GypsyGirl

Anyone know if the New Skin Brand Liquid Bandage is gluten free? Their website has a FAQ about their Scar Therapy product and says that is gluten free, but says nothing about the Liquid Bandage. I've tried the "Contact Us" form, but no word back yet.

Reason I need it -- cut my thumb yesterday assembling my gift for my husband. Then, I stupidly washed the chicken for dinner without gloves. Madly washed said still open cut with soap and water afterward and disinfected and then asked an online doctor my chances of contracting salmonella this way in order to lower my panic factor (chances are low, so I've decided to believe I got lucky this time and resolve to wear gloves next time ). Anyhow, don't want to get anything ELSE in this cut, but I don't want to gluten myself either! (Still recovering from being dumb enough to go along on the trip to Whole Foods last week...where they actually keep the gluten free products on a shelf RIGHT NEXT TO THE LEAKY WHEAT FLOUR SACKS...D'OH!)

Thanks, guys!

And Happy Holidays all around!

Okay, so I've now been gluten-free for about 6 or 7 weeks (sorry, don't have my calendar in front of me ).

The first three weeks, I went through lots of detox symptoms, but also felt amazingly BETTER underneath and was very hopeful. Lots of symptoms I have suffered my whole life went away (and even things I didn't realize were "symptoms" but thought were just unavoidable aspects of life!) Then at the 3 week mark I got full out glutened. Not sure how, but I think it was either CC on my napkin or my rice, OR getting hit in the face with a puff off my dog's gluten food when closing the container (we're now transitioning him to a very low-gluten formula). Anyhow, that attack one started with stomach gurgling and itching legs, then progressed to evil cramps and D and then many days of being almost too sore in my intestines to walk.

That FINALLY settled down for a few days, then I had a week of what I first thought was a cold, but wasn't. Sore achy muscles, really stiff, stomach slightly bloated, some itching. That lasted a few days, then finally seemed to settle down and I had a few what I would describe as "gluten-free" days. Now as of last night, stomach is messed up again and my legs are itching (the itching went away for the first time in decades on my first three weeks off of gluten, I have scars on my legs from the previously unexplainable itching/blisters).

So, my question here is how much is it possible the symptom flare-ups are still part of the detox process and how much of it means I'm getting CC'd despite my best efforts??

I am still in a mixed household, but we've divided counters, cooking utensils, pots, cabinets, food storage containers, etc. I wash my hands a zillion times a day and wear disposable gloves (and sometimes a dust mask) whenever prepared anything gluten. I don't bake gluten foods, so no flying flour, just breads and snacks for my husband and son. We've lowered their consumption a lot (using Udi bread for Kidlet's sandwiches, and Corn Chex for his cereal, etc.), but there is still gluten in the house. I don't kiss either of my boys until they've washed up and brushed their teeth.

I've checked all my lip balm and lotion, and I use a very pure natural soap and wash my hair with baking soda or salt and condition with vinegar. My supplements are gluten free and I don't take any medication save Tylenol (for migraines) and I checked that this form of it is gluten-free.

I haven't tried eating out yet, though I did have lunch AT Fuddrucker's one day with the family, but brought my own food and only drank water. I seemed to do fine with that, it was during my "healthier" days and I was fine for a couple of days afterward.

Is it possible I'm really still getting enough gluten to be flaring up symptoms so often??

We're set to take our first trip to DisneyWorld at the end of November, and although I've heard really good things about DW's restaurants being very accomodating and careful, I'm rather terrified that I seem to be turning out to be hypersensitive and this could go very badly.

Help?

First off, thanks to everyone who's already been so supportive already, this board is wonderful.

Okay, so yesterday marked my 3 week point being gluten free.  Wow, what a ride it's already been.

There have been many positives already, and I'm hopeful for more over the next months.  I'm much more limber, my head is clearer, I can eat and then go somewhere or do something (as opposed to my long standing life rule of "never eat before you go out!").  I've lost 5 pounds (I had 10 pounds I hate go on with no reason over the last couple of years and have a lifelong history of weight going on or off randomly without being influenced by diet or exercise, try as I might).

Weird stuff:

--The shift in the whole alignment of my intestines and midriff first caused me to hit my head on the floor during yoga (misjudging my limberness), then I found that though I have more stamina and am far less short of breath on dog walks around the neighborhood, I went through a week or two of my leg muscles getting really sore and tired when walking, because I'm apparently now using an all new set of muscles, my posture having shifted.  They're slowly building up now, but that is SO weird. LOL  I had "good" posture before, due to years of ballet and yoga, so it's not a visible change to others, but a very noticable change to me

--I can hold a pen and write longer without my shoulder blade cramping horribly (a serious problem since middle school).

--The OMG-I-MUST-HAVE-WHEAT-OR-I-WILL-STARVE-TO-DEATH effect has finally worn off, and I'm finding myself intrigued by healthy foods that never would have interested me before.  (Used to be that no matter how full and healthy a meal I'd eaten, I would still feel a nagging hunger until I took at least one bite of a wheat biscuit and that would calm it).

I've been trying valiantly to maintain a dual household (still preparing gluten foods for my husband and son) and not get contaminated, but good grief this is hard.  I HAVE NEVER WASHED MY HANDS SO MANY TIMES A DAY IN MY LIFE.  And I'm going through disposable gloves like mad.  I'm not baking (so no flour flying), but there is a constant need to prepare sandwiches, cereals, etc..  Trying my best to segregate the kitchen...

I hadn't been "glutened" to my knowledge, until two days ago.  I have no idea what I got into or how, but two nights ago my stomach was puffed up and gurgly for the first time since coming off gluten, then yesterday morning my legs were itching and red again, and last night was the usual dizzy spell followed a few hours later by the inevitable cramps and D, then collapsing in bed to sleep it off.  Today I will be sort of wrung out and sore and slightly tired, but recovering.  This is a long standing syndrome/pattern for me, but I think I'm learning that it was gluten all along.  Still have no idea how I got contaminated (assuming that is what happened, though it seems likely that it is).  Or if maybe this is just occasional flare-ups during the detox, but seems kind of sudden and violent for that.  Very frustrating...

Been more energetic sometimes and more tired others, which I suppose is normal.  I have to give it time, right?  I know, can't heal 38 years of damage in 3 weeks.

Any encouragement or insight (or just commiseration:)) is most welcome.

Oh, random question - does anyone else get nasal or sinus congestion or draining along with the gluten attacks?  Seems to get mixed together for me.

Be well!

Hello!
I'm new here, and relatively new to this whole subject (though I've been reading like mad).

For 9 years now I've been on a yeast/candida control diet (no fruit, no refined flowers or refined oils, no sugar, no dairy, nothing fermented, no caffeine, etc.).

I have not been tested for Celiac Disease, but I and my family exactly fit the profile for either Celiac or Gluten Intolerance, and I finally took the plunge to try 30 days gluten-free and see if my symptoms improve. Until now my diet has been very heavy on the wheat.

I've been gluten-free 4 days now, and I can already tell this was the right decision, because some things have improved tremendously (I actually bonked my head on the floor during yoga, because doing my usual bending motion put me much lower than usual, due to the increased space and comfort in my lower belly!). However, (and pardon the TMI, but I suppose you are all used to it:)) my bowel movements have been really loose, near liquid. No cramping (which in the past would have always accompanied such), but a little off schedule as well, and not exactly pleasant. Some excess gas throughout the day, etc...

I'm just looking for some advice while I try to stick it out. Is it likely this is just my system adjusting to the shock of the dietary change? A reaction to adding more vegetables and meat? Does this happen to other people, and is it likely to subside soon?

Any advice or reassurance (or just commisserating LOL) would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!