I Give Up!

[Guest LuvtoLaff06]

I've been on the celiac disease diet for a month today and I give up!! Nothing has changed except for the fact I am always hungry!!! I have not gained back any weight. I still have diarrhea--daily 4-5 times! I want a sandwich! A biscuit! A thick slice of sourdough bread---anything that fills me up! I'm done! I quit!

[Guest TESTinME]

Were you diagnosed with celiac's or just trying the diet to see if you feel better? Either way, I would stick with the diet for another few weeks to see if there is any change. There are plenty of good gluten free breads available at most health food stores and lots of recipes available to make cookies, etc.

I would reccommend obtaining some acidopholous and take it with glutamine (10 grams a day) and see if there is any improvement. These supplements will help heal the gut and provide good bacteria for the colon.

[hapi2bgf]

I understand the hunger point. I've been on this gluten-free diet since October and it is not easy. I gained a few pounds instantly, but then kept getting diarrhea and issues. Someone recommended that I keep a food diary and it helped - no more daily diarrhea issues. I still have accidents and issues, but the food diary has helped me to clearly identify when I eat something that had hidden gluten or just regular gluten and what my reactions are. To say I get irritable doesn't quite explain the reaction well enough - my family rus for cover

I just went back to my doctor for a post diagnosis check up and he said if the symptoms are coming back, start a food diary and check and recheck everything you are eating. Most people end up eating something that they thought was gluten-free or used to be gluten-free when they run into problems. You may want to ask your doctor for more guidance, referal to a dietician, or find another doctor that is more helpful. I go to my first support group meeting this month, I hope they will be a good resource for local help. Maybe you can find a support group in your area?

If you decide to stick with the diet a little longer, here are some things that I found to help the hunger problem. Keep cooked rice (in the fridge), baking potatoes, cereal, rice cakes, peanut butter, chips & Salsa, and candy in stock in your pantry at all times. Keep frozen bread stocked in the freezer and a few slices thawed in the fridge. I keep hot dogs and deli meat stocked in the fridge. I end up snacking all day in small portions. It is not the healthiest diet, but it helps keep the hunger and frustration under control. Someone said that protein and fats take longer to digest thereby keeping you full longer.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches on gluten-free bread or rice cakes takes a little while to digest and helps you feel full longer. Baked potatoes can be topped and filled with all types of leftovers for a healthy snack that tastes good and will fill you up.

The baked potatoes really help to fill me up and I have even brought a cooked, hot, baked potato with me to a restaurant I was unsure of. I'm glad I did there was not much for me to eat that was filling at that restaurant.

I know it is a hard diet, and I am not saying this is a simple way of life, but for me, I was so sick before and had several surgeries before I was diagnosed. I am glad my problem is managed by diet instead of more drugs that mess with my head. I hope you feel better soon.

[jordanandnadia]

Please don't quit your diet, the first three months are the hardest. I promise you it will get better, and after a while you learn how to substitute the foods for what you once loved, and it makes all the difference in the world. Have you tried baking your own bread? If not, Bette Hagman has some wonderful bread recipes, including sourdough! Her sugar cookie recipe tastes just like the real thing too.

There really are ways to make this diet taste better, you just have to find them. I hope you don't quit, and i hope you feel better, it will take a little time. Baked potatoes with chicken and chives really filled me up when i was first starting the diet...

[lucycampbell55]

Please don't give up.

I was just diagnosed and placed on the gluten-free diet in November and I like you am always hungry. But it is better than it was. Please don't risk your health for cravings. Please don't do that. I know how hard it is, there are times I just want to sit down and cry. I don't know how old you are but I'm 52 and that bread and pasta has been in my life for a long time. I'm italian and that was my life. You can do it, I know you can. Please just hang in there a little longer, each day will get a little easier. I promise.

I'll keep you in my prayers so that it will get easier. If I didn't know that God would see me through this as he has so many other things, I would give up too. Please give it more time.

Lucy

[Guest shar4]

Please don't give up. I have only been gluten-free since Halloween, what a great way to start the holiday season!!! But when I had the colonoscopy and endoscopy, I was scared green that it was cancer, since there is a VERY strong family history of cancer. At least I can do something about this. It rot out loud that I cannot eat pretzels all day long, but on the other hand, I'm eating better now than I have in years.

Keep the faith, and know that you are healing.... May not taste very good all the time, but it's worth the effort to know that you may well be saving your life.

Everyone on this site has been so helpful, know that there are people who care even if they don't know you!!!

Peace and blessings

sharon

[Claudette]

This is the first time I have entered a message board although I was diagnosed 7 years ago at age 50. There are still days I walk past that doughnut and figure I am going to try it just this once, but I never do. Those first several months were really hard until I started collecting recipes specifically for us and after seven years of teaching myself how to cook all over again, my neighbors no longer make strange faces when I offer them some baked goods. You find out just how good those friends are at times like this. Mustn't give up. There are undoubtedly hidden glutens you are ingesting. I still can't believe how long it took to dawn on me that I couldn't eat malted milk balls!! A month is not long enough for you to see what a difference it will make...hang in there.

Claudette

[tammy]

TestinMe is right!

Glutamine does work. I used glutamine. My husband benefits from acidophilus, as do I. I also use aloe vera juice but that is probably better once the bowels are healed yet I am not sure it wouldn't reduce bowel inflammation now too.

And yes, I feel all of these on a weekly basis. I am gluten-free for 13 months!

I hope it helps!

Tammy

[celiac2]

Hi, this is my first posting after frequently visiting over the past month. Like you I am at the end of my first month gluten free and still have not seen any weight gain. I have to eat like a horse just to stay where I'm at. The only difference is that I never really feel hungry anymore so I just eat to eat. Initialy my symptoms consisted of early morning stomach rumbling followed by varying degrees of diarea and morning nausea that prevented me from eating breakfast. After that I just didn't want to eat. At this point, most mornings nausea is not a problem but the other symptoms persist. The way I see it we can't just give up on our diet because if we do we'll really feel like poo. I'm right there with you on the time line so lets keep going and things will get better. Don

[seeking-wholeness]

LuvtoLaff,

Please don't give up! For the sake of your body, health, and future, please keep trying! I know it can be extremely hard to give up a favorite food, but the cravings do ease over time, and the hunger gets more manageable. If bread fills you up so easily, it's most likely because it is SHUTTING DOWN your digestion--which doesn't accomplish anything in the nutrition department! Here are a few things that may help:

First, have you eliminated ALL dairy FOR NOW? Lactose intolerance is pretty much a sure bet in a recovering celiac, and it will cause continued diarrhea. I know that restricting your diet further is the last thing you want to do, but it's important to give your intestines a break so they can begin to heal. If the diarrhea eases, then in a couple of weeks you could try taking some LactAid with SMALL amounts of dairy products to see if it helps. (And no, you cannot just start taking LactAid right now and see improvement, unfortunately--your body has to clean out the last traces of lactose completely before a lactase supplement will work.)

Another possible culprit: how much fruit are you eating? Fruit sugar, like lactose, may be difficult for you to digest right now--it certainly is for me and my children! Fruits like blueberries and grapefruit may be less problematic than apples, pineapple, or other very sweet fruit.

You might want to consider a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement (one that is relatively low in proteases, however) to help your body get as much out of the food you eat as possible--and triple your portions of protein! I'm serious! Don't restrict protein at all--eat an entire can of salmon or beans at once, or half a pound of meat or poultry. Try homemade hummus--it's loaded with protein and *healthy* fats, and so filling that you probably CAN'T eat the full amount at once without feeling sick! I posted a recipe on the old board, and I'll go retrieve it right now and post it on the new board. Your body desperately wants to heal, and protein is essential to that process. Don't focus on how much food you OUGHT to need; no generalized recommendation can take into account your body's specific needs as you recover from the effects of celiac disease. Let your body be your guide, and it will let you know what it needs!

I am a huge proponent of the Blood Type Diet, and therefore I second the recommendation of aloe vera juice if your blood type is A. It is supposed to be highly beneficial for Type A individuals, but unhelpful or even somewhat detrimental to other types (though your mileage may vary, of course). Glutamine is recommended for Types O and AB, but I can't help but wonder if it would be helpful in celiacs of all types. You could certainly give it a try!

I hope at least some of the suggestions made by myself and others prove helpful to you. I remember the feeling of constant gnawing hunger, and I'm so glad I managed to get past it! I still eat about twice as much food as my husband does, though! You are in my thoughts, and I hope you feel better soon!

[granny]

I've been on the celiac disease diet for a month today and I give up!! Nothing has changed except for the fact I am always hungry!!! I have not gained back any weight. I still have diarrhea--daily 4-5 times! I want a sandwich! A biscuit! A thick slice of sourdough bread---anything that fills me up! I'm done! I quit!

I really hope you can hang on to the knowledge that so many of us have been where you are now! I Still haven't gained weight but I do feel better. I had to give up lactose as well as the wheat and it was no picnic. But after 13 months of dirrhea, sometimes as much as 30+ times a day and accidents daily, I have finally begun to see improvements in bowel movements. It scared me the first time I had an almost normal one<grin>! I can't remember if I've been gluten-free for 3 or 4 mo. but what is important is that it's beginning to work. I also use the acidolphilus but had never heard of the glutamine before tonight but will try it as well.

I cook a whole package of meat at a time and snack on it at night while on the computer and it helps with the hunger. My main bread is cornbread because it is more satifying than any of the others I've tried. I eat it with peanut butter and jelly or lunch meat and cheese or just left over meat. I have to work at remembering to eat vegetables so I've started making a big pot of veggy soup with only the veggies that I want in it. Then it's available when I think of it. There are so many suggestions here and so many other ways that we can help ourselves. Little things mean so much like I keep candy bars in my purse and stocked in the house so that when I get that uky stomache feeling instead of feeling hungry, I can grab candy if nothing else is available at that moment. I've learned that for me, the feeling will turn to pain if I ignore it so I deal with it quickly and then can concentrate on fixing something nutritious. Remember, we're ALL WINNERS here, including YOU! Granny

[wclemens]

Luvtolaff, when we were all on the old board, I remember seeing your screen name and thinking what a wonderful person you must be, to have such a neat name. I've been on this diet since the 1970s, and fell and failed so many times you probably wouldn't even believe that someone could be so--naive.

I would lose so much weight and feel so good on this diet, that I always believed I could go back to eating the way "normal" people do. WRONG! I would immediately start packing the pounds onto my tiny almost five foot frame, and then the asthma, depression, and sluggishness would set in, and...well, you get the picture.

Since I have always gained weight so easily when eating carbohydrates, maybe you would gain weight by eating them too. I, like you, used to be hungry all the time, but lately I have been on The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, by Drs. Richard and Rachel Heller, and it curbs my appetite, because I can eat protein and low carbohydrate vegetables anytime I want, and I get one hour to eat and drink whatever I am not allergic to, and as much as I want. I like the diet because my weight stays at 107, which for me is good.

I feel great on this diet. I'm 59 years old and have more energy and stamina than almost anyone I know--except my offspring--they all have tons of energy too. Here's the great part to this story. I have stuck with this diet even when it was so difficult, and 8 months ago I was able to recognize that my newest little grandson has the same allergies that I do. He is now officially diagnosed gluten sensitive and allergic to all milk and dairy.

Have you tried eliminating foods, then adding them back and seeing how you feel? Egg whites and yeast are poison for me, along with the grains and dairy.

Please stick with the diet for awhile longer. You can do it! It's really an adventure when you think about it. More and more people are learning daily that this is the reason they are sick. You are a pioneer.

Best wishes, I'm sending my prayers your way. Please know we all care. Welda

[aldociao]

Glutamine does work. I used glutamine. My husband benefits from acidophilus, as do I. I also use aloe vera juice but that is probably better once the bowels are healed yet I am not sure it wouldn't reduce bowel inflammation now too.

Hi Tammy,

Would you give some more details concerning what Glutamine and acidophilus and aloe vera juice you are using. That is, brandnames, dosage, how often taken, whatever you have found is working for you? (For example, I've been following the instructions on the label of the L-Glutamine I'm taking--it recommends 1 to 2 grams a day, but I've read somewhere on these posts that 10 grams should be taken.) I would rather go by the experiences of those on this Board than follow label instructions. Thanks. --Aldo

[midnightjewel40]

DONT GIVE UP it will take just a little longer to get you better you need to see the dietian and see what you really can eat

i felt the same way and now i know what i can and cant eat its hard i know

there is bread out there you can have gluten free wraps crisp bread you can eat baked beans just make sure they are hienz or spc as they are thickened with maize flour (corn) omletes that are really filling put capsicum and bacon cheese and spring onion in and you have a meal there are lots more email me if you need some more help please if you have celiac you need to stick to the diet or go back to your doctor for more help

jacque australia

[Guest TESTinME]

Hi Tammy,

Would you give some more details concerning what Glutamine and acidophilus and aloe vera juice you are using. That is, brandnames, dosage, how often taken, whatever you have found is working for you? (For example, I've been following the instructions on the label of the L-Glutamine I'm taking--it recommends 1 to 2 grams a day, but I've read somewhere on these posts that 10 grams should be taken.) I would rather go by the experiences of those on this Board than follow label instructions. Thanks. --Aldo

I would reccommend 10 grams per day. People have taken 20+ grams a day with no problems.

I am on 10 grams a day right now for general health/immunity and digestive health.

[aldociao]

I would reccommend 10 grams per day.

I'll try it, thanks. Do you take the 10 grams all at once, or space it out over the day? Best time(s) to take it? I've been taking one or two grams in a little water before bed. --Aldo

[dclark519]

Hi! There are some websites maybe you can order from.: bobsredmill, glutenfreepantry, and glutenfreetradingpost are a few. My dietician told me some hidden products that are a problem for us are: medicines that contain wheat prod. and artificial food colors. One of my stomach pills had 8 ing. I'm not supposed to have! also hand soaps, body wash and lotions, dish soaps etc. most have wheat products and art. coloring in them. Jergens doesn't They soak into the skin and cause a reaction! Isn't that wild! well good luck!

[natalieb]

You cannot give up! I was diagnosed in late August and went off my diet around the holidays. My excuse to myself was that it just wasn't working so what the heck. I don't know how bad you have celiac but I have it severe where I have neurological impairment. If you have it badly, do not expect your gut to heal immediately. Because I went off the diet, I had to go to the docs and I became even more anemic. My point is to give it time please. Actually, today was the first day I could go to the gym as my energy level was shot. Here are some things that work for me. There are some great soups out there that are gluten-free, and "whole foods Supermarket" has a great new gluten-free yogurt and a w2hole line of gluten-free frozen entrees that a really good. Also, watch what you are ingesting. The reason that I got so sick also had to do with some medication that I was taking that had gluten in it. Unfortunately this disease heals with time. I will pray that you can do it. You can...you have to. If you go off you will so greatly regret how you feel. Are they sure you have celiac? Make sure of that. Take care. Natalie b

[Kathy]

Hello everyone.. I am new to this site, but not new to celiac problems.. I was diagnosed back in 1994 and have been struggling with the diet issue all along.. I have found enough substitues to have pretty much everything I want.. But having to cook for two makes it difficult when only one has to be on the celiac portion of the food scale.. Actually my sweet man was having alot of problems himself with serious nose bleeds etc.. he was working around the mayo clinic at the time, had a bad attack with the nose bleeding and went to mayo clinic.. they discoverd that he wasn't getting the proper food that he needed such as the pastas, wheat bread etc.. apparently his chemistry needs these things, while mine doesn't.. So slow but sure we are getting our program together... It isn't easy for any of us.. but in the long run it is the only thing to keep us healthy and happy .. So Stick with your program for a few more weeks, check in with you doctor and keep the faith..As far as the corn bread, I agree it is one of the best, but I use the mix from Gluten Free Mall.. it just makes life so much easier to be able to whip it up real quick .. I find it to difficult to store all the flours like I did at first.. I get the bread machines mixes also ... it just makes my life simplier.. Who wants to complicate it any more then necessary... Wow for the first posting I guess I have really rambled.. Just so happy to find this chat area.. have belong to the Gluten Free Mall for a few years .. didn't even know any of this existed.. Have a great day everyone....