Celiac Disease

[Princessbaby]

My doctor has diagnosed me with celiac disease and I don't even know where to begin.
Anyone have any good websites, books etc that may come in handy?
Also, those who have it, how do you feel now compared to before diagnosis? My doctor said there is amazing turnaround when one goes on the diet.
Thanks!

 

[ChristmasElf]

There is a site called www.celiac.com that has information that may be helpful for you.

If you are lookin for gluten free foods (which you will be if you have celiac sprue) Whole Foods Markets have several aisles of gluten free food from cookies and cereals to breads and waffles in the frozen food section.

There are lots of options now in food selections and menus.

Good Luck to You.

 

[Carl]

They just diagnosed me with this also. I can't understand how I got to 70 years old before they found it.

 

[DisMomme]

www.celiaccentral.org also has recipes and links to online gluten free product manufacturers.

My MIL has Celiac Sprue, was diagnosed over 10 years ago. It is amazing the difference since she has been on the diet. We lived with them briefly and my family also followed the diet, we found it easy at dinner time...fresh meats and vegetables. We all felt better because we were eating better.

My MIL has a book that is updated annually. It list name brand items you can buy at the grocery store that are gluten free. You will be surprised at how many items are now GF. I will try to find out where she got the book.

These days you can find most of your GF items right at your local grocery store. Good luck & I will find that info about the book.

 

[2girlsmom]

My sil was diagnosed a couple years ago, they say hers was caused by a virus? She feels tremendously better on the diet and is very good about it, largely cause if she cheats, she feels lousy IMMEDIATELY. Luckily they are coming out all the time with new gluten free baked goods/baking flours, etc, some are MUCH better than others as far as taste. I recommend highly the Betty Crocker Gluten free mixes, there is no taste difference with the brownies or the chocolate chip cookies (a slight texture difference though and they do dry out faster, but the taste is fabulous).

 

[pixiewings71]

My sil was diagnosed a couple years ago, they say hers was caused by a virus? She feels tremendously better on the diet and is very good about it, largely cause if she cheats, she feels lousy IMMEDIATELY. Luckily they are coming out all the time with new gluten free baked goods/baking flours, etc, some are MUCH better than others as far as taste. I recommend highly the Betty Crocker Gluten free mixes, there is no taste difference with the brownies or the chocolate chip cookies (a slight texture difference though and they do dry out faster, but the taste is fabulous).

I so agree, my BFF has Celiac's and we just did her Bachelorette party, I picked up the Betty Crocker GF brownie mix and they were better than the standard mix!! Sooooooooo much better!! Anyway, I'm not sure what websites she uses other than the 2 already mentioned, I just wanted to chime in about the Betty Crocker mixes.

 

[Princessbaby]

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions!
I can't wait to try those Betty Crocker items- Yum! Thanks!

 

[disney1990]

I don't know where you live, but Trader Joes has a lot of gluten free foods. You can pick up a list or go on their website and print out all of these products.

 

[geffric]

There is a book called my kid is allegeric to everthing ( don't buy it get it from the library) that has a chart that list different products that can be used as a substitute in a recipe.. very good

 

[DisMomme]

www.csaceliacs.org

this is the website where my MIL buys the GF brand-name product listing book. I'm not sure if you'd be able to get it at a library (it is expensive $30) They update it annually because manufacturers often change their production processes and sometimes a product that was GF last year no longer is or vice versa. There is also lots of other useful info on there.

MIL also joined a local celiac support group her first couple years after being diagnosed. She says it helped her tremendously to get recipes, ideas, and the support to keep up her willpower. She says now she thinks nothing of eating GF. It is a life style change but at first it was very difficult to make the switch, get support and know that it is the diet that is making you feel better.

 

[Stitch2007]

You should make an appointment with a dietitian to make sure that you are eating a well balanced diet and to how to get enough fiber in your diet now that you can't get the fiber through the breads. Also, some who have celiac disease are also lactose intolerant so if you still have symptoms after cutting gluten out of you diet watch the lactose. Also, check to see if there are any celiac support groups in your area.

 

[fireworks fan]

Hi Princessbaby,

I have celiac disease too; I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. The diet made a tremendous difference for me, within days really. Hopefully, you will see good results too. As a result of my malabsorption, I had osteoporosis too at 34. You might want a bone scan, depending on how severe your symptoms were.

My favorite gluten free cookbook is Gluten Free Baking Classics by Annalise Roberts. It has the best pizza and pancakes recipes. There are tons of blogs out there with information-I belong to a yahoo group called silly-yaks which is helpful. I've tried the betty crocker mixes, and they are good, but not the same as homemade.

Trader Joes is a great place to shop for gluten free foods. I've found that most of my local grocery stores now have a gluten free section, even Super Walmart does.

I've found the diet to really be a blessing. I'm so much healthier, and not on any medication (I was misdiagnosed before). My only problem is eating out-except at Disney World! WDW restaurants are great for gluten-free

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I wanted to let you know my own DD 23 just found out she has it and she didnt have any problems while growing up . She has been miserable since my Grandbaby was born last year and her DH made her go to the Doc.

She feels so much better on the diet . She said that she really saw a change after 2 weeks .
I hope you get some relief soon , that diet has changed my DD's life . Once you get used to looking for the food you will be great it gets easier as time goes by to find the poducts you need to help you feel GREAT !

 

[Princessbaby]

Hi Princessbaby,

I have celiac disease too; I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. The diet made a tremendous difference for me, within days really. Hopefully, you will see good results too. As a result of my malabsorption, I had osteoporosis too at 34. You might want a bone scan, depending on how severe your symptoms were.

My favorite gluten free cookbook is Gluten Free Baking Classics by Annalise Roberts. It has the best pizza and pancakes recipes. There are tons of blogs out there with information-I belong to a yahoo group called silly-yaks which is helpful. I've tried the betty crocker mixes, and they are good, but not the same as homemade.

Trader Joes is a great place to shop for gluten free foods. I've found that most of my local grocery stores now have a gluten free section, even Super Walmart does.

I've found the diet to really be a blessing. I'm so much healthier, and not on any medication (I was misdiagnosed before). My only problem is eating out-except at Disney World! WDW restaurants are great for gluten-free

getting a bone scan is a good idea because the doctor did mention that there are problems with malabsorption. I find my bones cracking all the time when I walk.
It just seems like all my problems are making sense now. I have read that fatigue is a symptom and I have always felt like a mack truck has been running over me.
I was wondering about Disney. Although I have heard they very good about working with you. It's funny because it was actually at Disney 2 years ago when my symptoms seemed to become really pronounced. I just chalked it up to I wasn't eating my normal foods.
I have never heard of Trader Joe's -sounds like a good place. I'll have to check my local places.

 

[Princessbaby]

I wanted to let you know my own DD 23 just found out she has it and she didnt have any problems while growing up . She has been miserable since my Grandbaby was born last year and her DH made her go to the Doc.

She feels so much better on the diet . She said that she really saw a change after 2 weeks .
I hope you get some relief soon , that diet has changed my DD's life . Once you get used to looking for the food you will be great it gets easier as time goes by to find the poducts you need to help you feel GREAT !

I hope I start feeling better on the next couple weeks. It gives me hope that it can come on that quick!

 

[Princessbaby]

You should make an appointment with a dietitian to make sure that you are eating a well balanced diet and to how to get enough fiber in your diet now that you can't get the fiber through the breads. Also, some who have celiac disease are also lactose intolerant so if you still have symptoms after cutting gluten out of you diet watch the lactose. Also, check to see if there are any celiac support groups in your area.

You read my mind! I was just telling my husband I need to sit down with a dietician because I don't know where to begin. I just know I am tired of feeling bad all the time.
Thanks!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

If you live near a Wegman's grocery store, they have a wonderful GF section.

When my mom was first diagnosed, she felt so helpless like she would never eat normally again. She feels much better now about it, but still misses certain food like a regular slice of pizza or a hot dog on a real roll. Overall, she is so much healthier now that she doesn't eat wheat so in the long run it is a good thing.

 

[DisnyMama]

How do they test for Celiacs? I have been wondering for a while if maybe....? I've been dealing with -the symptoms, have thought maybe it is IBS since I was about 8 yrs old and I'm going to be 46 this month. The doctors always seem to just blow me off when I mention this stuff. They always bring it back around to my weight and what they think I must be eating but it doesn't seem to matter what I eat, even when it's healthy stuff I still have the problem.

 

[Stitch2007]

If you go to chain restruarants ask for a gluten free menu. The outback and ruby Tuesdays have a separate menu there. Sometimes you have to go to the website or email headquarters to get the gluten free menu.

 

[Princessbaby]

How do they test for Celiacs? I have been wondering for a while if maybe....? I've been dealing with -the symptoms, have thought maybe it is IBS since I was about 8 yrs old and I'm going to be 46 this month. The doctors always seem to just blow me off when I mention this stuff. They always bring it back around to my weight and what they think I must be eating but it doesn't seem to matter what I eat, even when it's healthy stuff I still have the problem.

Well, I had blood work done. I also read that there is also a intestine biopsy that can be done. My Dr. did mention that he wants me to go in for a colonoscopy and I went because I am 35 and never thought I would have to hear that for another 15 years or so. I actually laughed at him and said "are you serious, you really want me to go see those people (colorectal surgeons)?" I am a nurse on our surgical floor so he knows what I am talking about-plus I know that surgeon group too well. He wants them to check for inflammation basically.