Who has this disorder?

Question

celiac, i have it, who else does? how do you deal with it?

Answer 1

I don't have it but here's a page that gives info, it might be useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_dis...

Answer 2

I have it.

I was diagnosed 27 years ago when I was 14, so I've grown up having to deal with a gluten-free diet and hardly know any different. My 6 year old son has also been diagnosed with it - it's a whole different thing trying to help him manage it, but he's doing really well.

I cook most of my meals from scratch, relying mostly on rice, quinoa, potatoes and gluten-free pasta for complex carbs. All fresh fruit and veg are fine, as is unprocessed meat. And the flour blends available these days make most baking perfectly possible.

Are you newly diagnosed? It does take a while to get used to eating differently, but after a while you will find that you can have a varied and delicious diet.

As for how I deal with it from day-to-day. For breakfasts I usually have gluten-free toast (Ener-G Brown Rice bread, available on prescription in the UK - it's fortified with vitamins and minerals, and although it's pretty awful 'raw', I really like it toasted, so does my son). For lunch I often have left-overs from the night before. Or I'll make sandwiches using bread I make myself from a mix produced by Roley's (they do a teff blend and a brown bread mix - both are really good). And dinners could pretty much be anything. I really don't feel deprived. The only time it bugs me is either when I'm feeling shattered and want to be able to phone for a pizza to be delivered, or if I'm planning to go out for a meal with a group of friends or colleagues. Even then, restaurant staff are so much more aware of the issue than they used to be that even that isn't particularly difficult.

Answer 3

I am also a celiac, and please believe me this is not the end of the world, and you are not alone! 1 out of every 130 people have celiac, many are undiagnosed.

In the beginning it was very confusing. Now that I have the hang of it, it is really no big deal. However, going out into the big, gluteny world and eating can be a challenge.  You just never know who is going to take your intolerance seriously or understand it like they should. What chef you can really trust and all that.

Friends and family can either be very supportive or understanding, or a total nightmare.  People who can not or will not try to understand need to be removed from your "dining with" list, your real friends will do what ever it takes to keep you well. You also get used to bringing your own food to things like group picnics or suppers, and sometimes you will want to make a card that says, " I am a celiac. I can not eat gluten. Gluten is ..etc.. Please do not ask me to sample your dish or get offended when I decline to try something. I can not have, "just a taste" either. Please understand that I must do what I have to stay healthy." But don't worry, you will come up with your own mini-speech in time, lol!

The first thing you need to do is clear out all gluten in your kitchen (if you have your own) or at the least make yourself a gf cabinet just for your stuff so you won't get cross contaminated. My whole family went gluten free because it is just easier, and the non celiacs go out to eat once a week to indulge. They all lost weight and look a lot better too, lol!

Here is a really good link, the unsafe food list is excellent, the forum is a total lifeline! Everyone on there is super nice, polite, and supportive!

http://www.celiac.com/

You will need to gf shopping guide, so order that ASAP!  

Also, since this is a genetically inherited disease, has every one of your first degree family members been checked (symptomatic or not)?

Congrats on your diagnosis, and happy healing! Hope you are feeling better very soon!