[googley]

I hate celiac disease. I hate that I don't know what it is I ate that made me sick. I hate that I can't just go to the grocery store and afford to buy the food I need because I can't eat most regular foods. I expected to make it through grad school on spaghetti and top ramen but can't eat those any more. I miss all the foods I can't eat anymore. Aren't my mental health problems enough of a problem? I just want my food back. I want to be able to go out to eat with my friends without just drinking water because I don't trust the food to not make me sick. I never get to take advantage of free food that is provided because I can't know it is safe. And usually it isn't something I could even think of eating. All this just gets worse when I get glutened. Though not as bad this time as some of the others. But enough to make me angry. And crave all those foods I can't eat because they make me sick. Good thing I don't have to go grocery shopping today.

[Fresia]

I understand your frustration. I don't have celiac's but have food allergies; they are for things that I love but definitely cannot have. My niece (10) and several friends have celiac's and the foods are so much more expensive; it takes it's toll on the grocery budgets. However, we noticed how much better physically my niece felt after changing her diet. However, I feel so bad for her too as she craves the other foods and ones other kids and families are eating and she cannot. I wish there was a way around this and being "special", as her parents tell her, only goes so far. It is a frustrating disease but I hope there have been benefits to your health as there have been for her. I wish I knew a way to deal with the emotional toll it takes. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be much appreciated.

[googley]

Have you checked out www.celiac.com ? There is a forum area where people can get support and information about celiac disease. I have found it very helpful. There is even a forum for parent's of children with celiac. If you haven't checked it out I would suggest it. I have learned so much from being there.

I have had physical improvements since getting diagnosed, but every time I get glutened it is really frustrating. The symptoms come back along with depression, anxiety, and cravings for gluten filled food. On top of my currently depressed self it makes it challenging.

Thanks for the support.

[Fresia]

It is challenging and I know she gets depressed too over it. I will look into the website and get it to them; they may already know, not sure. Thanks so much and I wish you the best in the meantime. If I learn anything elsewhere to help, will let you know.

[pegasus]

((((((( googley )))))))))

Don't know where you are in the world but here in the UK you can get free food specifically for celiacs from your Doctor. Also there is a celiac food book that you can get free that tells you all the foods you can eat right down to the brand of each food. Certain supermarkets cater for celiacs and they are doing this more and more now. Gluten free sausages, gluten free biscuits and gluten free bread etc. The gluten free bread used to be pretty awful but it has improved a lot over the last ten years. Once you eliminate all the gluten you will feel so much better.

[googley]

Originally Posted by pegasus

((((((( googley )))))))))

Don't know where you are in the world but here in the UK you can get free food specifically for celiacs from your Doctor. Also there is a celiac food book that you can get free that tells you all the foods you can eat right down to the brand of each food. Certain supermarkets cater for celiacs and they are doing this more and more now. Gluten free sausages, gluten free biscuits and gluten free bread etc. The gluten free bread used to be pretty awful but it has improved a lot over the last ten years. Once you eliminate all the gluten you will feel so much better.

Pegasus, thanks for your advice-
I'm in the US. We don't have as much awareness of celiac disease here as I've heard there is in the UK and Europe. There is one area store that has a pretty good selection-but the food itself is more expensive. I do have one of the books that tells all the edible foods and it helps a lot, especially when I was first getting started. I think it is one of the things that made me not go crazy when I was first trying to eliminate gluten.

I have eliminated it from my all my usual foods, but I still find myself occasionally getting glutened when I'm eating out. I have decided to give up soda dispensers because I think they caused my last two glutenings.