FINALLY, a diagnosis: celiac disease

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Is there a Whole Foods store or some kind of food co-op nearby? They sell a lot of foods that won't aggravate her symptoms. (And it all looks like everyday food. No seaweed and foofoo berries, as my dh would say. )

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Hmm good idea! I will let her know to look for one (I don't live in the same city). thanks! :)

dazedandconfused · Mar 16, 2006

Nursing Spectrum magazine had an article with CEU in an issue not to long ago. You could see if you can find a copy of it. :idea:

I also work with a nurse that has sprue. She does all her shopping at Whole foods for the gluten free items. She sticks to her diet and has no issues.

HTH

mom23RN · Mar 17, 2006

My neighbor has Celiac's disease and she has given me a lot of resources adn we've talked in great length about it. A lot of restaurants, food companies, etc. have websites and lists of their foods that are gluten free.

The really hard thing about gluten is that it's in things you would never imagine it's in. Toothpaste? Makeup? Shampoo? When she goes out to a restaurant she has to make sure that if she gets broiled chicken it wasn't marinated in a broth (which most contain gluten). :idea:

It's really hard, but I have to tell you she says she hasn't felt this good in over 20 years!!!

prinsessa · Mar 17, 2006

I have been doing research on Celiac since I have been having lots of stomach problems for over 6 months now. My blood test came back negative, but I am still doing the gluten free diet since the test isn't 100%. I have felt better after going gluten free, but it has only been a couple of weeks so we will see what happens.

If your mom has Celiac, you and your other family members should be tested. You can have it without even having symptoms. I agree about going to Whole Foods. I bought some gluten-free stuff there and it wasn't too bad. It doesn't taste the same as the normal stuff, but she will get used to it. Tell her to beware of all labels. Gluten is in soooo many things. Even if the label doesn't say wheat or gluten it can still have it. I think the laws are changing in the US where food companies have to put major allergins on the labels, but many products have the old labels still. There are many restaurants that have gluten free menus....just call ahead to make sure. I'm glad your mom finally found out what was wrong with her. Some people never find out and end up suffering their whole lives.