Did I Gluten Myself?

[amberleigh]

I was dx'd and started my gluten-free diet on Monday. I've been doing very well since then (D wise) but this morning, I've gone 4 times already!!! The only thing I can think of from yesterday is that I licked 2 envelopes and used Kraft Miracle Whip (wasn't sure about the modified food starch, but remembered seeing Miracle Whip on a gluten-free list). Would those really have made me this sick? Oy.

Or is my system still just "regulating" itself?

[stargazer]

I was dx'd and started my gluten-free diet on Monday. I've been doing very well since then (D wise) but this morning, I've gone 4 times already!!! The only thing I can think of from yesterday is that I licked 2 envelopes and used Kraft Miracle Whip (wasn't sure about the modified food starch, but remembered seeing Miracle Whip on a gluten-free list). Would those really have made me this sick? Oy.

Or is my system still just "regulating" itself?

The envelope glue was most likely the problem. I have used the Miracle Whip for the past few months (I was diagnosed in November), and haven't had a problem. Try using envelope moistener, never lick!

[Lisa]

As stated on another thread, I have never seen any documentation that glue on envelopes contain gluten. Nor have I ever heard that it does not.

...but until it presents itself, I would be cautious.

If you are relatively new to the gluten free diet, it will take some time to heal. Some feel better in several days and others will take several months.

I have found that it is almost impossible to be 100% gluten free in the beginning. There are just too many things to learn and too many traps.

Hope you feel better soon.

[GFhopeful]

I have no idea exactly what it was that caused me to feel so sick after I started feeling better in those first couple of weeks but had to go back to basics as far as food choices and that helped me. I am slowly building up with new gluten-free things and more ingredients but had to go back to chicken, veggies and fruit, rice and potatoes. I have been trying to be gluten-free since 1st week of June '07 and have felt so much better - but it did take cutting way back and slowly introducing new foods for me. And I cut out dairy for now, per things on this board and books and resources have suggested - hope to build that back in a couple of months. Hope you are feeling better and figure out what works for you.

[Teacher1958]

Truthfully, I feel as if I have to be a detective sometimes. I was on a low cholesterol diet for awhile (cholesterol dropped to normal on gluten free diet), and that was a piece of cake (oops) to follow compared to this. I've been glutened twice since April, and both times I really had to wrack my brain to figure out the source of the problem. We eat out a lot, too, and I have to think through all of the potential hazards in whatever I order- nothing deep fried, no sauces, nothing breaded (obviously), nothing with soy sauce or malt vinegar, no soups unless I'm really careful (watch out for barley), no fake meats if they're made with textured vegetable protein, and on an on. I think over time it will get easier, but it's hard being that vigilant all of the time, especially if I'm tired or distracted. Don't get me wrong, though, it's wonderful to feel so much better!