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To the group:
I must say that I was so overwhelmed with the outpouring of support,
encouragement, and help that I was provided as a result of my post. I got
so many nice emails, which believe me, I really needed! I am again so sorry
that it took me so long to send out a summary; also, I am sorry that I did
not reply to everyone, but I simply had too many responses to realistically
get back to!
*Thank you, thank you, thank you -- everyone!*
I have to admit that I have not been feeling very well (still!), and many of
you stated that you had a similar experience or could understand why that is
happening. Many of you said that my friend's idea of eating a lot of
potatoes made good sense.
As to the depression, many of you stated that you felt similarly and that
you were able to get past it after some time had passed. Some of you have
tried prescription medications and have indicated that those have proved to
be helpful. However, others advised against the use of these
anti-depressant medications, as my body would get over this feeling
naturally. I do think that many of you were right that I am feeling sad
because of the diagnosis - however, I think that there are certainly
manifestations related to the adoption of a totally new diet and the absence
of many familiar and comforting foods. While dining out and going to
parties where there will be food served has been problematic, there is also
the aspect that is physical, which many of you agreed with. I think that
this is especially true when you are, as I was, diagnosed with many other
things with the celiac diagnosis. There is only so much a body and a mind
can take at once!
Many of you suggested that I double check that I was not getting any hidden
sources of gluten in my diet - well heeded advice, as it is so difficult to
ensure that you are not getting any gluten, especially when you are so
unfamiliar to reading labels.
Many of you also noted that it could be a "gluten withdrawal," which can be
as physically and mentally painful as other forms of withdrawal. I thought
that this was a valuable point, and one to share with the naysayers!
Overall, the general response to the psychological aspects was that this is
a normal response, and although some people recovered much more quickly,
many had similar responses as mine to the new diet/diagnosis. I guess
everyone responds a little bit differently!
As to specific foods and preparations I got many responses. Among them:
"Find a store with Kinnikinnick GF products - they are far and above the
best"
- Many people said this about this product (which of course I have no
financial or other interest in). I recently tried one of their frozen
donuts (which I know sounds really bad), but it was really quite good -
which was surprising for me, because I LOVE wheat flour donuts.
- Many people suggested letting myself "grieve the loss of wheat" and then
move on with my life
- Many people also suggested that this may seem very untenable now, but that
I will feel much better in a couple of months! (Here's to the future!)
Some of the tips that I found helpful (that hopefully others will use for
themselves, too):
"For me, the best thing was to cut out all processed foods for about 2
months. This gave my body a chance to detox and start healing itself. I
found as my intestines healed, the cravings decreased. Then I slowly added
gluten-free breads, etc back into my diet. Also, I found that through the
really beginning difficult period if I had a cup of yogurt with each meal it
seemed to take the edge of the craving (although I'm not really sure why)."
"May have systemic candidiasis"
again on this issue: "I just wish that the medical community would
recognize yeast as being a major health problem in a lot of people. I have a
number of Dr. William Crook's books on the yeast connection which I refer to
for good information."
To help with this diagnosis: Use Kefir i- it s cheap, easy to make at
home,requires no special equipment or
such. It's made a MAJOR impact in my well being.
Another tip:
"you have leaky gut syndrome..as we all did. To feel better quickly and to
heal it within 4 months, as opposed to 4 years on just a gf diet...take WITH
EACH MEAL ONE PROBIOTICS COMPLEX AND ONE L-GLUTAMINE. The glutamine acts
like a catalyst and gets oxygen to the brain while the probiotics heals the
gut. In the meantime, NO COW'S MILK PRODUCTS because you are lactose
intolerant whether you know it or not. So that means no cheese, milk, ice
cream, margarine, butter yogurt etc. Goat's milk is ok tho
To handle the gluten attacks, take 2 VERATRUM ALB 30c pellets. They stop it
cold. You can get them in health food stores for $5. My md recommended
this."
However, another stated:
"Many will recommend that you start taking probiotics, for me that made my
diarrhea and cramping worse. Make sure you are eating a broad spectrum of
foods, around the gf limitations. Identify the foods that make you feel
"better", and include them in your diet frequently."
As for cooking:
"Xanthan gum, however, is normal. You virtually can't leaven without it."
Final note:
Many people recommended checking on B12 levels, which I did, and were
seriously lacking. So that is good advice for everyone...
Sorry that this was probably a repeat for many of you who already have the
diagnosis - but if anyone who is also a "newbie" would like further
information I can send you more of the emails that I got. Please just email
me.
Thanks to everyone who was so kind. It means so much to me to have this
type of support when I need it from so many people!
Thank you!
Wheatly
--
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