down in the dumps

[jenh]

Hi everyone,

I was recently diagnosed with CD (last Wednesday). I've been sick for about a year and out of work for some time because of my symptoms. I feel like CD has flipped my life upside down and I'm not really sure how to deal with it. I'm pretty down in the dumps. Any suggestions on how to get myself out of this "funk"?
Jen

[aklap]

Hi Jen,

Sorry to hear that! If it helps...I think we've all went thru that. Even tho it's not fun - I think that it is a much needed & healthy (mentaly) process. Yes it does turn your life upside down! This is not just a diet change - it's a lifestyle change. This will affect almost every facet of your life from this point on. It takes a while for all that to sink in and to you to deal with that. Besides the physical changes your body is going thru with the removal of gluten - there are also emotional issues (sometimes they are linked together - meaning the physical changes create their own emotional issues). Once you come thru the otherside...you will see it was all worth while!

I know these links primarily deal with grief & loss of a loved one. But when you really think about it...we did lose part of ourselves. Our old (unhealthy) selves and that lifestyle. Never being able to have the same old foods we have come to love - it's truly a loss - just a different type. Even tho the loss is different I think we still go thru the process. Take a look and see if you don't find youself in these stages.

http://www.greaterswiss.com/mourning.htm (this one deals with loosing a pet , but it has some good points)
http://www.memorialhospital.org/Library/general/stress-THE-3.html

One thing that helped my was my faith. I try to walk a fine line when it comes to discussing that here - because I know not everyone feels/believes that same as I do. God got me thru this, there was a reason for me getting this. I feel it was vehical to use my talents to help others...or maybe not... I don't know if the true answer has been revealed to me yet. Another thing that got me thru is looking for the positives. You may think I'm nuts...but really there are positives to this! You have to take a hard look - but they are there!!

I hope things start looking up for Jen. I'll send positive thoughts and prayers your way, OK? Keep at it...things wil fall into place!!

Take one day at time...and do the best you possibly can at getting thru that day...and rejoice that you did your best and then do it again the next day and the next and the next

I've run out of time for right now...I'll be back with more thoughts

Take care!!
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Al

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

[Nikster57]

Oh Jen, I know how you feel. We all do and that's why you are here. Al is very right in saying we are losing a part of ourselves that we really liked but it didn't like us. You got to have faith that you will get through this and with the help of people like Al that can send you to links. As I always say "this too shall pass" the sorrow, hurt, pain, helplessness, aloneness, it will all be OK. We have all made it and we know this is the way of life from now on but it isn't the worse thing that could happen. I look at myself not being able to eat some of the things I really loved and then I look at my soon to be step son who is Type 1 diabetes and is insulin dependant for life and he is only 13. We got this for a reason, just like Al said, and what we do with it is up to us. I hope to see you feeling better within a couple of weeks. Just read all you can and learn all you can.

Feelin good is comin soon!
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Nikki from Texas

[jenh]

Hi Al and Nickster,
Thank you very much for your advice. Al, the links you sent were helpful. I think you're right...in a way I have lost a part of myself. Being so new to celiac disease, it's probably natural for me to feel like I'm going crazy. It was great to finally figure out why I've been sick, but it doesn't make it any easier to cope with it.
I've decided to start exercising more. Perhaps that can be an outlet for my anxiety, and it will certainly help me regain strength. I really appreciate being welcomed into this forum and the opportunity to ask questions of all of you. I promise to keep my chin up and share happy news when it happens as well
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Jen

[Judy]

Jen, sending hugs your way!! Not having celiac myself, I can't begin to imagine what you're going through, but living with my husband's celiac is enough to tell you that what you're going through is what he went through, too. It seems to be a devestating diagnosis at first, but once you get into the "food swing" it will get better. Finding the right foods seems so confusing at first, but will become second nature to you. You won't know how to shop without looking at the labels! At least I don't know how to shop that way! (Hubby doesn't shop - he just eats what I bring home!!). For us it has always been, and remains, a see-saw battle. You do the best you can and that's all you can do. You can't chastise yourself when you make a mistake, you can only learn from it. Start off with just the basics - plain foods - nothing processed. At least it should make you feel better, which in turn, may make your mind feel better. Then you can start adding some of the foods that are recommended here. I've only been here a very short time, but I can tell that these celiac folks really care and I know they will be of great help to you.
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Judy

[jenh]

Thanks, Judy, my Massachusetts buddy.
It's reassuring to know that your husband had difficulty with the diet at first too. I guess I should be thankful that CD is something that can be managed with a strict diet. Things could be a heck of a lot worse. I went to Trader Joes today and wandered around to find new foods I can eat. I came home with a few new foods which look yummy. Off to cook up some sweet potato fries . Have a good night.
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Jen

[Kristie]

Jen,

I'm sorry it's hard for you right now. I can fully relate, and am having a hard time dealing with it myself right now. So know that you are not alone in this.
You see, Matthew just tested positive for the DQ2 gene. He's been on a GF diet for almost a year now, and is doing well on it, but it hasn't come easy at all. Now that he's tested positive, I think more and more that my daughter and I need to go GF.... We have so many health problems, chronic constipation being on the list. I have been holding back tears all day concerning this... I don't know how hard it's going to be to get my nearly 10 yr old daugther to eat GF... but sadly, I'm most worried about how I can afford a GF diet for the 3 of us. As it is, Matthew's diet mainly consists of fruits, vegetables, chicken and salmon because the cost of it all. I couldn't even make him banana bread like I so badly wanted to over the weekend. After spending nearly an hour on my slow dial up computer searching for a recipe, I was defeated by all of ingredients I needed that I have not been able to purchase.
Just as Al stated, it is my faith in God and his plan, and the truth that he will not give me more than I can handle that is getting me through it all.
Hang in there, vent when needed, know that you are not alone, and that you are in our prayers!

[jenh]

Hi Kristie,
Thanks for the advice and support. I will be sending prayers your way too.
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Jen

[aklap]

bump for dave
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Al

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