Questions Questions

[Vickie Bedford]

Thanks to all of you who replied to my original blog.

My family doctor doesn't seem to know anything about this disease and the Gastro doctor that diagnosed me gave me a pamplet and said read this get on the web and change your diet. Now he had a list of the other meds I take and never said anything about changing those. I take Lipitor and it is the only thing that has ever worked for my cholesterol. According to the web it has gluten in it. No one seems to really know if I should stop taking this - and I don't want to. Also, why should I change my make-up and lotions, etc. if I am not having any skin problems. I am a cook so I can deal with the diet end of it but the rest of this seems a little too much!!! Is a total change really necessary?

V Bedford

[home-based-mom]

Thanks to all of you who replied to my original blog.

My family doctor doesn't seem to know anything about this disease and the Gastro doctor that diagnosed me gave me a pamplet and said read this get on the web and change your diet. Now he had a list of the other meds I take and never said anything about changing those. I take Lipitor and it is the only thing that has ever worked for my cholesterol. According to the web it has gluten in it. No one seems to really know if I should stop taking this - and I don't want to. Also, why should I change my make-up and lotions, etc. if I am not having any skin problems. I am a cook so I can deal with the diet end of it but the rest of this seems a little too much!!! Is a total change really necessary?

V Bedford

Hi, Vickie

I had the same thoughts about lotions, shampoo, etc. when I first started. You do need to make sure they are gluten free because you touch them with your hands and then if you touch food or your mouth, you transfer the gluten into your system. It isn't just when you apply lotion after your shower - any time you touch your skin that has gluteny lotion on it, you have recontaminated your hands. Shampoo always has the possibility of getting into your mouth.

As far as Lipitor goes, you may find that you don't need it once you are completely gluten free and your body has adjusted. In the meantime, you may be able to have it specially formulated for you. But as long as you take it in it's gluten-containing format, you have not eliminated gluten from your diet or system.

It may seem like all of this is a bit too much, but it really is necessary.

Spend time reading in this forum. You will learn a lot!

[GlutenGalAZ]

My mom and mother in law both take cholesterol medicine (they are not celiac). My mom takes the one you are on and my MIL take a generic. There are a lot of generics out there for what you are taking you might be able to find one that you can switch over to.

In regards to make-up and lotions. That is up to you on changing. Some of us have noticed differences with having everything gluten free. Some people have skin irritations or DH so they make sure all is gluten free. I used an acne wash that I believe had gluten in it and my face broke out and got red and irritated so I went back to one that I knew was safe. You also have to think am I touching my face and then eating or resting my hand on my face that has make-up on it and then eating or running my fingers through my hair (say it is windy or you are pulling your hair up) and then eating or touching your mouth area. Some people have had incidents and some haven't but it is up to you on the make-up topic. Some make-ups/lotions are hard to wash off so the residue can stay on your hands.

Since you like to cook you should look at all of your kitchen equipments (pots/pans, toasters, storage containers, wooden spoons etc). Dish soap, laundry detergent, tooth paste etc. It is up to you on the degree you will go with getting things gluten free.

As time goes on you may decide that yes I am noticing that things are not clearing up completely and decide to change your make-up or other things that you haven't yet.

GOOD LUCK