Newly Diagnosed

[MIZGWEN]

Hello, my name is Gwen. I was officially diagnosed with Celiac on Oct 14, 2011. At first, I was devastated, shocked and in denial because I like to eat and the thought of not having my favorites oh my...once I got a grip, I quickly adopted a gluten free diet and I have had diarrhea with cramping ever since. Sometimes I have the urge to go but nothing happens other than cramping.

Can someone tell if this is normal during transition or should I notify my doctors.

Oh yeah, I have lupus (known since 1993); I was diagnosed with hypertension and pancreatitis in April 2011 but my enzyme levels have since stabilized still on metoprolol for BP

All I eat now is gluten free food, vegetables, fruit meat and fish, brown rice...please help if you can

Thanks

[rosetapper23]

You might consider cutting out prepared gluten-free foods at first. Sometimes the xanthan gum and guar gum can cause cramping and diarrhea. I used to be able to eat foods that contain them, but I've become more sensitive over time. I notice the problems most when a lot of one of these gums is used. For the most part, I've adopted a grain-free diet and am much happer. Others on this forum have also mentioned having a sensitivity to these gums and/or gluten-free grains. Also, keep in mind that some gluten-free foods are actually contaminated with gluten because the industry isn't yet well regulated.

[pricklypear1971]

It can be tough at first. It's hard to learn all the sources of gluten, and in the beginning expect to make some mistakes.

Second, you may have an additional food intolerance - milk is the most common. But allergies here range the full spectrum.

Third, have you tried probiotics and digestive enzymes? They can really help your system get going.

[sandsurfgirl]

In the beginning you can have withdrawals and all sorts of symptoms. If you use the search function on this forum and search for withdrawals you can see what others went through. It's common for us to have other food intolerances in the beginning. The gluten free substitutes with xanthan gum and all those complicated ingredients made me so sick at first. Eventually my gut healed and I was able to eat Kinnikinnick donuts but it took about 6 months.

Gluten free will help your lupus too. It's a good thing you found out you have celiac.

A huge thing for me was changing over my hair and body products. Shampoo and conditioner run down your face in the shower and easily end up in your mouth. Gluten is a protein and it sticks to stuff. People find they can't get it out of their plastic and wooden cooking utensils and they throw them out. Well if it's in your lotion and soaps, it's on your hands and face and it will end up on your food. I resisted this at first because I love my Redken products, but my health made big improvements when I finally made the switch.

I use Biolage and Enjoy hair products. Always read labels to be sure. It's always listed as wheat this and wheat that. They're so proud of their wheat in hair care and skin products.

I love H20 Plus for my skin and Bath and Body Works for soap and lotion. I also use Suave shower gel for my hand soap because I have sensitive skin, but usually Softsoap is fine too.

Get rid of plastic ware in your house and buy new. You can get a whole box of plastic containers at Costco for about $20.

Search for hidden sources of gluten. I was using Knorr bouillion powder for a long time. I bought a new jar and their new labeling disclosed that the autolyzed yeast extract is made from barley!!! I was mildly glutening myself for a long time without even knowing it.