Recenlty Diagnosed

[Jnuhlane]

I was diagnosed almost a year ago and have been on the GF free diet since that time, yet I still feel like I am not eating 100% gluten free. I still suffer attacks ( even though to my knowledge I am VERY cauious).. sometimes they are pretty severe. "Lucky for me" I was also diagnosed with IBS and Acid Reflux.. has anyone gone to a Nutrionist or found a website that really outlines what a Gluten Free Diet MUST consist of?

And one more question... has anyone else lost a decent amount of weight since being diagnosed?

Many thanks for your help.

E

[aklap]

Hi E,

Yup - it'll take awhile to get all the bugs worked out of this lifestyle. As gluten is purged from your system you become more sensitive to it. So small amounts can cause a good sized reaction. It is also possible that you are sensitive to other foods. Milk, Soy, Nuts, shellfish...those are some of the Big 8 Allergens. Corn too - but it's not one of the biggies

A gluten free diet is exactly as it sounds...a diet free of gluten. As you probably know, gluten is a protein found in Wheat, Rye, Barley & Oats. So...you can have anything you want...as long as it does not contain any of the above. Ahhhh it's easier said than done. A lot of the processed foods contain gluten in some form. That's why when 1st starting out and getting the healing process started, you want to try to stick to whole foods (things not processed). Fresh veggies, fresh & unmarinaded meats, fish & poultry.

Watch how your IBS & Reflux symptoms behave. I would venture to guess they will drastically IMPROVE. IBS is often CD in disguise - the Doc's mis-diagnose it. I went to the Doc initially because of reflux for several years. I just got sick of it. After 1 year of messing around with 5-6 different meds, a battery of tests and not feeling any better. I tried a GF diet because of individual research I had been doing. The Docs told me - it's chronic reflux - stay on the meds. I did not like their answers. After going GF. I no longer take reflux meds daily. I will take them on occassion if I eat too much choc. or spicy tomato foods.

As far as the weight issues?? I suspect many would loose weight depending on their physical health. Think about this...a GF diet is pretty close to a LoCarb Atkins type diet...and why are people on that diet?? You guessed it...to lose weight. Now if you're like me. I gained weight after going GF. Why? Because I lost 40-50 lbs while figuring all this out. I gained weight because I was eating again!!!!! I have gained back about 10 lbs of that. But my weight is pretty stable. I was at 250-260, I am now at 210-215. I just had a neurologist appt. today - I was at 208!! I think his scale is off At 6'5" - I'm looking pretty skinny now.

Good luck and stay with it!! Please do not give up!! Keep looking & learning
_________________
Al

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

[daughteroftheking]

It does take a while to start feeling "normal" again. As Al knows, I still have my "days' that are bad and I've been on the gf diet for about 3 years now. But I will say that I am MUCH better than I used to be. I was so sick...I lost about 70-80 pounds and I was malnurished and so sick I was unable to do the "normal every day living". Since I went on the diet, I have energy and I am well nurished. I didn't gain any weight though I have stayed pretty constant. Good thing for me that I was overweight before being sick and loosing all the weight, so my body could handle it. I feel like I am fairly healthy staying about where I am as long as I don't loose anymore! After you find thigns to eat you actually have some options and there IS good gluten free food out there it just takes a while to find and thats why we are here - for help cuz we've been there. So, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to ask!!

[worldgnat]

I have sprue, but I have managed to have 0 antibodies. Have you gone to Wellspring/Whole Foods? Also, depending on where you live, in my opinion, Duke Children's Hospital (also depending on your age, ofcourse, although they would certainly give you advice) has one of the best nutritionists in the country. Whole Foods has some of the best gluten free foods because it has a special gluten free bakery, which is run by a man who has celiac also. As you guys said though, it took a while for my antibodies to go down too, I think about half a year. If I were you, I'd check the ingredients in everything. If you eat soy sauce, for exampel, unless it specifically says gluten free, then it most likely has gluten from wheat flour.

-Peter