I have always found this community to be very supportive and most people willing to bring knowledge to each other...I find this to be amazing. I am going in to see the doctor in the morning. I have been feeling sick for awhile and blamed my symptoms on a million things...including the fact that I am not a kid anymore. I may be suffering from Celiac Disease and a non functioning thyroid. I am feeling pretty nervous, because if I do have Celiac disease it will mean a complete lifestyle change. I know that I need to lose weight and eat a bit healthier but at the moment, all I can see is the thought of losing all the foods I love and feeling deprived and alone. Celiac disease is the inability to process gluten...which is in many foods as a stablizer or thickening agent, besides being a part of all grains, breads, cereals, baked goods, etc. It is even in pills and medications to bind pills into pill form! I even found it in salad dressing!!! I can not just cut down on these foods...it will mean eliminating them forever and even taking vitamins to replace the minerals I would get from grain products. I know I will probably feel better if this is what is wrong and I correct it...but I feel overwhelmed right now. My diet will need to be heavy on unprocessed fooods...mainly fruits, vegetables, fish or meat if I choose. No cereal, bread, sandwhiches, hamburgers, cake, cookies...you get the idea. I just need to hear that I can do this and it will be for the best. I know many of you subscribe to a vegan or alternative diet that is healthy and non processed...how did you make it a lifestyle and not misss other "stuff"? If my thyroid is not working I will need to take medication...forever. I guess I can accept that. But with the Celiac disease, I either get my diet under control and eliminate gluten or it could kill me. The disease kills the small villi hairs in the small intestine and makes processing nutrients in my food impossible. As it is, I don't know how much the illness has damaged my intestines...it could be severe. Any thoughts would be really appreciated. Even a recipe or favorite foods and combos...something I can try and not feel so seperate when I go out or eat with others. Thanks everybody, knew I could count on you
updated by @panterra-caraway: 02/14/15 03:24:36AM