hi all,

i was just diagnosed this past january. i was just wondering if there was someone around my age who would be willing to talk to me about it or could give me some advice. i'm 21 and in my last year of university. i was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 9 and had my colon removed at 14, so anyone with both IBD and celiac i'd also be interested in talking to.

be well, and thanks!

kate

hey just wanted to sat wecpme to the board. you will learn alot here.

I'm sure some younger people will say hi, but I know there are a lot of people in your age group on this list. Take some time out and read a lot of the topics in this list, you'll learn a lot. I've been diagnosed for 5+ years now and if it were not for this list I couldn't have done it. Everyone has been very helpful.

My daughter is on this list too (she's younger then you at 16) and she's been gluten-free now for only a month and doing pretty well. There is a learning curve to figuring this all out so don't beat yourself up if it takes a while but after time (at least for me) I don't even think about it very often, its all just second nature to me when I go shopping and such.

Welcome to the group.

Susan

I'm 20 and I've been gluten-free for, geez, more than seven years! The best advice I can give is to not cheat, though it may be quite hard not to. Be careful what you buy and always read the ingredients (though it seems you don't have to much anymore, as more food companies print what allergens may exist below the ingredient list). I know Wild Oats has a large selection of gluten-free food items, but they are $$$. The longer you stay gluten-free, the better you'll feel.

I am 21 as well! Feel free to chat away... nice to see someone else our age on here! : )

I'm a little older at 28 but I'm also newly diagnosed (on Feb 11th). This site really seems to have a lot of great information and so many people to support us both as we figure it all out.

Good luck!

Hi Kate,

My daughter was just recently diagnosed as well. She is twenty-one and joined the forum last week. I'll be sure to let her know you are a member of this elite club as well. She is going off to new university in the fall and would love to have someone to talk to.

Best to you,

Maureen

Hi all,

Wow, thanks for all of your responses! I definitely appreciate the support-- as I'm sure you know it's been very tricky lately. I will certainly be in touch.

again, thanks for taking the time to write to me

Best,

Kate

Hi Kate. I was recently diagnosed as well back in November. I'm just about to turn 20 and am completely alone in this as I learn to navigate the gluten free world. Definitely contact me with any sort of anything you may want to talk about.

Good luck!
Ariel