Omg! I Think I Found It!

[Canadian Karen]

Gas-X Chewable Tablets!!!!!!!

I eat those things like candy because of the severe intestinal gas and bloating that I have......

I have just confirmed with their 1-888 number that both the Chewable Tablets and the Softgels have gluten containing starch in them!!!!!

I have been giving myself a steady dose all along!!

I still am starting from scratch, and cutting EVERYTHING out but at least now I know there was a definitive source contanimating me...... I am still getting my own toasters for both work and home, and getting exclusive frying pans for my gluten-free pancakes. My husband cooks breakfast on the weekends and what he was doing was cooking my gluten-free pancakes first and then cooking the kids ones after. But it is a teflon frying pan. So now I am going to get my own exclusive gluten-free pan. Same goes for utensils, can opener, etc.

I am starting to feel sooooo relieved that I truly believe now that it is not refractory celiac, but contamination instead.....

Karen

[terri]

Good for you Karen! We're all relieved and happy for you. I used to take those gasx pills too and always wondered why I felt worse afterwards. So, I started backing them up with Tums and THAT sure didn't help! Since I went gluten-free I've been too afraid to take anything. Well, keep us posted, we're all rooting for you!

[burdee]

I'm SOOOOO glad to hear you discovered that. Isn't it ironic that the pills advertised to help with gas/bloating actually create MORE gas/bloating for celiacs?? Well, I guess it sells more of their product.

When I was STILL having painful symptoms after my first 2 gluten-free months, I discoverd I was taking vitamin C tablets with wheat starch and using toothpaste with gluten ingredients. It really pays to examine EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth. I won't even hold hands with my husband to say grace before meals if he has been handling gluten containing foods. Before I share a beverage with him, I always ask him what he last ate. If it was gluten ingredients, I don't share!

BURDEE

[celiac3270]

Gas-X Chewable Tablets!!!!!!!

I eat those things like candy because of the severe intestinal gas and bloating that I have......

I have just confirmed with their 1-888 number that both the Chewable Tablets and the Softgels have gluten containing starch in them!!!!!

I have been giving myself a steady dose all along!!

I still am starting from scratch, and cutting EVERYTHING out but at least now I know there was a definitive source contanimating me...... I am still getting my own toasters for both work and home, and getting exclusive frying pans for my gluten-free pancakes. My husband cooks breakfast on the weekends and what he was doing was cooking my gluten-free pancakes first and then cooking the kids ones after. But it is a teflon frying pan. So now I am going to get my own exclusive gluten-free pan. Same goes for utensils, can opener, etc.

I am starting to feel sooooo relieved that I truly believe now that it is not refractory celiac, but contamination instead.....

Karen

Yay! That is absolutely terrific! You mentioned not being careful about contamination, finding out a soy sauce you were using wasn't gluten-free, and now this! I am 100% sure now that this wasn't refractory sprue, but rather, a misdiagnosis by your GI due to a steady gluten intake all along....you found it!

I was actually going to write you back later today and suggest that you start from scratch -- start with meat, potatoes, fruits, and veggies, and call everyone, rebuild your diet. I'm glad that you've already decided to do this. Buying a toaster is the first step to de-contaminating your kitchen. Remember never to put a gluten-free food straight on the counter, even if the counter should be gluten-free. There's a great risk of contamination with that. Also, don't put a gluten-free food directly onto the revolving surface thing in the microwave.....another source of contamination.

A few more tips for an entirely gluten-free diet: be careful of makeup (eyeliner and lipstick in particular), toothpastes (you said you checked), medicine, vitamins, play dough (though I doubt you have a lot of that around ), some glues, licking stamps, and licking envelopes. Of course, get a new gluten-free pot, frying pan (as you mentioned), and some basic cooking utensils: whisk, spatula, wooden spoon, etc.

I had a big list of things to watch out w/ cross-contamination. I'm not posting from home, so I can't access the word document, but you might want to search for it if you want some tips --- I didn't even know about all the things in it.....some of the precautions were crazy, but you'd probably get something out of it.

Good luck....I am convinced it's not RS.......you just weren't 100% gluten-free...

-celiac3270

[Canadian Karen]

Hi celiac3270:

I already found your article I believe you are talking about....

I mentions almost everything, most things I wouldn't have even thought of, i.e. keyboard, mouse, telephone etc. (I have the list at my work, I printed it off today). All of them are excellent suggestions..... You are a wealth of info!

Karen

[gf4life]

Karen,

I'm so glad that you found out about the Gas-X. celiac3270 has given you a lot of excellent advice, and I suggest you follow it as best as possible. Can you believe he is only a teenager, something like 14! He is so much more grown up that a lot of adults I know!!

The suggestion of not placing your food directly on the counter/microwave turntable, etc. is a good one. I know this isn't the best for the environment, but I use paper plates a lot! I use them for preparing food, and for a cutting board, as well as occasionally for actually eating. I feel like this way I know it is a safe surface to prepare my food on. And it is also easily transportable for at work, or eating out at friends/relatives.

I hope that you are feeling a lot better soon.

God bless,

Mariann

[lovegrov]

If you've been eating things with gluten all along and not paying attention to contamination then it is definitely not refractory sprue. You've never actually been gluten-free. You've probably learned your lesson, but I'll re-emphasize anyway -- never, ever put anything in your mouth unless you KNOW it's gluten-free. That means you've either got to know the company is one that plainly lists gluten, or you have to call the company.

richard

[j9n]

Oh, geez Karen. I have been taking Gasx the last few days and for the life of me I could not figure out why I am feeling bad. I have had leg cramps, dizzy spells, foggy head, the feeling of floating when I walk, etc. I have been so very careful so I was starting to get a bit paranoid that maybe something else was wrong. Well, I guess if I had doubts before I don't anymore.

[Karina]

Karen,

How absolutely thrilling for you! It really has made my afternoon to know someone out there has made such an important discovery! I can sense your excitement and I am really happy for you. Everyone has given you really great advice thus far, and i don't have anymore to add on that front!

[Canadian Karen]

I thought for sure that I had seen Gas-x on a previous list somewhere that it was okay - then I saw a list that said the chewable tablets were not gluten free but the softgels were. So I decided to call the company. Turns out neither one of them are safe....

What I find hard to believe is how can a company that makes a product that will be sooooo inviting to a celiac person (for bloating, gas, etc., classic celiac symptoms), not be aware that celiacs would be attracted to this product, and not put some kind of warning on it.........

Boy, laws need to be changed!!!!!!!!

Karen

[j9n]

I looked at the label and to me it looks safe. Thank you, thank you Karen for finding this out. I would have never guessed this was the problem for me. That is what I love about this board. I would have never known.

[Canadian Karen]

Let's hope removing this from our systems will improve both of us!!

Have a great day!

Karen

[Guest sushi]

Karen,

I am glad that you found the source of your gluten contamination. I am still working on checking out all of my lotions, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. It appears to be a lot of work, but it is worth it. Take care,

Susette

[pamelaD]

Hi all,

So what anti gas med out there CAN we take!! I have taken gasX in the past durning nasty, painful gas attacks and they have helped (maybe they just helped more than they hurt).

I will obviously not be using them anymore......any ideas?

Pam

[burdee]

I stay away from most OTC meds except a gluten-free/CF Tylenol brand for an occasional headache. For celiac disease 'slip' symptoms like gas, bloating and expecially those excruciating cramping pains, I drink lotsa warm water, strong peppermint tea (brewed from leaves, not bags) and sometimes fennel seed tea (only helps with gas/bloating, not cramps so much). I also do yoga or pilates exercises which focus on my abdominal area (I can literally push out the gas with reverse sit ups and/or leg cross overs). I also walk around our local lake (where I know many restrooms are located along my route). I believe the simpler the treatment (rather than a processed OTC med) the less I risk the pesky mystery ingredients which may have gluten, casein or soy (all troublesome for me).

BURDEE

[strack2004]

I, too, am glad to know about Gas X. I hadn't used that brand of simethecone in quite a long time, but do use the Family Pharmacy brand which may very well haave the same additives. Will check it out with my drugstore. The box doesn't have any information on it. I have now started seriously on the SCD diet. Hopefully, in time, this will have a good effect on my gas problems. I have been relatively free of pain with this, but have quite a volume, sometimes stinky, sometimes not so bad. I want to try out the cheeses that are freely allowed on this diet. It would help with getting enough calcium since I am lactose intolerant. Will use caution! Tiny amts. to start and wait and see. I am also investigating my otc's. Find that several of them have pharmoceutical glaze listed. Does anyone have any info about that? Glaze sounds like sugar, but maybe not. I have been using acidophilus recently. Any recommendations about a good brand? I am sure I will have many more questions as time goes on. Dr. wants to see me again in a month. I want to be very sure I keep gluten-free so there will be a favorable change. He is okay with my trying this, but a successful patient would mean that he would be more likely to recommend this to other people with GI problems. Cheers, Ruth

[strack2004]

Pam, This fits right in with my post. I, too, would like to know what else might be out there. Will call the drugstore about Family Pharmacy's brand when I get home. I do this at the library. Cheers! Ruth

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Burdee,

Those are excellent suggestions. I know what you mean about being able to push out the gas. When I am at work, after lunch, I sneak into the boardroom, lay down on the floor, first on my right side for a few minutes, then my left side for a few minutes, then on my stomach for a few minutes and then on by back for a few minutes. I can literally feel the bubbles moving through my system. And of course, it is a good thing I am alone in there!!! I feel that helps immensely. If I didn't do that, I wouldn't be able to sit at my desk for the afternoon due to the pain.

Karen

[Canadian Karen]

Also, I know for sure that Pepto Bismol is gluten-free. I find that helps me.....

Karen

[burdee]

Ruth: My acidophilus source is "Ethical Nutrients" Intestinal Care DF capsules recommended by a natureopath when I was still struggling with undiagnosed celiac disease symptoms. Those capsules contain each 6 billion organisms of Lactobacillus acidophillus and Bifidobacterium lactis. Even before I learned I had celiac disease, those capsules helped me. Now when I completely avoid gluten/casein/soy and take those plus a recommended digestive enzymes (Udo's Choice brand) I'm symptom free.

When I learned through Enterolab tests I must avoid casein (all cow's milk sources), I was also concerned about calcium, so I consulted www.gfcfdiet.com, a website for parents of autistic children who must restrict all dairy and gluten from their children's diet to relieve autistic syndrome symptoms. I believe their website lists good nondairy calcium sources, but I also ordered their gluten-free/cf shopping guide which lists foods which are good calcium sources such dark leafy greens like spinach, turnip greens, kale, beet greens, brocolli, mustard greens, swiss chard; some beans like kidney, pinto, navy and soybeans (which includes tofu); seeds like sesame and amaranth (also used as a grain for cereals); and almonds.

For my calcium sources, I depend on canned bony fish like salmon and sardines (easy to use in salads or spread on rice cakes), almonds and almond butter and brocolli and other green leafy vegies. I do DAILY weight bearing exercise (for hips and leg bones) and lift light weights (for arm and upper body bones). I also take magnesium to supplement calcium absorption as well as get daily vitamin D from sunshine exposure (it's even possible in Seattle!).

I'm not sure about 'glaze' but 'starch' in pharmaceuticals may be wheat or corn, since pharmaceuticals don't have to declare the source of their ingredients like food manufacturers. I use Nature Made or Schiff vitamin/mineral supplements which plainly state on the label that they are free of gluten. Schiff also lists dairy/soy/gluten free, but it's usually more expensive.

BURDEE

[celiac3270]

Those are excellent suggestions. I know what you mean about being able to push out the gas. When I am at work, after lunch, I sneak into the boardroom, lay down on the floor, first on my right side for a few minutes, then my left side for a few minutes, then on my stomach for a few minutes and then on by back for a few minutes. I can literally feel the bubbles moving through my system. And of course, it is a good thing I am alone in there!!! I feel that helps immensely. If I didn't do that, I wouldn't be able to sit at my desk for the afternoon due to the pain.

I don't have experience with really bad gas like that, but would it help to cut your lunch short by a few minutes so that you can go for a walk......walking is supposed to sorta dislodge the gas.

[Guest TESTinME]

Thanks for mentioning this. I take Gas-X from time to time as well...

[Judithg]

Karen! Wow! I take a lot of Gas-X Softgels. I read on a list of gluten-free products that the chewables were not gluten-free but the Softgels are. Any chance that the Softgels are okay?? BTW, the list of gluten-free products I was using is from Open Original Shared Link

Does anyone know of another simethicone product out there that is gluten-free? I know sometimes the Immodium anti-gas product is helpful, and supposedly gluten-free, but I don't like to take it unless I have really bad diarrhea.

Meanwhile, I've found that fennel tea is helpful for bloating and gas, but not always as convenient as popping a pill!

Thanks for the heads up on this.

Judith

[GFdoc]

If you read the label on the GasX soft chews, under inactive ingredients, it lists starch....

Phazyme is another brand of simethicone - doesn't list starch - and is on the gluten-free meds list I have.

CVS pharmacies list gluten-free status on many of their house brand OTC products.

Walgreens does not...unfortunately.

Sara

[JUDI42MIL]

Our pharmacist called a few companies for me last week. For gas med without gluten. She was told an item called Phazyme soft gels did not have any in it.