Okay, Let's Get Sarted

So for one reason or another you've decided (or been forced) to try and live the GF lifestyle.  I know, at first it seems like such an impossible thing, but it's not.  First thing's first, you need to sit down with yourself and tell yourself that you can do this, and it is possible and then don't worry another day about it.  Always moving forward.  No one is going to take control of what you eat except you.  Now that that is done lets bypass talking about the things we can't eat and start talking about what we CAN eat (I love to eat).  Fruit, Veggies, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, rice, candy (most kinds, you only have to give up a few), rice pasta, cheese, eggs, and that is just a short list.  I find that most of things that I used to cook I can find some way to substitute GF foods that make it possible for me to eat.  That's the whole point of this blog to give you tips on what I have learned about finding something to eat.  Before you know it you will be eating healthier and most importantly will be feeling better.  You need to learn to start listening to you body when it comes to what is making you sick (for those of you who have they symptoms, I know some people do not).  I know there has been times when I was pretty sure that something was GF and after eating it a few times I noticed I had reactions afterwards.  Come to find out after a little more research what I thought was GF was actually not.  A great place to start when trying to figure out if this is indeed what  is going on is http://www.celiac.com/.  This is, in fact, the exact website that I went to over seven years ago looking for answers for myself.  There is so much information on this site that can be helpful for a newbie.  Like I mentioned before, neither I nor this website is a Dr so you should always talk to a Dr about what is going on.  If you feel like this Dr is not understanding you or has no knowledge of Celiac Disease get a second or third opinion.  I can't count how many Dr's I've been to that have such little knowledge of this disease.

Welcome! My Story

I don't know how to say this . . . but I've got a disease. Yep, it sucks, but I do. It wasn't anything I "caught" or anything, I guess you can say it was something that I was genetically predisposed to have. It's called Celiac Disease, and no I'm not contagious. Seven (or so) years ago I was pregnant with my first baby girl Emma and I was totally normal (well at least I ate normally). After I had her via c-section I began to get sick. I would get horrible stomach cramps, indigestion and what felt like chest pains and didn't know what was going on. After numerous trips to the ER some Dr decided that it was my gallbladder and said I should have it removed. Yay, my prayers were answered, I was finally going to feel better . . . or not. It didn't help at all, and so then I was recovering from my second surgery in two months and was still sick. I started noticing that I got really sick when I ate bread so I decided to Google "wheat allergy" and see what it told me. It was then I found my answer, I had Celiac Disease. Reading the list of symptoms it was like a list of everything I had been going through. The short explanation of Celiac Disease is that you can't eat anything with Wheat, Rye and Barley. So I printed up the paper and took it to my Dr and said "this is it, test me for it". My blood test was off the charts. I finally figured it out, but it was only the beginning. The Dr I saw at the time was certain that it was it and I needed to go see a GI about it, so I did. Meanwhile my Dr moved. He ran numerous tests and wouldn't make a diagnosis. It was like he was trying to convince me that it wasn't this disease and I was trying to prove it was. I had a genetic test done to see if I had the "gene" for Celiac and that was positive but he told me that that just means I have the gene it doesn't mean it's active. I had an endoscopy with a biopsy done and to this Dr that was the only was it could be proved as Celiac but it came negative. What??? Negative?? I hear that your biopsy can be negative if you haven't been eating gluten a lot recently, which I hadn't been doing, this is my only thought to why this test came up negative.  The last time I spoke with this Dr he called to give me the results to the biopsy and said "The test is negative but if it makes you feel better to eat a gluten free diet (the diet for someone with Celiac disease) then you should" Which might make some person feel better but all I heard is "you are crazy and it's in your head so if it makes you feel better, than do it, you lunatic" Since that day I've been slowly adapting to the gluten free lifestyle, but it's taken many years. Trying to find food without wheat has been a challenge. Just think that means no cookies, cakes, pizza, pie, noodles, or bread. And that is just the short short list. Basically I eat meat, fruit and vegetables. It's a healthy diet but try finding something that's fast food that I can eat.  Some salads I can't eat the dressings and if they batter my chicken, that's a no-no. I haven't been back to see a Dr about the Celac since that GI many years ago but I know I have this disease so I don't need to prove it to anyone. If I have a meal with the slightest amount of gluten (wheat) my leg instantly brakes out into a rash. I'll know within hours of eating it and a day or two later when I'm spending way too much time in the bathroom sick. Another big clue was the fact that I was diagnosed with osteopenia at the age of 24.  It was hard for me to understand why I had the bones of an old woman at such a young age. Anyway, this isn't a plea for anyone's sympathy. When I realized I had this disease I sat down and told myself that I wasn't going to let it get to me. Celiac Disease doesn't define me!! Yes, when my brother tells me that if he couldn't eat pizza he'd kill himself, I want to hit him (don't worry, I don't take it personal, it's just my brother) but I know things could be a lot worse. My husband and children don't seem to mind that the only wheat in the house is a loaf of bread and some tortillas. My extended family has also learned how to feed me without going crazy. I tell my story because I hate to see anyone else go through it. If you are having stomach problems that you can't figure out and every Dr thinks you are crazy, then maybe you have Celiac too. http://www.celiac.com/