How Many Of You.....

[NoSugarShell]

didn't feel better until you addressed issues with CC, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc? I have been eating gluten-free for eight days and felt great the first couple days and seem like I am back to the way I was now but I noticed last night that my shampoo contains wheat.

So, that makes me wonder if that is holding back progress. Is there anyone who when they addressed everything it made all the difference?

[Lisa]

One

If gluten is your only issue, yes it makes a tremendous difference. The ONLY way to be truly free of the symptoms of Celiac is to be totally compliant to the diet and the possibilities of cc.

It's been over two years for me and it is hard to remember how sick I actually was.

[jerseyangel]

And two

I had the same experience when I first went gluten-free. I felt better pretty quickly, but that didn't last--I would get D in the late afternoons and I thought I was being completely gluten-free.

When I found this board about 3 months into the diet, I learned about checking personal care products. When I lined all of mine up, my shampoo, conditioner and hair gel all contained wheat proteins. I was also using a shower soap with oats.

When I tossed those and replace them with safe alternatives, I noticed a difference right away.

[Guhlia]

I totally agree with the others. The personal care products you're using can DEFINITELY affect your health negatively if they contain gluten. It is SO easy to get them in your mouth via your hands or hair. It's totally not worth the chance.

[SillyBoo]

ONe of the last things i gave up was my Aveda Liquid Gel for my hair. I really liked it, and kept thinking it couldn't make a difference since I didn't put it in my hair until after my shower, and I washed my hands right away. I was so wrong! I tested it out by stopping and starting use again, and cutting it out completely really made a difference. Boo hoo!

[NoSugarShell]

Thank you for all the replies. I finally switched my shampoo and conditioner to Dove. I use Garnier Fructis Hairspray, ivory soap, and coconut oil for lotion. I Cetaphil to clean my face and witch hazel for a toner. I use Bare Essentials cosmetics.

Does anyone see any problems with any of this? Also, any suggestions for a lipstick?

Thank you for any help and suggestions.

[Lisa]

Lipstick has been the biggest challenge for me.

I know that ALL of Burts Bee's Lipsticks and Lip Shimmers are gluten free.

Clinique COLOR SURGE LIPSTICK (all) line is gluten free. Not all Clinique is gluten free.

[cyberprof]

I got better right away, but then worse. My problems were caused by:

1) Microwaves, both at home and at work. (Unless you buy a new microwave too). I have to cover everything with either a layer of plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plastic or glass lid.

2) Tupperware, plastic dishes, cutting boards, spatulas, egg flippers, colanders etc. This is really important.

3) Sharing cooking space with gluten-eaters at work. I'm now super-careful when I eat at the work lunchroom. I don't put anything down on the counter unless absolutely necessary, I put a paper towel down, and I don't put lids or spoons down. I wash my hands after touching the fridge handle or the microwave handle. I sometimes feel like I'm a surgeon trying to keep germs out!

Good luck!

[April in KC]

Definitely look at the personal care items, but also look really hard at what you are eating. Any items that are processed foods (things in a box, things in a bag, things with multiple ingredients, etc.) should be considered suspect.

When I went gluten free I felt great. I started noticing that after a week or two I became MUCH more sensitive to cross contamination in foods. So the Lays potato chips I was eating without problems the first week became a definite problem in the second week.

If at first you felt great and you can't get that feeling back, try dropping back to an all fresh/unprocessed food diet for a week to see if that helps. Eat things that you can clearly identify as a particular species of plant or animal, LOL. Fruits, vegetables, plain grilled meats, etc. Single ingredient foods. Rinse anything that can be rinsed.

When you do add back other foods, go slowly and watch for reactions. Fall back to your safe foods when you notice any symptoms. I have a few meals I consider my safe foods, and if I have a bad week for cross contamination, I fix these meals and eat from them for a couple of days until I feel better and can identify what I introduced that was a problem.

I second the idea of checking your pans, toaster, baking sheet, etc. I have been glutened by using my old (I thought clean) baking pan to heat up foods. I am eventually going to replace all pans, but for now I use parchment paper whenever I have to use my old baking sheet, and it works to keep me from getting glutened by it.

Good luck!

April

[Matilda]

...

[JNBunnie1]

Nars lipstick. In fact, all Nars is gluten-free and gorgeous. I really like Neutrogena lip-glosses too. Cetaphil sensitive skin wash is definitely gluten-free, but people who've called about other Cetaphil products have been told that they aren't gluten-free, although there's nothing obvious in the ingredients list.

Be careful of BE. Some of the lipsticks, mascaras and other products contain gluten. As far as I know all the powders are gluten-free except that stuff for putting on at night. Sorry, I can't remember what it's called.

I've never actually noticed a problem I could definitely pin down to a non gluten-free skin care product, but it gives me peace of mind to know that what I'm using is definitely gluten-free. I tried to continue using some old favourites but the paranoia and uncertainty just wasn't worth it.

To be thinking about all this after just 8 days is great! I think I'd just about worked out that pizza was out by then.

Best wishes,

Matilda

Hahahahaha!! I'm with you matilda, I didn't even find this message board til two+ yrs after I went *wheat free, didn't even learn about gluten til then. First three months I was *wheat free, I ate rice pasta with meat sauce twice a day.

[NoGluGirl]

Thank you for all the replies. I finally switched my shampoo and conditioner to Dove. I use Garnier Fructis Hairspray, ivory soap, and coconut oil for lotion. I Cetaphil to clean my face and witch hazel for a toner. I use Bare Essentials cosmetics.

Does anyone see any problems with any of this? Also, any suggestions for a lipstick?

Thank you for any help and suggestions.

Dear NoSugarShell,

There are a number of great cosmetics we can use. Wet'n Wild is all gluten-free except for one of the mascaras. Even better, I got my concealer, foundation and powder for under $7 altogether, and it stays on well! Who would have thought? CoverGirl clearly labels any gluten-containing ingredients. Maybelline also does.

Those cc issues are problematic. So many things can make us sick. I once got sick from the diet soda, because my father sticks the lid down wherever on the counter, table, or anywhere crumbs are. I have to share a kitchen, and have no choice in the matter. That makes it difficult for me. I have to put in a ridiculous amount of effort just to eat a lousy snack!

If there would be a master list of sneaky glutening possibilities, toothpaste, aftershave, cologne, perfume, lotions, mouthwash, cosmetics, hair styling products, medications (OTC and prescriptions), utensils and cookware used prior to cook gluten-containing foods, charcoal brickettes for the grill, the can opener, people fingering the silverware, and double-dipping in condiments. This is only a list off of the top of my head. There are many other ways to get cc'd. Becoming violently ill from other people's laziness and indifference is annoying. Luckily, we can protect ourselves with watching for personal care items. Sometimes, it feels like gluten is stalking you!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Gemini]

Dear NoSugarShell,

There are a number of great cosmetics we can use. Wet'n Wild is all gluten-free except for one of the mascaras. Even better, I got my concealer, foundation and powder for under $7 altogether, and it stays on well! Who would have thought? CoverGirl clearly labels any gluten-containing ingredients. Maybelline also does.

Those cc issues are problematic. So many things can make us sick. I once got sick from the diet soda, because my father sticks the lid down wherever on the counter, table, or anywhere crumbs are. I have to share a kitchen, and have no choice in the matter. That makes it difficult for me. I have to put in a ridiculous amount of effort just to eat a lousy snack!

If there would be a master list of sneaky glutening possibilities, toothpaste, aftershave, cologne, perfume, lotions, mouthwash, cosmetics, hair styling products, medications (OTC and prescriptions), utensils and cookware used prior to cook gluten-containing foods, charcoal brickettes for the grill, the can opener, people fingering the silverware, and double-dipping in condiments. This is only a list off of the top of my head. There are many other ways to get cc'd. Becoming violently ill from other people's laziness and indifference is annoying. Luckily, we can protect ourselves with watching for personal care items. Sometimes, it feels like gluten is stalking you!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

I must be one of a few people that had no problems after I went totally gluten-free with my diet. My numbers were through the roof at the time of testing and a year later, on the low end of normal. I did not change any of my cooking pans, just scoured them to within an inch of thir life and the only make-up or skin care product I changed was my lipstick. I do not have DH so saw no reason to change everything else. All you have to do is wash your hands after applying creams or lotions and it should not be a problem.

I think many people get glutened through food without realizing it. I am constantly amazed at how many people do not know what is in their food or make honest mistakes about what is safe to eat. You can easily see if you are being glutened by having your blood work repeated. There could also be other food issues that make some sick, without their realizing it. I have seen some people get really paranoid about this diet and then they feel deprived and miserable.

Common sense should prevail and if a particular product bothers you, then change products but not everyone has the need to eliminate wheat in topical products. I am just very, very careful.

[kevsmom]

Don't forget to check medications and supplements - both prescription and nonprescription. I was what I thought gluten-free for a long time before I realized that my multi-vitamins had gluten in them.

You can check your (prescription) medications by using www.glutenfreedrugs.com or by contacting the manufacturer directly. The manufactur would have the most up-to-date information. If you get a generic, there could be some differences in the ingredients.

I don't know why...but sometimes the drug companies put gluten in the inactive ingredients.

Cindy

[JNBunnie1]

I would hazard a guess that anything topical with gluten in it would be a no-no for anyone with kids. They're too touchy-feely with their sticky hands that then touch your face and everything else in the house that I wouldn't risk it. I personally won't allow anything with gluten in my house to touch any counters or dishes or me, it better be in a box that I don't have to touch. I like to be able to feel safe in my house without having to wash my hands eight million times or worry that putting an apple down on the counter will get me glutened.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear JNBunnie1,

I know exactly what you mean! I wish I did not have to wash my hands constantly. It is exhausting! My parents are not careful. They get crumbs all over the place. I get glutened periodically due to that. If I was well, able to work, and had my own place, I would not have to deal with this crap. All it takes is one lousy microscopic crumb.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[JNBunnie1]

Dear JNBunnie1,

I know exactly what you mean! I wish I did not have to wash my hands constantly. It is exhausting! My parents are not careful. They get crumbs all over the place. I get glutened periodically due to that. If I was well, able to work, and had my own place, I would not have to deal with this crap. All it takes is one lousy microscopic crumb.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

Jin, have you thought about babysitting? I know it sounds lame, but maybe it could earn you enough money to get your own frig and micro, then maybe you could get better enough for a real job and your own place. I say that because if you don't feel good babysitting there's always a bathroom and nobody cares if you're in there a lot, as long as the kids aren't hellions.

I've also recently gotten a job where I care for the elderly in their homes, it's very easy and you don't need to be a medical anything to do it. There might be an agency in your area that sends people out to do dishes and vacuum floors and take people for walks and stuff. It's usually only for two or three hours at a time too, and you get to decide any jobs that you accept. At my company anyway. I've never had so much fun working, the people I take care of love me because I'm so friendly, I guess most people that do this aren't. I recently got glutened and really felt awful but was still able to work because it's so easy and there's always a bathroom.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear JNBunnie1,

Actually, I have considered both of these! I used to babysit as a teenager. It was fun! My parents made me stop because they were afraid of sue happy people. That is a reasonable concern. People sue just because they can, which is ridiculous. You know, I never considered the fact the bathroom would be available if need be. The reaction is so violent, I have to take Promethazine. The trouble is, it knocks me out.

I have contemplated doing errands for the elderly. Cleaning homes is another option. I am great at that and organizing. Professional organizers can make upwards of $20 an hour. I just do not have any energy part of the time, but think I could manage this. Since I could have Lyme, overdoing it needs avoided. I actually will be sick and in bed for all the next day if I do too much. Thank you for the ideas!

Sincerely,

Jin