Newly Diagnosed - How To Work With My Family?

[lob6796]

I was just diagnosed as celiac from my blood tests, going for the biopsies soon. I am becoming more overwhelmed the more I read (not just bread but maybe my shampoo, pots, pans and medications as well???). I've decided to take baby steps with this. My family is very supportive. They are all going (at least mostly) gluten free as well to support me. This is huge of them, but how do I go about explaining things like "you need to throw out all the pots and pans"? Me and my daughter are living with my parents. My father and daughter both probably have celiac - he won't get tested, she is too young, so that is alot of the reason they are all willing to go gluten free. But this is a huge lifestyle change for just one person, how can I make it easier for them to understand? Also, any things you wished you knew from the beginning that you learned later on? I'll take any advice I can get. I already found a gluten free restaurant in town (yay for Rafferty's!), but I'm not going gluten free until after my biopsies. Thank you!

[tarnalberry]

you don't necessarily need to get rid of all your pots and pans. stainless steel can be cleaned perfectly sufficiently. non-stick cookware only needs to be replaced if it is scratched (which well maintained non-stick cookware should never be). collanders and toasters need to be replaced, as well as wooden spoons, because they do not clean well (porous or small areas that are difficult to fully clean.

realize that it may take some time, and that not everything you want may happen. some family members may choose to never be tested, no matter how much you think they are celiac. and that is their choice, however much it may frustrate those of us who see them suffering. the fact that they are being so proactive now is great! focus on all the wonderful, naturally gluten free things that everyone generally enjoys already, so that it seems like a much smaller impact.