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

Going On Vacation Wednesday...


love2travel

Recommended Posts

love2travel Mentor

After cancelling our trip due to my intense ongoing pain we have rescheduled and are leaving Wednesday. We are flying to Italy then renting a car to drive to our house in Croatia for three lovely weeks. So, now we are doing about 392 last-minute things. However, I am still in much pain - I always am - so could you use your prayers. The flights are brutally long and excruciating but I am still doing it. I bought a portable TENS machine and have as many prescription drugs as I can take together. One of my sisters is coming with us this time and I absolutely cannot wait to live this trip through her eyes as she has never been to Europe before. We will be spending our last three nights in Venice so she can experience it. I have been playing tons of wonderful Croatian klapa music lately as I am trying to learn the language.

The thought of the gluten-free airplane food makes me nauseous but I am organizing lots of yummy snacks. Once we are in Italy and Croatia it will be fine - I just must plan for delays, layovers and so on. I am thankful that other countries are more advanced than ours when it comes to celiac disease knowledge. :)

So, I may be posting the odd time for the next couple of days but then we are so OUTTA HERE! It is wonderful to go from winter to paradise! :D Take care of yourselves, all!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



jerseyangel Proficient

I'm so glad you were able to go! Have a safe trip, and I hope it's not too difficult for you. Enjoy!

jswog Contributor

What wonderful news!!! Can you adopt me as a sister and take me along? My husband has traveled Europe extensively, having lived in Germany for 6 years, but I have never been. We're truly hoping that his job will take us to Germany or Italy soon. Have a GREAT trip!

BabsV Enthusiast

I'm so glad to see you finally get to take your trip. Enjoy! I hope it all goes smoothly and you have lots of sun and good times. We are headed to Athens, Greece in less than a week and while I am also dealing with pain issues and at times the thought of travel terrifies me (this is my first trip since diagnosis) I REFUSE to cancel this trip and let Celiac 'win'!

kareng Grand Master

Have a great trip!

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast

I'm happy to see that you can go after all! Have a great trip. :)

wheeleezdryver Community Regular

Enjoy your trip, and be sure to tell us about all your great gluten- free finds when you get back!!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



love2travel Mentor

What wonderful news!!! Can you adopt me as a sister and take me along? My husband has traveled Europe extensively, having lived in Germany for 6 years, but I have never been. We're truly hoping that his job will take us to Germany or Italy soon. Have a GREAT trip!

Germany is so wonderful - more of my family lives in Germany than here in Canada. It was so interesting to go and trace my roots. I went to a cemetary where many of my relatives were buried, six or more people deep. :o I also went to my ancient ancestral home - it was a huge mansion built many hundreds of years ago. My family still lives in it but it is about 1/4 the size as the rest was lost in a big fire.

Oh, I hope you get to go to Germany and Italy! I love them both but would pick Croatia as my favourite country on earth as it is far less commercialized than much of Italy. You are not charged for every tiny little thing such as toilets. It is too amazing for words. :)

love2travel Mentor

I'm so glad to see you finally get to take your trip. Enjoy! I hope it all goes smoothly and you have lots of sun and good times. We are headed to Athens, Greece in less than a week and while I am also dealing with pain issues and at times the thought of travel terrifies me (this is my first trip since diagnosis) I REFUSE to cancel this trip and let Celiac 'win'!

Thanks so much! The weather forecast looks pretty perfect. We have not yet been to Athens but really want to. Where else are you headed? I honestly think that Celiac is pretty much a non-issue for travel. It is not even on my radar because it was so easy last trip. But then we have a house there so purchase groceries to cook at home. However, we did go out often, too, and were so impressed with their awareness. So, you have nothing to worry about celiac wise EXCEPT I would highly recommend taking lots of snacks with you as gluten-free airplane food is absolutely deplorable in my opinion. Makes me gag.

Pain can truly be debilitating - not only physically but mentally so I know how you feel. I am absolutely fearful of this trip knowing how awful my pain is. In my travel journal from the last trip on the first night I wrote, "DO NOT EVER EVEN CONSIDER DOING THIS AGAIN. SO NOT WORTH IT. THE PAIN IS TOO GREAT. IT WAS LIKE BEING IN A TORTURE CHAMBER." However, after massage treatments and lots of drugs on the fourth day I wrote, "This is SO worth it. Do this again." My pain comes from accident injuries (multiple) and fibromyalgia and herniated discs. I am not kidding when I say I cannot sit longer than 30 minutes - literally. So, when we had lots of turbulence last time I begged the flight attendant to let me lie down in the aisle. I was desperate and crying and rocking back and forth in agony. I will never, ever forget that.

I tell myself that pain really sucks but I would rather be in pain in Europe than here. It is just GETTING there that is soooooooo rough.

The best of luck on your trip. Friends of ours were in Greece this year and traveled with a friend who has celiac. She was absolutely fine. (They spent several days in Athens.) Do you have travel cards printed for restaurants? I have them in several languages - they outline what we can/cannot have and describes preparation of food. They can be very helpful.

love2travel Mentor

Enjoy your trip, and be sure to tell us about all your great gluten- free finds when you get back!!

Thanks! I will be taking along some Genius bread as the gluten-free bread there (Schar brand) is very, very bad. It is like a cross between cardboard, drywall and crazy glue. However, I did read that recently they came out with fresh bread that you heat. Will have to try that. Will be going to a certified gluten-free gelato place in Venice as well as a gluten-free pizzeria. Now THEY know pizza! :D

jswog Contributor

Do you have travel cards printed for restaurants? I have them in several languages - they outline what we can/cannot have and describes preparation of food. They can be very helpful.

Can one purchase these somewhere? Or did you have someone make them for you?

Jen

love2travel Mentor

Can one purchase these somewhere? Or did you have someone make them for you?

Jen

I used a combination of www.CeliacTravel.com cards (free but a donation is happily accepted) and added a bit extra on preparation (i.e. a blurb on checking stocks in risotto for example). I had my husband laminate them and carry them to each country.

jswog Contributor

I used a combination of www.CeliacTravel.com cards (free but a donation is happily accepted) and added a bit extra on preparation (i.e. a blurb on checking stocks in risotto for example). I had my husband laminate them and carry them to each country.

Thank you!

love2travel Mentor

Thank you!

You are welcome! They are a great aid.

BabsV Enthusiast

Thanks so much! The weather forecast looks pretty perfect. We have not yet been to Athens but really want to. Where else are you headed? I honestly think that Celiac is pretty much a non-issue for travel. It is not even on my radar because it was so easy last trip. But then we have a house there so purchase groceries to cook at home. However, we did go out often, too, and were so impressed with their awareness. So, you have nothing to worry about celiac wise EXCEPT I would highly recommend taking lots of snacks with you as gluten-free airplane food is absolutely deplorable in my opinion. Makes me gag.

We're renting an apartment in Athens -- it was recommended by a friend and will allow me to cook. It is less than a 15 minute walk from the Acropolis with a view of the Parthenon from the balcony! I cannot wait...even better, there is a large supermarket right nearby so shopping won't be a hassle. As long as the air traffic controllers don't go on strike we should be ok! We will probably try a couple day trips, one to Delphi at least.

I have my travel cards for Greece (and Germany since we fly through Munich) and from what I've read eating gluten-free shouldn't be a big problem.

I figure I am far from 100% but not bad enough to miss out on this chance to see Athens (due to work and school schedules, etc. it was now or never!). If I have a bad day my husband and daughter can head off without me. At the very least I can sit on the balcony and look at the Parthenon!

I'll report back on the travel forum once I'm back.

Oh, that Schar bread is pretty bad isn't it?!?! Schar is one of the big gluten-free options here in Poland and while my family does ok with the pasta and some of the crackers the bread is a no go. Scarily enough, it is better than some of the local gluten-free bread products we taste tested before I went on an elimination diet. Those were ghastly.

love2travel Mentor

We're renting an apartment in Athens -- it was recommended by a friend and will allow me to cook. It is less than a 15 minute walk from the Acropolis with a view of the Parthenon from the balcony! I cannot wait...even better, there is a large supermarket right nearby so shopping won't be a hassle. As long as the air traffic controllers don't go on strike we should be ok! We will probably try a couple day trips, one to Delphi at least.

I have my travel cards for Greece (and Germany since we fly through Munich) and from what I've read eating gluten-free shouldn't be a big problem.

I figure I am far from 100% but not bad enough to miss out on this chance to see Athens (due to work and school schedules, etc. it was now or never!). If I have a bad day my husband and daughter can head off without me. At the very least I can sit on the balcony and look at the Parthenon!

I'll report back on the travel forum once I'm back.

Oh, that Schar bread is pretty bad isn't it?!?! Schar is one of the big gluten-free options here in Poland and while my family does ok with the pasta and some of the crackers the bread is a no go. Scarily enough, it is better than some of the local gluten-free bread products we taste tested before I went on an elimination diet. Those were ghastly.

How wonderful to have an apartment so close to the Acropolis and Parthenon! Wow. I cannot wait to hear all about the trip - I am a travel fiend.

I know what you mean about bad days - they do happen too frequently. But I am also amazed at how distractions can enable one to forget about pain for a moment.

Schar is an interesting company - some things (i.e. the dry breadsticks) are decent but the breads are horrid! I would love to see them come out with new products.

I, too, will report on my trip on the Travel forum. Have a glorious time! :)

lucia Enthusiast

Wonderful news! How delightful for your sister that you are taking her to Venice! Have a great trip!!!

(P.S.: I can't imagine you'd enjoy airline meals, whether they were gluten-free or not. ; )

mushroom Proficient

Thanks! I will be taking along some Genius bread as the gluten-free bread there (Schar brand) is very, very bad. It is like a cross between cardboard, drywall and crazy glue. However, I did read that recently they came out with fresh bread that you heat. Will have to try that. Will be going to a certified gluten-free gelato place in Venice as well as a gluten-free pizzeria. Now THEY know pizza! :D

Aaaah, I will be thinking of your enjoyment. Have a great time and beat the pain back!!

Archived

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

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

      Positive biopsy

    2. - knitty kitty replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Fruits & Veggies

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

      Positive biopsy

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,033
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    DeeDeeS
    Newest Member
    DeeDeeS
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

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

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      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
      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
      @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
      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
×
×
  • 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.