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

Hello From Krakow

BabsV

By BabsV
in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff

Recommended Posts

BabsV Enthusiast
BabsV
Posted

Hi. I'm newly diagnosed (3 weeks ago!) and an American living in Krakow, Poland (my husband's job brought us here.) I have my doubts about other Krakovians being active here but I can hope, right? 8-)

I've cleaned out my kitchen, given away loads of food, been reading as much as possible to educate myself and my family. I'm also lucky because going gluten-free here in Poland isn't hard -- they've actually got a good selection of gluten-free products available.

I'm having good days and bad days which I gather is normal so early in the process. I'm just relieved to have a diagnosis and to realize that with time and effort my pain should improve as should my fuzzy head.

I'm just really appreciative for this virtual community -- I've reached out to some people and they have all been awesome with responding with information and support.

Thanks.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

How intriguing! I have not yet been to Krakow but my husband and I own a house in Croatia and want to visit Poland soon (we are still in Canada at this point). Some of my ancestors came to Canada from Poland. Will you be in Poland long term? It is awesome that you have a selection of gluten-free products there. I always wonder about different countries and sometimes have been very pleasantly surprised.

Sounds as though you are doing well with the gluten-free lifestyle although you are only three weeks in. That is great! :) Many of us have learned far more information on this board than from our health care professionals (I have been blessed but many have not). Guess what? When I was first diagnosed six months ago my antibody numbers were WAY off the charts positive; a few weeks ago they were negative. It is remarkable what can be done in a short period of time! A great sign that I am beginning to heal.

Welcome here! :) I look forward to hearing more from you.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

welcome Babs,

Not sure about other members from Poland, but there are people from lots of different countries and ethnicities on the board. We get along purty good too! :)

You are right getting started has it's ups and downs. There are many changes taking place in your body especially your digestive system after going gluten-free. your gut can start to heal, which can lead to better absorption of nutrients, antibodies can start going down, and your body doesn't need to use as many resources to create them. The villi of your small intestine may start producing more lactase enzyme also. The bacterial balance of your intestine will shift as gluten eating critters starve or adjust to your new diet. That may result in bloating and discomfort for a while.

And your grocery bill may go up quite a bit also, if you eat a lot of processed gluten-free foods. If you stick with whole, unprocessed foods

though your bill may go down and you will avoid lots of chemicals additives, preservatives, fillers, colorings etc.

well, lots to learn but lots of people here like to help. So dive on in and make yourself at home! :)

gabby Enthusiast
gabby
Posted

Hi,

I'm a Canadian who lives in Zagreb, Croatia. I feel for you on lots of levels. Just living in a new and different place as an expat is stressful enough sometimes, and now going gluten-free will add a new layer of stress......but it eventually does get easier (both the expat stuff and being gluten-free).

I don't know if you are fluent in Polish, so I'm sending along the url for the celiac society of poland...this is the english bit: www.celiakia.pl.

There's also a woman who writes about celiac in europe. you can look up her blog by googling: glutenfree globetrotter (it is in English).

That's all I can think of for now.

Hope that helps!

BabsV Enthusiast
BabsV
Posted
  • Author

How intriguing! I have not yet been to Krakow but my husband and I own a house in Croatia and want to visit Poland soon (we are still in Canada at this point). Some of my ancestors came to Canada from Poland. Will you be in Poland long term? It is awesome that you have a selection of gluten-free products there. I always wonder about different countries and sometimes have been very pleasantly surprised.

Sounds as though you are doing well with the gluten-free lifestyle although you are only three weeks in. That is great! :) Many of us have learned far more information on this board than from our health care professionals (I have been blessed but many have not). Guess what? When I was first diagnosed six months ago my antibody numbers were WAY off the charts positive; a few weeks ago they were negative. It is remarkable what can be done in a short period of time! A great sign that I am beginning to heal.

Welcome here! :) I look forward to hearing more from you.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Krakow is a lovely city...I highly recommend a visit if you have a chance. We're here for one more year and by that time I expect to be much better at the whole gluten-free lifestyle. I've actually found a restaurant here that advertises as the first "Gluten Free Restaurant" in Krakow. I might just have to try it out in a few months once I feel I've got the diet more under control!

BabsV Enthusiast
BabsV
Posted
  • Author

welcome Babs,

Not sure about other members from Poland, but there are people from lots of different countries and ethnicities on the board. We get along purty good too! :)

You are right getting started has it's ups and downs. There are many changes taking place in your body especially your digestive system after going gluten-free. your gut can start to heal, which can lead to better absorption of nutrients, antibodies can start going down, and your body doesn't need to use as many resources to create them. The villi of your small intestine may start producing more lactase enzyme also. The bacterial balance of your intestine will shift as gluten eating critters starve or adjust to your new diet. That may result in bloating and discomfort for a while.

And your grocery bill may go up quite a bit also, if you eat a lot of processed gluten-free foods. If you stick with whole, unprocessed foods

though your bill may go down and you will avoid lots of chemicals additives, preservatives, fillers, colorings etc.

well, lots to learn but lots of people here like to help. So dive on in and make yourself at home! :)

Thanks for your message. I am trying to not eat too many processed foods even if they say 'Gluten-Free" on the package. I'm starting with natural (and organic) foods and making all my own meals. So far, it seems to be working. I'm just lucky that I'm someplace where food is less processed overall compared to the United States.

BabsV Enthusiast
BabsV
Posted
  • Author

Hi,

I'm a Canadian who lives in Zagreb, Croatia. I feel for you on lots of levels. Just living in a new and different place as an expat is stressful enough sometimes, and now going gluten-free will add a new layer of stress......but it eventually does get easier (both the expat stuff and being gluten-free).

I don't know if you are fluent in Polish, so I'm sending along the url for the celiac society of poland...this is the english bit: www.celiakia.pl.

There's also a woman who writes about celiac in europe. you can look up her blog by googling: glutenfree globetrotter (it is in English).

That's all I can think of for now.

Hope that helps!

Wow! Thanks so much for that information. I'm not fluent in Polish but I've got a good Polish friend who has decided her mission is to help me through this adjustment to a gluten-free lifestyle. She helped clean out my kitchen, has been helping me read any food labels I wasn't sure about, is doing research. She's a gem! I know I'm lucky to have her and other friends who are willing to help as well as a supportive spouse as I try out new recipes. I don't think I'll get him to give up pizza at this point but he'll just have to go out to lunch with co-workers for it!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Thanks for the warm welcome. Krakow is a lovely city...I highly recommend a visit if you have a chance. We're here for one more year and by that time I expect to be much better at the whole gluten-free lifestyle. I've actually found a restaurant here that advertises as the first "Gluten Free Restaurant" in Krakow. I might just have to try it out in a few months once I feel I've got the diet more under control!

From what I have heard/seen/read Krakow does indeed sound like an amazing place. Please let us know what your restaurant experience is like. The gluten-free restaurant is very impressive indeed! I am excited for you. I did not venture out to restaurants until I was very comfortable with it (and am still extremely picky where I go which is rare as I love to cook, anyway). It is a wise choice to wait until you are sure. There are just so many risks involved.

Good luck! :)

AVR1962 Collaborator
AVR1962
Posted

Enjoy Poland! I am an American living in Germany due to husband's employment. We've lived here 10 years and my German is still poor, the Germans speek English very well. I think I learned more Italian in the 2 years we lived there! Lots of great opportunities for travel in Europe to take advantage of while you are overseas. I have not found it easy to eat out and find gluten-free menus but that's okay. Enjoy!

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. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed. Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Fruits & Veggies

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better. Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor. PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12. Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1. There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine. In Thiamine deficiency, the body...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Inmate with Celiac Disease Wins $630,000 After Jail Denies Gluten-Free Food

    5. trents
      - trents replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      Wow! You're pretty young to have a diagnosis of SMA syndrome. But youth also has its advantages when it comes to healing, without a doubt. You might be surprised to find out how your health improves and how much better you feel once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that, when gluten is consumed, triggers an...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,019
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Nancy Adams
    Newest Member
    Nancy Adams
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed.   Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    • knitty kitty
      Fruits & Veggies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better.   Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor.  PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12.  Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the production of digestive juices (stomach acids).  This results in foods not being digested thoroughly.  If foods are not digested sufficiently, the vitamins and other nutrients aren't released from the food, and the body cannot absorb them.  This sets up a vicious cycle. Acid reflux and Gerd are actually symptoms of producing too little stomach acid.  Insufficient stomach acid production is seen with Thiamine and Niacin deficiencies.  PPI's like Tecta also block the transporters that pull Thiamine into cells, preventing absorption of thiamine.  Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are difficulty swallowing, gagging, problems with food texture, dysphagia. Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.  Vyvanse also blocks thiamine transporters contributing further to Thiamine deficiency.  Pristiq has been shown to work better if thiamine is supplemented at the same time because thiamine is needed to make serotonin.  Doctors don't recognize anxiety and depression and adult onset ADHD as early symptoms of Thiamine deficiency. Stomach acid is needed to digest Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in fruits and vegetables.  Ascorbic acid left undigested can cause intestinal upsets, anxiety, and heart palpitations.   Yes, a child can be born with nutritional deficiencies if the parents were deficient.  Parents who are thiamine deficient have offspring with fewer thiamine transporters on cell surfaces, making thiamine deficiency easier to develop in the children.  A person can struggle along for years with subclinical vitamin deficiencies.  Been here, done this.  Please consider supplementing with Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which helps immensely with dysphagia and neurological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.  Benfotiamine helps with improving intestinal health.  A B Complex and NeuroMag (a magnesium supplement), and Vitamin D are needed also.
    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1.   There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine.   In Thiamine deficiency, the body burns its stored fat as a source of fuel.  That fat pad between the aorta and digestive system gets used as fuel, too. Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test to look for thiamine deficiency.  Correction of thiamine deficiency can help restore that fat pad.   Best wishes for your recovery!   Interesting Reading: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31089433/#:~:text=Affiliations,tissue and results in SMAS.  
    • trents
      Positive biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      Wow! You're pretty young to have a diagnosis of SMA syndrome. But youth also has its advantages when it comes to healing, without a doubt. You might be surprised to find out how your health improves and how much better you feel once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that, when gluten is consumed, triggers an attack on the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestines where all our nutrition is absorbed. It is made up of billions of tiny finger-like projections that create a tremendous surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the person with celiac disease, unchecked gluten consumption generates inflammation that wears down these fingers and, over time, greatly reduces the nutrient absorbing efficiency of the small bowel lining. This can generate a whole host of other nutrient deficiency related medical problems. We also now know that the autoimmune reaction to gluten is not necessarily limited to the lining of the small bowel such that celiac disease can damage other body systems and organs such as the liver and the joints and cause neurological problems.  It can take around two years for the villous lining to completely heal but most people start feeling better well before then. It's also important to realize that celiac disease can cause intolerance to some other foods whose protein structures are similar to gluten. Chief among them are dairy and oats but also eggs, corn and soy. Just keep that in mind.
    • pothosqueen
      Positive biopsy

      By pothosqueen · Posted

      26F!
×
×
  • 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.