Cc--i Don't Know How

[andreagrant]

Hi All,

I've been gluten-free since 3 March 2007 and on the whole feel a billion times better than before. My D is totally gone and most days I have clear brain (no fog) and lots of energy, etc. But the last month I've had more tired days than I'd like, along with some 3-4 day headaches and stuff. I suspect I've cross contaminated myself somehow because I'm still on the learning curve. But I'm kind of stumped. I feel like I'm getting CC'd at home (I never feel ill after eating out).

I checked all my skin care stuff (i don't wash my hair and i made my own soap from scratch, and i don't wear makeup or anything besides burts bees lip balm from a new container).

I replaced all my wooden and plastic kitchen utensils, and consigned my beloved cast iron skillet to the basement. I also took all the gluten containing foods out of my house (I live alone so I can be 100% gluten-free).

I'm using my same stainless steel silverware, ceramic plates, glass glasses, and stainless steel pots. Is it possible these are the culprit? I hate to replace every single appliance/piece of cookware in my kitchen (I already got a new skillet and stick blender thingy) but I'm at a loss.

I keep my knives (another item I don't want to replace if possible--good quality Henckels) in a wooden drawer that is part of a wooden butcher block in my kitchen. I haven't replaced the butcher block, but I use a (new) plastic cutting board on top since I assume the wood is filled with gluten residue in the cuts. I cleaned out the drawers when I went gluten-free, but is it possible there's some in the corners that is getting out somehow?

I'm just frustrated, because I can't tell if this is just normal ups and downs--I know it can take months to years to totally heal, OR if I'm unneccesarily suffering because of CC that I could take care of. I'm kind of driving myself crazy obsessing about how I might have CC'd myself (in case you couldn't tell that from the post...) Is there something else obvious that I'm missing???

Thanks!!!

[Lisa]

Hi All,

I've been gluten-free since 3 March 2007 and on the whole feel a billion times better than before. My D is totally gone and most days I have clear brain (no fog) and lots of energy, etc. But the last month I've had more tired days than I'd like, along with some 3-4 day headaches and stuff. I suspect I've cross contaminated myself somehow because I'm still on the learning curve. But I'm kind of stumped. I feel like I'm getting CC'd at home (I never feel ill after eating out).

I checked all my skin care stuff (i don't wash my hair and i made my own soap from scratch, and i don't wear makeup or anything besides burts bees lip balm from a new container).

I replaced all my wooden and plastic kitchen utensils, and consigned my beloved cast iron skillet to the basement. I also took all the gluten containing foods out of my house (I live alone so I can be 100% gluten-free).

I'm using my same stainless steel silverware, ceramic plates, glass glasses, and stainless steel pots. Is it possible these are the culprit? I hate to replace every single appliance/piece of cookware in my kitchen (I already got a new skillet and stick blender thingy) but I'm at a loss.

I keep my knives (another item I don't want to replace if possible--good quality Henckels) in a wooden drawer that is part of a wooden butcher block in my kitchen. I haven't replaced the butcher block, but I use a (new) plastic cutting board on top since I assume the wood is filled with gluten residue in the cuts. I cleaned out the drawers when I went gluten-free, but is it possible there's some in the corners that is getting out somehow?

I'm just frustrated, because I can't tell if this is just normal ups and downs--I know it can take months to years to totally heal, OR if I'm unneccesarily suffering because of CC that I could take care of. I'm kind of driving myself crazy obsessing about how I might have CC'd myself (in case you couldn't tell that from the post...) Is there something else obvious that I'm missing???

Thanks!!!

Yes, it's normal to have some ups and downs while the healing continues. Have you considered that you may have a problem with dairy. For many people newly diagnosed with Celiac, it is often recommended that they go dairy light or eliminate it altogether until the healing is well on it's way and then gradually reintroduce it down the road. A dairy reaction is very similar to a gluten reaction.

[andreagrant]

Yes, it's normal to have some ups and downs while the healing continues. Have you considered that you may have a problem with dairy. For many people newly diagnosed with Celiac, it is often recommended that they go dairy light or eliminate it altogether until the healing is well on it's way and then gradually reintroduce it down the road. A dairy reaction is very similar to a gluten reaction.

My sudden (secondary) lactose intolerance was part of what finally clued me into checking out Celiac, so I have been dairy free as well. I tried having some yogurt several weeks ago hoping I was cured already, but it was a no go and I bloated up instantly. But I've bloated up 2 days this week with no dairy in sight. I'm hoping its just part of the healing process.

[CarlaB]

Two things come to mind since dairy was already mentioned.

Did you replace your toaster?

Reacting to the yogurt makes me think you might have a candida overgrowth. Are you taking probiotics? There are some available that are dairy-free.

You also should eat no sugar, no simple carbs, no alcohol, and no yeast for a strict anti-candida diet.

Caprylic acid and coconut oil are good for killing off yeast.

I would imagine that after being celiac for some time before diagnosis, that your intestinal balance may be off.

If you do these things and feel worse, that can be normal due to a die-off of the candida.

[andreagrant]

I don't have a toaster. I am using my same baking dishes--they are all glass pyrex so I assumed they don't have scratches (because the would have broken already!).

I was just thinking about the probiotics--I ate kefir for several years but have had to give it up. I live in Switzerland and find it hard to get a hold of many OTC supplements and things (because I'm American and don't really understand the system here, nor do I speak fluent German, and its not allowed to import any OTC meds by mail), so I have been putting off finding probiotics here. The yogurt was a milder reaction (just some bloating) than milk itself (which doubles me over with cramps and pain) which I don't dare try! But this is the kick in the pants I needed--surely this stuff must be available here somewhere!

Two things come to mind since dairy was already mentioned.

Did you replace your toaster?

Reacting to the yogurt makes me think you might have a candida overgrowth. Are you taking probiotics? There are some available that are dairy-free.

You also should eat no sugar, no simple carbs, no alcohol, and no yeast for a strict anti-candida diet.

Caprylic acid and coconut oil are good for killing off yeast.

I would imagine that after being celiac for some time before diagnosis, that your intestinal balance may be off.

If you do these things and feel worse, that can be normal due to a die-off of the candida.

[ravenwoodglass]

Don't know if these would apply but the two biggest culprits for me with CC for the first couple years were that I had not changed my canopener, and my pet's, dog, cats, bird (now gone) and fish food was getting me. I also became severely glutened when I did some drywall work and by using my favorite watersoluable non toxic glue for my glass work. It will get easier and I hope you figure out what is getting you soon.

[gfpaperdoll]

your stainless steel & glass baking containers should be fine. the only thing is if you have a stainless steel cookie sheet that you have used for years & it is "less than pristine" you might want to replace that one. Love the henckels, if the knives are inserted into slots in a wooden block, it is very possible that there are bread crumbs in there. Bread knives are usually just wiped & replaced...

I threw out my sugar that was in the canister & washed the canister, because when I baked I would just dip the flour cup in there or the spoon... My old cookbook is a major source of contamination, I still have it - but I do not put it on the kitchen counter & I wash my hands when I handle it.

You also might have flour on some of the surfaces of some things that you used to handle - spices? & maybe handled the item & then ate an apple?

Are you eating any processed foods? like gluten free crackers etc...

hope you are better soon

[JennyC]

I was unknowingly glutening my son by using an Oral-B brand toothpaste. I just thought I'd throw it out there. (Colgate toothpastes are gluten free. )

[andreagrant]

your stainless steel & glass baking containers should be fine. the only thing is if you have a stainless steel cookie sheet that you have used for years & it is "less than pristine" you might want to replace that one. Love the henckels, if the knives are inserted into slots in a wooden block, it is very possible that there are bread crumbs in there. Bread knives are usually just wiped & replaced...

I threw out my sugar that was in the canister & washed the canister, because when I baked I would just dip the flour cup in there or the spoon... My old cookbook is a major source of contamination, I still have it - but I do not put it on the kitchen counter & I wash my hands when I handle it.

You also might have flour on some of the surfaces of some things that you used to handle - spices? & maybe handled the item & then ate an apple?

Are you eating any processed foods? like gluten free crackers etc...

hope you are better soon

I am eating gluten-free crackers--are they suspect sometimes?

Thanks everyone for all the tips--it would appear I should have another go at *cleaning* my kitchen. I was wondering about my old cookbooks too--some of them are pretty dirty.

[CarlaB]

I am eating gluten-free crackers--are they suspect sometimes?

Thanks everyone for all the tips--it would appear I should have another go at *cleaning* my kitchen. I was wondering about my old cookbooks too--some of them are pretty dirty.

Are they ones with flavoring on them? Sometimes the flavoring gives me a reaction ... apparently it's too much for my tender stomach. I have to eat plain crackers and plain potato chips.

Some people have trouble with gluten replacement products in the beginning. It might be better for you to stick to whole foods for a while ... like meat, veggies, fruit, eggs, rice, potatoes, etc.

[gfpaperdoll]

I would highly suspect the crackers. they might be cross contaminated with gluten or you just might not be tolerating them. I think the European parts per million gluten is different in different areas, so if your crackers say gluten free, they could still contain more gluten than your system can tolerate. I think also in Europe you have to be careful of that wheat product that they say they have leached all of the gluten out of ... yeah right. there is a lady in charge of a celiac support group near here that orders that stuff for her cooking & her group - i think that is just asking for trouble...

BTW, I loved Switzerland when I was there, such a lovely country. Do they still require all households to keep 1 years worth of food for each person in the home? The most fascinating thing that I saw there was that they "clean" the houses every 100 years, this means that they rip out the little walls etc & rebuild them around the main frame that was say built in 1607 !!!!

[andreagrant]

I would highly suspect the crackers. they might be cross contaminated with gluten or you just might not be tolerating them. I think the European parts per million gluten is different in different areas, so if your crackers say gluten free, they could still contain more gluten than your system can tolerate. I think also in Europe you have to be careful of that wheat product that they say they have leached all of the gluten out of ... yeah right. there is a lady in charge of a celiac support group near here that orders that stuff for her cooking & her group - i think that is just asking for trouble...

BTW, I loved Switzerland when I was there, such a lovely country. Do they still require all households to keep 1 years worth of food for each person in the home? The most fascinating thing that I saw there was that they "clean" the houses every 100 years, this means that they rip out the little walls etc & rebuild them around the main frame that was say built in 1607 !!!!

Oh no! I didn't think about the gluten-free crackers having traces in them. They've become a staple because I can keep a package at my desk/in my bag--the only other perpetual food I can think of like that is nuts, which I can't eat an endless amount of. They also started selling a gluten-free cake at one store here, and they placed the package right by the 'bulk' bins of croissants/rolls, which meant that the cake boxes were literally covered in wheat flour. I noticed after a few weeks they moved the gluten-free cake to the other side of the shelf.....

I realized this weekend I'm at a total loss about what to eat--I had thought I was adjusting to this thing really well, but I don't think I am. I've just lost all interest in cooking and can't seem to think up anything to eat. I clearly need to get a cookbook that I like with Gluten-free Casein-free recipes. I think the dairy free is harder than gluten free, actually! I'm also not getting enough fiber (I'm actuallly C this past week--kind of ironic after years of D) and I think just not balanced diet in general. But now that I think about it I don't even know what a balanced diet is. Guess I need to do some reading!!

At least this thread inspired me to clean my entire kitchen this weekend--wiped off all the spice jars and everything!

I just can't get over how friendly, patient, and helpful you all are--I've been on some other (non celiac) boards and newbies get treated to the flame thrower.

Switzerland--wow I didn't know about the 100 years of food, but I have to admit I don't pay attention to the regs very much (for example, I run my water during the forbidden hours of 10 pm to 7 am, and do laundry on Sunday!). They do do an awful lot of renovation here---I always assumed it was some kind of make-work to prop up the economy??? But it is beautiful and clean, and when I call the doctor I get an appointment within a week! They ignore me like American doctors, but at least I don't have to wait around for it!

[hathor]

I know, it really stinks having to be a detective sometimes ...

You may have to keep a food diary. There may be some product you regularly use that is cross-contaminated. Are you eating oats perchance? Or you may have another food intolerance.

Folks have been pretty thorough already. A couple other ideas ... have you replaced any sponges, brushes, etc. that you used in dishwashing back when you had gluten? They could still harbor gluten. (I've seen people obsess about gluten in dishwashing soaps before, but haven't seen any that have been confirmed to have gluten in them.) Are you licking envelopes?

I googled on "nondairy probiotics" and found this:

Open Original Shared Link

Since it is manufactured in Europe, perhaps you can find it. Or talk to your local pharmacist; there MUST be some sort of product available to you.

I remember on another forum someone who made her own probiotic drink from cabbage. She liked it. (I thought it sounded disgusting ) But if you might want to give it a try, I can look up the web site for you. I also saw from my googling that miso, sauerkraut & kim chee are also probiotic. (Or can be ... I don't know if these products always are; it may depend on processing -- I don't know. If you try this approach, do some research.)

[Eriella]

I was in a Swiss pharmacy pre-diagnosis this year trying to find something to help my stomach (not knowing that I should have laid off the schnitzel and noodles ) and everyone spoke English and was very knowledgeable about the types of medicines. They seem to use a lot of natural meds, so don't be surprised if they give you something that is herbal instead of chemical.

Good luck!

I don't have a toaster. I am using my same baking dishes--they are all glass pyrex so I assumed they don't have scratches (because the would have broken already!).

I was just thinking about the probiotics--I ate kefir for several years but have had to give it up. I live in Switzerland and find it hard to get a hold of many OTC supplements and things (because I'm American and don't really understand the system here, nor do I speak fluent German, and its not allowed to import any OTC meds by mail), so I have been putting off finding probiotics here. The yogurt was a milder reaction (just some bloating) than milk itself (which doubles me over with cramps and pain) which I don't dare try! But this is the kick in the pants I needed--surely this stuff must be available here somewhere!