Celiac And Continual Gluten Consumption?

[Solandra]

I tested positive on my AGA IGA test and my doctor said I should assume Celiac and go gluten free, so I have been good. My friend, on the other hand, even had a biopsy and still continues to eat gluten. She was talking about wheat germ in her oatmeal and eating toaster strudels sometimes and says that it doesn't seem to upset her. I tried to tell her that it could still cause autoimmune problems and other issues later on, but she doesn't seem to care or think that it will bother her. She also recommended that I eat wheat pasta from Italy because the wheat is "different" and wouldn't bother Celiac. So.. what issues could she face if she keeps doing this? It's kind of worrysome. And also I'm wondering why I'm bothering if it's not really an issue to have it sometimes.. haha. *eyes donut* I told her before that I think my dad was undiagnosed and that's why he got diagnosed with colon cancer at 60 and died at 62... but I don't know how else to convince her maybe she should go gluten free.

 

[SMRI]

She's an adult and there is only so much you can do.  It's her life.  Direct her to this website or another reputable site with good information and let her read.  Eventually it will catch up with her.  There had to be some reason she went to the doctor to get her initial diagnosis so something wrong with her whether she chooses to accept that or not.

[kareng]

This would be a person I couldn't be around much.

[Solandra]

Yeah, it's tough. I actually have another friend with biopsy proven Celiac who is non chalant about it. I just have to remind myself to keep doing it.

[BlessedMommy]

It always amazes me when DX'ed celiacs cheat. Cheating isn't an option for me and I'm not even DX'ed. I can't imagine actually knowing for 100% certain that my intestines were getting damaged and going ahead and cheating. 

[LauraTX]

I met a lady who had a lot of health problems, multiple autoimmune issues and had just had a bout with cancer.  A while after meeting her she nonchalantly tells me she was diagnosed with Celiac disease 10 years ago, but just never went gluten-free, and maybe she will do it now.  I thought inside my head for a few seconds and decided I would just respond to her with complete kindness and not criticize her, let her know that there are a ton of risks and it is probably affecting her more than she knows, and offered to go to her house and do grocery shopping and such with her.  I hope she does, but with someone like that, you just can't force someone, just educate and hope for the best.  Sadly, with the age of easily accessible information on the internet, much of that is wrong, and many people will believe what they want to because they want it to be, as with the Italian wheat thing.  Italy has it's fare share of Celiacs, but people won't believe what they don't want to sometimes.  Same thing happens with morbidly obese people after  they have heart issues, diabetics who still eat an uncontrolled diet against what is needed... some people just will not take care of themselves.  A very sad thing to watch, indeed.  

[SMRI]

I'm surprised in just a few short months how different I feel going gluten-free.  With all of the information out there, how can you get a diagnosis like that and not at least try.  I was thinking just yesterday how I haven't had my"normal" lower back pain for a few weeks and how I'm not just tired all the time any more.  If just those little things are better, imagine those that have had big issues and how they probably could be prevented.  I was reading elsewhere about someone that was trying to cook for someone with Celiac and several people commented that it was a nice thought but likely that person wouldn't eat what they made because they didn't now how you prepared the food--cc and such in the kitchen.  A few celiacs commented that they never worry about that stuff because it wasn't a big deal.   Ok, whatever.

[BlessedMommy]

Yeah, I knew a guy once who was DX'ed celiac (biopsy proven) and he would gladly go eat peanut butter and such after gluten eaters had dipped into them, because he "wasn't that sensitive."

 

I think that a lot of it is lack of education--they assume that it's like an allergy or something and therefore think that if they aren't having symptoms they're okay.

[bartfull]

There's not a smoker alive who doesn't know about the risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, etc. Fear of possible health threats in the future will never convince anyone to take care of business. I think the possibility of feeling so much better is more likely to do the trick.

 

Trouble is, if someone is asymptomatic, even that won't work.

[beth01]

Not sure how old your friend is but I'm 37 and was just diagnosed with Celiac 6 months ago and after reading my file, my doctor and I both believe it's been since birth. Here's what she possibly has in store for her; migraines, arthritis, nerve pain, severe muscle cramping, thyroid disorders, failed or inactive gallbladders/appendix, miscarriages, preterm births, depression, anxiety, OCD, brain fog, weight loss, weight gain, vitamin deficiencies, dyslexia...need I go on?

From Forrest Gump " stupid is as stupid does" and one of my personal favorites quoted from who knows who " you can't fix stupid". Like Karen said, I couldn't be around her for very long either.