Think Its Finally Getting Thru To Mom

[jasonD2]

I think my mother is finally coming to terms with the fact that i might have celiac and that it might run in our family. In the past whenever i brought it up she would get defensive and say "im fine, it doesnt run in our family, im 65 years old and im just gonna live my life"

I had a heart to heart with her the other day and explained it all in very general terms and I think she's finally going to get tested and recommend that other family members get tested as well.

She said she will talk with her regular physician about it but i would rather she go to her GI doctor. I guess im also afraid that the doctors might talk her out of it along with my aunt (her sister) who thinks the answer to everything is a pill.

Anything else i can do or say at this point?

[tarnalberry]

I would praise her (compliment her, thank her, support her) "for doing everything you can to make yourself as healthy as possible and stick around for as long as possible". If you get on her case for "doing it wrong" (my words, I know they're not yours), she may balk. Help her feel that it isn't an overwhelming burden to eat gluten free (just by setting a good example) and you'll break down one more barrier for her.

[mushroom]

Tiffany, couldn't have said it better myself. Jason, congrats for finally getting through to her!

[ang1e0251]

Jason, want to have a talk with my sister?

[ranger]

And my daughter?

[ravenwoodglass]

Fantastic!!!!!! She may be noticing the improvement in your health and well being, sometimes that is what really makes a believer out of famly members. I hope she is feeling like a new person soon.

[merry0709]

I would praise her (compliment her, thank her, support her) "for doing everything you can to make yourself as healthy as possible and stick around for as long as possible". If you get on her case for "doing it wrong" (my words, I know they're not yours), she may balk. Help her feel that it isn't an overwhelming burden to eat gluten free (just by setting a good example) and you'll break down one more barrier for her.

I have the same deal with my mom. I`ve been gluten-free for 5 years. She has every symptom in the book and the docs just keep upping the dosages on all her pills. She is really really a cookie monster, really addicted, but it is killing her. Now her health is really going down the drain. Her RLS is getting to the point of being unmanageable, and she is taking so many pills, they are starting to react with eachother, she can`t travel, passes out , is in alot of body pain. I`ve been bugging her for years. So I am going on an extended stay with her and am going to put her on a gluten-free diet while I am there. I will need plenty of prayers. But I am really a good cook. So hopefully she will improve. I guess really, until they are sick enough, and sick of being sick, they are too stubborn to listen. But I have a hard time not being angry at the MD`s. My gosh, her symptoms are so fricking apparent. We are in the 21st century. Some doctors don`t even believe in it. Unbelievable.

[lmvrbaby]

Hey I hear all of you. I have been gluten free for about 3 1/2 years. I tried to have my mother tested and she says no. I have a son age 23, who is celiac and also diabetic type 1. He was just recently hospitalized due to the celiac being so out of whack in his system that the diabeties is killing him. So now I am trying to get him eating gluten free and not just blowing it off, as well as keeping his diabeties in check. I have bought foods for him cause I have read labels and gone through this. My mom buys cornflakes, because it is made of corn she figured it was ok. I have to keep reminding her that she needs to read the labels. I am also going to write down the words for her: Gluten Free, NO WHEAT, NO RYE, NO BARLEY, AND NO MALT. Maybe now she will do better but I have to check all foods before she takes it to my son. My son has a learning disability and doesn't comprehend and will eat anything that is bought for him. I dont want to keep racking my head against the wall, but I have to, to make sure he has the proper foods. Thanks for letting me vent.

[momxyz]

glad to hear the message is getting thru!

We are new on this journey of the gluten free diet - 2 1/2 weeks. My daughter has had a few downfalls. One of the problems is the food that grandma cooks and sends over to us. She is a great cook, and cooking for us gives her a purpose. (She is recently widowed).

Her daughter is a nurse, and she has had conversations with her about gluten intolerance. And my sister in law fed her appropriate information. But guess what. Grandma is still sending over gluten laden foods.

My daughter is doing fairly well at making appropriate choices but this just makes it harder.

oy vay.

getting buyin from other family members is my next task. In the meantime I feel like I have to erect my gluten force field.

[celiac-horn]

My dad is 51 years old and has had food intolerance issues his whole life. As a child he was told not to eat caramel color, peanut butter and chocolate, but guess what? His favorite things to snack on are Reese's cups and Dr. Pepper. My mom has tried to make him healthy lunches, but as a contractor always on the run he feels he has to eat drive thru food and pastries and when she finds her chicken salads in his truck uneaten, she gives up. We all have an active sweet tooth, but he seems to have it worst. I've tried to tell him to get tested for Celiac, he's been on detoxes, dx'ed with IBS, etc. but he just blows it off. He doesn't "have time." I don't want to be up in his face like, can you make time for intestinal cancer? but it seems like that is better than not saying anything. What else can I do to get through?

------------------------------------------

Erin

inconclusive blood tests, positive diet response

diagnosed celiac - 8/08

Dr. Joshua Purses of Hartford Family Medicine -

wonderful, supportive and celiac-educated