queenofhearts

I love this thread! Fascinating stuff! Funny about the Irish setters-- though it makes sense that dogs in general wouldn't have evolved to digest wheat. It's odd really that they do as well as they do on the typical foods.

I had them a lot for a while, but found 2 things that helped: sunscreen lip balm (I always got them in the summer when I was out working in the garden a lot) & herpecin for when I felt one almost coming on. I can usually head them off at the pass now, & since going gluten-free haven't had a one! I suspect there was a gluten connection too but for me sun was a major trigger.

If you were using a wok that had been used for non-gluten-free meals in the past, that could have been the culprit. I put both my woks in the oven on the self-clean cycle to burn off all the gluten residue, then reseasoned them by oiling them lightly & baking them at 500 degrees. Worked like a charm!

If you take care & eliminate the things that were causing the inflammation, you can break the cycle & stay well. It's sort of like those mosquito bites-- if you scratch & scratch them they won't get a chance to heal. But if you let them alone, your body's healing power takes over & you get better.

If I were you I'd keep some nuts or maybe a gluten-free protein bar or something in my purse for those moments when you are hungry but in doubt that an eating place is safe-- just staying hungry really messes with your blood sugar too.

Sweet potatoes are incredibly nourishing-- they show up on lots of Superfood lists. And I find them extremely soothing. They are very easy to prepare, taste great in my opinion, & are cheap! And available year round!

What's not to like?

I wholeheartedly agree about the exercise-- not only will it help you with the weight & the diabetic tendencies, but it will improve your mood. There are studies that show regular exercise outperforms prozac!

It's very important to be kind to yourself & forgive the cravings & so on-- you are going through a hard transition. You are both cutting calories AND gluten-- that's twice as tough. Think how you would feel if it were a good friend in your position. Then try to be that good friend to yourself.

Hi everyone.

Normally I dont do drive-by's but.....

Just wanted to say hello...

I'll be having a pretty busy weekend so might not be on too much but will try to pop in here and there.

Hail to the Chief! Enjoy your weekend!

That's just about when I was diagnosed, & I went through a real fixation on baked goods for about the first 6 weeks, but I'm weaning myself off of the sweets & sticking mainly to bread-baking now.

If you don't mind my making suggestions on your diet, I think you should eat more early in the day-- looks to me like you are half-starving yourself & setting yourself up for cravings. Do you think you might have a tendency to do that?

The idea behind these pills is that they will put a halt to the vicious cycle of inflammation that is going on in your digestive system. Once you have eliminated the inflammation you will be better able to tolerate food, to digest, to get stronger. I've never taken them myself, but from what I've seen in those who have, the results last quite a long time-- long after the course of meds is over. It will give your system a chance to heal.

Making such a big change is never easy. How long since you began the diet?

You know, I checked their website just out of curiosity, & I bet it is actually safe-- the nutrient info they showed had the allergen statement (contains: Milk) & it didn't mention wheat. Isn't that the usual culprit in starch? & I've heard that some of the gluten-free lists automatically eliminate foods that don't specify the starch. But maybe if you call the company on Monday they'll give you the go-ahead, for future buttering anyway...

Oh, man, that's terrible. I'd never have thought to question butter... one more thing I'll always have to ask about now. I bet my MIL uses it since she's on a heart diet...

No, I always use the wicked fatty kind. Did you check their website? I remember somebody posted some gluten-free recipes that were on the site so I'd think they'd be aware...

Leah

If you've only been gluten-free since the 15th, you've really barely begun. I'm 50, I've been gluten-free since the end of May, & I'm just now really beginning to feel stronger-- probably just beginning to absorb iron (I've been anemic virtually all my life.)

Many people, young as well as old, only begin to feel healed after 6 months to a year on the diet, & to fully heal the intestines alone can take up to 2 years. But just think, you are MOVING FORWARD, actually healing after many years of harming your body.

Just be sure you are adhering very carefully to the diet. Are you sure you have eliminated all gluten from utensils, cosmetics, shared foods & so on?

Read the unexpected results thread, if you haven't already-- it always cheers me up when I'm struggling.

Open Original Shared Link

Eat well & be well!

Leah

Welcome, & welcome back to the gluten-free life! So many of us have been through the feelings you're having, wondering if your ill health is just your lot in life, enduring the skepticism & even ridicule of those who don't understand what we're going through, & DEFINITELY enduring the frustration of doctors who are operating on outdated & ineffective diagnosis & treatment modalities...

IF YOU FEEL BETTER gluten-free IT IS NOT YOUR IMAGINATION!!! Stick with the diet & watch your health bloom & let the skeptics be skeptical to their hearts' content-- your health is your own. You don't need anyone's permission to be well.

For lots of helpful info, Nini's Newbie Kit:

Open Original Shared Link

For some truly inspirational stories of healing:

Open Original Shared Link

If you need info or moral support, this is a great place to come. I don't know how I would have managed without this board.

Leah

Hi, I'm just a drive-by too, off to the gym! I'm riding high because I think I've finally talked my sister into being tested! I'm 90% sure she's Celiac, & will find so much relief gluten-free...

Might check in later if I get home before my dh...

Leah

I just wanted to post because there is hope, I think, that you'll get through eventually. From the moment I was diagnosed, I was almost certain my sister was Celiac because she has a whole slew of symptoms, not all the same as mine, but definitely fitting the profile. I mentioned it to her then & she brushed it off... I brought it up maybe once or twice more, again no response. But yesterday as she was describing her horrible lactose symptoms I just had to bring it up again, & lo! She told me she'd get tested at her next physical. It's not until November, but at least she said she'd do it! I think it might be the answer to her prayers, so I'm very happy about it.

One of my favorite speed-breakfasts is a rice cake or corn cake with peanut butter & raisins. Actually I have 2 usually & they are super quick to prepare, + no clean-up!

And I second everyone else-- you'll find your family will enjoy gluten-free dinners just fine. Check out the gluten-free foods at Epicurious.com & you'll see there's plenty of yummy stuff out there!

Did you try the Tinkyada with the energy saving method? It is easier to catch it at its al dente stage that way. (Don't use the timing on the package-- test it repeatedly til you find your best timing.) I'm with you, hate mushy pasta.

Eat well & be well!

Leah

Some of you probably saw this already, but for those who didn't, there are a bunch of recipes on this thread:

Open Original Shared Link

I'm feeling a little stronger these days... I think maybe just maybe I'm starting to absorb iron. I hope so anyway! I get tested again in a month & will know some answers then.

Also yesterday I FINALLY convinced my sister to be tested for Celiac! She has so many symptoms, arguably more than I do (though no anemia), but until yesterday she kept brushing off my suggestion. She's still not going to do anything until her yearly physical in November, but at least she promised to ask for the tests then. I'm so happy because I have a feeling this diet could really be the answer for her.

ok yes it was a panick attack and it went away, but i am having slight reaction to the meds

my stomic is becoming very sore.... finish in a sec gottta take drive thru

Remember, Lister, anxiety often triggers stomach distress, so it may not be the meds at all.

Did you eat something? Drink water?

That link about the nightshades was very interesting, but very troubling. If I had to give up potatoes, I would die! Basically, I live on potatoes and rice.

Can you tolerate sweet potatoes? They're from a different family...

well i was wrong i did get bit, it just took 2 days for them to show up for some reason, now i really dont wanna take the meds until these bug bites are gone, because if there west nile i need my defense up at 100% (yes it sounds silly to worry about west nile but the camp site we were at just had a breakout) i got one nice bite on my arm that itchs like hell. Im super dizzy this morning i hope the 2 are not related back to my worrying while getting ready for work bye

-------------

AHHHH wtf since when does it take 48 hours for masquito bites to show up, im coverd i have 5 so far and they all took 48 hours to develop now i itch everywhere

You are far more likely to suffer physically & mentally from an anxiety attack than from West Nile. Yes, it's out there, but still very rare in humans. And in fact, the delayed "bites"may even be hives brought on by anxiety & histimine inflammation, in which case the prednisone would be extremely helpful.

Lister, I know you are anxious about the meds, but give them a chance... eat something mild, drink some water, & try to relax. After a few days you'll begin to see the positive results. The meds won't cause any immediate damage, so try to give them some time to act on your inflammation.