Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Fairly New To Gluten Free

lttlems-sunshine

Recommended Posts

lttlems-sunshine Newbie
lttlems-sunshine
Posted

As stated in the topic title, I'm fairly new to the gluten free. I am not officially diagnosed by a doctor but honestly I don't trust them. *shrug* A few months after I had my son, I started to notice bowel issues that were increasingly becoming worse. It started out with a few bouts of pretty horrid D and stomach cramps. Over the next year and a half, it was up to about 8 times per day that I was dealing with this issue. It was sudden onset and I would become very ill. It was embarrassing to say the least trying to hide this problem with coworkers, friends, boyfriend, etc. I was convinced it was IBS and had resigned myself to this being my life. I had completely dismissed the Celiac option because the symptoms didn't coincide with the consumption of gluten (silly me.) In December 2010 (roughly 3 months ago) I spent an entire weekend accidently not eating gluten. I had read an article about Celiac's at work the week before and when I noticed I'd felt wonderful all weekend, I finally put the pieces together. At that point, I completely eliminated it from my diet and haven't looked back. I feel so normal every single day now and I love it. Shopping and planning meals was difficult at first but I've made my own little niche of it and it's pretty much a breeze now. Honestly, it is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. Since I can't consume the sweets that always seem available, the experience has really lit a fire under my butt on losing weight and becoming healthy. I've lost 22 lbs since my diet switch and I eat a lot more fresh fruits and veggies because those are pretty much the only snack foods available that aren't gluten loaded. My family and boyfriend are amazingly supportive; my stepmom always makes sure there is a gluten free food option when I'm at their house. Me and my boyfriend experiment with local restaurants and we have a regular pizza place, mexican restaurant, and even an italian food place that offer great gluten free options. That is my story and I just wanted to share and say hi!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

Hello and welcome!

Well, you ARE Little Miss Sunshine aren't you? That is the sunniest introduction I have ever read. I'm so glad you found that eating gluten free works for you and you have the support that you need. It is refreshing to read your words. I have a hard time not focusing on the "lost years" so I'm going to take a dash of your spirit from this post and try to be grateful that I too, feel "wonderful" most days. Well, at least way better than I was in the gluten years. Your words and your attitude are inspiring. Thank you

wannabhealthy Newbie
wannabhealthy
Posted

Hello and welcome!

Well, you ARE Little Miss Sunshine aren't you? That is the sunniest introduction I have ever read. I'm so glad you found that eating gluten free works for you and you have the support that you need. It is refreshing to read your words. I have a hard time not focusing on the "lost years" so I'm going to take a dash of your spirit from this post and try to be grateful that I too, feel "wonderful" most days. Well, at least way better than I was in the gluten years. Your words and your attitude are inspiring. Thank you

I am encouraged by her words too. Must say I'm still waiting to feel better. I've cut as much gluten from my diet that I am aware of, and still suffer. I just found out that the skin care products and makeup I'm using likely have gluten and have to start all over. I'm researching products and while some claim to be gluten free, they contain tocopherol (vitamin E) and so I'm wondering if I can trust them! I've sent e-mails to several companies to ask the source of the Vit. E.....is there anything else I need to think about that I've likely missed? My vitamins all claim to be okay as well. Sure want to feel better. Have dark puffy circles under my eyes all the time, am always tired, never sleep all night and have had restless legs syndrome for many years. A doctor told me it was the result of my hypothyroidism. It's a lot worse when I have to sit at work all day. I stretch and stretch and take Advil to try to relax them so I can get to sleep. Any support would be very much appreciated! I appreciate having this forum to come to!!

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

I am encouraged by her words too. Must say I'm still waiting to feel better. I've cut as much gluten from my diet that I am aware of, and still suffer. I just found out that the skin care products and makeup I'm using likely have gluten and have to start all over. I'm researching products and while some claim to be gluten free, they contain tocopherol (vitamin E) and so I'm wondering if I can trust them! I've sent e-mails to several companies to ask the source of the Vit. E.....is there anything else I need to think about that I've likely missed? My vitamins all claim to be okay as well. Sure want to feel better. Have dark puffy circles under my eyes all the time, am always tired, never sleep all night and have had restless legs syndrome for many years. A doctor told me it was the result of my hypothyroidism. It's a lot worse when I have to sit at work all day. I stretch and stretch and take Advil to try to relax them so I can get to sleep. Any support would be very much appreciated! I appreciate having this forum to come to!!

inre: restless legs, research foods for upping your magnesium intake, and,

believe it or not try a bar of ivory soap under your mattress.

also make sure you are not anemic.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,869
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Joyetta
    Newest Member
    Joyetta
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Blood tests are affected by what you've had to eat in the previous day or two and any vitamin supplements you've taken in the past month or two.   If you have been taking vitamins before the time of the blood test, the vitamins supplements could mask a deficiency.  So get the tests before supplementing, or allow eight to twelve weeks for the supplements to wear off.    The thing with blood tests is that they measure what is in the blood, not what is stored inside organs and tissues where vitamins are actually utilized, and may miss subclinical deficiencies.  In times of shortages, the brain can order cells to release their stored vitamins into the blood stream in order to keep important organs like the brain and heart functioning.   Overall, getting blood tests for deficiencies is a good idea if it's available to you.  If you're deficient in any of the B vitamins, take a B Complex with all the B's in it.  The eight B vitamins work with one another like an orchestra.  Supplementing just one can throw the others off.  
    • Shining My Light
      Virus, celiac disease or both?

      By Shining My Light · Posted

      Thank you @trents! This is all sound advice. In 2022 I did have a biopsy done with the EGD: SPECIMEN: (A) DUODENUM, BIOPSY (B) GASTRIC BIOPSY(C) GASTRIC POLYP, BIOPSY(D) ESOPHAGUS BIOPSY (E) ESOPHAGUS BIOPSY This would have been when the candida was found.  If I understand right it’s the duodenum they take a biopsy of. Nothing was mentioned about Villous atrophy however they were not looking for that particularly.    Something that stumps me is the correlation between symptoms and damage. One seems to equal the other. I have yet to see damage with “silent celiac”. Not saying it doesn’t exist.  Also super curious on other symptoms that would improve based on a gluten free diet. Obviously silent celiac wouldn’t have an improvement in GI symptoms but that is all I have read any data for. No one saying things like my anxiety went away or my headaches and joint pain are gone.    I see why it would be a “gluten challenge” since eating 4-6 slices of bread daily is a challenge to do. 😳 I would replace that with cake 🍰😉 
    • xxnonamexx
      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I know I haven't been tested for Celiac yet. But If I took a blood test would they be able to say what I am deficient in as far as vitamins and minerals so I can see what supplements to take or is it not that easy to figure out what is needed to balance out vitamins/minerals. 
    • trents
      Virus, celiac disease or both?

      By trents · Posted

      All that is exactly why you should have an endoscopy with a biopsy of the small bowel lining done. It's a very simple procedure and in the US they put you under for it so there is no discomfort. You don't even have to do a cleanout like you do for a colonoscopy.  It might also be wise to wait a few months and get the tTG-IGA checked again if nothing else. If it elevated now due to some temporary infectious process, it should not remain elevated. But a biopsy would distinguish between IBD and celiac disease. And remember, the diagnosing of diseases is often not a black and white, cut and dry process. You often have to weigh all the evidence and just go with what is most likely the cause. When tTG-IGA is elevated, the most likely cause is celiac disease. And the gold standard test for diagnosing celiac disease is still the endoscopy with biopsy. But if you decide to go for further testing for celiac disease of any kind, you must not first embark on the gluten free diet.
    • knitty kitty
      Refractory Celiac disease - what to do

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I understand your exasperation.  My doctors were totally clueless.  Me?  I couldn't believe it was so simple.  I had studied nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology because I was curious about what the vitamins were doing inside the body.  It's about giving the body the nutrients it needs to heal.  Read my blog for more of my journey...  Do take the time now to make some changes.  It's a matter of putting on your own oxygen mask first before you do anything else.  I regret I didn't do more to take care of myself first.  It's amazing how quickly ones life can unravel if in poor health. Simple things you can do immediately that will help are: Stop consuming oats, dairy, and corn. Keep a food-mood-poo'd journal so pinpointing problematic foods is easier. No alcohol. Avoid nightshades.  Do cut back on or eliminate processed gluten free facsimile foods.  These are not nutritious.  They are not enriched with vitamins and minerals like their gluten containing counterparts.  They contain saturated fats and excess fiber that can be irritating to the digestive tract.   They are high in simple carbohydrates that promote Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Do focus on meat, veggies, fruit and healthy Omega 3 fats (olive oil, avocado oil).   Do make stews and roasts overnight in a crockpot.  Make small batches.  Leftovers increase in histamine the longer they are left.   Do talk to your doctor about supplementing with a B Complex and Benfotiamine (a form of thiamine shown to promote intestinal healing).  There are eight essential B vitamins.  They work in concert together like an orchestra, so they need to be supplemented together.  Taking extra thiamine and Benfotiamine have been shown to be beneficial.  Weight loss can be a symptom of insufficient thiamine. I believe you mentioned you were low in some vitamins. Can you tell me  which ones?  
×
×
  • Create New...