Brand New Diagnosis!

[TeresaAnn]

Hi There...

I was just diagnosed this week with Celiac Disease. I've had symptoms for years...but recently the Celiac Blood Testing panel came back positive. I am also suffering from an EXTREME Vitamin B12 deficiency...I've been on the shots for about 6 months and not much relief so I'm hoping the new Gluten Free Diet will change that.

My Dr. is also restricting me from Dairy and sugar for the first 3 mos of the diet then I can gradually add them back. I seriously cannot wait to start feeling better. My pancreas is not doing well at this point and I'm hoping the diet change will speed up the healing process. Did anyone else experience any malfunction with vital organs before being diagnosed and how long before I can expect to feel at least somewhat better?

I'm pretty over whelmed right now. Oh...I'm a Pastry Chef so this is going to be a challenge. However...I'm going to make it my goal to creat new and delicious breads, pastries and desserts that are Gluten Free!

Thanks a bunch...

Teresa

[Gemini]

Hi There...

I was just diagnosed this week with Celiac Disease. I've had symptoms for years...but recently the Celiac Blood Testing panel came back positive. I am also suffering from an EXTREME Vitamin B12 deficiency...I've been on the shots for about 6 months and not much relief so I'm hoping the new Gluten Free Diet will change that.

My Dr. is also restricting me from Dairy and sugar for the first 3 mos of the diet then I can gradually add them back. I seriously cannot wait to start feeling better. My pancreas is not doing well at this point and I'm hoping the diet change will speed up the healing process. Did anyone else experience any malfunction with vital organs before being diagnosed and how long before I can expect to feel at least somewhat better?

I'm pretty over whelmed right now. Oh...I'm a Pastry Chef so this is going to be a challenge. However...I'm going to make it my goal to creat new and delicious breads, pastries and desserts that are Gluten Free!

Thanks a bunch...

Teresa

Bless your little pastry creme filled heart, Teresa, and welcome to the world of the Celiac! You could end up becoming a

millionaire if you develop some great gluten-free goodies for the rest of us! You have a wonderful attitude. If you follow the diet strictly, you'll heal so don't worry. The rest of us on this board are here to help.

Healing is individual for everyone and it depends on many factors. I hope you are not working with regular wheat flour in your job because that's going to be a problem if you inhale it on a regular basis. That will keep you from healing well.

I was deathly ill when diagnosed and might not have made it. I was diagnosed just in time and I healed well...it did take about 3 years total for all symptoms and problems to disappear, though, so be patient. You can turn everything around, for the most part, so don't despair. You seem to have a positive attitude so that will help tremendously! Any questions, ask away....

[pricklypear1971]

Hi there and welcome!

First, everyone varies as far as recovery goes. The first few weeks (if not months) can be tough because most go through a type of detox. Many of us have issues like sub-optimal hormone levels, liver congestion, etc. Proper diet and supplamentation is key and it sounds like your doc is on it.

One big caution for you, if you still bake with glutenous products make sure you take precautions like a face mask and gloves. Some Celiacs become quite ill from inhaling (and swallowing) workplace gluten.

Best of luck and welcome!

[TeresaAnn]

Hi there and welcome!

First, everyone varies as far as recovery goes. The first few weeks (if not months) can be tough because most go through a type of detox. Many of us have issues like sub-optimal hormone levels, liver congestion, etc. Proper diet and supplamentation is key and it sounds like your doc is on it.

One big caution for you, if you still bake with glutenous products make sure you take precautions like a face mask and gloves. Some Celiacs become quite ill from inhaling (and swallowing) workplace gluten.

Best of luck and welcome!

Yes...I'm going to have to figure out the best way to work around my ingredients...but I must say...since I have my own commercial bakery kitchen in my house...I may just decide this is the avenue I am taking and completely change to being the best provider of gluten free wedding cakes, bread and other pastires. I live in a small coastal town so there is NOTHING to choose from for people who have Celiac or just want to eat gluten free. We have a really great health food store in the next town up...I spent a couple hours there today. The owner is also Celiac and was super helpful. I'm going to detox my kitchen and myself. My husband said he's on board...our kids are teens...that could be a challenge...but If I don't buy them poisen...they can't eat it, right? I guess they can at school and out of the house...but they eat what I make for them and for the most part we eat organic and healthy anyway...so it will all be ok.

I am going to stay really positive and I am greatful and thankful that I don't have something that I can't work around. My husband gave me a hug and said, "It's not cancer....or watergate." lol...I guess he's right.

Thanks so much for the uplifting messages. I'm going to use this site to the fullest! <3

[T.H.]

Glad that you can make gluten-free foods if you want to with your job - that's awesome!

In that venue, I should mention a food that will make you a goddess among celiacs, if you can create some good ones: gluten-free versions of Girl Scout cookies. Seriously - people will bow down for this one.

Seriously

Re: your teens. Now that you have been diagnosed, it's recommended that all blood relatives 1 degree separated be tested as well, even without symptoms, because silent celiac disease will cause lots of problems but give a sufferer no warning until organs start to give out, like you experienced.

So your siblings, parents, and children should be tested, if you can pester 'em enough. Their chances of having celiac disease change from the generic 1 in 133 to 1 in 22, now that you've been diagnosed.

My father was diagnosed 10 years ago, and we didn't know this. 8 years later, as I was getting sicker and sicker, I got tested and came back positive. Then we tested everyone and my daughter and brother both have it, too. Son has symptoms that go away on a gluten free diet, even though he tested negative. So it can really make a big difference.

And you're absolutely right - this is SO much better than other things we could have. It's the only auto-immune disease in existence where we actually know what makes it stop attacking us (gluten, obviously). Compared to all the others we could have, this is so much better.

Re: organs having trouble and coming back. I didn't have organ trouble, I had glands acting up. My thyroid was getting worse and worse. Gluten free 2 years now and it's completely normal now. I just found out a couple weeks ago and did a little happy dance.

I hope your own happy dance is just as energetic and fun.

[pricklypear1971]

Exactly. Don't buy gluten and they can't have it at home. I'm sure you'll create lots of great gluten-free baked goods, etc. to replace them. And teens can always get a fix when they are out.

I'm sure you'll have lots of interested munchers and customers. gluten-free bakeries are rare and I hope you become one more.

[AVR1962]

You asked about problems with vital organs? Are you having any issues with organs now?

I have a teen at home and it is not an issue. Both she and my husband like the gluten-free foods I have made. I do still wheat flour in the house and my teenager might make a batch of cookies for her and her dad so we all have to be careful. I line of muffin pan, cover the butcher block with waxed paper if I use it for my stuff, use napkins on the counter tops and I do not use wooden spoons for anything I cook for myself.

I think it would be great if you could get your own little gluten-free business going! Good luck to you!!

[Twinklestars]

Hello and welcome It's rather ironic for a pastry chef to be celiac, but how fabulous that you'll be experimenting with gluten free baking!

You sound like you have such a positive attitude towards being celiac, which will help in your journey tremendously!

I second getting your teens tested. With celiac you just never know.

[TeresaAnn]

Thank you all for the awesome responses! We have talked to the Dr.about tests for the kids and they will be getting those. I also notified my siblings. My sisters were more positive and accepting the possibility. Both of my brothers are digging in their heels. They have great wives so I am hoping that they will come around. I am thinking about doing a little baking class for kids with celiac. A friend of mine has a daughter who has Asperger's Syndrome and can't have gluten...she would love it. Maybe there was a reason for my diagnosis. I'm really ok with it.

[cahill]

this link is to a site that will help with your introduction to gluten free baking

Open Original Shared Link

Welcome to the forums

[Reba32]

My fave gluten free flour is coconut flour. It's a bit spendy, but it makes awesome cupcakes and I even managed a pie crust with it I've also used (certified gluten free) oat flour with great success as well. There are sooooo many options for gluten free baking, experiment with more than just the usual rice or potato flours

One way to keep your expenses down is to buy yourself a grain mill and use it to mill your own flours. Buy whole oats, (certified gluten free oats of course!) rice, beans and nuts in bulk, and then grind them. It'll save about half your $. Gluten free flours are very costly!

[TeresaAnn]

I have been noticing the cost of gluten free flours are high. Does anyone have a favorite vendor that sells it in bulk?

[T.H.]

I have been noticing the cost of gluten free flours are high. Does anyone have a favorite vendor that sells it in bulk?

If you are looking for quinoa, you can get on-line and buy in bulk from Ancient Harvest, although you have to hunt a bit to find it on their on-line ordering area. It's not that much cheaper, though.

A lot of companies will sell in bulk if you check on their websites. Bob's Red Mill sells bigger bags of their flours, for example. I believe Pamela's does, too.

(Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned) can be a place to look too (I know, I had no idea!).

Azurestandard has a lot of products you can buy in bulk. Also, if you can find the folks in your area who are ordering, many band together and make a joint 'drop point,' which lowers the cost significantly, I understand.

Open Original Shared Link

[Reba32]

you can also buy packages of whole seeds, nuts, beans, or gluten free grains and grind/mill them at home in a spice mill or food processor. This can save you quite a bit of money. Almond flour can be as much as $15 per pound, but a bulk bag of almonds at Costco is a lot less, and then you can grind them at home. With nuts I usually end up with more of a meal than a flour, but it does work!

I just bought myself a grain mill so I can get finer flours at home. I'm waiting for it to be delivered, and then I will start some marathon baking!

[pricklypear1971]

One note.

If you start baking to sell, you will get a lot if questions about your ingredients sources. You're going to find gluten-free people are VERY picky.

So, stick with reputable and traceable sources, and tell people what they are. You'd rather have someone say "oh, I can't eat Bob's Red Mill mix", rather than "I ate her cake

and got so sick, I don't know what she put in it but she

doesn't know what she's doing".

And don't put oats in your main flour mix, even gluten-free certified. You won't gave many takers. Only put oats in a

few things.

And if you are using equipment you used to make gluten foods - you're going to have to clean it with a fine-toothed comb. And even then you'll notice some people asking how long the facility has been gluten-free, and if you're using your old equipment, etc.

If you're just cooking for yourself - have fun!

[TeresaAnn]

Great point! Since I have a commercial Kitchen licensed by the FDA I have to list all ingredients when I sell to the public so this won't be hard...but on top of that...I too am very picky now as to what goes in my mouth...so totally understandable.

I made a wonderful cheese cake this weekend for my son's birthday. I made the crust with just finely chopped walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon and a little butter...baked it off first and then baked my cheese cake on top of it. It was wonderful!!

Thanks so much for all the great ideas!

[cahill]

One note.

If you start baking to sell, you will get a lot if questions about your ingredients sources. You're going to find gluten-free people are VERY picky.

I kind of disagree ,, I dont think I am picky as much as I am careful.

It has been a very VERY long hard road to know what I can and can not eat to stay well. I will not risk my health for a piece of bread.

I do agree that I would ask ALOT of questions about your kitchen,suppler, baking practices before I would consider buying your products .

[TeresaAnn]

Totally understandable. I am completely removing all gluten products from my home....even my children and husband have agreed. They can eat gluten outside of our home.

My kitchen is extremely clean and I am very particular about what ingredients I buy...gluten or not. I would never sell someone something I myself would not want to be served. That being said...it's totally up to each individual what they purchase.

[cahill]

Great point! Since I have a commercial Kitchen licensed by the FDA I have to list all ingredients when I sell to the public so this won't be hard...but on top of that...I too am very icky now as to what goes in my mouth...so totally understandable.

I made a wonderful cheese cake this weekend for my son's birthday. I made the crust with just finely chopped walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon and a little butter...baked it off first and then baked my cheese cake on top of it. It was wonderful!!

Thanks so much for all the great ideas!

To be honest a list of ingredients would not be enough for me to buy gluten free product from you . I would also want to know the source of your baking supplys. Cross contamination is a major issue with some baking supplys so I would what to know if those ingredients were manufactured at a shared facility,or on shared lines, or in a gluten free facility.

and of course my next question would be,, do you deliver in Northwestern Pa.?

[TeresaAnn]

How did this topic become weather or not people would buy from me? It's starting to sound a little negative.

I just came here to learn about my new diagnosis and I did mention that I am a Pastry Chef ...and this will give me a new focus for my baking. No one here has to buy from me. Really. My feelings will not be hurt.

My Dr's Wife has Celiac and he personally asked me in the past if I would try baking bread for her that tastes good...I think it's a good place to start. I'll bake for myself and others that know me....know my style...and my kitchen.

I understand your points...I do...but right now my real focus is not on baking for others...but finding out what I can create and how I can learn to eat this way for a lifetime.

[cahill]

How did this topic become weather or not people would buy from me? It's starting to sound a little negative.

I just came here to learn about my new diagnosis and I did mention that I am a Pastry Chef ...and this will give me a new focus for my baking. No one here has to buy from me. Really. My feelings will not be hurt.

My Dr's Wife has Celiac and he personally asked me in the past if I would try baking bread for her that tastes good...I think it's a good place to start. I'll bake for myself and others that know me....know my style...and my kitchen.

I understand your points...I do...but right now my real focus is not on baking for others...but finding out what I can create and how I can learn to eat this way for a lifetime.

I apologize if I sound negative that was not my intention.

[futuredvm24]

I think it's neat that you are a pastry chef. Now you can have fun experimenting! I think you will find a lot of great tips and information in this forum. I've only been gluten-free for about a month now and it's thanks to this forum and it's members that I've had an easier transition!