Just Diagnosed And Very Hopeful

[Debbie48]

Hello everyone,

I am 48 years old and just diagnosed with celiac disease. I have had some symptoms for many years now, but within the past 6 months have developed bone and joint pain, sensory peripheral neuropathy, muscles cramps, muscle twitching and more. I'm relieved to have a diagnosis. I am sooooo hopeful this diet and lifestyle change will make me fell well again!

I've been reading the boards since being tested last week. It was mentioned to stick mainly with whole/unprocessed foods in the beginning so I went to the store to stock up. I also read that it's a good idea to avoid dairy in the beginning.

I'm going to order the book that contains 37,000 gluten free foods list. I think that will help. No one else in my family has this as far as we know but I've suggested they get tested. I have 3 children and I want them to be tested as well as my siblings.

Any good ideas about breakfast? I purchased Silk vanilla soy milk. Can anyone confirm that is gluten free? I also bought corn chex and I see that is gluten free. Otherwise, I'm going to stick with meats, fruits, and veggies for awhile.

I'm so nervous . . . I don't want to mess this up. I'm sure I will. On the way home from the store, I started drinking a gatorade that was in my purse from yesterday. Then it hit me . . . I have no idea if THAT is gluten free.

Debbie

[mamaw]

Hello & Welcome

You got the right idea...Remember naked meats no seasonings already on it, marinades, sauces or rubs.You can add that yourself.. McCormick labels ....clearly ;same with fish fruits & veggies , just make sure they are plain or naked foods& you will be okay..

Vinegar is okay but not malt vinegar, watch soy sauce...then many different members of the wheat family, spelt, farro & so on all wheat...

I don't do well myself with alot of soy. In the 80's doctors wanted women having everything soy which was not good so they have changed the soy idea..Plus soy & thyroid is not a good mix...

We love almond breeze( not good for nut allergy ), the vanilla 90 is good on cereal..I don't drink any milk in a glass...

Breakfast, eggs,cream of rice,Bob's Red Mill hot cereal, toast, meats, fruits,cereal,pancakes using club soda instead of milk...

Goats milk is easier to digest.....They do have rice milk yogurt..

I also would avoid gluten-free oats until your body has a chance to heal....

Any other questions just ask. Go to the recipe section for some good goodies....

hth mamaw

[AVR1962]

Yes, stick with a real basic, whole diet for now to allow for healing of your system. If doc has not yet ran a test for your vit levels I would definately request that. The twitches and the pain you are having from neuropathy can be helped with the correct vits, there are various post here that specify nutrition for neuropathy. It is possible you may find more sensativities to foods as you journey thru these first stages so keeping a food log is a very good idea also so you can figure out what it is that is giving you issues. Best to you!

[zimmer]

No one else in my family has this as far as we know but I've suggested they get tested. I have 3 children and I want them to be tested as well as my siblings.

I, too, have children, and had mine tested right after my diagnosis. Having children around made me quickly realize that the whole house needed to be gluten free. They get the stuff everywhere - counters, plates, utensils, hands that touch everything, etc. I just could not be certain about it. So now the only gluten in the house is sandwich bread (for school lunches) that I control plus I have taught the kids how to make sandwiches properly.

They whine about it now and then, but have gotten used to it. They can have whatever they want outside the house. And for a treat I will sometimes buy a bag of pretzels or something that is relatively easy to keep contained. Wheat is not healthful for anyone to be eating anyway, so we are eating better now and I don't feel like I'm depriving anyone of anything. I think my whole family has gone through withdrawal from gluten!

Incidentally my 7 yr old, whose blood work was negative, recently complained of a bad stomach ache after eating spaghetti from a restaurant! So I guess she probably has an intolerance and is better off gluten-free.

Again, good luck with it and hope you are feeling better soon! You have a great attitude about it and that will help tremendously.

[Korwyn]

I'm so nervous . . . I don't want to mess this up. I'm sure I will. On the way home from the store, I started drinking a gatorade that was in my purse from yesterday. Then it hit me . . . I have no idea if THAT is gluten free.

Hi Debbie!

I'm glad you got your diagnosis and seem to have a good grasp on where to start. You'll get lots of advice, but I wanted to give you two pieces of advice as well: First) Buy Living Gluten Free for Dummies. Seriously. It helped me so much. It kept me from losing my mind, any more than I already did anyway; Second) Stop being nervous. If you accept that you will make mistakes -- more than one if you are like everyone else and get glutened, you can look at it as an educational opportunity! Don't let the fear of accidentally getting glutened make you so afraid of making a mistake that you stop enjoying life! Because now that you have your diagnosis and you know what has been making you sick you should be on the road to enjoying life again! So don't stress overly much. You'll learn as you go and that'll be okay!