Gluten-Free Diet: a Cure for Some, a Fad for Most

I am a 21 year old soon to be college graduate who found out by a blood test that i have Celiac Disease when I was only 18. It is a hereditary disease and if the knowledge of the affect of this disease was not researched on and adapted, I could still be extremely sick like i was before. My symptoms: vomiting every other day to every day, constant diarrhea for 6 months, skin rashed, loss of hair, loss of weight, fatigue, bruises that would last for months, constant pain in side(small intestine), bloating, tooth decay. Today, two years and eight months later every one of those symptoms have subsided.

Jesse of MA 6:21PM March 23, 2009

I was diagnosed back in Sweden (about 20 years ago), where Celiac Disease is much more well known by doctors. However when I moved to the US, I started cheating and eventually ended up with life threatening anemia. I went in for a gastro endoscopy and colonoscopy, and the Doctor said "there was no sign of celiac sprue". Well in spite of that I decided to be very strict with my diet and got better, a dramatic change. Now I still can't take up enough B12 and D and need liquid supplements, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that in my experience with all the doctors that year (about 2 years ago) is that the knowledge they have about Celiac Disease is very incomplete.

Inger MacRae of AK 3:48PM March 05, 2009

My tests results for Celiac were negative, but I'm still convinced I have the disease because as soon as I cheat on my gluten-free diet, even a little bit, I immediately experience symptoms. In my case, I have lost five pounds which is not good because I was already too thin, possibly due to an overactive thyroid.

I'm glad more gluten-free products are becoming available, and if being faddish results in more options for those of us who need the products I'm not sure why that should be seen as a problem. I really missed having pancakes until I found Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix;it is an absolutely wonderful product. Unfortunately for me, I am also diabetic and need to carefully control my sugar so I try to limit my indulgence to once or twice a week.

One problem I have buying the products is that they are so expensive. The gluten-free breads I have found available cost between five and six dollars a loaf. I am also lactose intolerant, and lactose-free milk costs about $4.50 a half gallon, well above the price of a gallon of regular milk. I live on a fixed income, and for me, it's a hardship to pay such prices for my dietary needs.

My hope is that as more people realize they have these food-related problems not only will more products be available but that the prices will level off and be somewhat more affordable. But perhaps the increased demand will result in the prices going up. I don't know.

wtrvet46 of OH 1:40AM January 27, 2009

I just recently was dignosed with Celiac disease. I have been battling with medical stuff for the past 5-6 months and now it is all making sense. I recently found out as well that my thyroid stopped working ... my iron levels were extremly low!!! It all ties with Celiac. The disease attacks your immune system over time with left untreated. So in my situation I gained weight due to my thyroid. It is a tricky disease to dignose. I had my 2 children checked for it as well with it being a geneic disease. I am excited that I get to meet with a dietican so I can get some guidence. It is overwhleming to know what can and can't I eat !!!! My Dr shared with me yesterday that this is starting to get more common. I think it just boils down to everyone has it .. but to what degree and for some their bodies just can't take the wheat. Like a Diabetic can't do sugar!!! We can't do wheat ... which is in EVERYTHING !!!! LOL For all these years I thought I was being healthy !!!! When all I was doing was putting "posion" in my system !!!!!

Rose of MO 1:44PM January 09, 2009