I have been diagnosed with Celiac's. I'm just getting used to my new diagnosis, and am learning to live with the lifestyle changes that come along with it.

Anyone else have Celiac's? Any tips or tricks you'd like to share?

For YEARS I've had extreme abdominal pain after eating(since I was in kindergarten... I'm nearly 23!) I also have an issue with constantly feeling hungry... and like my body is missing something (which makes sense, I've been unable to absorb nutrients from my food!) I was misdiagnosed with Lactose Intolerance about 2 years ago. Going without lactose helped for a while, but... all the symptoms eventually returned (which I understand is common for those with Celiac's.) So, after a LOT of research... I demanded that the doctor test me for Celiac's... and I have come up positive. I am so glad to finally know what's going on with my body.

Since cutting out gluten... I have felt SO MUCH BETTER. I have more energy than I know what to do with! I feel like a whole new lady.

I have it and i kinda ignore my diet alot...which i regret.STick with the diet they gave u,I didnt and now im way worse!I used to be able to tolerate small amounts of gluten etc....now I cant at all...
its a lifestyle adaptation but it can be hard when eating out so it helps if u look up restaurant menus before hand and learn where u can eat celiac friendly foods

One of my nieces has it. It's a challenge but can be done. She is so much better since sticking to the diet. Good luck!

I was convinced that I had it and paid $280 out of pocket for testing and the results were negative. Anyway, have you read Elisabeth Hasselback's book The G Free Diet? It is a pretty good little resource.

I have it, and tend to ignore my diet as well. I typically only deal with it (eg take my meds to control it) when it's flaring up. I need to do better but it's SO hard not to indulge when everyone else is doin' it, kwim?

Originally Posted by cosmogrl5

I was convinced that I had it and paid $280 out of pocket for testing and the results were negative. Anyway, have you read Elisabeth Hasselback's book The G Free Diet? It is a pretty good little resource.

Yes! It is a great book. It was the first book I purchased when I began thinking that I may have Celiac's.

^ I am getting tested for it in a few weeks- did you have the endoscopy to test for the disease? I would love to hear about that experience! I'm pretty freaked out about it and that doesn't exactly help to alleviate stomach aches!

Originally Posted by glamgirl84

^ I am getting tested for it in a few weeks- did you have the endoscopy to test for the disease? I would love to hear about that experience! I'm pretty freaked out about it and that doesn't exactly help to alleviate stomach aches!

They only did a blood test on me. I think that if the bloodwork showed something specific, they were going to do more testing...but I never made it to that stage. I'm still not thoroughly convinced that I don't have Celiac, so I try to watch my diet. Don't be nervous! I am sure it will be as easy as gluten-free pie.

I'm wondering if it might have it, or at least a sensitivity to gluten. Late last January I started having numbness issues which came and went and then were really bad late summer. I had an MRI and there were a few small spots in the brain and spine so they said possible MS. BUT numbness is the only symptom I had. It's been getting better since November to where it's much easier to get around, however I noticed that I have been losing weight (without trying) and my digestive system seems a bit messed up. I do have an appointment at the MS Clinic but can't get in for another 4-6 months.

So I was researching the other day and came across Celiac's, which would explain the weight loss and the digestive issues. And surprise, surprise ... I also read you can have neuropathic symptoms (numbness), and sometimes that begins before you may start to see other symptoms. I also read that white-matter lesions are also common in Celiac's. Yesterday I cut out all gluten for the first day and I think I do feel a bit better today, although the next few days should tell more. I'd rather it be Celiac's than MS. Researching online there seems to be a lot gluten-free products you can buy to make your life easier. And one thing is it will help force me to eat healthier which I admit I have not been doing.

I am waiting to see my doctor and see what she says. I will probably have to go back to eating gluten before my blood test though (which I hate to do if it's helping me), but I guess otherwise you won't get the correct results.

i have it. it took 4 years to find out what was wrong with me- and a ton of drs. i am also allergic to soy and a bunch of other foods- all since the birth of my first child.

i was diagnosed about 3 months ago. if i eat gluten i suffer- it affects me in that my veins leak, i become overwhelmingly exhausted, etc. i stay gluten free unless it's an accident as it is not worth it for me. trader joes and whole foods have been a blessing. and, oddly enough, ocean state job lot has a fair amt. of gluten free products at great prices- same ones as whole foods, just not as expensive.

^I LIVE at WHole Foods...they have great gluten free foods.

I know there's a celiac's thread in the kitchen forum but my question isn't really food related. I just read that one early symptom of Celiac's is tooth enamel defects. My front permanent teeth came in with enamel missing on the bottom 1/2 of both teeth and my 6 year molars came in with no enamel and were pulled. My dentist said it was due to a high fever I had as a baby but now I am thinking this may be why. I asked my mom about what she thought today and she reminded me that I always had stomach aches as a child but the Dr.s could never find anything wrong with me. I was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease in my late 20s but it wasn't until my late 30s that a Dr. finally suggested gluten intolerance as a cause for my thyroid problems. I am just a little shocked to think that as early as 6 years old I could have shown signs of gluten problems. I'm not diagnosed as having Celiac's because of the cost of testing but my Dr. wants me to live as if I am diagnosed with it. I guess it's time I take it seriously. While I don't have severe immediate reactions to gluten other than a stomach ache, the long term health issues will catch up to me if I don't care for my body properly. I just wondered if anyone else had enamel issues as well?

^ i just learned of the teeth issue. i've been reading DANGEROUS GRAINS and it has offered me lots of info. all of my symptoms went away when i stopped gluten. when i have had it by accident, voila. there they are. gl!

I would think if you're not absorbing the nutrients, you could get enamel decay or even possibly tooth decay. The symptoms for people suffering from celiac/gluten intolerance/gluten allergy are wide. I get panic attacks, anxiety, all the digestive problems, cramps, severe eczema, lethargy and tiredness when I consume gluten. Someone I know who is gluten intolerant, gets paralysis as her only symptom. If there is any cross-contamination, she is unable to move her joints so she just ends up being taken to the hospital (last time was a couple of years ago).

^ oh how awful. my veins leak. i get petichiae and purpura all over my legs, feet, up my body, etc. depending on the exposure. it's wierd and awful looking. in addition, i get lots of other lovely symptoms.