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

My Husband Was Just Diagnosed

SIP

Recommended Posts

SIP Newbie
SIP
Posted

My husband was just diagnosed with Celiacs today via blood tests and endoscopic biopsy for confirmation. Although he suffers many of the uncomfortable symptoms of the disease, he does not want to give up certain foods and does not want to feel out of place at restaurants or when dining out. I am more than happy to go gluten-free with him and I would love to get rid of all of the wheat products in the house, but he is non-responsive to any of these ideas. Does anyone have any idea's on how I can ease him into eating gluten free? Is there any way to make this diagnosis less depressing? My husband has not lost weight, but has been underweight for most of his life without knowing why until now, if he goes gluten free will he put any weight on? What are some of the delicious gluten free products people have found? Thanks in advance for everyones help.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

My dietician has her clients start eating gluten free meals mixed in with their normal meals - you don't need to TELL him they're gluten free, heh - and then phase out the gluten dishes as you find more and more gluten free foods that you like.

More fruit and veggie snacks, meals that use rice and potatoes rather than bread and pasta, that sort of thing.

Most of the people I know who are underweight, gain a little weight going gluten-free. Most people I've met who are overweight, lose a little on gluten-free.

I'm afraid that his not wanting to give up foods and not wanting to feel out of place may be the one of the big issues, but...was his doctor very clear on exactly what may happen if he continues eating gluten?

The discomfort is not a big deal. What can happen because of the nutritional deficiencies is a HUGE problem. Cancer, other auto-immune diseases developing (diabetes, hypothyroidism, for ex), organ damage, bone and skin problems. The list just goes on and on.

My father was undiagnosed, and then his body kind of hit the wall, as it were, and everything just imploded. In the span of 5 years, he went from a seemingly healthy, athletic man to one who had both hips replaced, most of the discs in his spine herniated, and using a cane before the age of 50. The bottom of his lungs hardened and he has to be on asthma medication, and his heart developed problems so that make him more susceptible to clotting so that he now has to stay on coumadin for the rest of his life.

Really, the problems of NOT going gluten free will lead to a much shorter lifespan, and usually a more painful set of later years as well. Hopefully knowing that may help him decide that inconvenience is worth not feeling terrible.

Shauna

confusedwife Newbie
confusedwife
Posted

i too went thru the same thing with my husband. i had to just make meals that were gluten free. Then let him eat it and then say...well that was a dish you enjoyed and it was gluten free. just to prove to him that he still enjoy things he loved to eat. just we need to find gluten free ingrediants to make them. the life safer for me was Open Original Shared Link seeing im a working mom. I did not have time to make two seperate things for every meal.

notme Experienced
notme
Posted

when i was first diagnosed, i didn't tell *anyone* for like 3 months because i was in such denial. it's a tough diagnosis to hear! i didn't even tell my husband. in that timespan i lost so much weight i looked like a skeleton. by the time i admitted i needed to eat gluten-free i was so sick and fatigued i was sleeping all the time. i guess what i'm saying is: give him a little time for it to sink in. it's alot easier to bring a horse to water if it's his idea to drink. the next hurdle was to feed the family - really, the only solution for me was to cook for everybody gluten-free. at first i faked them out: made dinner until it was almost done, then scooped out portions to put 'aside' for me (it was the same exact food as they were eating!) after a few weeks i broke the news to them: they had been eating gluten-free the whole time. the only thing i couldn't fake at first was pasta and bread. have since found tinkyada pasta and udi's bread - yummmm! good luck to you. my husband is the stubbornest man i know, but most men are stubborn. about their health expecially. :(

smc Rookie
smc
Posted

I was mad when I received my diagnosis too. The thought of changing my whole lifestyle was overwhelming and I tried to cram all my favorite foods in -in the 2 weeks before i decided to officially go gluten free. I grew up in an italian family and thought the days of great pasta dinners were over. A few weeks in to my new gluten-free diet, however, I started to feel better than I had felt in a few years-no pain or bloating- It was great to eat a meal and not feel horrible afterwards. When your husband starts to feel better he will know that his life style change is nesessary and hopefully accept it a little better. There are great gluten-free substitutions out there and it takes time to find what suits your tastes. I have had delicious pizza, pastas , pies, etc. It is great that you have no problem going gluten free with him -he obviously has alot of support. I dont like to draw attention to myself at a restaurant either but I have gotten used to it and know I have to speak up for my health. Start at places that offer gluten-free menus and substitute gluten-free ingredients in his favorite meals and see if he notices. I did gain 6-7 pounds after starting the diet but I was underweight most of my life. I was only 105 lbs and 5' 2". I think he might gain a few pounds as he heals. It is really crappy that we all have to deal with this but at least we can control our disease with our diet. Some people are'nt so lucky. good luck !

smc Rookie
smc
Posted

My husband was just diagnosed with Celiacs today via blood tests and endoscopic biopsy for confirmation. Although he suffers many of the uncomfortable symptoms of the disease, he does not want to give up certain foods and does not want to feel out of place at restaurants or when dining out. I am more than happy to go gluten-free with him and I would love to get rid of all of the wheat products in the house, but he is non-responsive to any of these ideas. Does anyone have any idea's on how I can ease him into eating gluten free? Is there any way to make this diagnosis less depressing? My husband has not lost weight, but has been underweight for most of his life without knowing why until now, if he goes gluten free will he put any weight on? What are some of the delicious gluten free products people have found? Thanks in advance for everyones help.

Tinkyada makes a really good rice pasta and the corn pastas out there I think are even closer tasting to the real thing. There are some Glutino snacks that are really good- they make a chocolate wafer cookie that tastes like a kit kat candy bar. As someone mentioned Udi's makes the best bread -my kids can't tell the difference except the slices are smaller. They will be selling hamburger and hot dog rolls starting this month-that is something I have not found a good substitution for yet but if they are anything like their bread they sould be yummy! Can't wait.

sb2178 Enthusiast
sb2178
Posted

Rudi's bread is even better than Udi's. Van's frozen waffles are also a good sub if he's used to that sort of breakfast. Hot cereal: gluten-free oats, cream of buckwheat, cream of rice... Cold cereal: chex, Nature's Path varieties

Ancient Harvest pasta has gotten general approval from everyone I've fed it to.

Corn and beans are also easy to sub in. I do a lot of lentil/bean dishes for complex carbs.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,855
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tara M
    Newest Member
    Tara M
    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

    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
    • Me,Sue
      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      By Me,Sue · Posted

      I was diagnosed with coeliac disease a couple of years ago [ish]. I love my food and a variety of food, so it's been hard, as it is with everyone. I try and ensure everything I eat doesn't contain gluten, but occasionally I think something must have got through that has gluten in. Mainly I know because I have to dash to the loo, but recently I have noticed that I feel nauseous after possibly being glutened. I think the thing that I have got better at is knowing what to do when I feel wiped out after a gluten 'episode'. I drink loads of water, and have just started drinking peppermint tea. I also have rehydration powders to drink. I don't feel like eating much, but eventually feel like I need to eat. Gluten free flapjacks, or gluten free cereal, or a small gluten free kids meal are my go to. I am retired, so luckily I can rest, sometimes even going to bed when nothing else works. So I feel that I am getting better at knowing how to try and get back on track. I am also trying to stick to a simpler menu and eat mostly at home so that I can be more confident about what I am eating. THANKS TO THOSE WHO REPLIED ABOUT THE NAUSEA .
    • Francis M
      The Happy Tart review

      By Francis M · Posted

      Thanks. Since the back and forth and promises of review and general stalling went on for more than six months, the credit company will no longer investigate. They have a cutoff of maybe six months.
    • Scott Adams
      The Happy Tart review

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Is this the same restaurant? https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyTartFallsChurch/ Is it too late to take this up with your credit card company? Normally you have a few months to do a chargeback with them. It seems very odd that they are taking this approach with someone who is likely to be a regular customer--not a good business-minded way of handling things!
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.        
×
×
  • 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.