How long?

[csocain]

Can anyone tell me how long it was, after you started the GF diet, that you began to feel better? Just wondering how soon I should expect to feel a real difference in my fatigue, stomach, etc.? Have only been on the diet for 10 days so it's probably way too soon, but I'd sure like some input on this. I'm ready to feel better (a common theme with all of newbies, I'm sure).

Also, did any of you have acid reflux as one of your symptoms? Mine is better in the past 10 days but don't know if I can expect it to go away or what since the GF diet. I do know that my IBS symptoms have disappeared so I am assuming that my IBS was really gluten intolerance. Hoping that the lactose intolerance will too in time.

Thanks for any help you can give me. Blessing to you and yours.
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Carolyn

Surviving And Thriving By God's Grace

[wendycs]

I hope you start to feel better soon!

When I switched to a gluten free diet alot of my symptoms cleared up almost immediately, but I'd still get stomach 'episodes' frequently. It took almost 2 months for me to really start feeling better, I've read for some people it can take up to 6 (and others its alot sooner). I think it depends on how damaged your intestines are. Keep in mind that after eating all that gluten they are irritated, and probably not very happy. It takes some time for them to heal up.

And for 10 years before I was diagnosed with celiac my doctors told me it was IBS. It can have similar symptoms. This is just my opinion, but I think doctors tend to like that diagnosis because it is easy, there aren't any real tests they can do for IBS, diagnosis is based on symptoms.

And my lactose intolerance has improved somewhat too. Before my diagnosis it was really bad. Now I can tolerate most of it and larger amounts if I take a lactaid pill.

Stick with your gluten free diet though! You can do it! And I do believe that the first month is truly the hardest. It becomes second nature after a while.. honest! You will eventually start to feel better, just keep in mind that your body is trying to heal itself right now.
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*Wendy*

[aklap]

[Guest]

Thanks, Wendy and Al, for the encouragement. Yesterday was an especially hard day with this and I just needed a lot more grace to make it through the day. Of course I got just that. Today is better and I just returned from the health food store with more new foods for me to eat. Isn't it funny how exciting it can be to get something we can eat?!!!! I guess I never want to lose my appreciation for being able to eat again. Nausea, stomach and GI problems, and the other assorted symptoms of CD robs us of the joy of eating. But I am good for the go again and truly appreciate all of your much needed encouragement. Blessings to each of you.

Thanks again for your care and concern.

[jenh]

Hi Carolyn,
I too am new to celiac disease. I was officially diagnosed with it today, but have been on the GF diet for about 2 weeks. I have noticed little change with my body as of yet, and am hoping that it will just take a little time to heal. I know you want to get better soon, as I do too, but I guess we just need to be patient. At least you are educating yourself on what you can/cannot eat. I have a lot of the same symptoms you have and I hope we're both feeling better soon.
Jen

[csocain]

Hey, Jen. Looks like we're both just starting out. Having done the diet makeover when I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis in May 2004, I am not new at changing what I eat. It has taken a little over a year for my bladder to quiet down, so I don't know why I am expecting my intestines to be any different. Takes lots of grace to do this so I'm just going to have to thank the Lord for it and walk this way until I feel better. He is more than able to take care of me in this, just as He did in the interstitial cystitis.

Sure pray that you will start feeling better soon too. Glad that you finally know what the problem is. That's half the battle, so I've discovered. So onward we both go towards better health. I'm all for that!!! Blessings to you and yours. Thanks for responding to my post.
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Carolyn

Surviving And Thriving By God's Grace

[jenh]

Hi Carolyn,
I met someone with celiac the other day and she mentioned that once on the GF diet, health will come with each day that passes. I went to Trader Joe's today and they have a print out of different foods which are GF. I'm not sure if you have one near you, but the people at the store were all very helpful, and some were knowledgable about CD. I was encouraged that I was able to find a few new foods I could eat. Hope you're feeling a little better today.
Jen

[csocain]

Hey, Jen. Thanks for the encouragement. I don't have a Trader Joe's to go to but I have two health food stores here in Montgomery that has many gluten free selections. Just found some crackers the other day that I can eat. Between the interstitial cystitis and the CD I am more limited in what I can eat than most with CD, but the Lord provides and I am on my way to getting better and eating more. How awesome is that!

Praying that you are feeling better each day. Guess we just walk forward by God's grace and take it one day at a time. He'll get us through.

Thanks again for your post. Feel free to PM me anytime. Blessings to you and yours.
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Carolyn

Surviving And Thriving By God's Grace