I Need Help

[tiredofdoctors]

I've been reading The Gluten-Free Bible along with all of the labeling threads, and I am so disappointed. I have been glutened the whole time I've been starting this. (I've been gluten-free 3 1/2 weeks+). ALL of my make-up contains gluten, my hair conditioner contains it, and two out of five of my medications contain gluten. I'm going out tonight, buying Bare Escentuals (I used to use it, ironically), Neutrogena hair, face and bath products which are safe (they are e-mailing me their gluten-free list), gluten-free toothpaste and throwing all the other garbage out. I'm soaking all my make-up brushes in gluten-free dishwashing detergent -- they're Bare Escentuals brushes and not cheap, so I'm hoping that this will be O.K. -- we really don't have the resources to buy new ones. I'm throwing out my toothbrush and make-up bag & buying new. I've phoned my doctors' offices -- the name-brand of one my meds is gluten-free, another med, we're going to have to find an alternative. WHAT ELSE HAVE I MISSED?????? What about fabric detergent and/or softener? I feel like such a failure -- and I have really tried hard -- I have stuck to the diet religiously. I feel just awful. Any help anyone can give me, I appreciate it. I REALLY need it.

[nettiebeads]

Well, all I can say is don't be too hard on yourself. The gluten-free life is one of learning. For what it's worth, I was dx 9 years ago and relatively recently found out from this forum that I've been glutening myself! I used to eat cold cereals that had malt in them and used to drink those malt drinks with flavors (you know - smirnoffs and bacardi beer subs) And I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER! Look at it this way - you are getting closer to starting your healthier life. Hang in there!

[jerseyangel]

First of all, you are not a failure We all go through the learning stage at the beginning and I don't think anyone gets it perfectly right at the start. I know I certainly didn't, and am still learning (sometimes the hard way!). My 2 cents regarding the Gluten Free Bible--I read in it that of the 2 meds. I take for high B.P., one (Norvasc) was not gluten-free and the other (Lisinopril) was gluten-free. After reading here that not all the info. in that book was accurate, I called the companies in question. The Lisinopril, as stated was gluten-free, but the Norvasc was also gluten-free. I spoke with a pharmasist at Pfizer and he told me the starch used was from potato. As for laundry detergent, I use Purex Free & Clear (in the white jug). I called the Co. and was told it was gluten-free. Try and relax--it looks like to me, you've uncovered a lot of hidden gluten in your life!

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Don't be so hard on yourself....

We all have our bad days -- nobody's perfect.

My friends tell me all the time that they are amazed how I can control the diet and how I can order so confidently at restaurants (this is primarily due to being a waiter/bartender/cook for 10 years before I got my law degree).

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I was at Z Tejas and ordered off their gluten free menu -- it was their fish taco appetizers. I specified corn tortillas (even when they brought it over) they said yes -- Once it was actually in my mouth, I thought somehting was funny, but instead of spitting it out, I swallowed it -- turns out they were flour tortillas -- I should have known by the taste.

the point is, sometimes, we all screw up. Trust me, you will screw up again. However, each time you will learn something new. Each time, you will become a little bit smarter. Each time will lessen your chance of getting "glutened" in the future.

Put a smile on darlin', the hard parts of life are what make the good parts so wonderful!

Here's a quote I live by when it comes to living through the trials and tribulations of the gluten-free diet:

"The difficulty of tactical maneuvering conisists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain" -- Sun Tzu - the art of war

Hope this helps,

Bronco

[KaitiUSA]

Don't be too hard on yourself. I did not switch products until a few months into the diet because I was still not feeling right..improved alot but not right and needed to find any possible way of getting glutened.

1st...there are some other makeups besides Bare Escentuals that is gluten free. I use that brand because I like it alot but I also use some other makeup. If you look at the Delphi List it will help with what makeups, shampoos, laundry detergents, cleaning products, etc that are gluten free.

One thing commonly overlooked is perfume because that is airborne and the particles can get into your system...same with hairspray.

Just take this as a learning experience and be thankful you found this out now

2nd....watch out for the Gluten Free Bible because there are some inaccuracies about products that do/don't contain gluten and I believe it downplays some important things.

[tiredofdoctors]

Thank you guys so much. I did the same thing with regard to my meds -- I don't necessarily trust everything I read. I called the companies . . . also, Abbott Laboratories was by far the most thorough, and told me to call back in 9 months because their newest survey from their suppliers will be completed -- and they want to make sure that my Synthroid has remained gluten-free.

Bronco -- I love Sun Tzu -- I was introduced to "him" in 1989! Thanks for the support.

Kaiti -- with regard to hair sprays, etc., how do I know what's safe? Also, I feel kind of stupid , but what is the Delphi list? How do I access it? I've seen it mentioned on a lot of threads, but don't know how to get there.

JerseyAngel -- I'm going to get the Purex tonight -- thanks for the heads up on the Gluten Free Bible, too. I am at heart a skeptic, don't believe everything I read, and your answer confirmed it. -- you, too, Kaiti -- thanks.

nettiebeads -- Thanks -- it's good to know that I will probably always make mistakes -- I am pretty hard on myself, I guess, but I just think I should have known better.

Thank you ALL!

[jenvan]

Good for you getting rid of the 'bad' products. I've given bags of products away to friends this year! At the bottom of this post I've put directions for getting the Delphi list.

Also--if you are looking for products to switch too, you can read this recent post on just about all the products I use now. Open Original Shared Link Hairspray--I use Giovanni, but used to use White Rain's aerosol--go on their website to ck though, their "natural" line has gluten in it...

To get the Delphi Forum gluten-free Food List, Go thru the following:

1) Go to the website, Open Original Shared Link

2) Click on "messages" or "start reading"

3) Select the folder "gluten-free Product List"

4) Click on the topic called "Downloadable files word"

5) Of the four options, choose the one in the upper right.

You may need to register (the basic version is free) in which case, just register first, then complete the steps above.

[Mo92109]

Ok, seriously, makeup???

I am new to this and just want to cry reading all these posts. So, stupid question probably, how on earth do you find out about your products? Do I need to check my deodrant, toothpaste? All my makeup? Like my mascara would hrut?

Pardon if I am sounding dumb. Although I am learing that being dumb is a sign of celiac disease, which oddly makes me feel better.

[jenvan]

Makeup, yes... Where you want to draw the line is up to you I guess... But for myself, I decided I wanted NO products in my life with any gluten in them. Lipstick etc. are a must--you ingest those. I also definitely say to switch out your soaps, shampoos, lotions... Your mascara isn't probably such a worry...but better safe than sorry I know it can be overwhelming. If you need lists of gluten-free products or recs for new gluten-free soaps etc, just ask. I have gotten rid of bags of stuff. My best friend has a bathroom full of my old products ! On the bright side, I use healthier products now with less chemicals and I got to buy some new makeup It can take time to sort through all your stuff, so be patient with yourself...

[pixiegirl]

I wish we would all sign our posts in some way, I hate addressing people as:

Dear tiredofdoctors.... lol anyhow, I've been mostly gluten-free for a year now, but I've still been having symptoms... a very nice woman on another Celiac list convinced me that I was still being glutened so now I'm in the process of tossing out tons of stuff, tons.....

I do have a few questions for anyone... are these products gluten-free?

Tide, any dryer sheets, oxy clean, sebastian shaper plus hairspray.

I will say since I've gotten a lot of gluten-free make up and products out of my life I am feeling better.

Susan

[Mo92109]

This never, ever occured to me! What are the ingredients to look for? The same ones I look for in food or do I have to carry another list with me all the time?

Jeez!

[Rachel--24]

This never, ever occured to me! What are the ingredients to look for? The same ones I look for in food or do I have to carry another list with me all the time?

Jeez!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What I did was first I read through the older posts and found out which products people use as far as soap, shampoo, stuff like that. For my make-up I called the companies and asked about each product I used. They were all helpful and emailed me the ingredients for the products I use and then another ingredient list which lists all gluten-containing ingredients to watch out for. I had everything figured out in only a few days and I didnt have to change that much. My blush and some lipsticks did contain gluten but that was about it for my make-up. I use Cover Girl Continuous color lipstick and Bare Esentuals lipgloss...they are gluten free.

BTW...I did notice a big difference in how I felt after I stopped using lotion with wheat germ oil and changed my shampoo and conditioner. I might as well have been eating donuts with how much lotion was getting in my mouth.

[nettiebeads]

This never, ever occured to me! What are the ingredients to look for? The same ones I look for in food or do I have to carry another list with me all the time?

Jeez!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After 9 years I'm still learning a lot. Words to look for: farina or kernel flour (cover girl blush) My old blush just had kernel flour without the origin stated. The new batches have it listed as "kernel flour (corn)"

Another word: avena sativa - I guess it's the latin for OAT! I give my 84 year old mother her showers then use lotion. Her senior companion had bought Vaseline brand body lotion. Thanks to this forum I started reading dm labels and found avena sativa on the vaseline list of ingredients . Trying to be gluten-free is trying, frustrating and tiring - but the results are SO worth it!

[Paul-Bunyon]

Ok, seriously, makeup???

I am new to this and just want to cry reading all these posts. So, stupid question probably, how on earth do you find out about your products? Do I need to check my deodrant, toothpaste? All my makeup? Like my mascara would hrut?

Pardon if I am sounding dumb. Although I am learing that being dumb is a sign of celiac disease, which oddly makes me feel better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah. Being dumb isnt a sign of Celiac. Having Celiac and not following the diet...now that's dumb.

[princessjessie]

I've been gluten free for over a year (eating it that is) and just started to feel worse again. Not stomache-wise, but itchy. I put it off to being from the cold weather. Turns out my shampoo, conditioner, hairspray all had gluten in them. I'm a hairdresser and was very discouraged when I discovered this. But I switched to gluten free all of it and instantly my scalp was no longer itchy. I thought it was weird that I had had an itchy scalp with no dandruff or anything....

Then my eyelids started to be very itchy... to the point where I wanted to cry because it wouldn't stop. Turns out my mascara has gluten in it-- and I'm not sure about my eyeliner, but I'm guessing that too. To avoid this itchy feeling, I'd rather go without until I can get new gluten-free products. That's a serious statement coming from the girl that doesn't step outside to put the trash out without my hair and makeup looking presentable.

I would change your makeup and all your products before you run into any issues. Trust me, it's worth it.

[princessjessie]

They were all helpful and emailed me the ingredients for the products I use and then another ingredient list which lists all gluten-containing ingredients to watch out for.

Wow I just realized how long ago these posts were made...

Rachel, do you happen to have the list of ingredients to look out for in cosmetics and household items? I too was wondering what things to be looking for seeing how I know they aren't just what is on the "what not to eat list". I carry one around with me too all the time.