Guest guest Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Ruthie; What a fascinating email! Clearly, you know what you need to do, and are resisting. I understand! I resisted my own changes for a long time too! No one WANTS to have a gluten sensitivity, not in our culture! Gosh! Your resistance to accepting what's necessary is only natural! The sooner you manage to get through that phase though, the better for everyone. ...including your well-meaning Dad who obviously knows nothing about gluten sensitivity. He himself may have it without knowing. ... and yes, your brother's condition does validate your growing understanding of your family having the gluten sensitivity gene. You've done very well at gathering information on your own condition! Sadly, some people live ALL their lives with their particular set of horrible symptoms before they are diagnosed for the very first time well into their senior years. Better late than never, but sooner is better. As you have discovered, life is better without the symptoms! Knowledge about gluten senitivity is gradually growing in the medical community, as well as in non-medical folks. At the moment, according to some of the most recent research (http://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=780) it is estimated that MORE than 1 in 200 Americans has it. The estimate quoted in this report http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050501/practice.html is 1 in100 (1 percent) of the general population. (We can probably assume similar stats for Canadians) That means, when we look at any group of 100 to 200 North Americans, at least one is gluten sensitive, but how many of them actually know?? It's getting better, but we have a ways to go yet. So when each individual, like yourself, does what we need to do for ourselves, we also add to the knowledge of our society. It's a personal favour we do ourselves, AND it's also a service of education to the community, even if they fight us about it initially. So you Go Girl! :-) Your Dad may even end up thanking you for it. If you have any influence over your brother's diet, it's likely to help him greatly too. Wishing you all the best, Deborah Hello! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ruthie and I live in Montana (just moved here from South Texas). I'm not sure if I have a gluten sensetivity, but I'm reading up on it, and this is why (*note* very unscientific!): For the past several months, my eating patterns have been quite regular. Most mornings, I eat a smoothie for breakfast. I usually bring a soup or salad to lunch with me at work. This type of eating makes me feel great! I have noticed, though, that when I forget my lunch and buy carrot sticks, an apple, and a bagel, I get the most intense crampings/bloating three to four hours after eating. This has been my first " insight " into how wheat might affect my body... but it's brought up some interesting points. In 8th grade, right after I went veggie, I pretty much lived off bread and rolls, cheese pizza, etc. Also at this time I started experiencing severe pain in my stomach. I remember coming home and crying because my pants were squeezing me and I couldn't hold my stomach in (though they had fit that morning), eventually I had an upper GI and swallowed the barrium (don't remember what this test is called), and the doctor pressed on my stomach and it was painful and they said it seemed like I had acid reflux and gave me Prevacid. I eventually determined I didn't need to take it and stopped. What's weird to me is, if it is wheat that is/was causing this uncomfort, is it possible that I just ignored it? I've eaten wheat all my life, and have even enjoyed baking bread/pastries, so if I did truly have a sensetivity, isn't it most likely that I would have known by now? Though the cramping seems more severe and painful now than ever before, could it be the case that I'd had mild discomfort in the past and simply ignored it? I *am* trying to tune in to my body's signals more now, but Im shocked that they would be screaming this to me so soon. I know I could probably solve all my questions by getting tested, but unfortunately I'm lacking in health insurance right now, so I'll have to make do. I've been simply eating wheat free most of the time (and paying close attention to how I feel) and then introducing wheat again (for example, a few days ago I made peanut butter cookies, then last night we had pasta for dinner) to see if I feel differently. So far what I've noticed, besides the intense bloating/cramping, is super stinky gas (even my husband noticed that! how embarrassing!) even though we ate no beans or cabbage, loose stools, but definately not diarreah, sluggishness/fatigue, fuzzy thinking (I've noticed it's sometimes harder for me to come out with complete sentences when I'm speaking), and tingling skin. These are probably enough to tell me something! I'm just stubborn and as my dad says, I've always been a hypochondriac and we have no history of celiac disease. But my brother does have Asberger's! (I doubt that makes much of a difference, I just read there may be a connection) I think I'm mostly very hesitant to give up wheat because, as I said, in the past I've really enjoyed baking... everyone loves bread and cookies fresh from the oven. Especially me! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 You can do an allergy elimination diet on your own to pinpoint your food sensitivities. On 9/12/06, Ruthie Ann Groff Crosier <veganruthie wrote: > > Hello! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ruthie and I live in Montana > (just moved here from South Texas). I'm not sure if I have a gluten > sensetivity, but I'm reading up on it, and this is why (*note* very > unscientific!): > > For the past several months, my eating patterns have been quite > regular. Most mornings, I eat a smoothie for breakfast. I usually > bring a soup or salad to lunch with me at work. This type of eating > makes me feel great! I have noticed, though, that when I forget my > lunch and buy carrot sticks, an apple, and a bagel, I get the most > intense crampings/bloating three to four hours after eating. This has > been my first " insight " into how wheat might affect my body... but > it's brought up some interesting points. In 8th grade, right after I > went veggie, I pretty much lived off bread and rolls, cheese pizza, > etc. Also at this time I started experiencing severe pain in my > stomach. I remember coming home and crying because my pants were > squeezing me and I couldn't hold my stomach in (though they had fit > that morning), eventually I had an upper GI and swallowed the barrium > (don't remember what this test is called), and the doctor pressed on > my stomach and it was painful and they said it seemed like I had acid > reflux and gave me Prevacid. I eventually determined I didn't need to > take it and stopped. What's weird to me is, if it is wheat that > is/was causing this uncomfort, is it possible that I just ignored it? > I've eaten wheat all my life, and have even enjoyed baking > bread/pastries, so if I did truly have a sensetivity, isn't it most > likely that I would have known by now? Though the cramping seems more > severe and painful now than ever before, could it be the case that > I'd had mild discomfort in the past and simply ignored it? I *am* > trying to tune in to my body's signals more now, but Im shocked that > they would be screaming this to me so soon. > > I know I could probably solve all my questions by getting tested, but > unfortunately I'm lacking in health insurance right now, so I'll have > to make do. I've been simply eating wheat free most of the time (and > paying close attention to how I feel) and then introducing wheat > again (for example, a few days ago I made peanut butter cookies, then > last night we had pasta for dinner) to see if I feel differently. So > far what I've noticed, besides the intense bloating/cramping, is > super stinky gas (even my husband noticed that! how embarrassing!) > even though we ate no beans or cabbage, loose stools, but definately > not diarreah, sluggishness/fatigue, fuzzy thinking (I've noticed it's > sometimes harder for me to come out with complete sentences when I'm > speaking), and tingling skin. > > These are probably enough to tell me something! I'm just stubborn and > as my dad says, I've always been a hypochondriac and we have no > history of celiac disease. But my brother does have Asberger's! (I > doubt that makes much of a difference, I just read there may be a > connection) I think I'm mostly very hesitant to give up wheat > because, as I said, in the past I've really enjoyed baking... > everyone loves bread and cookies fresh from the oven. Especially me! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Ruthie, Good for you for investigating youself. I will say if you will go to www.enterolabs.com and order a celiac testing kit you can find out by yourself if you are or not. You probably are thou by what you described. This is the way I felt all my life also. The test cost, I think, $190 for the celiac one and $99 to find out if you are gluten and wheat intolerant. This is affordable since you need to find out for sure. If you have read the things this causes it will make you take care of yourself and help your family to also. Good luck to you. Kathi --- Ruthie Ann Groff Crosier <veganruthie wrote: > Hello! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ruthie and > I live in Montana > (just moved here from South Texas). I'm not sure if > I have a gluten > sensetivity, but I'm reading up on it, and this is > why (*note* very > unscientific!): > > For the past several months, my eating patterns have > been quite > regular. Most mornings, I eat a smoothie for > breakfast. I usually > bring a soup or salad to lunch with me at work. This > type of eating > makes me feel great! I have noticed, though, that > when I forget my > lunch and buy carrot sticks, an apple, and a bagel, > I get the most > intense crampings/bloating three to four hours after > eating. This has > been my first " insight " into how wheat might affect > my body... but > it's brought up some interesting points. In 8th > grade, right after I > went veggie, I pretty much lived off bread and > rolls, cheese pizza, > etc. Also at this time I started experiencing severe > pain in my > stomach. I remember coming home and crying because > my pants were > squeezing me and I couldn't hold my stomach in > (though they had fit > that morning), eventually I had an upper GI and > swallowed the barrium > (don't remember what this test is called), and the > doctor pressed on > my stomach and it was painful and they said it > seemed like I had acid > reflux and gave me Prevacid. I eventually determined > I didn't need to > take it and stopped. What's weird to me is, if it is > wheat that > is/was causing this uncomfort, is it possible that I > just ignored it? > I've eaten wheat all my life, and have even enjoyed > baking > bread/pastries, so if I did truly have a > sensetivity, isn't it most > likely that I would have known by now? Though the > cramping seems more > severe and painful now than ever before, could it be > the case that > I'd had mild discomfort in the past and simply > ignored it? I *am* > trying to tune in to my body's signals more now, but > Im shocked that > they would be screaming this to me so soon. > > I know I could probably solve all my questions by > getting tested, but > unfortunately I'm lacking in health insurance right > now, so I'll have > to make do. I've been simply eating wheat free most > of the time (and > paying close attention to how I feel) and then > introducing wheat > again (for example, a few days ago I made peanut > butter cookies, then > last night we had pasta for dinner) to see if I feel > differently. So > far what I've noticed, besides the intense > bloating/cramping, is > super stinky gas (even my husband noticed that! how > embarrassing!) > even though we ate no beans or cabbage, loose > stools, but definately > not diarreah, sluggishness/fatigue, fuzzy thinking > (I've noticed it's > sometimes harder for me to come out with complete > sentences when I'm > speaking), and tingling skin. > > These are probably enough to tell me something! I'm > just stubborn and > as my dad says, I've always been a hypochondriac and > we have no > history of celiac disease. But my brother does have > Asberger's! (I > doubt that makes much of a difference, I just read > there may be a > connection) I think I'm mostly very hesitant to give > up wheat > because, as I said, in the past I've really enjoyed > baking... > everyone loves bread and cookies fresh from the > oven. Especially me! > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi and welcome! Like yourself, I was a veggie for many years until I started getting terrible colds and stomach pains...when I was told that I had both a gluten and a lactose intolerance, I questioned it, saying that I'd spent a good portion of my life eating just about every kind of bread and cheese available in the world! This is when I was told that sometimes you aren't born with intolerances, but you can actually create them by overloading your body. I'd eaten (and enjoyed!) sooooooooooooooooo much cheese and bread in my life that my body eventually got to the point where it said " Enough!! " and couldn't process it anymore. All things in moderation as my mum likes to say! I'm now in the process of trying to explain this to my boyfriend who eats WAY too much cheese for his own good. hugs, GeorgyGirl - Ruthie Ann Groff Crosier Tuesday, September 12, 2006 3:48 PM Hello! New to the list... Hello! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ruthie and I live in Montana (just moved here from South Texas). I'm not sure if I have a gluten sensetivity, but I'm reading up on it, and this is why (*note* very unscientific!): For the past several months, my eating patterns have been quite regular. Most mornings, I eat a smoothie for breakfast. I usually bring a soup or salad to lunch with me at work. This type of eating makes me feel great! I have noticed, though, that when I forget my lunch and buy carrot sticks, an apple, and a bagel, I get the most intense crampings/bloating three to four hours after eating. This has been my first " insight " into how wheat might affect my body... but it's brought up some interesting points. In 8th grade, right after I went veggie, I pretty much lived off bread and rolls, cheese pizza, etc. Also at this time I started experiencing severe pain in my stomach. I remember coming home and crying because my pants were squeezing me and I couldn't hold my stomach in (though they had fit that morning), eventually I had an upper GI and swallowed the barrium (don't remember what this test is called), and the doctor pressed on my stomach and it was painful and they said it seemed like I had acid reflux and gave me Prevacid. I eventually determined I didn't need to take it and stopped. What's weird to me is, if it is wheat that is/was causing this uncomfort, is it possible that I just ignored it? I've eaten wheat all my life, and have even enjoyed baking bread/pastries, so if I did truly have a sensetivity, isn't it most likely that I would have known by now? Though the cramping seems more severe and painful now than ever before, could it be the case that I'd had mild discomfort in the past and simply ignored it? I *am* trying to tune in to my body's signals more now, but Im shocked that they would be screaming this to me so soon. I know I could probably solve all my questions by getting tested, but unfortunately I'm lacking in health insurance right now, so I'll have to make do. I've been simply eating wheat free most of the time (and paying close attention to how I feel) and then introducing wheat again (for example, a few days ago I made peanut butter cookies, then last night we had pasta for dinner) to see if I feel differently. So far what I've noticed, besides the intense bloating/cramping, is super stinky gas (even my husband noticed that! how embarrassing!) even though we ate no beans or cabbage, loose stools, but definately not diarreah, sluggishness/fatigue, fuzzy thinking (I've noticed it's sometimes harder for me to come out with complete sentences when I'm speaking), and tingling skin. These are probably enough to tell me something! I'm just stubborn and as my dad says, I've always been a hypochondriac and we have no history of celiac disease. But my brother does have Asberger's! (I doubt that makes much of a difference, I just read there may be a connection) I think I'm mostly very hesitant to give up wheat because, as I said, in the past I've really enjoyed baking... everyone loves bread and cookies fresh from the oven. Especially me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 You said: > This is when I was told that sometimes you aren't born with intolerances, but you can actually create them by overloading your body. > You know what? I went through some serious binge-eating (emotional crisis!!!) last summer (2005) and my main binge food was bread. I'd eat maybe 1/2 to 3/4 a loaf of sliced bread or maybe 6-8 rolls in one " binge " . I bet my body would consider that an overload! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 You said: > Clearly, you know what you need to do, and are resisting. I understand! ... The sooner you manage to get through that phase though, the better for everyone. > Yes, I know! I made chocolate chip cookies today, and I think I am just about completely done resisting. I can't think of another wheat product except maybe sietan riblets that I'd miss if I went GF at this point, so perhaps I'll make the sietan for dinner and then kiss it all good-bye! But it's amazing how exacerbated the symptoms are now, though. My brain is in a total fog, my tummy is tight and bloated, and my long time skin condition is starting to itch again! I know I sound like a complete idiot for even thinking about eating gluten one more time, but the thought of never having it again is quite scary. It's very tough to think about. My mom and I had a ritual of going to a bagel shop and talking, and since I moved so far away I'd taken up treating myself to a bagel when times got tough and lonely. Plus we have to figure out an alternative for Pizza Night. And alternative flour pasta is so expensive. You said: > Your Dad may even end up thanking you for it. If you have any influence over your brother's diet, it's likely to help him greatly too. > I let my dad know what I read about Asperger's and I think he's gonna check it out. He did go (mostly) vegan after reading about how it helps diabetes, and his blood sugar has gone down in response! Woohoo! This seems like a really great board! Very supportive! I'm going to post any recipes/meal ideas/pictures I try out and let you know how they go, if that's alright. I might even start a website for it if it seems to help! I'm pretty busy, working 40 hrs a week as a pharmacy technician, but I do love to cook. And my husband loves tasting recipes. And I love feeling good! Peace and unity, y'all! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Please remember Ruthie, you CAN make really good chocolate chip cookies with gluten-free, rice-free flours. Mostly everything can be substituted, one way or another. Is your Dad type I or type II diabetes?? ... because type I has a strong connection to gluten sensitivity. I understand how scary it can seem to make such an important change. Please allow yourself to fully keep the feeling of love and connection with your Mom as you release the (gluten) bagels themselves. You and your health are SO worth the bit extra money eating a gluten-free diet can cost! Deborah You said: > Clearly, you know what you need to do, and are resisting. I understand! ... The sooner you manage to get through that phase though, the better for everyone. > Yes, I know! I made chocolate chip cookies today, and I think I am just about completely done resisting. I can't think of another wheat product except maybe sietan riblets that I'd miss if I went GF at this point, so perhaps I'll make the sietan for dinner and then kiss it all good-bye! But it's amazing how exacerbated the symptoms are now, though. My brain is in a total fog, my tummy is tight and bloated, and my long time skin condition is starting to itch again! I know I sound like a complete idiot for even thinking about eating gluten one more time, but the thought of never having it again is quite scary. It's very tough to think about. My mom and I had a ritual of going to a bagel shop and talking, and since I moved so far away I'd taken up treating myself to a bagel when times got tough and lonely. Plus we have to figure out an alternative for Pizza Night. And alternative flour pasta is so expensive. You said: > Your Dad may even end up thanking you for it. If you have any influence over your brother's diet, it's likely to help him greatly too. > I let my dad know what I read about Asperger's and I think he's gonna check it out. He did go (mostly) vegan after reading about how it helps diabetes, and his blood sugar has gone down in response! Woohoo! This seems like a really great board! Very supportive! I'm going to post any recipes/meal ideas/pictures I try out and let you know how they go, if that's alright. I might even start a website for it if it seems to help! I'm pretty busy, working 40 hrs a week as a pharmacy technician, but I do love to cook. And my husband loves tasting recipes. And I love feeling good! Peace and unity, y'all! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 You said: > you CAN make really good chocolate chip cookies with gluten-free, rice-free flours. Mostly everything can be substituted, one way or another. > I know this now, and am so glad! I am also glad to say that I am now gluten free! I felt so horrible last night... I won't go into how stupid I felt! But it's nice to know that the last gluten food I ate was one of my husband's famous cookies, from the recipe he's loved since he was a boy. I've been experiencing a lot of different emotions. ANGER, elation, depression! It's driving me crazy, and I'd hate to burden the board with this stuff, but if someone could give me their email address I'd seriously appreciate having someone to contact. You said: > Is your Dad type I or type II diabetes?? ... because type I has a strong connection to gluten sensitivity. > He's type II. just recently diagnosed. The thing that I'm most mad about is that I've had a skin condition since I was in 6th grade on my arms and legs which involved serious itchiness and bumps that I would always scratch off. These sores (which are now mostly scars) are symmetrical on both legs, arms, etc. When I went to the dermatologist and explained the feeling of intense intense itchiness and waking up in my sleep to scratch, she told me and my mother that it was purely psychological and there was no way she could help. I'm very angry to see that this condition may have actually been the dermatitis associated with celiac disease. *fumes* Imagine thinking your whole life that this itchy feeling you've had is just in your head and then realizing it may actually have been there and that you're not crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Ruthie If you live somewhere with asian grocers you will be able to find alternative flours for alot less than if you were purchasing them at the health food store. I pay 99 cents a pound for tapioca starch, 89 cents for rice, brown rice and sweet rice flours, and slightly more for mesa harina corn flour. The health food store is the last place I look for the things I need. And starting a new regime is always hard and leads us to question whether we really NEED to do that or not. You are not crazy or off the wall for wanting to eating seitan riblets one more time. My husband gets the most ghastly symptoms from eating dairy products but he just cannot bring himself to give them up totally. Just a hint though, and it isn't a free pass so don't begin to think like that, a tin of tonic water will help with the symptoms. This seltzer contains quinine which helps to alkalinize the body, as well as seeming to protect the digestive tract from SOME of the damage the gluten does. If you go right now and get a tin or two, you should feel a little better. Keep it on hand for accidental exposure because when you are learning it will happen. And personally I would give myself a few weeks of gluten free and then challenge the seitan to see if being gluten free really is making a difference. In a way, you could use that as a reward for staying gf for three or four weeks. BL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Oh, and I meant to tell you... there is a condition called masked allergies or intolerance. Basically your body deals with constant exposure to allergens in the same way it sometimes deals with constant exposure to a smell - it shuts down those receptors. The brain turns of the constant " noise " . This doesn't mean that you aren't allergic or intolerant, it just means that until the symptoms become much more annoying the brain isn't paying attention to them. For many people with CD, what this means, especially through the teen and early adult years, is that the early symptoms like bloating, flatulence, brain lag, etc. are dealt with because the chemistry of the body is more overwhelming. Then, when the chemistry subsides, the brain is bombarded again with the symptoms of the CD and says - whoa, wait a second here, we are really NOT doing good. The tolerance to the pain of the bloating and flatulence is also lessened after teenage and early adulthood. If you continue to eat gluten, it's like taking a daily dose of cynanide - you will develop a resistance to it, but your body will be storing the poisons until such a time as it has reached it's level of tolerance and you will begin to have other symptoms - the pancreas will stop producing other enzymes and you will develop other intolerances, your may become chronically constipated or have chronic diarhhea, especially after eating gluten, your digestive tract will become so damaged that all the villi are sheared off and you cannot absorb most of your nutrients (the first area to be damaged is the area which absorbs B vitamins, which is critical in the case of a vegetarian, btw, and also in dealing with the stresses of life), you may begin to develop chronic illness patterns like fibro myalgia or chronic fatigue, you may also hyper stimulate your immune system so that it begins to fight against your own body instead of just warding off attackers .... anyway, you get the picture. I don't usually speak curses over people because each of us develops along our own path medically speaking, but for most people with untreated CD or gluten intolerance, this seems to be what happens. HTH BL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 how frustrating for you! wouldn't it be great if the medical profession were as knowledgeable as we tend to think they are...?! you've presumably veganised your husband's choc chip cookie recipe - can you degluten it, too? best wishes alice On 14 Sep 2006, at 03:35, Ruthie Ann Groff Crosier wrote: > The thing that I'm most mad about is that I've had a skin condition > since I was in 6th grade on my arms and legs which involved serious > itchiness and bumps that I would always scratch off. These sores > (which are now mostly scars) are symmetrical on both legs, arms, etc. > When I went to the dermatologist and explained the feeling of intense > intense itchiness and waking up in my sleep to scratch, she told me > and my mother that it was purely psychological and there was no way > she could help. I'm very angry to see that this condition may have > actually been the dermatitis associated with celiac disease. *fumes* > Imagine thinking your whole life that this itchy feeling you've had > is just in your head and then realizing it may actually have been > there and that you're not crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Hi Ruthie; I relate to the huge emotional upheaval of eating gluten! That was one of my most difficult symptoms too. One of the BEST benefits for me of living a gluten-free lifestyle is the relatively even, positive state of my emotional state and well-being. I deal with stress MUCH better when my internal landscape is basically calm and resilient. You can get the email address for anyone you want by right mouse clicking on the senders address in the email form. I understand the feelings of anger and resentment about having had to endure symptoms for years that did have a solution, if only someone had known what the real problem was. It's like that for probably everyone on this list, to some extent or other. I just got back from having a root canal. Even that is probably related to the years I spent eating gluten, since when a person displays excessive tooth decay, that tends to be a " red flag " for gluten sensitivity. If someone had known to get me on a gluten free diet when I was very young, I might have had to endure much less dental work in my life. If someone had known to get my Mom (I get my gluten sensitivity gene through her Irish lineage) on a gluten-free diet when she was young, I might even have had biological siblings! She had classic gluten-sensitivity reproductive issues that resulted in me being her only surviving natural child. We accidentally got her onto a gluten-free diet (without realizing that was what it was) for about a year when she was much older, and it did make a huge improvement in her health, which she gradually lost again once she returned to her former diet. I didn't discover the gluten connection though until after she died. Many of her health issues can be traced back to that, noteably, the severe osteoporosis that ate away her skeleton. She was so fragile by the end, she could not allow me to hug her properly the last time I saw her alive. It is truely a tragedy that so much health and happiness has been sacrificed on the " altar " of The Staff of Life! So much would have been better for many of us, if only we'd known sooner. :-) There is a silver lining to the cloud though for us, which is the proverbial " better late than never " , eh? Just think... how old are you?? What do you hope to have in your future? .... that you can now enjoy with the benefits of gluten-free health and vigour! I found out about gluten-free freedom when I was still young enough to preserve my skeleton, even out my temperment for the sake of parenting my growing daughter with love and consistency; and in time to enjoy many years of happiness with my husband. We have a lot for which to be thankful. :-) Sad as I am that you (that WE!) had to endure miseries from a gluten-laden diet, I'm happy that you (that WE!) have found what we need to do to free ourselves to have the kind of health and life we want! May you live long and prosper to enjoy the advantages of this rebirth in your life! :-) Something that I find helps me heal the anger and resentment of having had to endure so much suffering due to lack of the knowledge of the impact of gluten, is to engage in education about it. If you can locate the dermatologist who mis-diagnosed you, and inform her of the situation as you understand it now, that may help her help others who come her way. It's an example of something a friend taught me once: the BEST kind of " revenge " is living well! It is a gift you give to other girls who come to her, like you were then. Even if you can't get to THAT same dermatologist, spreading the word to however seems receptive and interested, helps someone else. This is part of what I see as our responsibility in gratitude for the blessing we have received, to do our best to make living and life better for those who follow us, whether they are our own children or other people's children. ALL children deserve to be taken care of as well as possible, so it's worth doing what we can to help others care for children better. Wishing you all the best, Deborah >you CAN make really good chocolate chip cookies with gluten-free, rice-free flours. Mostly everything can be substituted, one way or another. > I know this now, and am so glad! I am also glad to say that I am now gluten free! I felt so horrible last night... I won't go into how stupid I felt! But it's nice to know that the last gluten food I ate was one of my husband's famous cookies, from the recipe he's loved since he was a boy. I've been experiencing a lot of different emotions. ANGER, elation, depression! It's driving me crazy, and I'd hate to burden the board with this stuff, but if someone could give me their email address I'd seriously appreciate having someone to contact. The thing that I'm most mad about is that I've had a skin condition since I was in 6th grade on my arms and legs which involved serious itchiness and bumps that I would always scratch off. These sores (which are now mostly scars) are symmetrical on both legs, arms, etc. When I went to the dermatologist and explained the feeling of intense intense itchiness and waking up in my sleep to scratch, she told me and my mother that it was purely psychological and there was no way she could help. I'm very angry to see that this condition may have actually been the dermatitis associated with celiac disease. *fumes* Imagine thinking your whole life that this itchy feeling you've had is just in your head and then realizing it may actually have been there and that you're not crazy! . 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Guest guest Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 , " Deborah Pageau " <dpageau wrote: > > We accidentally got her onto a gluten-free diet (without realizing that was what it was) for about a year when she was much older, and it did make a huge improvement in her health,> curious how did u accidentaly get her on a gluten free diet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 It was an all raw vegan diet... which simply happened to be also gluten-free because we ate lots of fresh fruit, raw veggies, nuts and seeds. She improved so dramatically, it was like a miracle. At the time, I credited the all-raw aspect. Now, I think that may have been beneficial too, but mostly, I think the main benefit was the gluten-free quality. Deborah <dpageau wrote: > > We accidentally got her onto a gluten-free diet (without realizing that was what it was) for about a year when she was much older, and it did make a huge improvement in her health,> curious how did u accidentaly get her on a gluten free diet? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 i wondered that too! On 14 Sep 2006, at 11:01, fullcirclea wrote: > , " Deborah Pageau " > <dpageau wrote: > > > > We accidentally got her onto a gluten-free diet (without realizing > that was what it was) for about a year when she was much older, and it > did make a huge improvement in her health,> > > curious how did u accidentaly get her on a gluten free diet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Hi Deborah, Patti here from WI If you need some good raw food recipes, I have some delicious ones. Let me know. Deborah Pageau <dpageau wrote: It was an all raw vegan diet... which simply happened to be also gluten-free because we ate lots of fresh fruit, raw veggies, nuts and seeds. She improved so dramatically, it was like a miracle. At the time, I credited the all-raw aspect. Now, I think that may have been beneficial too, but mostly, I think the main benefit was the gluten-free quality. Deborah <dpageau wrote: > > We accidentally got her onto a gluten-free diet (without realizing that was what it was) for about a year when she was much older, and it did make a huge improvement in her health,> curious how did u accidentaly get her on a gluten free diet? .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Hi Patti; Thanks Patti. I actually only ate 100% raw for about 2 1/2 years at the beginning. We eat a mixed diet of raw and cooked now, although gluten-free still. I found that I am happier with this way of eating. Do you eat 100% raw yourself? Is 'WI' Wisconsin?? Deborah Hi Deborah, Patti here from WI If you need some good raw food recipes, I have some delicious ones. Let me know. Deborah Pageau <dpageau wrote: It was an all raw vegan diet... which simply happened to be also gluten-free because we ate lots of fresh fruit, raw veggies, nuts and seeds. She improved so dramatically, it was like a miracle. At the time, I credited the all-raw aspect. Now, I think that may have been beneficial too, but mostly, I think the main benefit was the gluten-free quality. Deborah <dpageau wrote: > > We accidentally got her onto a gluten-free diet (without realizing that was what it was) for about a year when she was much older, and it did make a huge improvement in her health,> curious how did u accidentaly get her on a gluten free diet? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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