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


Shelley327

Recommended Posts

Shelley327 Newbie

Hi, my name is Shelley and I'm 17. I was just diagnosed with Celiacs a few days ago and it's already been a challenge. I'm still getting used to knowing what foods I can and can't eat and having to read labels ALL the time. My school cafeteria is only providing me with nachos and salad as gluton free alternatives and none of my friends really understand the disease. They all think I'm being dramatic by following the gluten free diet so religiously. I don't think they really understand what I've been though. So i was browsing the web and happened to come across this website and thought it would be awsome to meet some other teens going through the same thing :) ..since i don't know anyone else who can really relate to my problems


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



K-Dawg Explorer

Ok - so I"m 34...not even close to being a teen! But I wanted to welcome you to this forum. :) I know you'll find good advice here as well as support.

Your good friends will support you.

KDawg

Hi, my name is Shelley and I'm 17. I was just diagnosed with Celiacs a few days ago and it's already been a challenge. I'm still getting used to knowing what foods I can and can't eat and having to read labels ALL the time. My school cafeteria is only providing me with nachos and salad as gluton free alternatives and none of my friends really understand the disease. They all think I'm being dramatic by following the gluten free diet so religiously. I don't think they really understand what I've been though. So i was browsing the web and happened to come across this website and thought it would be awsome to meet some other teens going through the same thing :) ..since i don't know anyone else who can really relate to my problems

Tessa Newbie

Hi, my name is Shelley and I'm 17. I was just diagnosed with Celiacs a few days ago and it's already been a challenge. I'm still getting used to knowing what foods I can and can't eat and having to read labels ALL the time. My school cafeteria is only providing me with nachos and salad as gluton free alternatives and none of my friends really understand the disease. They all think I'm being dramatic by following the gluten free diet so religiously. I don't think they really understand what I've been though. So i was browsing the web and happened to come across this website and thought it would be awsome to meet some other teens going through the same thing :) ..since i don't know anyone else who can really relate to my problems

Wow! Can totally relate to your problems. I'm 19 and almost every time I go out with a group of people, some of them bug me about not eating enough or not eating something. I explain my allergies and they don't seem to grasp it. They look at me like I am an alien or something. What I do is tell myself that yes I have celiac's disease, but pleasing my body is the only thing that matters right now. I will not let the teasing bother me.

Also, you can always come on the forum whenever you need too!

Good luck with everything and just remember that everyone has problems to deal with and you are not alone.

Tessa

kareng Grand Master

Hi Shelley!

I have a 17 yr old son. He does not have celiac disease, I do. He has a friend that has it. Unfortunately, she lets others comments bother her and change her eating habits. This drives my son nuts! For example, for school dances the kids all go to dinner in groups. If she spoke up and said the best place for her is PF Changs, everyone would go there (they love PF Changs). But she doesn't & then sits and doesn't eat or eats and gets sick before the dance is over. She won't eat in the school cafe but won't bring her lunch. My son said that when he had the same lunch time as her, he would get her to get a yogurt and a piece of fruit. She is just my son's type but he says he can't date her. She isn't taking care of herself and that is not a mentally healthy person.

Your close friends will get used to it. Just like the kids get used to who is a vegetarian. You might explain that the gluten causes your intestines to destruct and eventually they will have holes in them and you might die. They may still tease you, but if not your food ...then it might be your hair. :)

Good luck. It takes a few months to get used to it and not have to think all the time about what to eat.

Shelley327 Newbie

KDawg, tessa, and kareng, its really great to know I'm not alone!! :) Just in this past week or so I've seen so many changes in my health. My stomache pains have decreased significantly and I've started to gain some weight. My body is definatly loving this new diet! Oh, and not to mention, the gluten free pasta is exceltent! ;)

And kareng, i think its great that your sons is encouraging his friend to be healthier. He obviously cares about her, and I hope everything turns out okay for her.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,902
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Patty6133
    Newest Member
    Patty6133
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.