Eating gluten with celiac?

[capecupcake]

I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I never had any of the usual problems. I had anemia and while trying to find what that was from, my GI found the celiac. I immediately started a gluten free diet, but it has always been a struggle. I am not the healthiest eater and would always seem to get the processed gluten-free items. I am not much for veggies and fruit or fish. So, for the last year it has been very difficult, financially and mentally for me to stick to it, but I did. I hated how I always had to have "special" food at family gatherings. I asked my GI several times what would happen if I stopped. He advised against it of course, but recently I just felt like my quality of life was so diminished. I already have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hashimotos, Arthritis, Pre-diabetes, endometriosis, had my gallbladder out recently and many other issues. So, after much decision making, I decided to go back to my "old life". I started today with a couple regular beers and had some crackers. I was expecting to be running to the bathroom like when I first switched to gluten-free, but nothing has happened and it's been almost 8 hours now. Not sure what to think. I know about the dangers of cancer and etc, but I have so many illnesses, I just want to live a semi-normal life again. 

[kareng]

1 hour ago, capecupcake said:

I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I never had any of the usual problems. I had anemia and while trying to find what that was from, my GI found the celiac. I immediately started a gluten free diet, but it has always been a struggle. I am not the healthiest eater and would always seem to get the processed gluten-free items. I am not much for veggies and fruit or fish. So, for the last year it has been very difficult, financially and mentally for me to stick to it, but I did. I hated how I always had to have "special" food at family gatherings. I asked my GI several times what would happen if I stopped. He advised against it of course, but recently I just felt like my quality of life was so diminished. I already have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hashimotos, Arthritis, Pre-diabetes, endometriosis, had my gallbladder out recently and many other issues. So, after much decision making, I decided to go back to my "old life". I started today with a couple regular beers and had some crackers. I was expecting to be running to the bathroom like when I first switched to gluten-free, but nothing has happened and it's been almost 8 hours now. Not sure what to think. I know about the dangers of cancer and etc, but I have so many illnesses, I just want to live a semi-normal life again. 

Untreated Celiac is often the cause of , or worsens illnesses like diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.  it can also cause them to progress and get worse.  Of course you know untreated Celiac causes your anemia.  I guess that could kill you after a few miserable years.   living with those illnesses wouldn't be a " normal" life to me.  

And you certainly listed a few common signs / symptoms of Celiac .

[Blhl]

I understand how frustrating it can be going gluten free. But all your conditions are caused by gluten. Wouldn’t you want to feel your best and have a quality of life? The reality is that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and if you don’t live a gluten free life, you most certainly will continue to “collect” other autoimmune conditions like MS or Rheumatoid arthritis which will be much worse than what you are experiencing. They are both crippling diseases. Not only that but if your body is continuing to fight itself every time you ingest gluten there is a possibility of not only cancer but of losing your small intestine and needing a feeding tube. I don’t know if I want to live a life with a feeding tube. You think you’re inconvenienced now, a feeding tube will certainly affect your socialization. 

You have to love yourself and want to live a good life free of wheelchairs, expensive medicines to keep your hands and limbs from crippling pain, and free of feeding tubes. If you think purchasing gluten free products are expensive, I can guarantee any of the conditions I mentioned about will be much more costly. 

You have the opportunity to reverse all of your conditions. The choice is yours. We are rooting for you.

 

 

[knitty kitty]

7 hours ago, capecupcake said:

I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I never had any of the usual problems. I had anemia and while trying to find what that was from, my GI found the celiac. I immediately started a gluten free diet, but it has always been a struggle. I am not the healthiest eater and would always seem to get the processed gluten-free items. I am not much for veggies and fruit or fish. So, for the last year it has been very difficult, financially and mentally for me to stick to it, but I did. I hated how I always had to have "special" food at family gatherings. I asked my GI several times what would happen if I stopped. He advised against it of course, but recently I just felt like my quality of life was so diminished. I already have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hashimotos, Arthritis, Pre-diabetes, endometriosis, had my gallbladder out recently and many other issues. So, after much decision making, I decided to go back to my "old life". I started today with a couple regular beers and had some crackers. I was expecting to be running to the bathroom like when I first switched to gluten-free, but nothing has happened and it's been almost 8 hours now. Not sure what to think. I know about the dangers of cancer and etc, but I have so many illnesses, I just want to live a semi-normal life again. 

All the health issues you listed are related to Vitamin D deficiency!!!!!  Vitamin D deficiency is also responsible for that feeling of hopelessness, depression.    Have you been checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies?  How are you correcting your anemia?  

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Celiacs have a problem absorbing fats and fat-based vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K.  Celiacs often have B12 deficiency anemia because they can't absorb vitamin B12 sufficiently.  There are eight B vitamins that have trouble being absorbed because of the damage to the small intestine caused by Celiac Disease.   Absorbing minerals, like iron and magnesium can be problematic as well.  Iron deficiency anemia may result.  Magnesium deficiency affects your glucose levels in prediabetes and diabetes, muscle action and more....  

Here are some studies on vitamin deficiencies and your listed health problems....

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Doctors don't recognize health problems caused by vitamin deficiencies.  They're trained to treat the symptoms, but not trained in finding the cause.  I know from personal experience.  I had a laundry list of health problems (including the ones you listed and more besides).   Only after ascertaining that my insurance would cover the cost did my doctor agree to humor me and test my vitamin D level.  It was ridiculously low at six.  Boy, was he surprised!  "Normal" levels are 35-40, but this is too low.  Eighty or above is better.

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Once I began supplementing vitamin D, B complex and the other fat soluble vitamins and minerals, my health improved.  I also followed the Autoimmune Protocol diet (AIP).

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Please don't go back to consuming gluten.  You can improve your health!  You can have a new life!  Different from your "semi-normal" life, but so much better and healthier!  Please get checked for deficiencies and try the AIP diet for several months.  You'll see improvements.  Be encouraged! 

[Ennis-TX]

Knitty is onto something, your probably in a bad mind set with deficiency issues right now. I do chef work, run a gluten free bakery, and over all quite enjoy hosting for people. Meals are simple just omitting the gluten sides and still quite good.

But yeah keeping eating gluten you could get other issues and made worse....what if your intestines rupture and you have ot use a poop bag on your side? What if you get UC like me and can not eat sugars/carbs without distending and pooping blood (try that anemia I was at a 2 iron wise). What if like me you develop severe allergies to other foods....like corn....its in everything..... STAY gluten free or it will get worse, supplement for now with things you might be deficient in to get your mood up.
 

[capecupcake]

To answer some of your questions:

I have had a Vitamin D deficiency several years ago. I am taking a supplement for that and have for years. My Drs keep a close eye on that, just one of many things I am being monitored for. 

I no longer have the anemia. Being gluten free corrected that. I understand I would have to go back on the iron if I decide to do this.

My other illnesses I have had for over 15 years. The anemia which led to finding the celiac only started 3 years ago. 

[GFinDC]

Hi,  The anemia was most likely caused by celiac disease damage to your gut lining (villi).  The damage caused by celiac disease affects absorption of nutrients including vitamins and minerals.  So your body will begin to decline as it won't be able to properly function without adequate amounts of many vitamins and minerals.

Also your immune system will begin working overtime to produce antibodies to gluten on a continual basis.  That's a bad thing as a ramped up immune response may develop reactions to other foods you eat.  I can't eat dairy, nightshades, soy, carrots, celery, and other foods.  All these other food intolerances most likely developed because my gut was irritated and inflamed from eating gluten for years and not knowing I had celiac disease.

The forum software used to have a signature footer that showed up under posts.  Many members listed their additional food intolerances in the signature footer.  There are a lot of celiacs who had additional food intolerances develop.

Since your immune system is going to go crazy trying to "fix" the problem, you can expect your other AI condition symptoms to get worse.  That is not good.

Just because it is hard to do doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.  Eating gluten-free does get easier over time if you stick with it.  You can get used to eating different foods and even like them.  There is plenty of naturally gluten-free food out there.  It does take some adjustment and maybe a little adventurous spirit to eat and live gluten-free.  But the payoff is great in health and wellness.

If you ate gluten-free for 3 years you can eat gluten-free for 5 years.  And 10 years etc.  You know you can do it because you already did it.

[cap6]

It sounds like you have made your decision and all I can do is wish you luck.  You already have multiple autoimmune diseases, why take the chance of collecting more? 

I speak from eight years of experience.  It is quite easy to eat gluten free and no more expensive than any other "diet".  It's all in what you choose.  You said you prefer processed foods and that's where the expense is.  Clean, whole foods are naturally gluten free .