A little nervous

[Onyxx]

*Peeks*

Hello. I'm Ashley.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and found out that I may have Celiac Disease - it's not something that's for certain but I go in to get biopsies of my intestines on Monday and I'm -quite- nervous and trying to find out more about this.

I live on Pasta and bread and whatnot and I'm really nervous about...Well, everything. Kind of scared too, especially since my symptoms have been going on for a year and it's to the point I get sick each time I eat.

If I do have it, what...can I expect?

[aklap]

Hey Ashley,

Com'on in!!

Sorry to hear you've not been feeling well. Being nervous is very understandable and very normal. It's good to know that you are trying to find out more about this.

You didn't say, but I'm going to guess that you've had some blood work done. Usually the docs will draw some blood and run some tests [a Celiac Blood Panel] and check the results. If they are positive, they will usually want to do a scope [an EGD] to obtain biopsies of your small intestines. From these biopsies, they will check for villi damage. If there is villi damage you will have the gold standard diagnosis of Celiac Disease.

The EGD procedure is really not too bad. The procedure is a conscious-sedation type. This means that you are conscious, but don't worry, they good you some pretty good meds so that you A) don't really care B) don't remember anything. They should take about 10 or so samples. Those sample will then be checked under a microscope.

Here's some more discussion on a the EGD.

I won't lie, it will take some getting used to giving up gluten. You may find yourself extra grumpy, extra sad, extra happy. It all just depends on the moment. There will be up's and there will be down's. Your body will be going thru many adjustments, both mentally and physically. The best thing...is that you will feel much better!! You may see improvement in days or weeks, some see it in months. You won't want to go back to those gluten days. Another good thing - you can come and hang out with us We've all been where you're at right now. We know what it's like, we'll help the best we can!

Fortunately the GF alternates are pretty darn good in most cases. Give yourself about 3-6 months to get a handle on the GF lifestyle. 6 - 12 months before you get all the kinks worked out. I've been GF for almost 5 years...we've replaced all my NGF favorites with GF ones. This is not necessarily as good thing Just because it's GF, doesn't mean it's healthy for you.

I hope that I've given you some insight to this. Please, try not to worry too much about it. Getting yourself in a fizz won't help - it just makes you feel worse [I know, I've been there and done that ]. If CD is really what you have, it's not the end of the world. It maybe hard for you to understand that right now, but there are A LOT worse things. Think about it...this is one of the few diseases that can be completely controlled - with a change in diet [lifestyle].

Hang in there! Don't be afraid to ask more questions. Please let us know the results of your tests when you get them. Good luck on Monday!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[mrsppmrxky]

Hey there! My youngest DD was 15 1/2 when her body started going haywire, but we didn't find out about her Celiac until she was almost 17.

Believe me, you can eat pasta, it will just be different. We even have some good bread recipes here on the site.

If you do come up as having Celiac, it isn't the end of the world or the end of good food. It will just take more planning and preparing on your part, but we have wonderful foods. I just made chocolate Eclairs 2 nights ago.

Take care!
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[Onyxx]

Nope, I didn't have any blood work done. It's been so severe to the point I can't keep food in my system for longer than an hour (in most cases 20min or so >_<) before being sick so they're going straight for the biopsies. I don't know if that's normal or not.

I thank you so very much for the information, it's put me at ease and will be checking out those links you gave me asap to get more insight.

You both are so welcoming. Thank you so much. *Goes to read*

[isto]

Hey there, Ashley! Welcome to the board! I have a 16 year old daughter with CD. She manages quite well and we find lots of ways for her to have all the foods she liked before going gluten free - pasta, pizza, etc... Hopefully you can get a diagnosis and be on the road to recovery soon! You will be amazed how wonderful it is to be symptom free!

Blessings!

[cultureslayer]

I'm a grad student and was when I found out I was gluten intolerant.

There is gluten free (rice and corn) pasta. Bread too. And bagels, cinnamon rolls, muffins, pies, cookies, etc. They are sometimes hard to find, but you won't have to go carbless. Being lazy I have just changed my diet to what's more easily available. I make lots of sushi (sometimes with hotdogs, and I melt cheese into the hot rice, that's VERY good).

Corn chips are okay too. I love corn chips with mozarella and spaghetti sauce. OR beans, sour cream and salsa.

Don't worry, and if you do need to change your diet let us know, okay?
_________________
Lauren
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

[gluten-free-mike]

Ashley, don't fret too much over the procedure. It'll be over in no time, and it's not too bad. The sedation will pretty much fog your memory of the event. I recall only a little of it, and it was tolerable. I hope the person doing the procedure has practice looking specifically for evidence of Celiac Disease, since that can help ensure an accurate diagnosis.

And, if you do end up diagnosed with CD, the hard part (of figuring out what is wrong) is behind you, and you can adjust your eating and lifestyle to accommodate the condition. There are plenty of food options for CD persons. I think gluten-free foods have evolved a LOT recently, and I absolutely enjoy the foods I eat, especially all the wonderful treats my wife has conjured up for me over the past couple years. Many of these recipes are shared online too. So, you'll be fine. You may be doing much more of your own cooking, but the variety of dishes will still exist (in GF form).

Looking forward to hearing the outcome next week.
_________________
Mike
GF Since 2003
Severe weakness for Desserts

[isto's daughter]

Hi, Ashely! I'm a teenager too; and I have CD. My friends are very supportive and encourage me to stick to my diet. I still eat pizza, chocalate cake, and tacos and they are not bad GF. They tasted a little different at first, but I quickly got used to it. I learned not to compare my new food to what I used to eat because there is no way they are going to taste the same! Keep on going and don't ever be afraid to ask questions!
_________________
Sara
GF since 7/05

[aklap]

bump for colbs
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[aklap]

Flawed - check my 1st post here...it explains the procedure in a link...

Please don't get too worked up, they give you enough "stuff" so you don't remember!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[sdb93]

one good thing about the growing popularity of gluten free diets is that anything that has gluten, is most likely made in a GF version. you can still have pasta, bread and whatnot, it just might taste different.

good luck.

[aklap]

bump for Jenn
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Daughter_of_Light]

Finally! Another teenager! Hey! As Isto said, friends can be verysupportive. One of mine even cooks for me! Don't worry. Some GF stuff is actually better. Like the brownies....
_________________
Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

THE CAREBEARS WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD WITH MACHINE GUNS!!!! TAKE COVER!!

Call me Light!