Diagnosed Recently

[Guest]

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.