<<Diagnosed Recently>> Me, before I knew how to

[Padams]

Hi everybody! My doctor told me about this site when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I am glad I finally decided to meander my way through and read everyone's advice and thoughts.

I went to the doctor roughly three weeks ago for a meet and greet. I just moved here and my mom scheduled an appointment. He said that I am healthy and asked if anything was bothering me. I told him that I have stomach cramps constantly, I go poop more than 15 times a day .. give or take 3 or 4 and I have lost over 75 pounds without trying. He ran some blood work and I was diagnosed with the disease about five days ago.

It hasn't been easy, not eating gluten. It's very tempting to cheat, but my doctor said that if I do cheat -- ever -- my cancer risks rise greatly and my intestine will, again, become very very harmed. That was enough for me. Being 19, it's not very easy to give up your favorite foods -- bread and pasta. But, I have managed so far.

My mom and I went shopping at Wild Oats, a health shop here in Nebraska. I found some gluten free rice noodle mac and cheese, gluten free rice bread and some gluten free health cookies. I thought the mac and cheese and the cookies were fantastic. The bread, not so much.

I have an appointment with a nutritionist next week, so it will make my choices much more easy to understand.

I'm sorry if I am rambling, but I have no one here who understands what pain I am going through. My parents and family are great, but -- it's not the same as someone who has been thru what I am going thru.

Are mood swings common with this disease? Ever since I started pooping a lot, my mood has changed. I have turned into a person I cannot stand at times. My family has dealt with this issue with grace, and were relieved when a pamphlet said that mood swings were common.

Again, sorry for the ranting and raving. I'm just excited to be here.
_________________
Patrick
06/14/05
I love Danna Korn

[nowakb]

Hi Padams!

I can't write much now because I have to start work, but I wanted to welcome you and wish you much luck with your new gluten free life style! It sounds like your mom is very supportive and that is a great thing! My husband is too and it realy helps me a lot! However, since they don't have CD it is really great to be able to come here and talk with other people who understand how you feel!

Again, good luck! Oh, and the mood swings taper off eventually as you get the gluten out of your system.

Becky

[aklap]

Hi Padams,

WOW - a doctor told you about this specific board? Usually they just send you off with a diagnosis and no way to deal with it! Good for him!! I am impressed!! From the sounds of it you have a knowledgable doc - you are lucky! Hang on to him!!!

I am glad to hear you have a support system. That is one of the keys to dealing with this. The other big key is knowledge! Please - spend time out here (and other places) learning about what you have and how to deal with it. Once you have the knowledge, this will be A LOT easier!!

Yup - mood swings will happen. Gluten has addictive properties, so as your body is coming off gluten, you will go thru physical and emotional changes. Some of your emotional issues will be due to the fact that you can never have your favorite foods again...FEAR NOT...because there are GF replacements for almost all of them. Just know this normal and ride it out the best you can. Tell your friends and family that you may be grumpier than normal. It's just your body adjusting and starting the healing process.

You can rant and rave as much as you want here...that's one of the great things about this place...we understand how it is.

The other thing you want to do is find a support group. Take a look here:
http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/groups/grpus-ne.html#Contacts

Nebraska

Grand Island - Support Group
Contact: Keith McTavish
Central Nebraska Celiacs
P.O. Box 411
Wood River, NE 68883
Tel: (308) 583-2949.

Grand Island - Resource:
Contact: Diane D. Epp
Box 595
Henderson, NE 68371
Tel: (402) 723-4759

Lincoln - Support Group
Contact 1: Beckee Moreland
Star City Area Chapter (CSA)
1639 Sunset Rd.
Lincoln, Ne 68506
Tel: (402) 441-9621
E-mail: beckland@inebraska.com

Omaha - Celiac Sprue Association/USA
Contact: Mary A. Schluckebier
PO Box 31700
Omaha, NE 68131-0700
Tel: (402) 558-0600
E-mail: csaceliacs@csaceliacs.org

Omaha - Support Group
Contact 1: Lynn Samuel
Midlands Chapter (CSA)
6303 Kentucky Road
Papillion, NE 68133
Tel: (402) 339-1346
E-mail: samuelynn@home.com
Contact 2: Rebecca Warren
Tel: (402) 235-3576
Contact 3: Craig McIntosh
2817 MacIneery Dr., #1203
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Tel: (712) 366-4602
E-mail: craigm@dtn.com

Seward - Resource:
Contact: Mary Schluckebier
1616 Plainview Avenue
Seward, NE 68434
Tel: (402) 643-4340



Stick around...we'll help you get thru this! It may not always be easy, but it will be worth the time and effort. You will feel better than you ever thought possible!!

Take care!
_________________
Al

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

[dkad]

Padams, I have to pass on this little bit about Pasta. That was one thing I really missed. I was introduced to Tinkyada pasta recently and bought a variety of that brand from a company in Pa. I made some lasagne yesterday and it was soooooo good. Because of the cost I make a batch of my own and the family get the reg. stuff. I didn't feel at all deprived. Oh maybe a little. No good french bread to go with it.
Have a great day
dkad

[Jeannine]

xxx

[Padams]

Jeannine,
Thank you very much. I am super anal, so my skills of finding dangerous foods are above average. Of course, it doesn't hurt having supportive parents who understand, or are trying to understand, what I am going through.

I am thinking of joining a support group. Maybe I should even start one on campus. The endless possibilites of beind a celiac.

And, yes, being Irish makes you and I great people .

I hope you are feeling well.

dkad,
I tried a gluten free rice noodle mac and cheese. It was fantastic. I will have to tell my mom about the pasta. Thanks for the great insight!

Feel well.

aklap,
Thank you for your knowledge. I have read many of your kagillion posts, and all I can say is .. wow. You are one person who knows and undertsands people very well. I am impressed, and I thank you for being on this board.

I have actually begun to like fruity and veggies, a lot more than I used to. I am starting to see a difference in my eating habits. Sure, I long for bread of real pasta. But then I think about the affect it will have on me, and I pass.

Again, thank you. I hope you talk with you more.

Cheers.

nowakb,
Thank you for your greeting. It was very nice of you. Yes, my support system is my family -- and I would be lost without them. I have tried to explain to everyone, aunts and uncles too, what I may and may not have to eat. They all have listened -- and so far, so good.

Again, thank you to the tenth degree. It means the world to know people out there know exactly what I am going through.



To everyone: Thank you all.
_________________
Patrick
06/14/05
I love Danna Korn