HELP! Need advice!

[Jen]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice from people who understand what I am going through. I was diagnosed with celiac disease two weeks ago, and despite going on a gluten free diet, have not been feeling better. My pain consists of severe stomach pain and nausea.
I got a job offer this morning for a new position that I really want to take. However, I am afraid that I have not given myself enough time to heal. I wonder if I have other food allergies that I don't know about or some other condition that hasn't been pinpointed yet.
I know that I am ultimately the decision maker here, but I don't know if I should take the job. It's a teaching position and I can't just get up and leave the classroom when I need to. What should I do? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks, Jen

[Kristie]

Jen,

I am sorry to hear that you are still in alot of pain.
Of course I can't tell you for sure if my suggestions *will* help you. However, these are things I had to consider with my son, and they did help him. I hope it's helpful to you.....
First, keep in mind that the healing process varies from person to person. It could take days, weeks, or even months for symptoms to disappear.
Secondly, as you mentioned, there could be another reaction going on here. Have you considered Dairy? Many people who are sensitive to gluten are also sensitive to Dairy. My son happens to be one of them.
If you're willing to, I would try taking Dairy out of your diet as well, and see how you do. Also, be *SURE* you aren't over looking any hidden Gluten. The smallest amount can make a difference. If you share household items such as toasters with people on a non GF diet, you may want to consider cross contamination.

Again, I can't tell you what to do, but if it were me, I would reevaluate everything, take out items in my diet that I feel *could* be a problem. Keep a diary and go from there. I did this with my son, and when Doctors could not help him... this did! .... Oh, and if it was a job I really wanted. ****I**** would take it, and trust God to handle the rest.

Please note, I typed this in a hurry, please forgive any typos

[aklap]

Hi Jen,

I am sorry to hear that you are still not feeling well. Like Kristie said - everybody's different and it might take some time.

I grabbed this from Kim (on another board - Thanks Kim!). She uses this when getting glutened. Cabbage has healing properties that will help the stomach. See Notes from 2005 GIG conference - Top 10 Celiac Foods.

PLus it help purge the toxins from your body.

Have you stripped your diet to whole foods? You may want to do that until you feel better.

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Cabbage Soup
Chicken meat and bones (I use leftover stuff from dinner)
cabbage
carrots
salt
pepper

Boil if desired or just simmer (if the meat's already been cooked once). I keep this in my pressure cooker at all times through the winter.

I strain it into bowls because my kids "don't like the chunks"

It makes a good gravy base too. I puree the chunks into the broth. Sometimes I thicken it with rice flour, sometimes I don't.
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I wanted to get this out to you now...as I won't be home much tonight. I agree with Kristie - take the new job and worry about it later I'll post more later.
_________________
Al

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

[Judy]

I agree with removing dairy from your diet, too. It came after celiac with my husband and he was sicker from that than from the CD, if you can believe it. He had been so sick for so long that he'd become nearly unable to walk and go up and down stairs. He really thought he was dying (so did I, actually). It was like pulling teeth to get him to a doctor, but the first thing the doctor said was to stop all dairy. Within 48 hours he was symptom free and feeling great! It was unbelievable that he could have actually been that sick from dairy. Give it a try and by all means take that job - you'll get to the bottom of your stomach issues!
_________________
Judy

[Jen]

Hey guys,

I decided to decline on the job. I feel like a huge disappointment to my husband and family, but I just felt it was the right thing to do. I couldn't teach at the end of last year because my symptoms were so severe and I don't feel like I am a whole lot better. I think I was rushing myself and had some expectations set for me. I just feel like I need to focus on me for a while. This is still all so new and I want to make sure I really understand what I am going through before I launch into a new position. It was probably the most difficult decision I've had to make and I hope I did the right thing.
Jen