Introducing Myself

[writerspice]

Hi everyone - I have found my way to this forum, with lots of questions (and more and more as time goes by!) So I thought I would start by introducing myself...

I came to the realization that I have a gluten problem after trying to get pregnant for four years with no luck and no explanation other than a thyroid problem (but meds created other problems). My naturopath finally suggested that I go off gluten "just to see" and I was amazed. After suffering from chronic constipation, exhaustion, stomach pains, headaches and the like for the past, um, life, it was incredible to suddenly feel so great.... That was nice, but, like many here, I am not feeling so hot these days, since the first few weeks.

So, I have a few questions.

First, I'm wondering about chili powder and curry powder. Are there some safe versions? I haven't given much thought to these sort-of secondary things like spices, shampoos, make-up, and tea. Can those all present problems? I'm a regular black tea drinker - can it possibly have gluten in it??!

I'm also wondering about nutritional support - if I should be taking something to help heal my intestines. I am eating well (but probably not getting enough exercise) and am still having problems with constipation (this came back, after everything being okay for awhile)....

Also wondering if there are some good news stories about anyone struggling with infertility who went off gluten and ended up getting pregnant.

Thanks so much. This has been so overwhelming. Even tonight, I think I ate okay but am getting these weird tight pains in my abdomen that are new to me. At least I don't feel like I'm going to throw up, though. that's an improvement.

Thanks

[cyberprof]

Hi everyone - I have found my way to this forum, with lots of questions (and more and more as time goes by!) So I thought I would start by introducing myself...

I came to the realization that I have a gluten problem after trying to get pregnant for four years with no luck and no explanation other than a thyroid problem (but meds created other problems). My naturopath finally suggested that I go off gluten "just to see" and I was amazed. After suffering from chronic constipation, exhaustion, stomach pains, headaches and the like for the past, um, life, it was incredible to suddenly feel so great.... That was nice, but, like many here, I am not feeling so hot these days, since the first few weeks.

So, I have a few questions.

First, I'm wondering about chili powder and curry powder. Are there some safe versions? I haven't given much thought to these sort-of secondary things like spices, shampoos, make-up, and tea. Can those all present problems? I'm a regular black tea drinker - can it possibly have gluten in it??!

I'm also wondering about nutritional support - if I should be taking something to help heal my intestines. I am eating well (but probably not getting enough exercise) and am still having problems with constipation (this came back, after everything being okay for awhile)....

Also wondering if there are some good news stories about anyone struggling with infertility who went off gluten and ended up getting pregnant.

Thanks so much. This has been so overwhelming. Even tonight, I think I ate okay but am getting these weird tight pains in my abdomen that are new to me. At least I don't feel like I'm going to throw up, though. that's an improvement.

Thanks

Hi Writerspice, welcome!

It does, sometimes, get worse after going gluten free before getting better. Hang in there. I also got stomach cramps/weird pains after going gluten free but they are mostly gone now.

McCormicks' spices are always gluten free (or they will say that they are not gluten-free on the label). I use their chili powder and curry powder all the time. I also drink Lipton's black tea and green tea and they are both gluten free. Some teas do have gluten (there was a recent thread about Tzao teas on the "Products" forum of this site) and flavored teas especially can be suspect. So check out your brand/flavor by calling the manufacturer or looking on their website.

I can't remember where I read about pregnancy success w/previous infertility after going gluten-free...maybe search this forum under the "pregnancy" topic. I read that some infertility specialists test all patients and that in Europe it is common to test infertile couples. Good luck to you!

~Laura

[writerspice]

Thanks so much, Laura. I appreciate the reply. Will try the spices you recommended, if I can get them up here in Canada. I looked at the ingredients on my fave tea (black tea) and there was nothing listed but tea. Does that mean there's no gluten in it or is it sometimes not mentioned or does this depend on the labelling laws (like I said, I'm in Canada, so maybe it's different if you're in the U.S...) Anyway, any thoughts you have would help... Thanks again

[kevsmom]

Welcome, Writerspice! Please feel free to ask any questions that you have. Someone here is bound to have the answer. If they don't - they will find out for you.

When you first go gluten-free, you will find so much information - don't let it overwhelm you. You can only absorb so much at one time. Don't worry - after a while it will seem like second nature.

Cindy

[writerspice]

Thanks, Cindy. The questions just keep coming...

[Daughter-of-TheLight]

Welcome! Ah... about the supplements.

I don't really know a lot, but I do know this. Because our intestines are not absorbing nutrients properly, we sometimes need to take supplements. I take Iron, Calcium, and some Teen Girls multivitamin. I suggest you research the topic and get some input from your doctor on which nutrients are deficient. I was anemic... though since i'm "growing" (HA!) I need to take calcium to prevent calcium deficency... but I have no idea what your needs are, so I can't suggest anything.

Light

[gdobson]

Hi Writerspice and welcome.

I had 2 miscarriages before going gluten free, but I managed to have 2 wonderful children - although both premature and one is celiac.

I have heard of many other women who had difficulties getting pregnant before going gluten-free, and then were able to conceive after.

I wish you a lot of luck, happiness, and health.

Gina

[mftnchn]

Welcome writerspice. I have also had some signs of improvement, then got worse. For me it has been a number of things.

Stopping use of gluten containing personal products helped. Starting l-glutamine to help with the gut healing has helped.

Are you also milk-free? If you are celiac, many many cannot tolerate milk, at least early on in the healing process.

I had to go both milk and soy free. I figured out the latter by doing an elimination diet. Soy can also cause damage to the villi of the intestine, according to research.

Also my lyme disease recurred after doing Gluten-free Casein-free, so I am having to treat that again which complicates the healing process.

Re the constipation, for me it has been an intestinal motility issue...where the gluten and perhaps other things, just shuts things down. The weird tight pains for me I think are a sign of the intestines "waking up" and starting to work. After 6 months, I have some amount of daily stool with the help of a morning and evening dose of buffered vitamin C powder that also has magnesium in it. I now take half of the dose of that I was taking in the early summer. I also now have diarrhea much more often than I used to. I was bloated before but rarely uncomfortable, I am now more aware of the discomfort. My sense is that this is simply a gradual healing process and I need to be patient.

One other thing, have you done any other treatment for parasites?

[kevsmom]

Writerspice,

When I first went gluten free, I thought I was doing really well...and then I realized that my vitamins contained gluten! It even said so right on the label.

You also need to check to see if any medication that you take is gluten free. You can check this website: http:/www.glutenfreedrugs.com or write/phone the manufacturer directly.

Cindy

[cyberprof]

Thanks so much, Laura. I appreciate the reply. Will try the spices you recommended, if I can get them up here in Canada. I looked at the ingredients on my fave tea (black tea) and there was nothing listed but tea. Does that mean there's no gluten in it or is it sometimes not mentioned or does this depend on the labelling laws (like I said, I'm in Canada, so maybe it's different if you're in the U.S...) Anyway, any thoughts you have would help... Thanks again

Canadian products can be quite different, I hear. There are a lot of Canadians on this board, so I'd post a question on the "Products" part of this forum. I'm sure you'll get some good help on that.

~Laura