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Hello,

I'm a new member to this list.  I just started a GF diet on Wednesday of
last week so this is all very new to me.  I thought I would give you a
little background about how I got to this point before I asked any
questions.

May 2000 I started having severe diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping,
bloating, gas, and mild fatigue. Within a month or so I had gone from 110
lbs. to 95 lbs. and muscles aches, mental confusion/fuzzines, joint pain,
severe fatigue, constipation and diarrhea, all set in.  So my Primary
doctor referred me to a GI specialist.

From the moment he walked in the door to greet me he treated me like a
hypochondriac!  He immediately told me that I probably had Irritable Bowel
Syndrome and I was just fine.  It wasn't until Dec. 2000 that I went to an
Internal Medicine doctor and he did the blood tests for Celiac disease and
they came back positive.  The GI specialist then did a biopsy and claimed
it was normal.  Sorry this is so long but my questions are mainly about my
diagnosis etc....  Out of frustration I talked to a dietician that works in
an office filled with doctors and dieticians that work with Food Allergies
and Intolerances and he said I should definately be on the GF diet.  I had
tried it previously for a short time and it alleviated my GI symptoms and I
started to feel better, then the doctor told me that was unnecessary.  The
dietician told me that this doctor was 100% wrong so here I am on the diet
again.

I am struggling to stay on the diet, I love brownies, cookies and bread!!
I wanted to go to a support group that is held at a local hospital but I
feel they would not accept me as I haven't been "Officially Diagnosed."
I'm confused about the diet.  I understand not to eat things with flour but
I've read so much about, Barbeque sauce, Ice Cream and many other things
that I haven't seen any wheat or flour derivitives in.  Can someone please
help me?

Sorry this was so long.  I'd like your input about my diagnosis and how to
survive this diet.  Please help me understand what to eat and how to eat
out.  Me and my husband eat out about 3-4 times a week.  Thanks so much!

Tandi