New Here And My Head Is Spinning!

[Rosebud710]

Hello!

Several years ago I developed soreness and stiffness in my knees. After many visits to an orthopedic specialist, physical therapy, and even a rheumatoid specialist - after being diagnosed with Lyme Disease and put on antibiotics, RA and put on prednisone, I was so frustrated with doctors and I went searching online. I found out about gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease. I started cutting gluten out of my diet, but found it to be extremely difficult. I finally found a doctor who is a big advocate of cutting gluten out of diets and suggested I continue doing it. Well, being an active mom that was no easy task. Each year at my physicals he would ask if I'm cutting out gluten and I would tell him that I keep trying but it's hard. Then last year he ran a test of my antibodies and those came back high. He said my body was fighting something and it's probably gluten. So again, I tried cutting it out of my diet and I was good at the beginning, but fell off the wagon after a few months. This year he ran the test again and again he told me my antibodies were high. So I want to be strong this year and return to his office with lower antibodies. I am so glad I found this site!

My problem is my body doesn't immediately react when I eat gluten. Only when I continue to eat it, then my immune system becomes weak and I catch everything under the sun. In the past two winters I got sick a lot and I don't want to have another winter being sick. So I never know if I ate something that's contaminated, therefore, I'm not very diligent in asking if things have gluten. I just go with what I know and try to eat those items. I have to say I've spent over an hour on this site reading posts and learning so much about what's gluten-free and what's not (I'm bummed about the Brach's Candy Corn - those I thought were safe.

So thank you everyone for devoting so much time and energy to this forum! I know some people who are cutting gluten out of their diets and will recommend this board. I will also pass this on to my doctor. He can recommend this board to his patients.

Laura

[Worriedwife]

If your doctor thinks that you're having a problem with gluten, then you have to give it up. Not only will you get sick, but you're doing a lot of damage to you intestines. You could wind up with cancer, as people with Celiac have a higher percent chance of getting it.

Please, stick to your vow and give it up!

[Darn210]

I have to say I've spent over an hour on this site reading posts and learning so much about what's gluten-free and what's not (I'm bummed about the Brach's Candy Corn - those I thought were safe.

None of the Brach's candy is safe - I assume it's something in their manufacturing process (flour on the line to keep stuff from sticking?)

Wal-Mart's candy corn is safe. I think Target's is too.

If you've got favorites that you have a hard time giving up, you need to post in the cooking/baking or products sections. There is so much experience present on this board that someone could lead you to a great alternative.

Good Luck and Stay Strong!!!

[Ridgewalker]

Yep, Target candy corn is safe, and it tastes identical to Brach's.

Rosebud... One of my older son's symptoms is constant illnesses. Gluten wreaks havoc on his immune system. I am thrilled to say that since we put him on a gluten-free diet in May, he has only caught ONE stomach virus, and that was just last week. He has not gotten a single cold. He has not had a single ear infection or sinus infection, both of which plagued him before.

I'm not saying people on gluten-free diets never get sick, but if gluten is messing with your immune system, then staying strictly gluten-free WILL help you!

[ravenwoodglass]

Yep, Target candy corn is safe, and it tastes identical to Brach's.

Rosebud... One of my older son's symptoms is constant illnesses. Gluten wreaks havoc on his immune system. I am thrilled to say that since we put him on a gluten-free diet in May, he has only caught ONE stomach virus, and that was just last week. He has not gotten a single cold. He has not had a single ear infection or sinus infection, both of which plagued him before.

I'm not saying people on gluten-free diets never get sick, but if gluten is messing with your immune system, then staying strictly gluten-free WILL help you!

I have to second this strongly. I have not had a cold even since about 6 months into the diet, that's 5 years. Now that my body doesn't use all it's antibody reactions to fight itself it seems to work real well. I should mention that I was always sick with something from childhood I was a child and adult who got every bug and had a nasty case of chronic bronchitis from October until until spring, every year. This effect also seems to apply to my other gluten free family members.

[Rosebud710]

Yep, Target candy corn is safe, and it tastes identical to Brach's.

Rosebud... One of my older son's symptoms is constant illnesses. Gluten wreaks havoc on his immune system. I am thrilled to say that since we put him on a gluten-free diet in May, he has only caught ONE stomach virus, and that was just last week. He has not gotten a single cold. He has not had a single ear infection or sinus infection, both of which plagued him before.

I'm not saying people on gluten-free diets never get sick, but if gluten is messing with your immune system, then staying strictly gluten-free WILL help you!

Thank you Sarah! I'm glad to hear that there is candy corn out there that tastes like Brachs! It's my fall treat!

I used to be so healthy, never getting anything more than one slight cold a year. Then I started getting stomach virus' pretty regularly. I realize it's not going to end these illnesses forever, but hopefully cut down the number of times I get them.

Laura

[Rosebud710]

I have to second this strongly. I have not had a cold even since about 6 months into the diet, that's 5 years. Now that my body doesn't use all it's antibody reactions to fight itself it seems to work real well. I should mention that I was always sick with something from childhood I was a child and adult who got every bug and had a nasty case of chronic bronchitis from October until until spring, every year. This effect also seems to apply to my other gluten free family members.

Ravenwoodglass,

I was very sickly as a child, too. The doctor's always thought I was anemic, but my iron levels were normal. I was also epileptic - but my doctor has gotten me off of my meds. I've been seizure-free for years! As an adult, I was pretty healthy. But that changed once I turned 40. I guess my body got tired of fighting with all that gluten.

Laura

[Rosebud710]

If your doctor thinks that you're having a problem with gluten, then you have to give it up. Not only will you get sick, but you're doing a lot of damage to you intestines. You could wind up with cancer, as people with Celiac have a higher percent chance of getting it.

Please, stick to your vow and give it up!

Worriedwife,

I agree with you. Cancer runs in my family which makes me want to change my eating habits even more than ever. My mom had lung cancer and my dad had colon cancer (I am diligent about getting a colonoscopy every 5 years).

Laura

[Rosebud710]

None of the Brach's candy is safe - I assume it's something in their manufacturing process (flour on the line to keep stuff from sticking?)

Wal-Mart's candy corn is safe. I think Target's is too.

If you've got favorites that you have a hard time giving up, you need to post in the cooking/baking or products sections. There is so much experience present on this board that someone could lead you to a great alternative.

Good Luck and Stay Strong!!!

Janet,

Thanks! I remember having a hard time with pizza. I just couldn't give that up! I've tried making my crust - yuk and too time consuming - to buying the ones that resemble cardboard. I found Chebe pizza crusts in the frozen food section at my local Meijer and they are really good!! It satisfies my pizza cravings!!

As most things in life, it's trial and error! But this board is a lifesaver - I've learned so much in the past day!

Laura