New Celiac With Little Success

[kblair]

I was diagnosed as Celiac with a biopsy in June 2009. Since then I've had some good days, but it seems I have more bad days. I'm having trouble introducing new foods into my diet. I'm eating only natural organic food that I prepare, however, every couple of days I try to add something new. For example, cherries, avocados, and gluten-free peanut butter have cause me hours of gastric pain and sleepless nights. My symptoms are similar to getting gluttened.

Did anyone else out there in the beginning have trouble with food types even though they were gluten free? Any ideas how long it could be before I start feeling "normal" enough to eat other foods besides the 10 things I only eat now?

Crazy in SD,

Kathleen

[JillianLindsay]

Welcome to the forum Kathleen I hope it at least feels good to have a diagnosis so you can get yourself on the path to healing.

And yes, many people have problems with new foods when they first go gluten-free. Many people need to avoid dairy, high-acidic foods (cherries, tomatoes, etc.) and highly processed foods (perhaps the peanut butter?). Sticking to a very natural diet is the right idea. Yes, you can slowly add them back in and test them out once you start healing. I was told to wait about 6 months until my tga levels were down in order to allow my body (and tummy) time to heal. Everyone heals at a different rate and in different ways though, it's a bit of trial and error.

I had to give up my morning coffee (for now)

Also, we do go through a gluten withdrawal because our bodies have ingested it for our entire lives and it is a bit of a shock to the system to go off cold turkey, even though it's the best thing for Celiacs health-wise

I would look at other ways to expand your diet, while still eating natural foods. There are amazing recipes online and gluten-free cookbooks out there to help you get some variety into your meals without experiencing pain afterwards!

Good luck,

Jillian

I was diagnosed as Celiac with a biopsy in June 2009. Since then I've had some good days, but it seems I have more bad days. I'm having trouble introducing new foods into my diet. I'm eating only natural organic food that I prepare, however, every couple of days I try to add something new. For example, cherries, avocados, and gluten-free peanut butter have cause me hours of gastric pain and sleepless nights. My symptoms are similar to getting gluttened.

Did anyone else out there in the beginning have trouble with food types even though they were gluten free? Any ideas how long it could be before I start feeling "normal" enough to eat other foods besides the 10 things I only eat now?

Crazy in SD,

Kathleen

[ksymonds84]

Welcome Kathleen! I felt wonderful for 4 months then started noticing dairy giving me a problem so eliminated that. I also suspected Soy because the milk made me miserable but I didn't eliminate all soy. So I had good days mixed in with days where I thought what the heck....gluten free but what set me off stuff. Now at almost two years I found IgA and IgG blood test to soy so after eliminating ALL soy, I feel the best ever! I've also healed enough that I can have hard cheeses and butter but still have problems with regular milk. Even if you don't have other food intolerances, it can take time to heal and everyone is individual on the amount of time that they need. Keeping a food diary helped me trace to what foods could have had gluten me ect. Again, Welcome, this is the best site for learning about celiac!

[ang1e0251]

The food journal is always a good idea to help you get a handle on other sensitivities. In the beginning, I could not tolerate any fruit and had a hard time digesting alternate flours. I was already lactose intolerant so it just seemed more par for the course. But I now can eat any fruit and do, dairy didn't really change for me and I have given up most grains except occasional treats.

I feel better than ever even though my diet seems repetitive. I've just challenged myself to find new ways to prepare these foods and I keep trying new items now and then.

You are still new to the diet. I think your food journal will help you narrow down your problems so you can expand your food selection.

[ben-s]

I know how you feel. Coming up to almost a year since I went to see the doctor about the symptoms and I'm still having trouble coping, not only in terms of what I can and can't eat but emotionally, feeling hopeless that I can't even go out and have a proper meal without having to be so careful.

Anyway, others have given much better advice and support than I could. All I can say is just keep trying, for the sake of your physical comfort.

[ang1e0251]

It's natural to have a mourning period over losing a part of your life. But I believe you should set yourself some limits. Allow yourself to feel sorry about losing gluten and all that goes with it for a period of time, then tell yourself, this is it! Now I'm going to pick myself up and look at life from a positive outlook. It's not easy and at first you just have to go through the motions but before you know it, thinking positive will become natural and you will be able to embrace this healthy new life. Talking to others in a supportive situation really helps.

What would you say to an amputee who was feeling sorry for himself? His life is a challenge but doable. I think our celiac lives are a challenge but doable, too. I choose to live my life to the fullest I can. I'm not going to let a little diet change keep me down. I want calm and happiness in my life and I work at it every day.