Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Just Diagnosed.

MissMay

By MissMay
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

MissMay Newbie
MissMay
Posted

Hello everyone. I have Celiac Disease. There. I said it.

You'll have to forgive my denial, as I was just diagnosed yesterday. 6 long years of suffering and endless testing and it all boils down to (delicious) gluten. I am just thankful for the internet and that I have the means to reach out for support from complete strangers around the globe.

I feel as though I'm in mourning right now. Looking through my fridge, I can find about 3 things that don't contain gluten or lactose (oh, did I mention I'm also lactose intolerant?). My frame of mind is not helping the situation; I keep saying to myself, "Lettuce...that's all I can eat isn't it?" I've spent about 4 hours google-ing and I know there are many options out there for me, but right now I find it all overwhelming (guar gum?). I'm from an Asian family so eating a lot of rice is no new thing for me, but we as a family LOVE to eat....all the time. My husbands family is Ukrainian, also a big fan of eating all the time. Our families don't even get along unless we are sitting at our dinner table drinking beer and dipping our bread into gluten rich sauces.

I'm extremely stubborn and I thought I could beat my lactose intolerance with a positive attitude...well that didn't work. Now, I feel defeated. I'm raising my white flag and starting my gluten free diet today. I actually hit up the local health food store yesterday and dropped 70 dollars on some pasta, a bag of rice chips and salsa (ouch!). I guess I'll be spending a lot more time in my kitchen (good thing I enjoy cooking).

Anyway, I just thought I would introduce myself before I bombard you all with endless questions. Please forgive my negativity at the moment: I have just googled a lot of my favorite foods and I can't believe what I'm finding. I am the only Celiac in my family, but at least I know I'm not alone. For that, I thank you. Off to my gluten free journey!

Miss May

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


curlyfries Contributor
curlyfries
Posted

Hi Miss May, and welcome!

We've all been where you are and remember the frustration of starting this "journey". Ask away! You will be glad to know that almost anything you want can be made gluten free. And we have a handy dandy search box for celiac.com. :D

Ahorsesoul Enthusiast
Ahorsesoul
Posted

Welcome to the gluten free world! You will feel so much better once you are gluten/dairy free. On the upside your lactose intolerance MAY go away once you are gluten free and your intestines heal. Also (on the down side) you may want to avoid soy for a few months while you heal.

It's hard but well worth the trouble. We are here for you to vent.

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

Welcome Miss May!

You certainly owe no apologies -- we have all gone thru what you are experiencing. I can't imagine anyone would jump for joy at the opportunity to examine every item that goes in ones mouth.

Rest assured it does become easier and then second nature with time.

Be good to yourself right now and ask away...there are always people here ready and willing to commiserate and/or answer any questions you may have.

Evie4 Apprentice
Evie4
Posted

I found the initial cleaning out of the pantry and fridge was difficult. It

LDJofDenver Apprentice
LDJofDenver
Posted

Welcome to the club. Most of us have a history like that, had it for 10 years or more and misdiagnosed with all kinds of other things. I was being treated for each individual symptom (a pill for this, a pill for that, an ointment for the skin, etc). I feel your pain!

It can be a little overwhelming at first. We

MissMay Newbie
MissMay
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for the wonderful encouraging words. You have no idea how much I really do appreciate the understanding. People really take the fact that they can eat anything they want for granted.

Update: Every first friday of the month, my office has a lunch meeting where we have a caterer serve us. I absolutely dread this day. I used to eat the bare minimum (enough to stop the stomach from announcing to the whole office how hungry I actually was), and let everyone in the office think I was anorexic and just didn't eat. I found out yesterday that the lady who caters our luncheons has a daughter who is gluten, corn, lactose and yeast intolerant (yikes!). She made a special meal for me today at lunch: homemade chicken soup, grilled chicken breast, tossed salad with homemade italian dressing and lactose/gluten free chocolate strawberry cake! (I KNOW HEY?) I haven't had lunch on a work day in years, so I was a bit hesitant to do so today....but I did. I finished and listened for the instantaneous gurgling and discomfort...and what do you know? Nothing. Just plain old full and satisfied. I could have cried. The caterer (Janet) is going to be a wonderful resource for me. Also, when I got home my DH had cooked me some delicious veggies, pork chops with pineapple salsa, and an amazing tossed salad with homemade honey mustard dressing for supper. As I sit here typing this right now, I am happily digesting like a normal person.

So, the score now sits at:

Gluten Free Diet: 2, Old Diet: -503943927348372938

Miss May

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Salax Contributor
Salax
Posted

Miss May, too funny! I am happy for you! Your on the wonderful road of EATING WITH OUT STOMACH PAIN!!! What an awesome thing.

I thought that it was a normal thing to have stomach pain after eating, WRONG! I am so glad that I found out it wasn't all in my head and there really was something wrong....Of course I knew there was.....freaking doctors...anyways Congrats!! :D

We are here for ya!

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

What a wonderful day for you Miss May!

Here's wishing you many more. I know we turned a corner somewhere between 1-4 months gluten-free that it actually wasn't a chore at all and our food tasted better -- might be because it wasn't making me as sick?

Cheers & Happy Friday to you!

jkr Apprentice
jkr
Posted

There is so much information to obtain on this forum it is wonderful. I have found so many great recipes here and on the internet. Thank goodness mainstream stores carry gluten free foods. When I'm at the grocery, I use my iphone and go on this site and I have the app "Is this Gluten Free" to help me choose wisely.

Good luck and happy healing!

Northern Celiac Newbie
Northern Celiac
Posted
Hello everyone. I have Celiac Disease. There. I said it.

You'll have to forgive my denial, as I was just diagnosed yesterday. 6 long years of suffering and endless testing and it all boils down to (delicious) gluten. I am just thankful for the internet and that I have the means to reach out for support from complete strangers around the globe.

I feel as though I'm in mourning right now. Looking through my fridge, I can find about 3 things that don't contain gluten or lactose (oh, did I mention I'm also lactose intolerant?). My frame of mind is not helping the situation; I keep saying to myself, "Lettuce...that's all I can eat isn't it?" I've spent about 4 hours google-ing and I know there are many options out there for me, but right now I find it all overwhelming (guar gum?). I'm from an Asian family so eating a lot of rice is no new thing for me, but we as a family LOVE to eat....all the time. My husbands family is Ukrainian, also a big fan of eating all the time. Our families don't even get along unless we are sitting at our dinner table drinking beer and dipping our bread into gluten rich sauces.

I'm extremely stubborn and I thought I could beat my lactose intolerance with a positive attitude...well that didn't work. Now, I feel defeated. I'm raising my white flag and starting my gluten free diet today. I actually hit up the local health food store yesterday and dropped 70 dollars on some pasta, a bag of rice chips and salsa (ouch!). I guess I'll be spending a lot more time in my kitchen (good thing I enjoy cooking).

Anyway, I just thought I would introduce myself before I bombard you all with endless questions. Please forgive my negativity at the moment: I have just googled a lot of my favorite foods and I can't believe what I'm finding. I am the only Celiac in my family, but at least I know I'm not alone. For that, I thank you. Off to my gluten free journey!

Miss May

Hi, miss may,

hey you can't give up that easy. One door has closed but another one has opened. I was diagnosed in April this year with celiac. I am also lactose intolerant. But if you look there's lots of food out there to eat. for asian foods the big thing is most vh sauces aqre gluten free,plus thai kitchen. but check the internet as well. I use brown rice pasta as well. go to unico.ca they have tons of receipes. You just have to subsititue rice pasta for regular.

CheerS

Mike Irwin

Ft nelson BC

Remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. dixonpete
      0

      Hookworm load planner

    2. AlwaysLearning
      - AlwaysLearning replied to Colleen H's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      Gluten related ??

      Get tested for vitamin deficiencies. Though neuropathy can be a symptom of celiac, it can also be caused by deficiencies due to poor digestion caused by celiac and could be easier to treat.
    3. Colleen H
      - Colleen H replied to Colleen H's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      Gluten related ??

      Thank you so much for your response Yes it seems as though things get very painful as time goes on. I'm not eating gluten as far as I know. However, I'm not sure of cross contamination. My system seems to weaken to hidden spices and other possibilities. ??? if cross contamination is possible...I am in a super sensitive mode of celiac disease...
    4. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      My only proof

      EXACTLY! I was asked yesterday on my LAST video call with Standford and I stated exactly yes absolutely this is why I need the name! One, get proper care, two, not get worse.Im falling apart, stressed out, in pain and just opened email from Stanford stating I was rude ect.I want that video reviewed by higher ups and see if that women still has a job or not...
    5. AlwaysLearning
      - AlwaysLearning replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      My only proof

      We feel your pain. It took me 20+ years of regularly going to doctors desperate for answers only to be told there was nothing wrong with me … when I was 20 pounds underweight, suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies, and in a great deal of pain. I had to figure it out for myself. If you're in the U.S., not having an official diagnosis does m...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,089
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Clare Durham
    Newest Member
    Clare Durham
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • AlwaysLearning
      Gluten related ??

      By AlwaysLearning · Posted

      Get tested for vitamin deficiencies.  Though neuropathy can be a symptom of celiac, it can also be caused by deficiencies due to poor digestion caused by celiac and could be easier to treat.
    • Colleen H
      Gluten related ??

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Thank you so much for your response  Yes it seems as though things get very painful as time goes on.  I'm not eating gluten as far as I know.  However, I'm not sure of cross contamination.  My system seems to weaken to hidden spices and other possibilities. ???  if cross contamination is possible...I am in a super sensitive mode of celiac disease.. Neuropathy from head to toes
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      EXACTLY! I was asked yesterday on my LAST video call with Standford and I stated exactly yes absolutely this is why I need the name! One, get proper care, two, not get worse.Im falling apart, stressed out, in pain and just opened email from Stanford stating I was rude ect.I want that video reviewed by higher ups and see if that women still has a job or not.Im saying this because I've been medically screwed and asking for help because bills don't pay itself. This could be malpratice siit but im not good at finding lawyers
    • AlwaysLearning
      My only proof

      By AlwaysLearning · Posted

      We feel your pain. It took me 20+ years of regularly going to doctors desperate for answers only to be told there was nothing wrong with me … when I was 20 pounds underweight, suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies, and in a great deal of pain. I had to figure it out for myself. If you're in the U.S., not having an official diagnosis does mean you can't claim a tax deduction for the extra expense of gluten-free foods. But it can also be a good thing. Pre-existing conditions might be a reason why a health insurance company might reject your application or charge you more money. No official diagnosis means you don't have a pre-existing condition. I really hope you don't live in the U.S. and don't have these challenges. Do you need an official diagnosis for a specific reason? Else, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you're diligent in remaining gluten free, your body should be healing as much as possible so there isn't much else you could do anyway. And there are plenty of us out here who never got that official diagnosis because we couldn't eat enough gluten to get tested. Now that the IL-2 test is available, I suppose I could take it, but I don't feel the need. Someone else not believing me really isn't my problem as long as I can stay in control of my own food.
    • AlwaysLearning
      Gluten related ??

      By AlwaysLearning · Posted

      If you're just starting out in being gluten free, I would expect it to take months before you learned enough about hidden sources of gluten before you stopped making major mistakes. Ice cream? Not safe unless they say it is gluten free. Spaghetti sauce? Not safe unless is says gluten-free. Natural ingredients? Who knows what's in there. You pretty much need to cook with whole ingredients yourself to avoid it completely. Most gluten-free products should be safe, but while you're in the hypersensitive phase right after going gluten free, you may notice that when something like a microwave meal seems to not be gluten-free … then you find out that it is produced in a shared facility where it can become contaminated. My reactions were much-more severe after going gluten free. The analogy that I use is that you had a whole army of soldiers waiting for some gluten to attack, and now that you took away their target, when the stragglers from the gluten army accidentally wander onto the battlefield, you still have your entire army going out and attacking them. Expect it to take two years before all of the training facilities that were producing your soldiers have fallen into disrepair and are no longer producing soldiers. But that is two years after you stop accidentally glutening yourself. Every time you do eat gluten, another training facility can be built and more soldiers will be waiting to attack. Good luck figuring things out.   
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.