autoimmune disease and fatigue

[gheidie]

Just diagnosed with gluten intolerant (celiac) and I am doing tons of research. I think this will be doable tho on my first full day of wheat free, yesterday (I got the diagnoses) I did pretty good at staying away also, but I have to rethink my meals, and bread.. hmmm need to figure out an alternative.

[lorka150]

Do you have gluten-intolerance or celiac disease? Just out of curiousity. Try visiting glutenfreeforum.com. It's very helpful. Lord knows the day I got diagnosed I started researching every minute of my life, and I haven't stopped. It's not so bad - and you'll finially feel better.

[gheidie]

My Dr dindn't want to actually run the tes for celiac, so I suppose I am just glutten intolerant. I had all the common symptons, so he said to first start with just cutting out gluten and we will go from there. Thanks for the website, I actually already found that one and have been looking all around it. I have also gone to the Library and checked out several books. The more I read, the more I can really see all the symptoms that I have had. I just can't believe I was to "intimidated" to talk to my Dr about it earlier. Now I am looking forward to feeling better and getting my energy back!! This is Day 2 of gluten free, but I think I may have messed up. I did eat mayo, not sure if it is ok.. modified corn starch is a tough one to figure out so far.... still researching. I do have to say that I don't feel near as bloated, and I fell like the fog is lifting. Not bad for just 2 days!! I hope it keeps getting better.

[lorka150]

corn starch is fine. modified food starch is 99% of the time fine, too.
i recommend 'dangerous grains', 'glutenfree for dummies', 'wheat free worry free'

[gheidie]

Thank you Lorka, I will check those out!

[Kirian]

Yes, thank you lorka. I am going to look into those books too.

gheidie: Very interesting that your doc didn't want to put you through the tests. This seems to be somewhat common too, at least from what I have read over at the gluten free forums. A positive dietary response is a great indicator that you are either celiac or gluten intolerant. Just FYI though, without a diganosis via biopsy you won't be able to particpate in drug trials to find a cure. This was something that lorka informed me of recently. I am ok with that though because I just wasn't willing to go through those tests at this point in my life. Earlier this year I went trough a barrage of tests because my doc found a lump in my thyroid during my yearly physical. That was some scarry stuff to go through. Thankfully it turned out to be a perfectly normal piece of functioning tissue.

Anyway - today marks the second week for me since going gluten free and the changes in my body and mind have been amazing already. Some people do get better for a bit and then feel worse again before it clears up fully. Just want you to be prepared for that possibility.

[lorka150]

kirian, glad to hear that you are feeling so much better!
yes, i highly recommend those books - you will further more like dangerous grains, as it's very 'gluten-containing grains aren't great for you' instead of 'this is celiac disease and here are the facts'. it's very scientific in that sense; and based towards why they aren't good in general, instead of the disease.
does that make sense? maybe not.
i'm tired. hahah. (see title of post:))

[Kirian]

Thanks Lorka!

Cool - will check out Dangerous Grains in particular. Hubby and I will probablly go to the book store next weekend so I will make a list of those to bring with me.

Oh - and yes - you made sense.

[gheidie]

Thanks Lorka and Kirian. I have ordered 'glutenfree for dummies' from amazon and have been researching celiac.com everychance I can get. I will look into getting a few of the other books too.
Today marks the 7th day for me and I have been doing well. My fog has lifted and I feel as if I can now cope with the world happening around me. I did eat out for lunch today... was a little nervous about this, but we went to a greek restaurant, I had grilled checken, greek salad and rice ( I think I shoulda passed on the rice... ) I did come home and have to go straight to the bathroom but I still feel ok right now. I take snacks with me everywhere I go, and feel like I pack the whole kitchen when I go to work. But I don't want to get stuck somewhere where I don't have something good to eat, and I dont' want to just grab junk like chips (never been much of a chip eater anyway) I have been enjoying a lot of fruit and veggies and eating a lot of yoplait yogurt also once learning it was safe. I have gone down 3 pounds in 7 days, so all around am feeling a lot better!!

[lorka150]

i never, ever eat out - the risk of further destroying my intestines with one crumb with never outweigh the convenience. at first, i hated it - i used to eat out constantly because i was a food critic. but now, nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.

i'm sorry you got ill. pepto tends to help - it's gluten free.

[gheidie]

yea, I really shoulda just had something to drink with the fam and ate before I went.... next time

I personally can't stand pepto... a childhood memory... ick, but if it get real bad... I will keep it in mind

[Gescur]

Good news

[Gescur]

Good news

[Gescur]

Good news

[Yosh]

I can tell a difference in my energy levels since Enbrel was approved...it has really helped.

Wow, this really caught my eye. I worked for Amgen for 14 years, the company who brought Enbrel to market. Amgen merged with Immunex who first researched the drug. A lot of my friends got transferred after that merge to work on the drug including my sup, and I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better from it!! Sorry I know this is off topic . . but had to give kudos to the company I loved to work for!