Celiac Disease Support Group
Celiac disease is an auto-immune disorder of the digestive system that occurs in genetically-predisposed individuals. It is characterised by damage or flattening to all or part of the villi lining the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients. This damage is caused by eating anything with gluten (gliadin), a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley...
Hi guys,
I've been diagnosed with CD about a couple of weeks ago and I'm new to this support group. I'm originally from NYC and have moved to New England to start a family with my husband about 8 years ago. We now have a beautiful 4 year old. We visit local restaurants every weekend as a wine-down, family bonding activity and food is a HUGE part of our lives. During holidays, birthdays, or even "just because" we always gather around the dinner table.
I had an okay time adjusting for the first couple of weeks and kept an open mind, tried new things and all but lately things have gone rather sour. My husband has been very supportive, but I sometimes feel like I'm missing out on my favorite things. I've learn to replace foods containing gluten with gf stuff but it's obviously not the same and rather disappointing (which is very discouraging). I've started losing weight quite rapidly for someone who's weight rarely changes no matter what I consume and have begun to lose my appetite. I don't get the urges to eat anymore and I've started to skip meals and replace them with a fruit or two. We were also looking forward to growing our family this year, but I do not feel confident doing so with the way things are going.
Guess it's just starting to hit me that this will forever be my life, but this is taking an emotional and mental toll on me. This stuck mama is looking for some support.
Thank you in advance guys, I feel glad that there are sites like these offering support to all who are struggling with one issue or the other.
I've been diagnosed with CD about a couple of weeks ago and I'm new to this support group. I'm originally from NYC and have moved to New England to start a family with my husband about 8 years ago. We now have a beautiful 4 year old. We visit local restaurants every weekend as a wine-down, family bonding activity and food is a HUGE part of our lives. During holidays, birthdays, or even "just because" we always gather around the dinner table.
I had an okay time adjusting for the first couple of weeks and kept an open mind, tried new things and all but lately things have gone rather sour. My husband has been very supportive, but I sometimes feel like I'm missing out on my favorite things. I've learn to replace foods containing gluten with gf stuff but it's obviously not the same and rather disappointing (which is very discouraging). I've started losing weight quite rapidly for someone who's weight rarely changes no matter what I consume and have begun to lose my appetite. I don't get the urges to eat anymore and I've started to skip meals and replace them with a fruit or two. We were also looking forward to growing our family this year, but I do not feel confident doing so with the way things are going.
Guess it's just starting to hit me that this will forever be my life, but this is taking an emotional and mental toll on me. This stuck mama is looking for some support.
Thank you in advance guys, I feel glad that there are sites like these offering support to all who are struggling with one issue or the other.
A GF life is intimidating and overwhelming at first, but you will adjust. If you're looking for recipes, there are many online. Pinterest has been very helpful to me, and I have pinned thousands of GF recipes (literally). Also, we have a group here on Daily Strength for sharing recipe ideas.
Don't get too discouraged. Life will get easier, and we are here to help and encourage you. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am also sensitive, not celiac, but I am on FODMAP and GF diets, so it is even more limiting. I lost a lot of weight before being diagnosed and had some problem with appetite but my appetite has improved and I have gained a couple pounds back. You may, after being on the diet for a while, get more back to normal in those areas. I have been on the diets almost a year and feeling better than I had been.
There are many products out there, it seems you have to try some to see which ones are acceptable to your taste. Some I don't care for so I just kept trying different ones till I found ones I liked. I know such a major diet change isn't easy and at first a little depressing that we can't have the good things we loved before, but it is doable. There are some things I have tried that are surprisingly good, you'll see!
So hang in there!
The dinners at home will honestly just take time and practice in the kitchen. Elizabeth Hazzlebeck's book about eating gf really helped me understand what I needed to do to be gf free. All of us in our house eat gf now since both my sons tested positive for celiac. But when my oldest son had severe dairy problems I would cook one meal, two ways so everyone was o.k.
It does get better. It just takes time. Just take it one day at a time. Look at my profile for the group Sharing Our Gluten Free Recipes. We also share where to buy products, give review on products, share lots of recipes, and it makes it a little easier. If you aren't happy with what you have that is gf reading our posts might help you.
This is a good group of people. I hope you find the support you need here.
I nearly died from Celiac. It destroyed my gallbladder and stop kidneys and liver function and destroyed iron (whatever its called in the blood) until I needed ambulance trip to the hospital. I dont have any choice save gluten free or die.
I never eat with others unless the entire meal is 100% GF. I dont eat out anymore because people refuse to forgo the free pre meal bread while they are chatting. I always got sick no matter how careful wait staff were. Then one time I found a recognizable piece of bread in my drinking glass. Thats when I realized that microscopic bits of bread were being spit all over by people eating bread and chewing.
You have to start to think of eating to live. Food is nutrition.
Stop trying to simply replace gluten foods with gluten free. They will never taste the same and you will continue to be disappointed. Eat gluten free foods that are tasty to you. It will take experimenting.
Any way, I was NOT gluten free for a long time, and then started getting sick. Late onset IS possible. Am now gluten free, but have lots of family recipes from my mom & sister (RIP both).
Besides the astonishing, flamboyant diarrhea it brings, I get cross as two sticks, and get boomer headaches if I get gluten. I also try to avoid potatoes and sweet potatoes. But unfortunatly will put nutella on my rice cakes, so weight is staying up.
You can do it. But I guess for me having had multiple cancers, a brain tumor and two strokes, and CAD with stents and blockages, the CD seems like something I can control a little.
And I DO have a good haircut right now :) Good luck. This is a good group. I am grateful to have cousins I can commiserate with in my family.
I usually have fish or salad sometimes I have to tell them exactly what to put int he salad because of my food allergies.
I had inflammation, stomach issues and brain fog. I try to focus on what I can eat it. I have to rotate what i eat every three days. I Things will improve . Hang is there.
I have a couple of good friends that are so considerate of my condition, that when we go out to eat, they always ask where would be good for me. I wish I knew where in New England you are. There are many good places that take great care for their gluten free customers. In Massachusetts, there is Kelly's Roast Beef, Not your average Joe's, Wendy's, the 99 chain,
and Joe's American Bar & Grill, to name a few. Hope that helps.
If I can answer any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.