Hello,

I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better, and am glad I saw this posting so I could write you. I, for years, have had symptoms similar to celiac, but have recently tested negative for the disease (both blood and endoscopy). With the doctor's help, I self-diagnosed myself with gluten intolerace. I have been gluten free for 4 days and nothing has really changed, which is extremely discouraging.

As you think back on your experience, how did your first couple of days go? I realize that everyone is different, but am trying to put things in perspective for myself.

Thanks!

Hi There!!

Thanks for your message

Just wondering if you're able to tell me what your symptoms are? Its important to remember that celiac symptoms are similiar to a few other conditions also. For example, lactose intolerance has similiar side-effects such as gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Whilst your tests came back negative, the only real way to work out if you cant tolerate gluten is to eliminate it from your diet completely for at least a month. Be mindful of foods that you wouldnt necessarily think contain gluten such as some soy sauces, soft drinks etc.

In terms of nothing changing in the last few days for you, dont be discouraged! Depending on the damage to your small intestine, it can take a while for the healing process to begin to show. Have you tried doing a food journal? I found this really helpful, i wrote down not only what id eaten but also any symptoms i could think of that could possibly be related. it really helps to look back over it and see when and where i had a reaction.

Im actually going to see a naturopath this week to work out if there are any other things going on in my body that im not aware of! whilst being gluten-free seems to help, i do have other symptoms going on that seem to occur regardless of not eating gluten.

but just give it time, and try to be as disciplined as possible, thats the only way you will know for sure what the problem is.

godd luck, and keep me posted!

Em