***FAUVE***

[Dottydot]

ooh - I've always wanted to do that!

So what symptoms does your ds get - and how old is he? Sorry, I'm not very good at remembering stuff. How long has your dh been diagnosed? I'm still getting used to the whole coeliac thing - particularly as I'm not a 'typical' coeliac - certainly not thin and small! I don't get ill after eating gluten and it was only picked up by chance when I mentioned to my GP that I've always been anaemic - have never been able to give blood, but it's always just been put down to heavy periods.

I've got to get a GP referral to a paediatrician to do a blood test for ds2 because he's only 2 and the GP won't do it. I wouldn't be surprised if he did have it, although it's not at all clear because I don't have any outward symptoms of Coeliacs and neither does ds - but ds gets very tired and floppy and has permanent dark circles under his eyes even though he sleeps 12 hours at night and 2 hours during the day still, so yes, it wouldn't be a surprise.

Anyway, any more handy hints and tips about gf food and living would be very welcome - I'm particularly disappointed at gf biscuits so far - they taste so chalky - am already mourning jaffa cakes and jammy dodgers!

[Fauve]

Hi Dottydot - how exciting to be called over 'ere! Have got to drop my dd off, then will return...

[threebob]

Eat stuff that is naturally gluten free for a while - then when you go back to the GF stuff it tastes okay as you have forgotten.

Do you like cashew nuts for instance? Or carrot sticks with hummous, or hula hoops?

GF cakes and biscuits are much nicer and cheaper if you make your own. A mix of flours gives a better result than just one type.

[busybuthappy]

hi my d has symptons of coeliac and has been having tests for about two years she is now on a full gf diet she is only 5 so birthday parties are a nightmare but there is places you can order quite nice gf food details in coeliac uk crossgrain mag even ice cream cones!

[Fauve]

I think dh was diagnosed about 18 months ago - his blood test was borderline, but the biopsy showed quite clearly that he was coeliac.

Ds is now 12 and started having stomach aches - acute cramps in the mornings - about a year ago, coinciding with starting at grammar school, so the 'stress?' question mark hangs over him. He ended up being off school for about one day a week, which is a lot.

His blood test was negative, but apparently it is possible for coeliacs to have negative blood tests. We put him on a gf diet for 2 weeks in the summer, during which he was completely free of symptoms; and he had a reaction (stomach cramps) when I reintroduced gluten. Since then, he has been on a low gluten diet, with me trying not to let him have enough gluten to make him ill. We saw the consultant very recently, who suggested that ds could have another blood test to establish if he has inherited the gene from his father; and if he has, then we should seriously consider the biopsy. I've been resisting, to some extent, the biopsy; but we went to a coeliac meeting with a panel of coeliac experts whose consensus was that he really should have the biopsy. That helped change my mind; plus the fact that I can't bear to see ds in so much pain so often; plus the fact that he's just entering puberty, and undiagnosed coeliac disease could hamper his growth.

If it's not coeliac disease, then I imagine I'll be asking to have him tested for wheat allergies and other allergies. There's certainly something amiss.

Phew, that's ds! Will come back to you re food...

[Dottydot]

Thanks threebob - will persevere with the gf biscuits - the bourbons just aren't the same though!

Fauve - sounds like the biopsy is the best thing for your ds, although it's horrible to think they have to go through stuff like that. All I can say is that I honestly don't remember a thing about it - the sedation was great. I remember the doctor saying "it takes about 20 seconds to work" and the next thing I knew it was an hour later and all done! I haven't even had a sore throat from it. Having said all that, I'm nervous about getting ds2 tested in case he has to have a biopsy - I'm not sure if he'd have a GA because he's so young?

Today feels weird in a way - my first day back at work and in my normal routine, but being gf - my relationship with food isn't the best anyway, so it's very strange knowing I can't have things now (rather than really shouldn't have!).

[clerkKent]

Hi dottydot, I am Fauve's DH! Here is what I do for food. Breakfast is grapefruit or GF-cereal, then gf-toast. Lunch at work was a big problem at first. Now I have soup, crisps and yoghurt or a salad or a hot meal from a couple of local sandwich shops that I trust (e.g. Eat). The evening meal is prepared by fauve - home made curry, salad, jacket potato etc. You have to read the label of all packaged food; I don't just stick to the coeliac bible.

I have become hardened when buying meals to ask every time if it is gluten free, and not frequenting the places that don't understand the question. Places like Wagamama have a special menu.

I have a separate toaster and butter dish at home to avoid cross-contamination. However like you I have no obvious symptoms, so I can't tell if I make a mistake.

[Dottydot]

Hi ClerkKent! Thanks for your post - it's really useful to hear as much as possible at this stage. Although I've known for a while I might have Coeliac, I was kind of not letting it sink in until I absolutely had to..! Breakfast is OK now (Waitrose cereal has been delivered) and dinners are OK as we're big rice eaters, always home make things and I've got some gf pasta. I'm still struggling with lunch and the whole concept of gf bread - can you recommend any particular brands?

[clerkKent]

I can never remember what brand of gf bread I eat - I will check at home tonight. gf pasta is fine. I get bread, pasta, crackers and biscuits on prescription, but the biscuits are never good. There is a chocolate cake mix we like (Dietary Specials?)- DD generally finishes off the cake before I get a second piece.

I eat more fruit than I used to, but probably too much dairy (cheese and yoghurt). Overall the diet is healthier than pre-gf days.

[Fauve]

I plan to come back to this thread with some recipes when I've got time, Dottydot. Dh's current bread is Juvela. If you get the food directory from the Coeliac Soc, the advertisers in it will send you packs of samples of their produce, free, you just have to ring up.

[clerkKent]

The bread I have is Juvela Fibre Sliced. It is fine for toast. However they have a new one - Juvela Fresh - which is by far the best gf bread I have come across.

[Fauve]

Dottydot, I think I'll start a new thread about food/recipes for coeliacs (when I get the time - have just been to the gym [saintly emoticon]). I can post some of my recipes, and I'd love to get some input from other people, esp for standby recipes. Have to go out in a min on an emergency mission for Tesco Free From Pittas - they're not always available...

[Fauve]

Only because not all gf experts will come to the call of FAUVE!

[Fauve]

Dottydot, have started the other thread here. I hope lots of experts come on it and help. I thought I'd add to it as and when I have time to. And I still haven't managed to track down any Tesco Free From pittas...tis indeed a PITA...

[Dottydot]

I haven't seen those either - will get dp on the case next time she goes (I could always post you some! ). Will look out for the Juvela fresh bread as well - thanks for the recommendation.

[Fauve]

They freeze well, so it's worth buying tons when you see them. I stick them straight in the toaster from the freezer, and they're fine, if a little hard to split open. Maybe I should use my double points coupon to get a freezer full - if I ever source them