How long does it take to adapt?

[Lisa78]

I've been finding it really hard to adapt & have little support

[Hidden]

Hi Lisa, I take it that you have recently been diagnosed. At first it is a shock and all we see is what we cannot eat and going onto a gf diet seems daunting to all of us at first. And unfair so however well any of us deal with being a coeliac we all wish we could eat anything without fear of being made ill. So I am sorry that you feel like you do and feeling isolated is natural and all coeliac feel that at times.

As for feeling that there is no support saddens me as support is multi faceted, eg: friends and family as well as food manufacturers who make gf foods and there are many naturally gf foods out there. There is also gf food available on prescription. So its really easy to find gf foods and the more effort we the coeliac are prepared to put into preparing foods the greater the rewards.

You are lucky that you've been diagnosed and know whats wrong with you because the longer we wait for diagnosis the more harm that gluten does to our bodies. So at least you now KNOW that you have to avoid gluten. And I would try and focus on what you can eat and if you want to be more specific about how you would like support then please say as you are amongst coeliac on here and many of us have other issues as well as being a coeliac and you could find it reassuring that others have been through what you are going through so you are not alone on here. Only a coeliac knows what its like to be a coeliac and you have joined GFG and there's a whole bunch of ''us'' on here so well done for joining us and you ask away.

Lastly, you want support, well you've got it.

Jerry

[Lisa78 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much your answer to my question,sorry about the delay but not been well.I too have other health issues including Lupus sle which has been bad this year.Just find it hard but am sure i will get there.Thank u

[laila]

I also have little support with my husband saying "one time won't hurt" and family who think it is a food preference....like being vegetarian. It helped a little when I gave my husband and information booklet to read but even then he thought it was overdramatised and put out of proportion !!!! I was diagnosed 6 months ago and still struggle daily. I am also looking for support so lets see if we can support each other?

[Hidden in reply to laila]

Hi Laila, in my opinion you have to be assertive here and make your husband realise that his attitude is insensitive and unhelpful.

And you could just ask him if he wants to make you ill as gluten is toxic to your system and you can not help it and try not to get angry just express you needs calmly and point out his insensitivity is undermining your needs and thats not what marriage is about its for better or worse, well thats the marriage vow.

He probably feels threatened by your dietary resctrictions and would like to keep the status quo but its not a faddy diet its a need so maybe you should try making/buying a meal like a cottage pie that is easy tasty and gf and let him see that there is an alterantive.

[Jacks in reply to laila]

Hi Laila,

This makes my blood boil. I was a long time being diagnosed with CD by which time it had done other damage to my body. There is no such thing as 'one time not hurting'. Basically gluten is GLUE to your intestines and your body will go on the attack. The info your hubby read is not out of proportion. I took my OH with me to see the consultant and it had the opposite effect - saw me as dying!

If I was you I wouldn't discuss CD then you don't allow anyone to monopolise you. We've probably all experienced people saying "can you have potatoes/bananas/eggs?" Take control of your own eating. Cook food from scratch and avoid processed food. Use fresh vegetables/salad, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, whatever you like. Go on the internet for gluten free recipies to ordinary things. Make things that never included gluten.

Don't let others indulge in emotional blackmain with your health or any other issues. Good liuck.

[Jacks]

To Lisa

Re support - Email all the major GF companies (Glutafin, Juvela, Livwell) they'll send you a pack with information about diet, samples and more. If you join coeliac UK you can speak to a someone over the phone (joining is free for 6 months).

It does feel like a lonely journey but there is help and support out there and lovely helpful people on the forums who have already made the journey.

[tug_6]

I was diagnosed over 30 years ago, I had spent 20 years with a Stomach ache. When they eventualy found out i was coeliac. Now i have to even have my own butter dish because i am so sensative to even a few crumbs of bread. The Third day of being on a GF diet i started to feel better, Stick with the diet, breaking it is just not worth the problems it can cause.

[Adriana]

I am sorry to hear you feel so unsupported. I do understand that having this condition can make you feel lonely and no one wants to be the odd one out. Eating out is tricky and can make you feel very isolated. My advice is to start learning how to cook from scratch and start enjoying all the things that you can eat. Make food for the whole family and select dishes where the lack of gluten will not make much of a difference. Look at this as a really good opportunity to start eating healthier food and also as a way of teaching others about how you can make great tasting gluten free food. I know that for many, cooking is just not something that comes naturally- but I think that through practice and gaining some confidence and experience in the kitchen, people will much prefer a home cooked meal then one that comes out of a box. You do have to make more of an effort, but believe me, it is so worth it.

[JacquiCulver]

Hi Lisa

It is hard for others to understand as most people think it is an allergy and a little won't matter which of course we know does -once your family taste the crunchiness of corn crumbs over bread ones they wont want to go back! The variety of discoveries you make about delicious alternatives is amazing and because you feel well you enjoy food so much more - I eat better now than I have ever done and gradually friends and family have become more mindful

[JaneHelen]

I was diagnosed 9 years ago and I think it took me at least a year to adapt mentally. I found, and still find, eating out is the hardest thing as I feel as though I'm making a fuss. However, it's amazing how much support you get just by being honest.

My family have become really helpful to me - we have separate breadboards, butter and toasters. Everyone has been trained to use teaspoons in jam etc and they are really thoughtful when preparing food. It will take time for your family to adapt as well. I think that once they understand it's a DISEASE not a FAD it gets better. Good luck!

[Lisa78 in reply to JaneHelen]

Thank for the advice as i dont feel so alone now and that brings comfort.Its just been so hard as when i was diagnoised i had just suffered a bearvement then my marriage ended and its just been so hard 2 concentrate.I agree that making stuff from scratch is best,i also have seperate butter etc....

[JaneHelen in reply to Lisa78]

That's really difficult for you, but you'll make it. I've been amazed how my friends and family have made an effort over the years to 'get it right.' Hold on in there!

[swarthy]

I am sorry you didn't get the support from yoru OH - I was very lucky with mine - he was just fantastic from day 1 - but I have to confess for the first 8 months or so, I sometimes genuinely wondered how I could carry on - then my father was found to be terminally ill, and something inside me slowly changed and I started to come to grips with things.

I don't know if you are in the UK, but if you are, M&S and Tesco are your friends.

M&S now show symbols on their foods which are Gluten Free - a lot of their sausages and burgers are GF, they do GF chicken and cod in GF Breadcrumbs - the same price as their non GF options.

A lot of their ready meals, whilst not having the GF symbol are free of wheat and gluten - and they have a 43 page document listing every single GF Item they have in store - which include some very nice 'treat' foods - which yes, are a little more expensive, but worth it for a treat.

Tesco has a super range of "Free From" products including Pastas and Breads - and Asda will make you GF Pizzas if you take the instore DS Pizza basis to their counter - they give you 6 toppings for the price of 4 - I find the toppings are thicker than the pizza base and wonderful for a an occasional treat,

Even eating out is getting easier, Wetherspoons and Salt Bars clearly identify GF items on their menus, and can make many of their non GF meals GF with simple changes.

Also, good news if you like curry, many are made with Gram Flour which is GF - so providing you avoid the breads etc, then you can still have a treat and my local chinese will make foods without flour.

So there is hope - yes, I've been caught out a few times, and obviously pay the price for that - but that is happening less and less now - it's been two years now and finally I am finding that life is manageable again.

[ladyshelly]

stick @ it & your strength will return..i found the best thing was to research research research & inform myself to the point i became an expert on coeliac disease & me....as i did this i also reclaimed my body from this thing that had been poisoning me since i was born...empowerment works for me....goodluck

[suecee]

I was diagnosed with cancer 8 years ago (clear now), thought that the treatment caused ibs, but looking back always had problems like my mum!!! I have been on gluten free (self dianosed) for 8 weeks and feel so much better. Its a challenge trying to work out what works and what doesn't, i wake

up in the morning and think what today. Today i have just ditched the dairy because i think that will work!!!

After 8years of the runs daily and really bad hoemorroids??? I feel absolutely marvellous, every day is a challenge, bring it on.