Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Is It Normal?

AfterAll

By AfterAll
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

AfterAll Apprentice
AfterAll
Posted

to have a hard time adjusting to having Celiacs on an emotional level? I feel like I am almost in mourning sometimes. I never got to say goodbye to my favorite foods before cutting them out forever. Don't get me wrong... I am living my life, and most of the time I am fine, but sometimes I just don't want to be "different"... I want to be me, just a version of me that is more like everyone else.

I hate that my dietary needs and restrictions are constantly a topic of conversation among friends, family, and coworkers; that I need to think and plan ahead no matter where I go or what I do; and that sometimes if I don't plan ahead, I end up eating nothing and pretending that I am fine with it.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Yes, it is normal. Grief or mourning is a normal reaction to the diagnosis. You will move through the stages. You seem to currently be at the anger stage. You will reach acceptance and recovery. It will take time.

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

Welcome AfterAll!

Yes, what you are feeling is completely natural. It is important to give yourself time to adjust. Time does makes it easier - time allows those around us to adjust, eventually your diet will not be the focus of conversation - the amount of time differs for everyone. While checking every label never ends it does become second nature and far less time consuming.

Hang in there - we've all gone thru it so feel free to come here to vent, ask questions and find some helpful hints to shorten the duration of transition frustration!

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Very, but you'll find replacements or gluten free items that you can eat.

gfcolorado Newbie
gfcolorado
Posted

It's totally normal and it does get better. For me, the first year was really hard. I wanted to eat everything that I couldn't eat. And the first of everything is hard....first dinner party, first vacation, first Thanksgiving. But, it does get easier and I really feel fortunate that I can control my health through my diet. I have several friends with cancer and I look at what they have to go through. It also has made my life more interesting. I have tried restaurants that I never would have gone too and when I travel I get to see areas I would never have gone to because they have a #gluten-free restaurant.

Another important thing is to always have emergency food with you. And eat before you go to parties so you don't get sad when you can't eat anything...and then you are pleasantly surprised if you can.

It's an adjustment but it gets easier! Good luck!

flowerqueen Community Regular
flowerqueen
Posted

I agree, it's completely normal. Having said that, things do get better as you learn to adjust. I have adopted the 'attitude of gratitude' though, it makes me appreciate what I have got and not what I don't have. It's probably done me a favour, as I look very carefully at what I am eating now, and my diet has improved immensely - I didn't realise how much I'd let my diet 'slide' until I had to examine everything I ate. I eat food mainly prepared from scratch now and make healthful choices. Eleven months in and I still can't tolerate dairy and a lot of sugar but I'd much rather be healthy than indulgent, even if I have to remind myself of that fact ;) It will get better with time.

Celiac Mindwarp Community Regular
Celiac Mindwarp
Posted

I am still doing anger and denial (though still gluten-free!!!) fairly regularly.

Seeing folks here who have got through it gives me hope though.

Good luck.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


AfterAll Apprentice
AfterAll
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone! I wouldn't say that I am angry- anger is a strong word. I am just annoyed, haha.

I am also adjusting to people saying to me "My God, what DO YOU eat?"..."You mean you can't eat bread? I'd kill myself"... and the blank stare that ensues afterward when I am trying to contemplate what to say in response. :)

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

I am also adjusting to people saying to me "My God, what DO YOU eat?"..."You mean you can't eat bread? I'd kill myself"... and the blank stare that ensues afterward when I am trying to contemplate what to say in response. :)

The adjustment will come. Soon you'll your answers will roll off your tongue with a smile on your face.

"Well, I eat wonderful foods and have replaced bread quite nicely - I feel much better and know I can manage a serious health condition with the food I eat rather than with harsh medications - I feel lucky, not punished - there really is no reason to feel sorry for me, but I do appreciate your concern"

edited to add - yes I actually say things like this all the time - but it didn't come easy, naturally or quickly - it all took time.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,874
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    RoxanneK
    Newest Member
    RoxanneK
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Diagnosed w Celiacs, but reacting to gluten-free Digiorno Pizza AND Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

      By trents · Posted

      As I suspected, xanthan gum is one of the ingredients. It is a polysaccharide used as a texturing agent in many gluten-free products. It's hard to digest and causes distress for many celiacs. I can't say for sure if that was the problem but you might be on the lookout for it in the future. Muscle spasms can be caused by magnesium deficiency. Are you taking any vitamin and mineral supplements? I mean some things more potent than a multivitamin?
    • Wheatwacked
      Gluten-Free Newbie

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Hello @Suze046 In the western world 40 to 60 percent are low or deficient in Vitamin D.  Malabsorption from Celiac Disease, avoidance of UV from the sun and seasonal variations can result in low vitamin D.  A simple 25(OH)D test will tell you your status.  Low vitamin D affects immune system, bone health, mental health.  I keep mine around 80 ng/ml (200 nmol/L). Choline has many functions in our body.  From the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine to fat digestion.  It is made by our bodies but in insufficient amount.  The major dietary source is from beef and eggs.  The RDA is 500 mg a day.  That would be equivelant to 3 eggs or 10 cups of cooked brocolli a day.  Choline is a significant portion of biliary phospholipids and is a crucial element for bile function.n.  I found taking Phosphatidly Choline capsules helps.  A homocysteine test can be indicative of choline deficiency.  Could we be overlooking a potential choline crisis in the United Kingdom? NIH Choline Fact Sheet Vitamin D Is Not as Toxic as Was Once Thought
    • annamarie6655
      Diagnosed w Celiacs, but reacting to gluten-free Digiorno Pizza AND Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

      By annamarie6655 · Posted

      @trents thank you so much for your response!  When i was diagnosed, I was exhibiting mainly joint pain, hair loss, bloating, and allodynia (painful feeling from non painful stimuli). The muscle spasms only started after diagnosis, and it seems to only happen when I am severely glutened. It’s only happened twice, but it definitely makes me nervous when it happens.    In regard to the pizza, thats what i saw after i got sick from it. I’m still trying to figure out how to switch to ALL certified gluten-free goods.    for the dressing, here is the ingredient list:  WATER, VEGETABLE OIL, VINEGAR, SUGAR, GARLIC, SALT, RED BELL PEPPER, ONION, CONCENTRATED LEMON JUICE, XANTHAN GUM, POTASSIUM SORBATE, HERBS, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA, MONOACETIN, SPICES. and the link: https://www.kraftheinz.com/en-CA/kraft/products/00068100903577-zesty-italian-salad-dressing  
    • trents
      Diagnosed w Celiacs, but reacting to gluten-free Digiorno Pizza AND Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @annamarie6655! Are the muscle spasms and joint aches a new pattern of reaction to gluten or have you experienced these in the past? Concerning DeGiorno's "gluten-free" pizza, we have had many reports from celiac.com members of gluten reactions from consuming this product. I believe it is one of those "gluten-free" products that is made from wheat (speaking of the crust component) that has been processed in such a way as to remove most of the gluten. The FDA regs allow food companies to use the claim "gluten-free" as long as the product contains no more than 20ppm of gluten. This works for most celiacs but not for those on the more sensitive end of the spectrum. There is another industry standard known as "Certified Gluten-Free" that is stricter, requiring no more than 10ppm of gluten. Certified Gluten-Free products use the "GFCO" logo. Concerning the salad dressing, could you list the ingredients in another post or link it? There are certain other ingredients besides gluten commonly used in gluten-free manufactured food items to give them acceptable textures that give a lot of celiacs problems. 
    • annamarie6655
      Diagnosed w Celiacs, but reacting to gluten-free Digiorno Pizza AND Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

      By annamarie6655 · Posted

      Hello, so I was diagnosed with Celiacs about 8 months ago. After being diagnosed, I have been trying very hard to maintain a completely gluten-free (and celiac safe) diet.  Two of the main times I had a huge reaction, it was from: - gluten-free Digiorno Pizza w Pepperoni - Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing (this was in canada if that changes anything) Both are marked as gluten-free. Following eating these items, I had a severe bout of diarrhea, uncontrollable and heavy muscle spasms throughout my whole body, and aching throughout every joint.   If these are both gluten-free, why would I be reacting to them? Should I be worried about a separate allergy?  In regards to the muscle spasms, should I follow up with someone about that?
×
×
  • Create New...