Gluten Busters: Gluten-Free Product Alerts by Celiac.com

I WAS DIAGNOSED ON JUNE 25 2007 AND I ALSO HAVE A SISTER IN VA. THAT HAS HAD IT FOR 10 YRS. AND THAT HAS HELPED ME TO BE ABLE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT , BUT IT IS STILL A LEARNING EXPERIENCE. I WORK IN A SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND I HAVE CHALLENGES EVERYDAY, I HAVE JOINED THE GLUTEN INTOLERANCE GROUP AND I GET INFORMATION ON THE COMPUTER.

I am very worried about my 17-year-old daughter. On October 1st she got a very sore throat and could not stay awake. She got vesicles in the back of her throat. In addition, she has the following symptoms: headaches, teeth hurt, stomach ache when she eats, naseau, extreme fatigue, depression, she feels itchy, severe bladder infection started on Oct 18. She has lost weight, her hair is falling out and she has not had to shave her legs for 2 weeks. She is lactose intolerant and constipation has been a problem.

On June 21 2007, my daughter had her tonsils removed because of reoccurring strep throats. We were involved in a traumatic car accident on July 05, 2007. We were not injured.

My brother has a wheat and dairy allergy. I have been suffering from diarrhea and gas. On Oct 18 I put both my daughter and I on a gluten free diet. I am feeling better. My daughter is very mildly better.

Could my daughter have celiac disease?

I know Redbridge beer is 'gluten-free'... does anyone know about Harbin Lager?

P.F. Chang's says yes.

Hi I'm Kassandra and i just turned 20 yesterday.

I just found out I have Celiac Disease. I have had problems with my stomach and going to the bathroom for a very long time. (Many years) I always thought i was allergic to White flour, so I tried to avoid that. This didn't work as much because I still had problems. My stomach would be in pain and bloat up. I also couldn't go to the bathroom right. I found this out last week and I have been depressed. I need some support and as much information as I can. I'm very new and it's so hard to not eat the way I used to. There are things that have been taken away from me. I just got married on July 21 this year and now I cant even have our wedding cake on our year....but I've been struggling and trying to stay happy and see the good out of this bad.

Kassandra

Celiac Disease really is a bummer! I was diagnosed ever since I was 5. I am now 13 and wishing I had never been diagnosed...I find myself wanting to cheat on my diet all the time..in school when we make food I can hardly ever eat or participate in cooking any of it. My assistant principal does not believe that I should have a 504 plan..although I bet others do. It really stinks. But my dad always says I am lucky. I think I am, but I am not. I guess it is better than not having strong enough legs to walk or any other handicapped disability. But I still think I am unlucky. Courtney

Hi, I've been recently diagnosed with celiac disease, summer 2007, and it was another shock to me as I'm already a diabetic for 21 years, have viligo and trouble with thyroidism. I'm 45, married and have one child. My sister had this disease for 20 years now, but still I 'm very much upset and disturbed especially that I live in a country where this disease is almost unknown, so no Gluten-Free Malls! Your support will be my only hope to go on...

Warning regarding the 'gluten-free' menu in Outback-Steak Restaurants !!!! Dear All, I just had the most horrible experience a celiac could ever have.

I went to Outback-Steakhouse in Jacksonville/NC and ordered a salad from the gluten-free menu.

It came with small pieces of toasted bread (croûtons), of which I unfortunately ate one, before I noticed what it was....

If they cannot follow the easiest and most obvious rules, how can you trust the rest of the gluten-free meal ??? I will never ever go there - I won't.

Celiac disease is new to me, gluten-free meals are very new to me. This diagnoses is very new to me. Please email me any help you can.

I was diagnosed since 1995. Once you get over the feeling of isolation especially when going out to dinner with fellow employees or friends it isn't that bad. A big part of every meal is a conversation around you personally and how do you deal with this. But it has gotten to the point where everyone I know knows what I can and cannot eat. They go out of their way to make sure I always have something to eat. So I don't feel like the odd man out.

It is important to not cheat! That is the worst thing you can do. Because you are doing damage to yourself even if you don't feel it. I am extemely sensitive to even secondary allergies like Soy or Lactose. If I ate straight gluten I would end up in the hospital.

But thank God for RedBridge beer.

Well...I am back :-) A year ago I had a scope and biopsy for celiac but they said it was negative. However..I believe I had been gluten free for quite a while. (Actually by the time I entered the hospital via 911 I had been nearly FOOD FREE and down to 94 lbs.). Now I understand that if one has been gluten free for a time the biopsy won't work.

My doctor told me that I might have celiac disease and I need all the help and support I can get. I feel very useless and worthless. I'm really upset over this, but I know God will send me help and support through people who have it and see how they deal with it. So thank God for this web site!

Hi folks, please keep your chin up. 3 doctors failed to diagnose my celiac disease. I took it upon myself to go on a gluten free diet. I could not believe the results. In three days I felt like a new person. I am 60 years old and have been eating gluten-free for five years. Cook your own food and stay out of restaurants. You will feel better and probably live a lot longer.

I have been blessed by this website it has helped me feel not so alone though, it is hard to realize the number of people it effects. I have been gluten free one and a half years. My daughter 32 and granddaughter 8 have been gluten-free since June 2007. The scar tissue makes it hard for me to eat normal meals. It is a challenge. Barbara

I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago...8 weeks ago both elbows broke out with itchy water blisters. I looked this up on the Internet . I arrived at Celiac Disease. I put myself on a Gluten Free Diet...2 weeks later the blisters were much better . I thought it was a fluke...So I binged on GLUTEN...rolls. bread...pasta ..THE NEXT DAY my elbows broke out fast and furious. I then made an appointment with my Dr. No one there took me serious ... I was saying that I thought I may have Celiac Disease. I am 61.. overweight. My Dr. didn't seem to think it was possible. I didn't fit the picture...skinny and sick looking...but she ordered blood work because of my elbows.... It came back POSITIVE POSITIVE POSITIVE . I now have the reputation of being her only patient to diagnose themselves correctly via the Internet. I didn't want to be a Celiac...a fat celiac...If I have to be a Celiac why can't I be skinny !!! 3 weeks of eating right ...I didn't lose a pound.... I am looking for a Gluten Free Weight loss diet..and bread for less then 6 $ per loaf.....Sincerely, I hope all of you who are sick and too thin become healthy and gain weight. I am looking forward to talking with all my new friends....

Karen

I read the vast majority of the blogs. I feel so sad because so many of you seem so down. I am 36 yrs. old, have three beautiful children, a wonderful husband, and a huge support system, both in fleshly family and spiritual family. However, this summer was the worst due to my health. I had been very anemic and had to receive iron infusions. In May, I thought I needed another one (just received one in January), but hemotologist said blood count was fine. I decided to keep track of my severe joint pain and fatigue. I decided to make an appointment for October to see my doctor. I knew that I either had CFS/Fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. I was in so much pain and couldn't keep up with my children, my house, or my job (I have my own successful house cleaning business...it's my passion). I went to see my doctor and she decided to run some tests and thought it could be celiac. The results came back positive. I love my doctor...she was on it! I immediately ran to the bookstore and obtained 'Living Gluten-Free for Dummies' (love it!! If you don't have it...BUY IT!) and came to this website (love it!! A visit a day keeps you focused!), started a gluten-free diet, and started doing LOTS of research. Why do I feel sad? I feel so bad that so many of you are so down. I was so happy to find out that there was a reason why I was feeling so miserable. I was so thankful after a week when I had ALL of my energy back (and then some), lost all of the intense pain I was feeling, and had back the desire to laugh and skip about. To know that all I have to do is EAT properly and I will be fine! I want to FEEL good. Don't get me wrong...I had a few days of 'OMG, are you KIDDING me?!' But, then I decided to pull up my bootstraps and deal with it. Courtney, you are 13, I cannot even imagine what you are going through, because my daughter is 13. Your age is such a difficult age and I am so sorry that you feel like you want to cheat. But, please remember that you will only harm yourself and the gift of life that you have been given. It's not easy to see the forest through the trees. But, remember, you will end up being so much more healthy than your classmates, who in a number of years will be very unhealthy due to their lack of proper nutrition (trust me on this one) and lack of proper choices. You CAN do it...stand firm with your resolve to be physically and mentally healthy. We all have choices to make in our lives. We can either pull out the 'I'm a victim' card or think about the awesome advantages we possess. It is so easy to feel low. But each of you have so much strength...it's obvious, because you took the time to write a bit about yourselves. I wish you all the very best in your endeavor to remain gluten-free.

My husband was diagnosed in 2005. He still feels bad. We live in Miami, and we can't find a good doctor who knows much about celiac disease. Debra

I was diagnosed about two years ago with celiac disease. What a blessing to find out. I have been treated most of my life with IBS syndrome. The diarrhea and the gas is awful. I am a single person and its very hard for me to go out and enjoy myself because I never know how I am going to be from one minute to the next. I cannot tolerate too many medications to help this matter. My sister was diagnosed first but she doesn't seem to have it as bad as me.

I have a teenage daughter who probably has it also. Stomach problems run in my family. I have a pretty good outlook because what else can we do. I'm with Karen who says I want to be skinny. I am very thin except for my stomach. I have tried so many diets but now its very hard to find the correct food. I also am looking for a good bread that doesn't cost $6.00 and also a good diet that works. I am also looking for a single group with people who have the same conditions as myself.

My husband (36 yrs old) was diagnosed about 4 months ago and my son (10 yrs old) was diagnosed yesterday. The reason that we were able to find out about this disease was due to a conversation at a friend's birthday party. Because this mutual friend was brave enough to order her food properly and explain this disease to the waitress-I found out about Celiac and was able to see that my family needed to be tested. This is something to be excited about learning about-What other disease can you heal yourself simply by refraining from certain foods? Any other disease diagnoses means you will get sicker-with this, you can get HEALTHY! Today, we made gluten-free pizza, cookies, and banana bread! Any restrictions you have-can be overcome-just go in any health food store and talk to the owner or manager. As for the extra expense-don't eat out as much-have friends over and maybe they will see the benefits and great taste of the gluten-free lifestyle!

Be proud-tell your friends!!

LISTEN UP. I'm 34 yrs. old, been diagnosed with anemia then not, been laughed at for being at the emergency room twice, been a dead beat (extreme lethargy),look very skinny, (lowest 104, now 112) at 5'3', formerly age 30 soccer mom who played forward, but have been thinking I have chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies to everything known to man, aches, short stress levels, excema, gaunt pale face, rough skin, skin over muscle - no fat, profuse sweating (hyperhydrosis), jaw pain, stomach cramping every morning, dizziness and had my first seizure 2 wks. ago. I tried a gluten-free diet by fate just to feel better and suddenly started learning more about celiac disease through Dr. Oz and as all of this was happening, my body started having unbelievable energy, my husband started feeling FLESH on me!, my libido turned way on, everything got better except the dermatitis which I read is supposed to subside eventually. The only bad thing is: I have to go back and eat normally again so that all the tests in a week will be right. I already began this Thanksgiving - Boo Hoo. I'll take a diagnosis that is a cure any day. The moral of this story is: Be happy, it will get worse over time if you don't treat it.

Hey all there's hope for all of us My hubby went to Chiropractor yes Chiropractor and she put him on herbs they are: Cocarboxylase, B1-Thiamine, Acidophilus, Betaine HCL, Magnesium, and Olive Leaf-time released. He started just Magnesium and Acidophilus and one yogurt once daily and with the 2nd day his bloating was gone, his belly goes down daily and he has lost 29 lbs in 1 month! She old use even tho we went gluten free we didn't make his PH back to normal after all the gluten screwed it up. She also told him by taking the antacid he was just causing everything he ate to ferment in his belly and that's what was causing the bloating and gas and burning stools ! So try these and see what you feel like after . He feels GREAT and no more gas or bloating or fire hot stools he hasn't had the diarrhea for about 3 weeks now since we have done the herbs. So good luck to all and I do know how the 13 year olds feel my son was diagnosed at the very same age and believe me guys it's not worth cheating because it will haunt you later! I just do this whenever others eat what I can't I treat myself to a loaded baked potato with butter sour cream shredded cheese and bacon bits (ALL Gluten free by the way),every where my son goes he takes his own food and his friends come to our house for gluten free brownies, chili, taco's, corn dogs, muffins,and what ever I have fixed -(LOL the tell their mom's my gluten free food is better then theirs) So hang in there Courtney

Hey Karen,

You could be my friend and I know how you feel, my hubby was the same way--try the remedy I just posted. Hang in there it does get better I had those same blisters on one foot and hubby and sons' do too all the same foot lol was told it wasn't DH until my gastro doc confirmed it and now since being gluten free for 1 year ours are all gone. One son had them on his knees as well so it gets better just have hope

I think I have celiac, will know more after the tests the doctor wants to do--if I am what in the world am I going to eat? I feel so sad.

Good reference

I was diagnosed in 2005 and my sister has had celiac for about 20 yrs. She never understood what is really was until now and is very ill with other things due to this.

I am OK with the diet but find it hard to eat out. It gets boring to order the same old things. We went on a cruise and they had very little I could eat due to the rich sauces and all. I wish there were a local support group in my community so we could share experiences and help each other deal with this.

For newly diagnosed and all celiacs - welcome to a quickly growing community! If it's true that 1 in 100 people have celiac then we have a lot of company (many who don't even know it yet). So with the growing number of celiacs there is a growing amount of information and options available. Don't despair - go with the flow. It's easier than you might think.

My story

I learned I had celiac about 6 months ago. I have an Italian ancestry. Pasta and breads have always been a significant staple in my life. Boy was I bummed when I thought these foods would be gone from my life. It didn't take long after doing lots of research, including on this website, to learn I was wrong. There are lots of commercially available products that make the transition from gluten grains and flours to non gluten grains and flours VERY easy and tasty too.

Breads and Pasta

My wife, while not tested or diagnosed for celiac but is sure she has it, also is on a gluten free diet. We both feel so much better and can tell when we are 'sabotaged' with some hidden glutens while eating out. (yes, eating out is OK as long as you are careful.) She bakes her own bread using a Breadman bread maker and after a few tries we now get perfect bread every time and at WAY under $6 a loaf. You can put the ingredients in, add in a delay cycle if you want it to be ready at a certain time, walk away, and come back to a great smelling house and a very satisfying loaf of bread.

Don't even get me started on pasta. There are several brands of rice pasta that are to me, with my Italian background, indistinguishable from wheat flour pastas both in flavor and texture.

Eating Out

Many restaurants (including Outback) have gluten free menus. We often go to Outback or Red Robin and other local establishments who promote gluten free menus. Gluten free is still new to some servers and cooks and it is important to be very specific when ordering that you want the gluten free version then check your meal when it arrives to be sure it is right. However we are finding that our servers are becoming more and more familiar with gluten free so it is starting to be less challenging when ordering. Try Googling 'Gluten Free Restaurants in <your town>' and see what comes up. You'll probably be very pleased.

Believe me when I say that you can eat gluten free more and more easily as more and more people recognize that they have celiac or celiac symptoms and stores and restaurants begin to cater to this growing community of customers. This isn't a curse - it's path to feeling better and a healthier life!

Enjoy - Dennis