Celiac Spru?

[kberry]

Recently I went to my doctor because I have been having so much stomach trouble.
Acid reflux, heart burn, stomach cramping, constipation, diarrhea, so tired all the time and more.

The Doc asked me if I am Irish. Yes, Irish, German, Swedish.
On the 10th I will have a scope done down my throat and into my stomach for a look around and then the doctor will take biopsies of my small intestine.
He thinks I have "Celiac Spru" disease.
That's when you can't have gluten.
Is it really as bad as it sounds?
Does any one else have this?

[So Cal Gal]

Hi kberry! There are at least a couple of people on this site who have Celiac Spru, but I don't know if they're still active. You might want to talk to Galley_Wench though; her granddaughter has it, and GW will probably be happy to help you find recipes (etc.) if you find that you need them (and if you type "gluten free" into the search at the top of this page, dozens of g/f recipes come up). There lots of good gluten-free products too, as well as some very helpful websites, so eliminating gluten isn't as hard as it used to be.

Best of luck--I hope you feel better soon!

[kberry]

Thank you Gal
I just tried some gf bread last night, a brand called "Udie's".
It seemed rather dry.
I will keep trying to find a better brand.
Hope they all aren't like that.
As for taste really wasn't much different than regular bread.
Thanks for the tips, I'll be looming those up!

[Bergy]

I wish i could help you but I know nothing about Celiac. I hope that there are active members that can assist you. I do know a couple of people on GF diets and are feeling wonderfu, plus they have lost weight I sure don't know if you need weight loss so don't take it personally.

[kberry]

Yep Bergy...I need to lose weight. About 35 pounds as a matter of fact.
I have been on the web reading a lot of things and getting a lot of information and it's helping.
Thank you Bergy!

[Crocus]

My neice's husband was just diagnosed. They have a good attitude about it and are learning lots fast. They have found that many of the gluten-free products they need are to be found much cheaper in the Asian section of the grocery stores rather than in the "health food" type stores. This would be rice products for one thing; I don't know what else. They are thinking about buying a grain mill to make flours of the things he can eat - rice, corn, buckwheat, and apparently some can tolerate oats.

I was surprised to learn that his gluten-free food must not even come in contact with anything exposed to gluten; ie., his bread must be toasted in a different toaster. I think my neice is pretty much learning to follow the same diet for the sake of simplicity and, of course, support.