Hi All, I'm New Here.

[skoki-mom]

Hi all, I'm new here. My name is Lori, I live in Canada, I'm 35 and I just got my diagnosis confirmed on Thursday via endoscope. I hope I can find some good discussions and support here.

My older sister (2 years older) broke her hip in January, and to make a long story short, they found out she has bad osteoporosis and in efforts to figure out why, they found out she has Celiac. Looking back, she had all the classic symptoms, but said she just figured that was "normal for her".

Anyhow, being the good little nurse/sister that I am, I got screened and the darn thing came back positive. I must admit, I'm a little bit peeved because every member of my family but me has bowel issues and I'm the only one with a + screen. I'm totally subclinical, but the bloodwork and endoscopy came back conclusive, so here I am. This is probably really twisted, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I think it's a freaking cruel joke by God that I have Celiac and I don't even get the advantage of being skinny. I'm about 20 lb overweight, and when my dr told me that a gluten-free diet would probably make me gain wt, well, that's the only time I broke down and cried about it. Also, had a cry on my way to church this morning when I realized I can't partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion anymore.

OK,well, I am totally rambling now. Looking forward to getting to know some of you.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Hello Lori.

[higgins]

Hi Lori. Welcome to the gang. I live in BC; where are you?

[hez]

Hi Lori! I am new here as well. I know exactly how you feel about communion. For a month I would go up to the alter sobbing because I could not partake. Luckily for me our priest is a wonderful and caring man and could not stand to see me cry. We have been using rice crackers for communion. I have my own separate plate (not the right technical term) to keep my host separate. I am Episcopalian so the wheat in the host is not an issue as it is in the Catholic Church. I have found this board very helpful and I know you will to.

[jknnej]

H Lori.

I don't know who told you you would gain weight, but I can tell you that immediately AFTER going gluten-free I lost 15 pounds without even trying and have kept tht weight off ever since. Wheat bloats you out; hence, not eating wheat will help you lose weight....unless of course you're pounding ice cream every night!

Having celiac disease isn't as bad as you think. There are TONS of things you can eat, places to eat out, etc. I felt just like you 8 months ago; now I can't remember what all the fuss was about.

This board is the best support group you will ever need. We are here 24/7. There are lists on what to eat, how to eat, how to cope, everything under the sun.

Good for you for getting screened, by the way.

I am Catholic as well and understand the communion issue, but I picture Jesus as loving and understanding and I don't think my place in heaven will be compromised if I don't eat a piece of wheat. You can still take place in the ritual, just don't eat the wafer. I can see why this would be hard but I personally believe it's about what's in your heart, not your stomach.

Make sure you check all your hair, skin, and beauty products (make-up) when going gluten-free. Don't forget about hidden sources like soy sauce, vinegar (you can have distilled and other types), and seasonings. In most restaurants if you order meat you need to make sure to tell them not to put seasonings or grill bastes on your food unless you know they are gluten-free.

You'll learn and we'll help you. Try to stay positive but even if you can't we're still here for you to vent-LOL. We all have our days when we curse this disease but overall we still enjoy perfectly happy gluten-free lives. I even am thankful b/c I feel so much better now and know I am healthier.

Hope this help and welcome,

Jennifer

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Lori! Welcome to the board!!! I am also from Canada (hence my handle!! )

I am in Ontario, in the Durham region, just outside of Toronto.

Just wanted to let you know that there is no such thing as a stupid question on this board. We have all been there and know how overwhelming it can be at the beginning. Just post away and there's a bunch of really great people here who will help whichever way we can!

Karen

[tarnalberry]

Hello, and welcome to the group!

[Felidae]

I just joined too and I am also from Canada. I'm pretty close to your age Lori. What a strange thing to find out you can't eat gluten when you are in your 30's.

[Canadian Karen]

Welcome to you also Felidae!!! Where in Canada are you from?

Karen

[Canadian Karen]

Oh, and Lori, "skoki mom" wouldn't mean you are from Muskoka, would it?

Karen

[Felidae]

I am from Alberta. I've been reading the various posts for awhile and I decided I should join. I was diagnosed with IBS but nothing seemed to help the D until three months ago when I went gluten-free. It has been getting better every day. My blood tests were negative so my doctor didn't really think that the gluten-free diet would be successful. Anyway that's enough rambling.

[Canadian Karen]

Goes to show you how much doctors understand the damage gluten can do to the human body.

Oh, on this forum, IBS stands for "I'm basically stumped".....that's what the doctor diagnoses when he can't figure out what is wrong with us!!! lol!!!

[Rachel--24]

Oh, on this forum, IBS stands for "I'm basically stumped".....that's what the doctor diagnoses when he can't figure out what is wrong with us!!!  lol!!! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hadn't heard that one before...funny.

Welcome to the board Skokimom

[skoki-mom]

Hi Lori.  Welcome to the gang.  I live in BC; where are you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi there, thanks for the welcome. I live in Calgary.

[skoki-mom]

Hi Lori!  Welcome to the board!!!  I am also from Canada (hence my handle!! )

I am in Ontario, in the Durham region, just outside of Toronto.

Just wanted to let you know that there is no such thing as a stupid question on this board.  We have all been there and know how overwhelming it can be at the beginning.  Just post away and there's a bunch of really great people here who will help whichever way we can!

Karen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Karen,

Nice to see another Canadian here. Maybe you can help me with Canadian restaraunt chains when I decide to venture beyond the salad or baked potato. I have no idea if I have eaten gluten or not, I swear I could drink battery acid and not feel anything. I've never shown a symptom of this disease in my life. My mother said she remembers this one time when I was about 7 and we went on a hike and I said I had a stomach ache, she is thinking now that was a sign Anyhow, in some ways it's great to not actually feel ill, but in other ways, my gut could still be wrecked and I wouldn't even know it. Maybe when I am gluten-free for awhile I will become more sensitive, who knows. I am sort of holding out a vague hope that by being gluten-free my other allergies will get better (dogs, cats, stuff like that), but not holding my breath.

[skoki-mom]

Oh, and Lori, "skoki mom" wouldn't mean you are from Muskoka, would it?

Karen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope! Skoki is a reference to the Skoki Valley near Lake Louise My ex and I met skiing at LL, our girls both have namesakes from the area so I use Skoki even though I am more than happy to be rid of ex!!! My girls and I are getting our pictures taken at Lake Louise this fall, I can hardly wait! BTW, I think my 4 year old probably has celiac disease too. Lots of complaints of "my tummy hurts" and the odd bout of diarrhea. I decided to get my own biopsy first, because if she has + anti-endomesial antibodies, I won't put her through the biopsy, I think the + blood test with the family hx is enough. I'm hoping it might be stress-related because of the divorce (as opposed to celiac disease), but you have to be realistic. Otherwise, she is normal growth and development and I wish I had a fraction of her energy!! She is getting her 5th birthday cake (Sept 5) before I get her tested at her annual check up!

[drewsant]

  This is probably really twisted, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I think it's a freaking cruel joke by God that I have Celiac and I don't even get the advantage of being skinny.  I'm about 20 lb overweight, and when my dr told me that a gluten-free diet would probably make me gain wt, well, that's the only time I broke down and cried about it.  Also, had a cry on my way to church this morning when I realized I can't partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion anymore. 

OK,well, I am totally rambling now.  Looking forward to getting to know some of you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Lori. I'm pretty new to this too--2 months into it, and I can tell you I've been overweight since I was about 13 years old, even having diarrhea all the time. Since going gluten-free I've lost a lot of weight. I don't know how much, but I've gone down a pants size, and lost about 15 inches so far. I still have a long way to go, but I'm seeing a difference. I wish I could weigh myself, but I'm disabled on crutches, so I can't steady myself on a scale long enough to get an accurate weight, so I have to go by size. I can't fathom why the doctor would tell you you would gain weight when you are basically forced to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and plain meats.

I was diagnosed a long time ago as having IBS, or as the the doctor so aptly put it "DIIK" (Damned if I know) as the diagnosis.