A Bad Day

[celiacinseattle]

So I was only diagnosed yesterday, though almost two weeks ago my doctor called and said the blood test was positive, and that it might be Celiac. So I've done my best to keep gluten free in the mean time, and figured four gluten-free days before the biopsy weren't going to affect much. I was right, the biopsy was still positive, though starting to feel better after laying off gluten had already told me what the test results would be.

Anyway, so only one day after the official diagnosis and I'm freaking out about it.

The hubby and I have made it a weekly tradition to get sushi on Saturdays.

So we had sushi for lunch today (with gluten-free soy sauce, naturally). I figured rice and fish wouldn't be an issue. I didn't think twice about the eel nigiri I've eaten so often, or it's dubious sauce. I wish I had, or had done more research on the internet beforehand, because my stomach is still wreaking havoc on me.

Oops.

So for dinner, I wanted to take it easy, just steak and mashed potatoes. "Where's the steak?" hubby asks, rummaging around in the fridge.

Turns out, I'd left it on the counter after grocery shopping yesterday. Along with the other meat (chicken and pork) we'd gotten from Whole Foods and the bagger had been so kind as to put all in a separate bag so as not to leak on our other groceries.

I got really upset, because between ruining lunch and spoiling all our meat, I feel like I just can't get anything right. I know I'm not going to instantly get everything right, but it's frustrating, especially when I manage to let the majority of our grocery bill go to waste.

Fortunately, I have a great hubby who went back to Whole Foods and got more steak while I made the potatoes, and he surprised me with gluten-free chocolate chip cookies to make me feel better.

Anyway, I'm just feeling a little down and depressed and frustrated by this whole thing, and needed a place to share. Thanks for listening.

[mushroom]

The first say is always the worst. It does get easier as time goes by. Just take a deep breath, relax, and figure out a plan of attack. Your instincts are right on, about shopping around the outer perimeter of the supermarket; most of the stuff there is naturally gluten free. It is best to stick there for a while, with forays in for rice and gluten free cereal, and, if necessary for you, non-dairy milk; also nuts. Apart from that that is all you have to do for the first week while you come to grips with the concept. Keep it simple at first until you learn about all the places that gluten can hide, and they are really uncountable But pretty soon you will become an expert.

Come back and ask as many questions as you want, and good luck on your guten free journey.

[FMcGee]

Welcome! I'm just a few weeks in myself, and still making mistakes, but learning. Sushi is also a staple in my household, so I've learned a couple lessons myself: imitation crab has gluten in it, as does miso soup (at least at the sushi places in my town - I know it's possible to find gluten-free miso soup). Tempura (which I never really eat, but my BF does) is sometimes made with rice flour, so it's worth asking.

Good luck! It gets easier, as everyone here will tell you.

[Jestgar]

It's OK to stress out about this. It's a huge change, but you will get through it. You'll adopt new habits and new "always safe" foods, and it will just become a part of your life.

[mamaw]

Hi

I just wanted to say I had days like yours way before celiac.....It happens & you may get glutened several times before it all becomes clear. Just don't beat yourslelf up over it!. Usually the dog eats our steaks before we get a chance to cook them!

It will get better but it all takes time, a game plan, & will power.......

It is a great learnng journey you are now embarking on. Take small steps , learn the basics & go from there. One step at a time that way you may not stumble & get discouraged...

blessings

mamaw

[Amyleigh0007]

It does get much easier over time. You will become a pro at it and pretty soon you will be giving other "newbies" advice! I remember the first time I went grocery shopping after my son's diagnosis. I stood in the middle of Walmart with tears streaming down my cheeks. I had no idea what I was going to feed my poor child! Now I am in and out of the store so fast!

[VioletBlue]

I'm well aquainted with the "It was there a mininute ago??? DAMN DOG!" scenario. It's a wonder she doesn't think her name is damn dog.

It does get easier, but I won't kid you, the first six months or so are the worst. I would suggest just concentrating on getting the food thing down for now. Don't worry about utentils bowls etc, just learn what's gluten free and what's not. Take reading glasses with you if you have to and read the labels on everything. Doing a search here can be a big help too. The odds are good if it's a product you have a question about, someone here has already asked it and gotten an answer. There's a wealth of knowledge here.

And hey, brain fog is a part of the whole gluten experience. THAT'S what you blame leaving the meat on! You're not responsible, the gluten made you do it

Hi

I just wanted to say I had days like yours way before celiac.....It happens & you may get glutened several times before it all becomes clear. Just don't beat yourslelf up over it!. Usually the dog eats our steaks before we get a chance to cook them!

It will get better but it all takes time, a game plan, & will power.......

It is a great learnng journey you are now embarking on. Take small steps , learn the basics & go from there. One step at a time that way you may not stumble & get discouraged...

blessings

mamaw

[GF avenger]

It is really hard to wrap your head around the idea that you'll not ever have a food that so common, again! And the healing process may take longer than you like, but you WILL notice positive changes, almost daily. I'm about 9 months along, and I feel so much better... well worth the aggravation of learning about hidden sources of gluten, finding substitutes, watching other people eat...

Incidentally, the sauce used in spicy tuna may also be a problem, as can the wasabi if it comes from a tube. You've already figured out the unagi sauce issue. You might also be leery of the miso soup. Aside from all that (!!), sushi is a great option.

Keep your chin up, and do try to keep a sense of humor. Sooner or later, your sense that the whole world is made of wheat will cede to the fact that nearly the whole world is gluten intolerant!

[mushroom]

Sooner or later, your sense that the whole world is made of wheat will cede to the fact that nearly the whole world is gluten intolerant!

Oh, that would be sweet revenge, if the rest of the world had to scrounge around for something that contains gluten :lol: because they needed their "fix"!