Just Diagnosed.

[MissMay]

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

[curlyfries]

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.

[Ahorsesoul]

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]

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]

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

[LDJofDenver]

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]

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

[Salax]

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!!

We are here for ya!

[GottaSki]

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]

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]

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