Oh my…I am so behind on emails…it’s mortifying. I’m going to have to do a big, great, huge, sizable, substantial, immense, enormous, colossal, massive, mammoth, vast, gigantic, monumental, stupendous, gargantuan, elephantine, titanic, mountainous, monstrous mailbag soon. It may take you days to read it but what else do you have on your plate?
For today, let’s focus on just one email. It’s from a woman who has struggled mightily and after seeing a plethora of doctors, finally got diagnosed with celiac disease (though it took some prodding from her to get tested. Big surprise there.) She’s a bit lost. We’ve all been there. Here’s her email. Please feel free to chime in with advice.
After I had a C section with my son in September 2011, everything inside me went wrong. I went to several doctors and requested tests and explained that I cannot pass stool the same and that I am always constipated and many foods bother me. Many doctors suggested medication and called it IBS.
Dude note: Just lazy doctors who don’t feel like digging deep so they call it IBS. I can guess what the BS stands for. Ok…carry on.
I knew there was more. I did my own research for years and after seeing 6 gastro doctors, two dieticians, my pcp, and Gyno for cramps down under (pancreas section), I told my gastro two weeks ago that I read a book and googled various stomach issues and I think I have celiac disease or leaky gut.
Sure enough, I got the blood work results two days ago; I have celiac. I was also diagnosed with GERD last year and with hyperthyroidism after my second birth in 2014. Gotta love my kids lol.
So I am trying to get on a super strict diet plan that eliminates all gluten. I know it’s expensive to shop for gluten free products. Not sure if I can eat pizza or multivitamins or anything that I just eat without checking ingredients. I love holistic remedies. I been feeling like shi* for 6 years and the last two years have been extremely awful and very painful. It’s almost impossible to even pass stool for days and I feel my intestines are hanging out through out this time – like I am 6 months pregnant all over again. It’s humiliating and worst of all, it hurts.
Where do I begin?
I’ve written about this issue many times here so what I’m going to do is throw some links out at you. No…I’m not being lazy. It’s a lot of content and I don’t want to overwhelm you. But trust me…follow this advice and you’ll be just fine.
1. Don’t Eat Gluten-Free Foods
Did I get your attention? Good. Yes, of course you need to eat 100% gluten-free but it me years to begin to heal after my diagnosis. Why? I was eating all of the garbage replacement foods. Pizza, bread, cookies, bagels, cereals. No, no, no, no, no. If you take one thing from this post, it’s this: Eat clean for at least the first few months. It will allow you to heal. I wish someone gave me this advice when I began my journey.
Link: https://glutendude.com/celiac-rant/stop-eating-gluten-free-foods/
2. Learn How to Go Gluten Free
A lot of the newly diagnosed really struggle with various aspects of completely overhauling their diet. It’s a whole mindset. Plus you have to know how to keep your home safe, how to eat out, etc. Lots to consider. I wrote a five part series about it many years ago. Still rings true today.
Link: https://glutendude.com/category/how-to-go-gluten-free/
3. Listen to the Celiac Community
It’s just an amazing community here. Some time ago, I asked them what advice they would give to someone just diagnosed. Their advice came from all angles and was just spot on. Heed their advice. You’ll be glad you did.
Link: https://glutendude.com/attitude/the-best-celiac-advice-ever/
4. Read My Book
I know this seems like a shameless plug (true…I have no shame), but this book is written for people just like you. I would not have written it if I knew it wouldn’t help those newly diagnosed and those still struggling.
Link: https://glutendude.com/ebook/book-about-living-with-celiac/
5. Don’t Live in Fear
You’ve got a life to live. Live it. Do not let celiac hold you back. It’s a bump in the road, but it’s a bump that is manageable. I promise.
Link: https://glutendude.com/newbies/do-not-live-in-fear/
Welcome to your new journey. It’s an interesting ride but you’ll come out on the other side better for it. Much better for it.