Forgetting to prewash new containers -- potential for gluten exposure?

[Ericaagl]

Hi,

This is my first post, and I'm writing because I'm currently panicking and need help urgently, but in a future post I promise to more formally introduce myself. What you do need to know is that I have extremely severe celiac reactions to even the slightest trace of gluten; I can't have a single ppm and can only eat all-natural foods, nothing manufactured. Every day I seem to discover a new packaged item that is causing a gluten reaction; the gluten exposures never end and I can never get completely gluten free. Then final thing I discovered was that my supposedly 100% gluten free salt was causing reactions, and I'm taking that out today. Anyway, after I got ALL that out, today I bought a pill crusher from CVS, and before I saw that you're supposed to wash it before using it, I used it. Now I'm freaking out that it might have had gluten on it, and now I'm going to have to suffer a whole 'nother day even after getting the salt out. Do you guys think it's possible that an unwashed pill crusher had gluten on it? Or would it just say to wash it because it might have dust or bacteria, neither of which bother me? Why would a new pill crusher have gluten on it?Please tell me it wouldn't have gluten! I'm so scared!

Thank you for any comfort you might be able to provide.

Best,

Erica

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, Ericaagl!

I wonder if you are reacting to other things in your diet that mimic a gluten reaction.

[Wheatwacked]

Hi Ericagl?. You can probably relax. I can't think of anyway the cutter could be contaminated with gluten but there might be residuals from the manufacting process.

As you are so sensitive may I ask what your vitamin D plasma is? Most Celiacs are low to deficient unless they take steps to improve it and it is essential to autoimmune and mental health. 

 I look forward to your backstory, if you want to share it.

[Ericaagl]

Thanks for the responses. I did get sick; I don't know if it was because of residuals of gluten from the pill crusher or from foods I'm eating that mimic gluten. I'm going to start a new thread explaining my backstory and dilemma.

[trents]

Are you still eating oats (even gluten-free oats) and dairy? Xanthan gum is found in many gluten-free products and famous for not agreeing with many of our tummies. Maybe you should keep a food diary for awhile.

Edited January 22, 2023 by trents

[Ericaagl]

No, I figured out a year ago that I get sick from oats and I cut them out. I don't eat anything with Xantham gum because I eat only all-natural foods. I just posted a new thread explaining my whole story and what I'm eating now.

I don't eat anything labeled "gluten-free"; only naturally gluten free foods. Here's my post:

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/157808-horrible-situation/#comment-1106472

[trents]

31 minutes ago, Ericaagl said:

No, I figured out a year ago that I get sick from oats and I cut them out. I don't eat anything with Xantham gum because I eat only all-natural foods. I just posted a new thread explaining my whole story and what I'm eating now.

I don't eat anything labeled "gluten-free"; only naturally gluten free foods. Here's my post:

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/157808-horrible-situation/#comment-1106472

Looking at the list of things you eat I can see that most of them are high histamine foods and/or foods that block histamine breakdown in the body. Have you considered histamine intolerance/MCAS?

Edited January 22, 2023 by trents

[Ericaagl]

No, what is that?

[Ericaagl]

Hmm, from what I'm reading, everything on my list is low in histamines. Avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, and non-citrus fruits are all listed as being low-histamine.

Also, I don't suffer from any of the symptoms associated with MCAS... But I appreciate you trying to help!

[Ericaagl]

I'm almost certain the problem is either the potatoes or the eggs. How come people are continuing to respond to this thread instead of my new one, which has my whole backstory? Maybe I'm confused about how this forum works...

[trents]

17 minutes ago, Ericaagl said:

No, what is that?

MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and histamine intolerance often go together, that's why I put the forward slash between them. It is common for celiacs to have these conditions because the cells in the gut that make DAO (Diamine Oxidase) are damaged. Diamine Oxidase is the enzyme that breaks down histamines in our body. Histamines are produced in the body but also introduced to the body in foods we eat. Certain foods are either high in histamines or trigger histamine production in the body or both. Avocados and bananas are chief offenders. As are fermented and aged products. All foods contain some histamines. The longer a food product sits on the shelf the higher the histamine level it contains. People with histamine intolerance should avoid high histamine foods and foods that block DAO activity and should focus on eating fresh foods as much as possible as opposed to canned and stored. Google histamine intolerance, MCAS, DAO, and low histamine diet.

The problem with avocados and bananas I believe is that they block the action of DOA, this triggering higher histamine levels. A fresh banana (with lots of green in the peel) is low in histamine. But as it ripens the histamine level increases.

Edited January 22, 2023 by trents

[Ericaagl]

Thanks for the info. I'll ask my doctor about it. Avocados and bananas are pretty much the only things I can eat, though, so I wouldn't be able to survive without them! And the only good days I've had are usually the ones when I've eaten only avocados and bananas. I'm more suspicious about the potatoes and eggs, because those are too that mimic gluten, and I'm still getting gluten reactions; even the color and texture of my poop is the same as when I have gluten. I'm going to try going without those. I'll let you know how that works. 

[Ericaagl]

Yep, it was the potatoes and eggs; my symptoms have cleared up! I was having cross reactions.

[trents]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions. It hasn't even been 24 hr. since you eliminated those two things. And did you eliminate potatoes and eggs at the same time? If so, how would you know whether it was one or the other or both that are causing the problem? In my experience, pinpointing foods that cause me issues has been less than easy since depending on how much and how often I eat something it may or may not cause a problem.