<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi Ginny,

Your situation is just the opposite of mine.  I was diagnosed with diabetes 35 years ago at the ripe old age of 13.  Definitely Type 1.  If your body makes no insulin, you are Type 1, otherwise you are Type 2, even if you require insulin to control it, is the way I understand it.  It seems people just try to make things more confusing than they really are.  In July this year I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease after about eight months of unexplained weight loss.  Weight I really couldn't afford to lose.  That was combined with loss of strength.  My blood test numbers were dramatically high and the biopsy confirmed it.  Who knows how long I have had it?

I have been the same weight since I was in college.  The "diabetic diet" basically kept me at the same weight.  I have never found the "diet" part of diabetes to be that difficult because basically you can juggle what you eat with insulin and exercise.  The food is not toxic to you.  Now that I cannot eat anything with gluten, even one crumb, that is much more difficult and restrictive.  The hard part of diabetes, for me at least, is the fact that you have to juggle everything to try to keep blood sugars (and weight) in the correct range.  Diet, exercise, insulin all combine 24-hours-a-day and you can never forget about it, even when sleeping.  You have to watch out for those lows.

At least with Celiac Disease I only have to think about it when I have to put something into my mouth.  That part is much harder than dealing with eating as someone who has diabetes.  I finally ate at a restaurant for the first time since my CD diagnosis last Sunday (Steak & Ale).  We had to ask all kinds of questions of our waiter, who was extremely helpful, in order to make sure I didn't get any gluten contaminated food.  I never had to do anything like that for the "diabetic diet".

As far as missing food with sugar in it, that is almost a non-issue.  I do quite a bit of in-line skating and always have to take something with me to counter act the possibility of a low.  That can be anything from Life Savers to a Coke.  True I can't just have it when I want it but I have gotten used to that over 35 years.  Right now I terribly miss eating regular pasta and bread.  And I can't call Domino's to deliver for a dinner of pizza and beer.  I suppose over time I won't miss that anymore, like you.  Right now that dosn't seem possible.  Our family likes to take road trips and I don't know how I am going to deal with not being able to stop at a fast food place for a burger and fries and getting back out on the road.

I still haven't gotten all of my weight or strength back, which makes it very difficult to skate, and am quite frustrated by it.  From reading the postings on the list serve most people react fairly quickly to an accidental ingestion of gluten so can easily determine what to avoid.  My only clue is the weight loss and that takes time to show itself.  I never know if I have had contaminated food or not.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.  Hope it helps.

Dan


Ginny Mingolla <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
>Sender:       Celiac-Diabetes Support List
>              <[log in to unmask]>
>Poster:       Ginny Mingolla <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      Questions
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
><<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
>
>It's been a long time since anyone posted.  I might have been the last one.
>I wish we could get more activity on this list.  I know we are a small group
>but I think we all need as much support as we can get.
>
>I have a few thoughts and wonder if others could share their thoughts with
>me.  I have been gluten free for about 15 years.  It became a way of life a
>long time ago and the idea of eating something with gluten does not enter my
>mind.  Some foods I miss but don't spend much time thinking about them.  I
>also stayed lactose free for all those years because I felt milk bothered
>me.
>
>I find the diet for diabetes much harder for me to get control of.  I have
>terrible sugar cravings.  I have gone back on milk out of necessity and now
>can't get enough of it.  I'm wondering if sugar craving is a part of
>diabetes.  Everyone knows someone who is diabetic and does not follow the
>diet.  If I can handle the celiac diet why not the diet for diabetes?
>
>I understand the relationship between celiac and diabetes.  I have numerous
>other autoimmune illnesses.  Does this mean I definitely have Type 1
>diabetes?  I have never really gotten an answer about what Type I have from
>the doctors.  They have joked about me being a  1 1/2.  I have been on
>insulin for over a year (diagnosed 2 years ago).
>
>So, I would be interested in your thoughts.
>
>Ginny
>
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