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>I was 26 at the time of original celiac diagnosis and was near death,
>hospitalized for weeks with malnutrition and dehydration. Once I was taken
>off gluten, I had an immediate and drastic improvement. I also gained a lot
>of weight, much of which I had lost during the preceding six months.
OK. You have our attention. I have been ALMOST there, and it's
horrible. I'm really sorry to hear anyone had to go through all that.
In my own case, I was diagnosed with celiac at age 7 and my mother chose
not to treat it or tell anyone. That really wracks up the body.
>... I
>quickly gained back most of the weight I had been so delighted to lose,
>making me realize I had probably lost the weight due to malnutrition.
>
>Granted, my gastro-intestinal track is healthier and I am no longer so
>fatigued, but I am having a terrible time dealing with the
>psychological/aesthetic/emotional sides of this disease. I am hoping that I
>will soon become accustomed to very low-carb meals and not eat so damned
>much to compensate. My treat-food cravings have redoubled in the last weeks
>as I have removed other satisfying foods, primarily carbohydrates, from my
>diet. It is indeed astonishing how much fish and vegetable I can eat
>without adversely effecting my blood sugars. Of course, in the long run,
>added weight increases my insulin need, leading to additional weight, and
>so on and so on.
Again, I have been/am right where you are. In fact, when I went
gluten-free, my weight went up so much that I went from hypoglycemic to
diabetic.
From where I stand, there seem to be three aspects to this self-stuffing
behavior:
1. We keep eating starches, looking for the analgesic effect we expect
from our formerly glutenous snacks
2. The body is literally dying for nourishment, and it seizes on the
high-calorie snacks as a possible way of savings itself
3. There is a "natural" blood glucose level for each person, and going
under it will cause hungry feelings (I have located mine at 84)
In addition, I find I like to eat when I am too tired to do anything
else, because I'm bored (can't concentrate any longer) and it's too
early to go to bed. I am still trying to overcome this problem, but
carbohydrates are NOT a good solution to it, I have found. When I was
still really sick I could take a nap and get through the evening all
right. But I no longer need or can use that much sleep. Just get worn
out.
Also, I find that exercising again late in the date knocks me out,
preventing me from being able to prepare my evening snacks. I just sit
in front of the TV like a zombie til bedtime. Not the ideal solution,
but I sure am getting stronger in the mornings.
Patty <[log in to unmask]>
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