TLK879

I'm not even sure where to start. I'm so frustrated with being sick for over 2 years now. First, every time I was tested for celiac, the tests were negative, but recently the genetic test was positive. Everything else was negative again. So, my Dr. and I think that it is likely I have celiac, but we are not sure since my diets have not been helping me. I've been tested for everything else as well and I went to 11 other doctors in hopes of finding out what is wrong with me. I really wish my problem was just avoiding gluten. The list is endless. So endless that I cannot keep track of what I react to and don't react to anymore. Even when I eat plain whole foods, non processed, I feel like I react to something at least once a day. Then, it overlaps with the next day and I have no idea what it was I reacted to. I have been avoiding gluten, dairy, corn, vinegar and most starches. I tried the GAPS diet and I just could not stick to it, as it got extremely expensive and boring. It is really hard for me to stick to eating the same foods day after day. Especially when I continue to react, which I did. Then, I get frustrated because I feel like my hard work of trying to get better is not working. I even buy all organic veggies and meats now because I am so afraid that I will react to all the pesticides and chemicals. I am extremely sensitive to everything it seems! I'm a college student and I don't work, so I really can't afford all organic food, but I'm hoping that it is worth it. I am always constipated and have a really slow digestive system, as I hardly have regular bowel movements. Maybe once every few days. I constantly feel bloated. Almost everytime I eat I get swollen. By this I mean that my face, hands, ankles, and legs swell up. I don't have any allergies, so this is not an allergic reaction. But, because I'm so extremely sensitive I think it is my immune system reacting to fight off what it thinks is foreign. ??? Of course I have the other usual intolerance symptoms as well, but the swelling thing is the most obvious. Some days I barely eat and because I reacted to something, the scale will say that I'm 2-5 lbs more the next day (because of the swelling). It is extremely difficult for me to lose weight. I do hot yoga almost daily and run and hike as well, and I eat healthy and don't eat a lot, and I am still having trouble losing weight.
I think I'm ok with certain meats and veggies, but my body seems to pick and choose when it wants to react to something. It is very unpredictable. Even with the same foods. One day I will react and one day I won't. I am unbelievably stressed over all of this. I even got rid of all my makeup, products, cleaning supplies, etc. and bought all gluten free and chemical free products instead. So far, I don't notice a difference at all. I take digestive enzymes, probiotics, B12, multivitamin (Solgar), and Magnesium.
This week I decided to try juicing. I tried it when I first got sick (2 yrs ago) and it didn't work because I kept reacting to all the veggies and fruits I was juicing. So, now I thought that I would try it again and juice only one ingredient at a time. All organic as well. I juiced celery last night and ate an organic banana and I became really swollen about an hour afterward. I woke up the same way. Today I tried juicing spinach and had some organic free range chicken (that I made in the crock pot). Again, I'm swelling up again. I honestly don't know what to do at this point. I thought that juicing was easier on your digestive system because you don't have to break down the foods. Is this true or could it make matters worse? I am trying so hard and because of it I am broke and having relationship problems as well. This is all making me crazy. Literally. I'm becoming obsessed because I just want to get better and nothing is working. I barely sleep because I am constantly thinking of what to do, new strategies, reading posts of the forum, etc.
To make matters worse, whenever I get emotional or stressed, I crave food (as I had an eating disorder my whole life) and sometimes I end up eating things that I shouldn't be eating or too much of them anyways. I usually stay gluten free at least, but because of the frustration and depression, the food ends up winning. I don't do this a lot, but it happens occasionally. I can't control it at times. If I could find a diet that will work and I could finally start feeling better, at least it would give me hope and the motivation to not give in to food cravings. But, nothing is working. So, I end up thinking "what is the point of all of this?!" And then I end up eating chips or gluten free/dairy free ice cream, etc. I even react to nuts. I need variety in my diet or else I go crazy and start craving all types of foods. But, I don't have that privelage. I'm lucky I can eat a few foods without reacting. I don't think I have had one totally good day without reacting in over 2 years now. Even on my good days, I still have minor reactions or it feels like I am anyways. This is all so crazy. I don't understand it.
I'm truly sorry that I went on and on, but I am at a breaking point and I don't know what to do. I was feeling so positive and motivated too. At least I have my hot yoga. It definitely helps me stay sane and positive (most of the time). If I didn't have that, I don't know where I'd be right now. This is embarressing, as I usually don't share all of this with people I don't know, but I really could use some support and advice right now. I'm not getting anywhere with my medical issues. I don't even know for sure that I am celiac and what foods are safe for me to eat. I really really want to be at that point. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi. I am going through my OTC medications and I'm trying to figure out which ones are safe or not. Has anyone found any generic OTC drugs that are for sure gluten free? Which generic brands are the safest? I have Kroger Acetaminophen and the ingredients look safe, but I can't be sure. Does anyone know if Kroger is safe for Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen? I also heard that Kirkland is gluten free, but I'm not positive. Does any one know for sure? It would be extremely helpful if everyone could start a list of the OTC medications that they use that are gluten free. I'm hoping I can find some generic ones since brand names are so much more expensive. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!  

Tracey

Hi. I was wondering if any of you know which makeup remover towelettes are safe to use (gluten-free and chemical free). I have been using Pond's towelettes as well as the cheaper version (Equate facial cleansing towelettes). I don't see any obvious gluten ingredients in them, but it looks like a lot of harsh chemicals. Are they ok to use? If not, are there any suggestions on an alternate brand that is reasonably priced? Shopping for all gluten free, chemical free products really gets expensive and since I am a college student I am on a pretty tight budget. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! My goal is to use all safe and non-irritating products and get rid of any product that could be preventing my healing process. Thanks!

Tracey

Hi. I have been reading through several posts about Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret products, but the posts are years old and I'm still confused about whether or not they are safe (gluten free, harsh chemical free). I am currently using Desert Essence body lotion since I am trying to only use the least harmful products (I am extremely sensitive to everything it seems), but I already have so many lotions, body washes, body spray's, etc. from both BBW and VS. I would hate to waste them. And I really like both of them, especially VS. I was just wondering how many of you still use these products, if you have reacted to them, and whether or not anyone knows for sure if they are gluten free. Just in case I ever want to go back to using the ones that I have already bought. For right now, since I am highly sensitive and still trying to feel better, I will continue to avoid them. Unless many of you know that they are pretty safe to use. ?? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tracey

Hello. I was hoping that I could get some advice from all of you on a good gluten free/Sodium Laureth Sulfate free face wash. I have oily/combination skin and my skin is pretty sensitive and prone to acne. I've been reacting to so many foods and products that I'm pretty sure that I need to avoid SLS, but I am not positive. It is hard to keep up with what I react to and what I don't. Also,I have not been able to find a shampoo/conditioner that hasn't bothered my scalp (tingly,sensitive,itchy). I bought the Loreal Sulfate free/gluten-free shampoo and conditioner and the first few days were ok, but now my scalp feels like it is getting irritated again. I just ordered the Giovanni tea tree shampoo and conditioner so I'm hoping that I will be able to tolerate it. My favorite face wash of all time (that I'm still using until I can find something to replace it)is Origins cheeks and balances. It has hydrolyzed wheat protein in it, so I'm assuming that I can't use it. Is this true? I've read some mixed reviews about whether or not this is really harmful in a product. I know it says wheat, but it is one of the last ingredients on the list. If I can still use it, please let me know, as I love my facewash. I'm not sure if it is bothering me because I have been using it for so long. As far as I know it isn't, but I don't want to keep glutening myself. I would rather avoid everything and anything that could possibly cause a reaction. I also looked into Cetaphil but it has SLS in it. Has anyone had a problem with it because of this? Any opinions, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!