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Petrified, Supraclavicular Node Enlargement & Gastric Symptoms... Cancer?


designerstubble

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designerstubble Enthusiast

Hi everyone

Its been a while since I have been on here... I have been slowly recovering from my diagnosis of celiac disease... And have had ups and downs, various problems... All of which are sorted or being sorted!

 

However a few days ago, I accidentally discovered a lump on my clavicle.

 

Thinking this was strange and wondering whether it was a swollen lymph node, I began searching online. I also made a docs appt. Having researched it, I am absolutely petrified.

 

Please PLEASE if anyone can help, I'd appreciate it so much. My searches indicate that it could possibly be a Trosiers Sign, which apparently is indicative of stomach cancer/ or gastric. 

 

The lump is in exactly the correct the place. It isn't soft (as apparently a healthy gland would be), it is hard. It is not completely fixed as I seen to be able to move it about.

 

I am also currently experiencing heartburn, discomfort in oesophagus area (fullness), and cannot eat much. I thought this was due to a hiatus hernia that I was told I had at my celiac diagnosis 3 years ago. I have had these same symptoms before about 6 months ago. Currently had them for .a couple of weeks

 

So these 'hiatus hernia' symptoms along with this supraclavicular lump could indicate cancer?? Could it be early stage? 

 

I have seen my doc, he is referring me... He said he couldn't speculate at this point, which has also made me edgy.

 

So I have found what they call virchows node and trousers sign... My 'lump' is in the exact correct location. 

 

I can't say just how scared I am.

I am stricly gluten free... My recent FBC is fine (am no longer anaemic), white cells look ok, SED rate 6.

 

If anyone has any reassurance or info or experience one way or the other... I can't function for worry at the moment...

 

Many thanks to anyone that can help

 

 

 

 

 

 


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GF Lover Rising Star

Hi, Stubble.  No one can speculate at this point and it would be irresponsible to try.  Try to stay off of Doctor Google.  Try and distract yourself until your Appointment.  Not knowing things is very hard, I know.  Just try and calm down.  The more you stress your body with this fear and stress the more your body has to work to stay healthy.  

 

Hang Tight .... Colleen

designerstubble Enthusiast

Hi, Stubble.  No one can speculate at this point and it would be irresponsible to try.  Try to stay off of Doctor Google.  Try and distract yourself until your Appointment.  Not knowing things is very hard, I know.  Just try and calm down.  The more you stress your body with this fear and stress the more your body has to work to stay healthy.  

 

Hang Tight .... Colleen

Thanks Colleen. 

Thats a fair response I guess! I can't help myself on Doctor Google... I am quite medically minded (possibly to my detriment)... It's so upsetting as I have tried so hard to stay healthy, I hardly eat any processed food, exercise as much as I can... I'm gutted at the moment... All I can think of is my little boy :-(

Thanks for responding

GF Lover Rising Star

Turn on some music.  And remember, It's cocktail hour somewhere :).

LookingforAnswers15 Enthusiast

Hi, I'm sorry that you are going through this and I really have no medical advice to offer. I am also so scared regarding some of my symptoms so I know it is so hard to try not to think about it until we get to see a doctor but please try! Hang in there! It is better that doctors do not speculate about possibilities although it can seem shady to us. I know that I would want to know the best and worse scenarios and possibly hearing something bad (which does not mean that is actually happening to you because you do not have test results) would just freak you out for no reason.There are so many scenarios, including good ones, so until you get tested you won't know. Your healthy lifestyle is a good thing. You are doing everything you can at the moment. 

bartfull Rising Star

I wish I could pass along my "ostrich syndrome". It is my head in the sand way of dealing with things I have no control over. If I have something going on that would worry most people I just ignore it. I get involved in a good book or find other distractions.

 

You could try that. Stay busy and when you're not busy either read or get into a good movie. Another thing that may help is to put your mind on other people. If you're worried about someone else you won't have time to worry about yourself.

 

And remember, 99.999 percent of the time, the things we worry about never come to pass.

designerstubble Enthusiast

Hi, I'm sorry that you are going through this and I really have no medical advice to offer. I am also so scared regarding some of my symptoms so I know it is so hard to try not to think about it until we get to see a doctor but please try! Hang in there! It is better that doctors do not speculate about possibilities although it can seem shady to us. I know that I would want to know the best and worse scenarios and possibly hearing something bad (which does not mean that is actually happening to you because you do not have test results) would just freak you out for no reason.There are so many scenarios, including good ones, so until you get tested you won't know. Your healthy lifestyle is a good thing. You are doing everything you can at the moment. 

Thank you for replying! I am sorry you are going through tough times too. Thanks for being so positive, I know I need to try and get on and try to ignore... Being medically minded I am looking for answers on Dr Google... to my detriment. As much as I don't want to die, for myself I want to live! But it is more for my little boy, we are so very close, and I don't know what would happen to him. Thinking about about it makes me want to vomit! And cry! Tomorrow hopefully I will drag myself up a notch! For his sake. And I will continue with my healthy lifestyle, you are right there is nothing I can do!! Many thank you's, hugs


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designerstubble Enthusiast

I wish I could pass along my "ostrich syndrome". It is my head in the sand way of dealing with things I have no control over. If I have something going on that would worry most people I just ignore it. I get involved in a good book or find other distractions.

 

You could try that. Stay busy and when you're not busy either read or get into a good movie. Another thing that may help is to put your mind on other people. If you're worried about someone else you won't have time to worry about yourself.

 

And remember, 99.999 percent of the time, the things we worry about never come to pass.

Bartfull! I remember you from a few years ago! How are you doing? Are you eating maize yet?? Thanks for replying.

Send me some ostrich syndrome pleeeeeeaaaaaase. I'm having a real bad one here.

I hope you are right about the 99.9999 percent... I have had SO much bad luck since my celiac diagnosis, the latest a diagnosis of a brain fistula bought on by dehydration of undiagnosed celiac! And now this.... There is only so much someone can take in less than  3 years! I guess what I wanted to know is if anyone knew about Troisiers node/Vichows node and if that meant it was stomach cancer with mets... I mean could I have stomach cancer with mets without losing weight? 

It's ok, I am not expecting you to answer, I am just airing!! Thanks for replying, send me some courage! Hope you are well, and still enjoying your shop :-)

nvsmom Community Regular

((hugs))

It's true, we often misdiagnose ourselves when we take responsibility for our own health.  In the past 3 years, I thought I had lupus and acromegaly with a small brain tumor.  Thankfully I was wrong, so I sort of understand your stress, to a lesser degree.... It's hard to wait. Not knowing is a scary thing. 

 

If you want to take some benign but potentially helpful action now, you could consider a low carb/sugar diet.  Cancers live on sugar.  If you do not eat sugar or starches, it can't be fed. I so hope you don't have cancer, but a change in diet, even leaning towards a ketogenic diet, could help and it won't hurt if you are fine.  I only mention it because I know I like to take action when I have a health problem (it helps me feel better- more in control), and I think some people feel the same way.

 

Hang in there.  ((hug))

bartfull Rising Star

I'm doing OK, Designer. Suffering right now from a mystery glutening - only the second time I've been glutened since I started. I believe it was CC in some ice cream I ate.

 

But yeah, I got corn back and soy and even blueberries (my favorite.)

 

I hate seeing you consumed by worry. My Mom worried about just about everything and I think seeing that made me learn NOT to be. I wish I could send you some of my ostrich. But maybe some of these quotes will help: Open Original Shared Link

 

Take one or two a day and dwell on THEM. No matter how far off your appointment is, there are enough to take you there and beyond.

 

In the meantime, pray if you are someone who prays. And I will be praying for you too.  (((((HUGS)))))

beth01 Enthusiast

I agree with the others, stay off the internet. A month before my celiac diagnosis I could have sworn I had MS and Early onset Alzheimer's.  I had a mediastinal  mass that was wrapped around my aorta in 2010 and gave myself cancer before the mass was even removed, which was totally benign as were the other enlarged lymph nodes found in my chest.  Our bodies don't follow normal medical protocol, we are a species of our own.

LookingforAnswers15 Enthusiast

Thank you for replying! I am sorry you are going through tough times too. Thanks for being so positive, I know I need to try and get on and try to ignore... Being medically minded I am looking for answers on Dr Google... to my detriment. As much as I don't want to die, for myself I want to live! But it is more for my little boy, we are so very close, and I don't know what would happen to him. Thinking about about it makes me want to vomit! And cry! Tomorrow hopefully I will drag myself up a notch! For his sake. And I will continue with my healthy lifestyle, you are right there is nothing I can do!! Many thank you's, hugs

You really do not need to thank me. Fear is one of the worst emotions. Some very kind people calmed me a bit down yesterday. I would not call myself positive these days when I am thinking about myself but we can be more rational,positive, and composed when looking at someone else's situation. I am having a hard time not thinking about my issues but I am trying even if it means watching one movie after another. I have also spent a lot of time looking up things online. However, I feel that I have to because of my experience with doctors.

 

Please, please do not even think about the worst case scenario!!! When is your dr.'s appointment? Find something to do to distract yourself as much as possible. I am sending you positive thoughts, prayers, and hugs. 

RMJ Mentor

When I was in my early 30s I had an enlarged lymph node in my armpit. My doctor thought it might be advanced breast cancer and sent me for an "emergency mammogram." It turned out to be mononucleosis and in a few days I came down with more symptoms. I hope your lymph node is equally benign.

Hugs,

Ruth

icelandgirl Proficient

Hi and ((((hugs))))!

I'm so sorry that you are having these worries. I understand as I am the type to worry and Google and diagnose myself. Ugh! I do think it's good that the Dr didn't speculate. In my 20's, prior to having an MRI done, my Dr at the time told me that I had either a brain tumor or MS. I was completely devastated...turned out I had neither, but I sure did worry a lot.

Of course you think about your little boy when you are worried. I so get this. I have 3 kids...my youngest is almost 4 and they are the first thing I think of when something is wrong. I just want so much to be there for them.

Has your referral come through yet? Until it does and you see someone, try your best not to Google. Go out and do some fun with your little one instead. Something that brings you both joy. Try to stay busy too. Most of all...take care of yourself.

Please let us know how things go.

designerstubble Enthusiast

((hugs))

It's true, we often misdiagnose ourselves when we take responsibility for our own health.  In the past 3 years, I thought I had lupus and acromegaly with a small brain tumor.  Thankfully I was wrong, so I sort of understand your stress, to a lesser degree.... It's hard to wait. Not knowing is a scary thing. 

 

If you want to take some benign but potentially helpful action now, you could consider a low carb/sugar diet.  Cancers live on sugar.  If you do not eat sugar or starches, it can't be fed. I so hope you don't have cancer, but a change in diet, even leaning towards a ketogenic diet, could help and it won't hurt if you are fine.  I only mention it because I know I like to take action when I have a health problem (it helps me feel better- more in control), and I think some people feel the same way.

 

Hang in there.  ((hug))

Hi Nvsmom, how you doing?! Oh it's so lovely to talk to guys again (ladies!)... Thanks for replying.

Yeah, I guess I have such awful rouble previously with doctors that I search Dr Google to eliminate any sinister possibilities myself, and actually end up going down the dark alleys. 

Funnily enough, I quit sugar 3 weeks ago! Before any of this. I doubt I could get ketogenic (I'd love to) but I'm vegetarian also (cannot have nuts due to sons anaphylaxis) and I'm lactose intolerant. I have the odd green juice, and my diet is quite clean (lots of salad and veg, eggs, avocados, fruit, matcha green tea, occasional fish)...

But you are right, I am glad I quit the sugar as I did have chocolate and sweeties before.

Its been a ride these 3 years, always something being checked out, major amounts of stress sometimes. I just want to be healthy and happy! And get on with my life! Its hard Nvs, as all I think about is my son, we are very close... 

Thank you so much again, hugs to you, I hope you are doing great :-)

designerstubble Enthusiast

Hi and ((((hugs))))!

I'm so sorry that you are having these worries. I understand as I am the type to worry and Google and diagnose myself. Ugh! I do think it's good that the Dr didn't speculate. In my 20's, prior to having an MRI done, my Dr at the time told me that I had either a brain tumor or MS. I was completely devastated...turned out I had neither, but I sure did worry a lot.

Of course you think about your little boy when you are worried. I so get this. I have 3 kids...my youngest is almost 4 and they are the first thing I think of when something is wrong. I just want so much to be there for them.

Has your referral come through yet? Until it does and you see someone, try your best not to Google. Go out and do some fun with your little one instead. Something that brings you both joy. Try to stay busy too. Most of all...take care of yourself.

Please let us know how things go.

Thanks Iceland girl

Everyone on here is so lovely, and of course right with advice. I just want to rule out the sinister reasons for this lump in my collar bone, and it all points to malignancy... Apparently 90 percent of those over 40 with enlarged nodes in collar bone are malignant. It really has petrified me. I feel well apart from hiatus hernia symptoms which I now wonder if are something more sinister.

Anyway, mustn't dwell hey?

Ugh! 

Thank you so much for replying, you are all such lovely people :-) I will stay off Dr Googe today and spend time with my gorgeous boy... Hugs to you

designerstubble Enthusiast

When I was in my early 30s I had an enlarged lymph node in my armpit. My doctor thought it might be advanced breast cancer and sent me for an "emergency mammogram." It turned out to be mononucleosis and in a few days I came down with more symptoms. I hope your lymph node is equally benign.

Hugs,

Ruth

Thankyou RMJ... Thats reasuring a little.... I do hope mine is the same....It is sinister because of my age and because of its location, as you are not supposed to be able to palpate these nodes freely. :-( I know it wasn't there before... Its 1cm ish and hard. Hard apparently isn't good either. Ugh!

Thanks for replying, everyones support means a lot, fingers crossed 

Hugs

nvsmom Community Regular

Hi Nvsmom, how you doing?! Oh it's so lovely to talk to guys again (ladies!)... Thanks for replying.

Yeah, I guess I have such awful rouble previously with doctors that I search Dr Google to eliminate any sinister possibilities myself, and actually end up going down the dark alleys. 

Funnily enough, I quit sugar 3 weeks ago! Before any of this. I doubt I could get ketogenic (I'd love to) but I'm vegetarian also (cannot have nuts due to sons anaphylaxis) and I'm lactose intolerant. I have the odd green juice, and my diet is quite clean (lots of salad and veg, eggs, avocados, fruit, matcha green tea, occasional fish)...

But you are right, I am glad I quit the sugar as I did have chocolate and sweeties before.

Its been a ride these 3 years, always something being checked out, major amounts of stress sometimes. I just want to be healthy and happy! And get on with my life! Its hard Nvs, as all I think about is my son, we are very close... 

Thank you so much again, hugs to you, I hope you are doing great :-)

 

I'm okay. Having some issues with arthritis, not my old celiac-caused type of arthritis, which is slowing me down, but overall I'm fine.

 

Dr google is a good friend to people like you who have had doctors fail us so badly.  At least you are going into this appointment well prepared and know what to ask about.  You're ahead of the game. Hopefully you are like me and have researched too far.  

 

The acromegaly that I thought I had (with a pituitary tumor) is often found by high levels of growth hormone and mine were waaay high; I had some symptoms too.  The only cause I could find was a pituitary tumor until I found one article in a veterinary journal about high T3 thyroid hormones causing a rise in GH and IGF-1.  That one tiny article out or dozens was probably the one that fit best with me although I cringed at the large animal comparisons.  LOL ;)  

 

Hang in there. it may be something else even if it all appears to be pointing one way.

 

Good for you for giving up sugar.  I've been battling that for a year - it's hard to do!  You are a stronger woman than I.  I am slowly working towards a mild keto diet myself.  The Wahl's protocol is  pretty good.  she recommends about 6-9 cups of veggies  (minimal fruit) per day with added coconut cream/milk from a can or coconut oil.  She wants meat with most meals  but keeps it to 6-9 oz per day.  Adding in the extra fats might help you get to keto, if it is something you would like to try.  If not, forget I said anything.  :);)

 

I'll be thinking of you.  Keep letting us know how you are doing, and not just when you have seen a doctor.  :) (hug)

designerstubble Enthusiast

I'm doing OK, Designer. Suffering right now from a mystery glutening - only the second time I've been glutened since I started. I believe it was CC in some ice cream I ate.

 

But yeah, I got corn back and soy and even blueberries (my favorite.)

 

I hate seeing you consumed by worry. My Mom worried about just about everything and I think seeing that made me learn NOT to be. I wish I could send you some of my ostrich. But maybe some of these quotes will help: Open Original Shared Link

 

Take one or two a day and dwell on THEM. No matter how far off your appointment is, there are enough to take you there and beyond.

 

In the meantime, pray if you are someone who prays. And I will be praying for you too.  (((((HUGS)))))

Bartfull, thanks so much...Yes, I need some Ostrich! I must be like your mum! Although I am generally pretty laid back, except when it comes to a fear of dying... Which has intensified since I had my little boy. Thank you for the link, I will look tonight :-) And I will keep one to carry with me. Thank you so much (weep)...

I am so glad you got corn and soy AND BLUEBERRIES back in!! And sorry you are not too great... Are you feeling better? Massive ((((hugs)))) back to you

designerstubble Enthusiast

I'm doing OK, Designer. Suffering right now from a mystery glutening - only the second time I've been glutened since I started. I believe it was CC in some ice cream I ate.

 

But yeah, I got corn back and soy and even blueberries (my favorite.)

 

I hate seeing you consumed by worry. My Mom worried about just about everything and I think seeing that made me learn NOT to be. I wish I could send you some of my ostrich. But maybe some of these quotes will help: Open Original Shared Link

 

Take one or two a day and dwell on THEM. No matter how far off your appointment is, there are enough to take you there and beyond.

 

In the meantime, pray if you are someone who prays. And I will be praying for you too.  (((((HUGS)))))

PS. I picked one...

"He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears"

 

Massive thanks and hugs

  • 2 months later...
kaile Newbie

designerstubble, i came across this forum & your post because i have a feeling i have a gluten intolerance while also noticing supraclavicular lymph nodes.  i was wondering if you have any updates on whether it was benign.  hoping for the best!

  • 4 months later...
designerstubble Enthusiast

Hi Kaile

Only just seen this, sorry... Its been a stressful few months.

How many and how big are your nodes? Are they still there? The supraclavicular ones are the 'worrisome' nodes unfortunately... This is what I have. I am still under testing and watch and wait...

All the best

 

Kimmy

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    • Dora77
      Sorry for the long post. I’m 18, and I was diagnosed with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes (T1D). My transglutaminase IgA was >128 U/mL, EMA IgA positive twice, and I’m HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 positive. I’ve been completely asymptomatic since diagnosis, even when I cheated with gluten sometimes in the past and used to eat out(2-5 years ago) I don’t get the typical celiac reactions, which makes it really hard to know when (or if) I’ve been glutened. But for the past year, I’ve been the most strict with my diet, and that’s also when a bunch of new issues started. I eat completely glutenfree, never eat out, dont eat food that says „may contain gluten“.   Current Health Problems • Floating, undigested stools for over a year now. Dont think its related to celiac as it was like this since im 17 and not 13-16( i got diagnosed at 13). • Chronic back pain started gradually, worsens with movement, lots of cracking/popping sounds. Been ongoing for a year now. First noticed in the gym. • Abdominal bulge on the right side, not painful but seems to be getting slightly bigger. Doctor didn’t find a hernia on ultrasound, but it was done lying down (I’ve read those can miss hernias). Noticed it like 6 months ago, couldve been there longer. • extremely dry and mildly swollen hands (this started before I started excessive hand-washing), and bloated face. • Signs of inattentive ADHD (noticed over the past 3 years), now combined with severe OCD focused on contamination and cross-contact. • Growth/puberty seemed to started after going gluten-free. Before that I was not developing. Dont know if any of these are because of celiac as my dad doesnt have those and he is a lot less strict gluten-free then me. I also had pancreatic elastase tested four times: values were 46 (very low), 236, 158, and 306 (normal). Gastroenterologist said one normal value is enough and I don’t have EPI. Family doctor prescribed Kreon anyway (after I pushed for it), and I just started taking 1 capsule (10,000 units) with meals 2 days ago, but couldn‘t see effects yet because I’ve been constipated the last few days. Maybe because of thyroid. I don’t have Hashimoto’s. No thyroid antibodies. But I took levothyroxine for slightly low FT4 levels. My thyroid levels fluctuated between borderline low and low-normal. And recently lowered my dose so that may have caused the constipating. I probably didn’t need it in the first place, and am thinking about stopping it soon.   Current Diet Right now, I only eat a very limited set of “safe” foods I prepare myself: • Gluten-free bread with tuna or cheese • Milk and cornflakes • gluten-free cookies/snacks • Bananas (the only fruit I trust right now) I rarely eat other fruits or vegetables, because I’m scared of contamination. My dad, who also has celiac but doesn’t care about CC, buys fruits, and he might’ve picked them up right after handling gluten bread. That makes me feel unsafe eating them. Even fruit at stores or markets feels risky because so many people with gluten on their hands touch them.   My Home Situation (Shared Kitchen) We’re a family of 5. Only my dad and I have celiac. He eats glutenfree but doesn’t care about CC and sometimes (but rarely) cheats. My mom and siblings eat gluten bread at every meal. My mom is honest (so if i ask her to be cautious, she most likely would try to), but doesn’t seem to understand how serious celiac is. She: • Stopped using gluten flour • only cooks gluten-free meals (but they still heat up gluten bread and also cook gluten noodles) • Keeps separate butter/jam/jars for me • Bought me a stainless steel pan Bu we didn’t replace old wooden utensils, cutting boards, or other pans. The new they bought me pan was even carried home in a shopping bag with gluten bread in it, which triggered my OCD. It also has a rubber handle and I’m scared it might still hold onto gluten. Even if it’s washed well, it’s stored next to other pans that were used for gluten food/bread. Our kitchen table is used for eating gluten bread daily. My mom wipes it but not with soap. I’m scared tiny particles remain. If she made gluten-free bread dough on a board at the table, I’d still worry about cross contmaination contamination even with something under the dough and on the table as at one point the dough would probably touch the table. So I stopped eating anything she makes.   I know OCD is making it worse, but I can’t tell how much of my fear is real and how much is anxiety. Examples: • I wash my hands 20–30 times a day — before eating, after touching anything at home or outside, after using my phone/laptop. • I don’t let others touch my phone, and I’m scared to use my laptop because friends at school or my brother (who eat gluten) have touched it. And it annoys me a lot when others touch my stuff and feels like it got contaminated and is unsafe instantly. • I stopped eating while using my phone or laptop, afraid of invisible gluten being on them. • I wash my hands after opening food packaging (since it was on store cashier belts where gluten food is placed). • I avoid sitting anywhere except my bed or one clean chair. • I won’t shake hands with anyone or walk past people eating gluten. • At school, when switching classes, I wash my hands before getting out my laptop, again before opening it, etc. • I open door knobs with my elbows instead my hands   Job Concerns (Powder Coating, Sandblasting, Etc.) I’m working a temporary job right now that involves: • Powder coating • Sandblasting • Wet spray painting • Anodizing There’s also a laboratory. I don’t need this job, and my OCD makes me believe that dust or air particles there might contain gluten somehow. Should I quit?   Doctors Haven’t Helped My family doctor told me: “Asymptomatic celiac isn’t serious, if you have no symptoms, your intestines won’t get damaged, so you don’t need a gluten-free diet.” I knew that was wrong, but he wasn’t open to listening. I just nodded and didn‘t argue. My gastroenterologist (who’s also a dietitian) said: „If your antibodies are negative, there’s no damage. It might even be okay to try small amounts of gluten later if antibodies stay negative.“ Also said, pepper that says “may contain gluten” is fine if it only contains pepper. She was more informed than my family doctor but didn’t seem to fully understand celiac either.   Questions I Need Help With 1. Is it realistically safe to eat food my mom cooks, if we get separate pans/ and boards even if gluten is still used in the same kitchen? There will always be low risk of cc chances like that she will still touch stuff that was touched by her and my siblings after they ate gluten. And as there are gluten eaters in the house and she also prepares and eats gluten. So would opening the fridge then getting the food and touching the food be okay? So basically what i am doing, washing my hands multiple times while preparing food, she would only wash it once before, then touch anything else (for example water tap or handles) that were touched with gluteny hands, then also touch the food. I dont know if I ever could feel safe, I could try telling her how important cc really is. And I trust her so she wouldnt lie to me then be careless about cc, but idk how safe it really can be if she and everyone else keeps eating gluten and touching stuff in the house after eating. 2. Do I need to worry about touching doorknobs, fridge handles, light switches, etc. that family members touched after eating gluten? What about public places like bus handles or school desks? Or like if i went to the gym, I would be touching stuff all the time, so there will be small amounts of gluten and those would get transferred on my phone if I touch my phone while in the gym. But I want to knos if it would be enough to do damage. 3. Is an endoscopy (without biopsy) enough to tell if my intestines are healed? I’d pay privately if it could help and if i dont get a refferal. Or do i need a biopsy? 4. Could my job (powder coating, sandblasting, etc.) expose me to gluten or damage my intestines through air/dust? 5. Do I need certified gluten-free toothpaste, hand soap, shampoo, or moisturizer? (For example: Vaseline and Colgate don’t contain gluten ingredients but say they can’t guarantee it’s gluten-free.) 6. Is spices like pepper with “may contain traces of gluten” safe if no gluten ingredients are listed? Or does everything need to be labeled gluten-free?  7. Is continuing to only eat my own food the better choice, or could I eventually go back to eating what my mom cooks if she’s careful? 8. is cutlery from dishwasher safe if there are stains? Stuff like knives is used for cutting gluten bread or fork for noodles etc. I often see stains which i dont know if its gluten or something else but our dish washer doesnt seem to make it completely clean. 9. I wash my hands multiple times while preparing food. Do i need to do the same when touching my phone. Like if i touch the fridge handle, I wash my hands then touch the phone. I dont eat while using my phone but i leave it on my bed and pillow and my face could come in contact with where it was.  10. Do i need to clean my phone or laptop if theyve been used by people who eat gluten? Even if no crumbs fall onto my keybaord, i mean because of invisible gluten on their fingers. 11. Does medication/supplements have to be strictly glutenfree? One company said they couldn‘t guarantee if their probiotics don’t contain traces of gluten.  12. I had bought supplements in the past, some of them say glutenfree and some of them dont(like the brand „NOW“ from iherb). I bought them and used them when i wasnt washing my hands so often, are they still safe? As I touched and opened them after touching door knobs, water taps etc. It was like a year ago when i bought those and even though i was eating gluten-free, I never worried about what i touch etc. I know this post is long. I’m just extremely overwhelmed. I’m trying to protect myself from long-term health damage, but the OCD is destroying my quality of life, and I honestly don’t know what’s a reasonable level of caution anymore. Thanks for reading.
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