Check-In February 2008

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 287 Location: Wauconda, IL

Congratulations everyone who is pregnant. I'm jealous. But I guess I have enought o think about right now. besides it's too late for me Crying or Very sad

isto · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks, everyone! We are all excited here!

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2907

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10520 Location: WI, USA

sa2asl · Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 58 Location: Wisconsin

Hello everyone!

Greetings from snow filled, CHILLY Wisconsin. I am brand new to the forum, checked in last week to see how anxious I should be about my endoscopy. (Thank you to the 2 great people who replied, it went fine.)

The doctor called to confirm the results today... I was kind of hoping they'd say something like, "just kidding, it's NOT celiac disease, feel free to continue having beer and pizza" but that didn't happen so here I am.

I started my GF diet on Friday and so far so good. I think my stomach is still adjusting to so many new things and an increase in fruits/veg/fiber. Is that pretty normal?

Glad to be here amongst some people who really, truly GET IT. (you are few and far between let me tell you how many times I've already heard, "but it wouldn't hurt you to just have a bite would it...." sigh.) I am just starting to read the other threads, feel free to direct me to any you think are at the top of your lists to start with.

Thanks!

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10520 Location: WI, USA

Chilly is right! It's 1 by me right now. Brrrrrrrrr

Glad to hear you made it thru the EGD OK - see it wasn't that bad, now was it? Wink

It will take a bit for things to settle down, so don't get discouraged if you don't feel instantly better. Also - be careful on the fiber. Add it slowly. Too much fiber too fast will cause...ummmm...gastric distress Wink

hehehehe

Glad to have ya!! It's good to have another WI'ite here...another person that understands Friday night fish frys...and missing them Smile

Yeah, I think we've all heard "ahhh a little bit won't hurt ya". My response to that..."ahhh a little bit of rat poison won't hurt ya".

If you're looking for helpful info. Please check out our Helpful Info Sticky Index thread.

Stay strong!
_________________
Al

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

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10520 Location: WI, USA

Hey Colleen, love the new Avatar Very Happy

_________________
Al

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

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 405 Location: Groton, MA

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 287 Location: Wauconda, IL

I know, I don't drink a lot, but I do like beer once in a while. When I saw the gluten free beer I had to buy it just so I would have it handy. Bards tale is really good. I am teaching my husband to eat like me too. He likes the snacks and breads that I buy. So who knows maybe a convert on the way. The best thing is knowing that you don't have to give up your favorites, you just cook them using different ingredients. I thought I would never eat mac and cheese again, but I can. I am still working on the pizza. I think my husband will like that as well. My husband still gives me that "a little bite won't hurt you" I like the reply a little bite of rat poison on't hurt you. Thanks for all the ideas!!!

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 3359 Location: Washington State

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2907

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4941 Location: Nebraska

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10520 Location: WI, USA

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 287 Location: Wauconda, IL

me too!!!

jsb · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Florida

OK, finally posting my intro. I've been mostly lurking on here for a while, looking for good info. I really enjoy this forum - thanks for all the good stuff on here.

I'm 35 yrs old, and I've always been kind of low-energy. Probably significant that as a teen I first started noticing GI problems (initially just gas) that came and went with my cycle. GI problems worsened after having both of my children, progressing to 2 weeks or more of diarrhea in which I would lose a pound or 2, no matter what I ate. I also have eczema on my hands, including itchy/painful bumps on my fingers. Poking around on the internet about those, I saw something about wheat allergy or intolerance being related to that kind of eczema. That really clicked with me, because my mom was told years ago by an allergist that she was allergic to wheat, although she still eats it. So I decided to go wheat-free, and after a few more days decided to make it gluten-free, instead. I had 2 weeks of misery - cravings, weakness, muscle pain, and lowered immune system so that I actually got thrush (and had quite a time getting rid of it). After that, I started feeling better with more energy. The GI problems are greatly reduced, and the bumps on my fingers are gone. I've had a few pop up when I accidentally got glutened. Some other eczema spots are still there.

Of course, I did all this almost on impulse, and before I realized I should have been tested for celiac first. I started eating wheat again after 6 weeks, but only made it 8 days before I gave it up. In Jan, I shelled out the bucks for Enterolabs, and just got my results yesterday: antigliadin IgA 11 (normal < 10). I was hoping for something a bit more dramatic, but considering I wasn't that sick before, I'll take it!

I haven't played around with baking with different flours yet, or many of the gluten-free products for two reasons. 1) I lost about 10lb that I attribute to not being able to eat cookies, crackers, crusts I cut off my girls' bread, etc, and I like that! 2) I've noticed that I feel better if I don't eat really high-grain meals, but focus more on veggies, fruit, and protein. But I still crave high-carb, sugary stuff!

I might start experimenting, though, because I want to get my kids tested soon. The 6yo has had intermittent problems with complaining about her stomach hurting, although not much in recent months. She is also very low energy, and a picky eater. My 2yo had soft stools almost always until potty training, run-down-her-legs, can't-hold-it diarrhea for 2 weeks that started about a week after she refused to wear diapers anymore, and constipation alternating with occasional soft stool since then (may be more behavioral - holding it in as a response to her distress over the diarrhea when she was potty training). I think I may ask their ped to run the celiac panel on them first (for insurance coverage Smile

), then try Enterolabs if that is negative.

Thanks again for all the wonderful info on here. Sorry I can't seem to tell a story in a brief way!

PS - my dad has Alzheimer's and has suffered from undiagnosed GI problems (maybe celiac? but he never wanted to talk to a doctor about them), so I'm very interested in links between celiac and neurological problems.
_________________
Jen
GF since 10/07