Diabetic with wheat allergy

[Allywales]

Today might be the day I have to give up work which has upset me as much as having multiple health problems. I woke this morning shaking, have not eaten for two days due to having limited choice of foods as well as being exhausted after working 12 hour shifts back to back. I've hit the wall at last, and I have to admit I'm struggling. I cannot get a diagnosis of celiac disease as I stopped eating wheat 3 years ago ( had 4 stomach biopsies as the surgeon was adamant that if I was as severe as I said, he would find it.....so not true!). I also have GERD which is absolutely debilitating on times. Mandy, if your reading this you sound exactly like me with weight loss. I'm lucky if I eat one a day due to choices of available food, also difficult to eat in work due to constant pressure. So it looks like I will have to phone work later and tell them that I have to go on the sick.... that's a conversation I'm not looking forward to.

 

[AndBreathe]

Today might be the day I have to give up work which has upset me as much as having multiple health problems. I woke this morning shaking, have not eaten for two days due to having limited choice of foods as well as being exhausted after working 12 hour shifts back to back. I've hit the wall at last, and I have to admit I'm struggling. I cannot get a diagnosis of celiac disease as I stopped eating wheat 3 years ago ( had 4 stomach biopsies as the surgeon was adamant that if I was as severe as I said, he would find it.....so not true!). I also have GERD which is absolutely debilitating on times. Mandy, if your reading this you sound exactly like me with weight loss. I'm lucky if I eat one a day due to choices of available food, also difficult to eat in work due to constant pressure. So it looks like I will have to phone work later and tell them that I have to go on the sick.... that's a conversation I'm not looking forward to.

Ally, could you tell me which foods you are avoiding? I'm not challenging that life is tough for you at the moment, but I also live with T2 and live a totally gluten-free life. I don't have GERD, but I find I am able OK for finding food. It took me a while to find a way forward but I got there.

If I could help in any way, I will.

 

[Allywales]

Ally, could you tell me which foods you are avoiding? I'm not challenging that life is tough for you at the moment, but I also live with T2 and live a totally gluten-free life. I don't have GERD, but I find I am able OK for finding food. It took me a while to find a way forward but I got there.

If I could help in any way, I will.

Hi, it's easier to say what I currently eat if I'm honest, which isn't much. I try to have gluten free porridge at 5am then if I'm lucky, I eat tinned tuna or a gluten free cauliflower patti type thing.... and that's it. I've recently purchased complan as food makes me anxious? I avoid all members of the nightshade family along with avoiding wheat barely maize ect. Today I woke and I was shaking and confused. I'm tired all the time and muscle spasms are getting worse.

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi, it's easier to say what I currently eat if I'm honest, which isn't much. I try to have gluten free porridge at 5am then if I'm lucky, I eat tinned tuna or a gluten free cauliflower patti type thing.... and that's it. I've recently purchased complan as food makes me anxious? I avoid all members of the nightshade family along with avoiding wheat barely maize ect. Today I woke and I was shaking and confused. I'm tired all the time and muscle spasms are getting worse.

by personal choice, I don’t buy anything gluten free, unless it is naturally gluten free, but that is entirely my choice, it I feel it cuts down on potential errors.

Do you like meat, dairy or cheese? There would be plenty of vegetables not in the nightshade family, such as cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, most salad veg. There are even dessert options in berries, cream, full fat yoghurts. High cocoa solids chocolate (around 75% and over) tends to be liked by most, so that makes great quality hot chocolate.

have you considered trying a diet based around protein and fats? They tend to be nutritionally dense, so pack in the goodness.

Are you a healthy weight?

many of your symptoms could be caused by deficiencies, which can happen in a narrowly based diet.

Apologies for the dire typing. My iPad has a mind of its own!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear how difficult you are finding things with food @Allywales

It sounds like this has been building up for some time, and gradually backing you into a corner.

Are you trying to follow a plant-based diet? How does your system cope with fats?

I LOVE cauliflower, and there are so many things you can do with it as an ingredient!

It sounds like there might be a psychological / anxiety element at play too, which must make things even more difficult for you. Do you have any strategies to help you with that side of things (eg mindfulness or meditation)?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Today might be the day I have to give up work which has upset me as much as having multiple health problems. I woke this morning shaking, have not eaten for two days due to having limited choice of foods as well as being exhausted after working 12 hour shifts back to back. I've hit the wall at last, and I have to admit I'm struggling. I cannot get a diagnosis of celiac disease as I stopped eating wheat 3 years ago ( had 4 stomach biopsies as the surgeon was adamant that if I was as severe as I said, he would find it.....so not true!). I also have GERD which is absolutely debilitating on times. Mandy, if your reading this you sound exactly like me with weight loss. I'm lucky if I eat one a day due to choices of available food, also difficult to eat in work due to constant pressure. So it looks like I will have to phone work later and tell them that I have to go on the sick.... that's a conversation I'm not looking forward to.

There is plenty of gluten free foods available. Fruit, veg, meat, fish and also plenty of choice on the free from shelves in supermarkets. In fact spoil for choice.
Have to checked to see if you are lactose intolerant and also get someone to check your pancreas's function as well.

I'm coeliac and have a lactose intolerance, plus need to take Creon so I can absorb food. I find plenty to eat without putting any effort into it at all.

 

[Allywales]

by personal choice, I don’t buy anything gluten free, unless it is naturally gluten free, but that is entirely my choice, it I feel it cuts down on potential errors.

Do you like meat, dairy or cheese? There would be plenty of vegetables not in the nightshade family, such as cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, most salad veg. There are even dessert options in berries, cream, full fat yoghurts. High cocoa solids chocolate (around 75% and over) tends to be liked by most, so that makes great quality hot chocolate.

have you considered trying a diet based around protein and fats? They tend to be nutritionally dense, so pack in the goodness.

Are you a healthy weight?

many of your symptoms could be caused by deficiencies, which can happen in a narrowly based diet.

Apologies for the dire typing. My iPad has a mind of its own!

Hi again, Thank you for the reply, and yes I have lost nearly 3 stone but could shift a few more pounds. I agree my awful intake of food is probably a factor but I believe I've damaged the villi after months of not knowing why I wasn't getting better, on the doctors advice to increase wheat and fibre intake which after 3 months ended up with me bleeding from the rectum. Excuse the frankness but I work in healthcare and bodily functions faze me not. Last Sunday I was 10.7 BM ... today I've tested 6.7..... I've cut outfall sugar, stopped taking pain killers and upped my hydration with water.... I'm hoping I can lower my blood sugar another 0.8 so when I go for my blood test it should be around 5.9

 

[Allywales]

Sorry to hear how difficult you are finding things with food @Allywales

It sounds like this has been building up for some time, and gradually backing you into a corner.

Are you trying to follow a plant-based diet? How does your system cope with fats?

I LOVE cauliflower, and there are so many things you can do with it as an ingredient!

It sounds like there might be a psychological / anxiety element at play too, which must make things even more difficult for you. Do you have any strategies to help you with that side of things (eg mindfulness or meditation)?

Hi everyday..... you are correct. I'm physically and mentally drained and have decided to leave the care sector (work). I love vegetables but recently I'd rather sleep than eat ? But I see that this is totally the wrong thing to do, yes, my body is starving, consuming my muscles and fat, not the sugar in my system so this is building up.... I'm a novice with my terminology atm, but I'm learning lots from this forum and can't thank you all enough for taking the time to reply. Cauliflower is lush....

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi again, Thank you for the reply, and yes I have lost nearly 3 stone but could shift a few more pounds. I agree my awful intake of food is probably a factor but I believe I've damaged the villi after months of not knowing why I wasn't getting better, on the doctors advice to increase wheat and fibre intake which after 3 months ended up with me bleeding from the rectum. Excuse the frankness but I work in healthcare and bodily functions faze me not. Last Sunday I was 10.7 BM ... today I've tested 6.7..... I've cut outfall sugar, stopped taking pain killers and upped my hydration with water.... I'm hoping I can lower my blood sugar another 0.8 so when I go for my blood test it should be around 5.9

That sounds vile! You poor thing.

I’ve even doing the low carb gluten free thing now for a few years and generally find it easy - after a really steep learning curve. The wheat and grains were a cinch as it is often obvious where they are, but the soy and barley and other less common gluten foods and additives were trickier to root out. (I was initially surprised by the likes of soy sauce and cola drinks as examples.)

You‘ll get there. If you need more calories to help any continuing weight loss be healthy; I.e. fat not muscle, then have a bit of cream or cheese. They are both nutritious and calorie dense.

just be aware it takes weeks for all remnants of gluten to leave the system, so it is a bit of a long haul.

If you are looking for food lists the Coeliac Society has some decent ones, but to be honest, I have found it just as easy to pick up my phone and ask DrGoogle “Is x, y or z gluten free?” It slows up shopping for a while, but only a while.

 

[Allywales]

AndBreathe,

That sounds vile! You poor thing.

I’ve even doing the low carb gluten free thing now for a few years and generally find it easy - after a really steep learning curve. The wheat and grains were a cinch as it is often obvious where they are, but the soy and barley and other less common gluten foods and additives were trickier to root out. (I was initially surprised by the likes of soy sauce and cola drinks as examples.)

You‘ll get there. If you need more calories to help any continuing weight loss be healthy; I.e. fat not muscle, then have a bit of cream or cheese. They are both nutritious and calorie dense.

just be aware it takes weeks for all remnants of gluten to leave the system, so it is a bit of a long haul.

If you are looking for food lists the Coeliac Society has some decent ones, but to be honest, I have found it just as easy to pick up my phone and ask DrGoogle “Is x, y or z gluten free?” It slows up shopping for a while, but only a while.

Hi AndBreathe,
The Wheat intolerance has been ongoing for 3 years now. I cut Wheat and all related food stuff out when I worked out what was causing me to be so ill. That has backfired on me as I cannot now get a celiac diagnosis, I can only call myself non celiac wheat intolerant, but hey ho, no point dwelling on that part as there is no way I'd eat anything with gluten in again, never known pain like it, just to get a diagnosis. I've had medication problems as well. Had to argue my case to have Gaviscon not peptac as the latter has wheat in it. They then gave me peppermint flavour. Again, due to GERD you can not have peppermint, I find myself debating this with a qualified dispensing pharmacist??? Rushed into SDMU a few months ago with upper abdominal pain and the nurse on duty brings me a pink liquid in a medicine pot. I ask what it is.... peptac peppermint..... thank you for your reply and all the advice!!