Other Than Wheat, Rye, Or Barley

[skluever]

My Boyfriend was diagnosed in January of 08. Just recently we

[Ed-G]

I don't know how old your boyfriend is, but back when I was in my 20s I was 125 pounds. I weighed 63 when I was in the sixth grade, about 75 in junior high, began college at 95 lbs, graduating at 115. I am now 160 pounds and in my 50s.

You seemed to have eliminated many of the foods I would have suggested. Has he been tested for other allergies? While you eliminated quite a few foods, you did not say whether your boyfriend was tested for them.

I don't know how long he's been off these foods, but assuming you eliminated the offending food(s), he should be gaining weight quickly. When I was first taken off gluten (when I was two) I grew about six inches and nearly twenty pounds in six months.

I hope this helps.

Ed in MD

[purple]

I am so proud of you for sticking to your bf when he is going thru an extremely difficult time. It shows everone how much you love him. I wish your kisses healed him too...make sure they are gluten-free kisses

[Welda Johnson]

Hi,

I have serious problems with all grains, all milk & dairy, egg whites, yeast, casein, whey, maltodextrin, modified food starch, and msg. I avoid all those foods and ingredients, and I've been on the diet for quite a few years, and feel great. I hesitate to suggest any kinds of doctors for further evidence, since I gave most of my income and money to doctors, specialists, hospitals, and pharmacists for many years, and they gave me a lot of care but few answers about why I was so sick. Elimination diets work great, as well as keeping a journal of foods eaten and responses to those foods. If you have family members who are just beginning to consider whether they have Celiac or dairy intolerances, I have used Enterolab.com for testing my family members, and was quite satisfied with their home tests. Also, I had a cat and had to eventually keep him outside so I could breathe. Best wishes to you as you discover more each day. Welda

[foodiegurl]

I am by no means a pro, since I am very new to this, but one thing I noticed missing from your list, that I know many people have issues with are nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants)

Good luck to you and your boyfriend!!

[Sailing Girl]

My Boyfriend was diagnosed in January of 08. Just recently we've been cutting more than just the grains. He's now dairy free, soy free, nut free, egg free, and 100% grain free. It's been about a week since we made our last cut which was eggs. We haven't seen any improvements yet, but I know it takes time. I'm looking for advise for where to go if his symptoms don't fade. And what I should look into next.

All these should help as you try to figure out the culprit. You'll likely be able to add some of them back in after he's healed some more.

Also -- have you eliminated distilled vinegars and distilled (but originally gluten-based) alcohol? Some of us react to these -- I'm one of them, and can't have most store-bought condiments. I know you've eliminated a huge amount of options, but you might want to consider going processed-food free as well. Just eat fresh meats, fish and veggies, seasoned very, very simply (some spice mixes can contain gluten, too).

Also we have two cats we have to contain in our room, I live with my sister and she's allergic, does anyone think this could be a problem?

This absolutely can be a *huge* problem if you're feeding your cats gluten-based cat food (and most cat foods are gluten-based). Cats snack on their food, then lick their entire bodies, and then lie down for a nap on your pillow . If your cats are still eating gluten-based food, do a search on this forum for some that aren't -- cats are carnivores, anyway, and a grain-based diet causes them all kinds of health problems (my beloved cat developed insulin-dependent diabetes, for example).

Good luck in your search to figure out what's wrong -- you're wonderfully supportive of him and he's really lucky to have you!

Sailing Girl

[mushroom]

One of the allergens I see missing from your list is corn; that is a biggie for me (after soy). I also have problems with some beans, especially refried beans.

[raisin]

If his main problem right now is DH.. he is simply not gluten-free. DH is not a reaction to just any allergy, it's an autoimmune reaction to gluten. Now if it's not DH, but contact dermatitis or eczema, then looking for other allergens is the right idea.

I don't know if it would help, but my process of recovery/food-removal (finally feeling good this week for the first time in years) was :

1. Dairy

2. Yeast, additives, preservatives, vinegars, colorings, chocolate, flavorings

3. Gluten

4. Nightshade & soy (eczema)

5. Nuts & Rice (extremely bad contact dermatitis for me)

6. Birch (Oral-allergy syndrome - allergy to pollen translated to related food allergies, including: all Legumes, Nightshade, and a number of fruits, vegetables, spices.)

* I also avoid coconut.. but am unsure of whether or not it's an allergy.

*Avoided coffee & tea until allergies were 100% identified, as caffeine instigates stronger allergic reactions.

-

I also use gluten-free and allergen-free personal care items, live in a gluten-free home, and replace my toothbrush if there is a chance it has been "compromised." Despite other allergen problems, I have not had a gluten problem in months. I also used a food-symptom diary and elimination diet. It is important to write down every ingredient in non-plain/raw foods you eat, and what spices/seasoning you use. Last, I found that apples were making me very sick.. Just proves you can be allergic to anything.

[ang1e0251]

I would like to add my voice to the other poster. If he is still having fresh breakouts of DH, he is still eating gluten. It must be the sneaky kind since you haven't narrowed it down yet.

Also what made you cut out the other foods? Can you tell a little more about what he eats? I would carefully check every product in the shower as we with DH can be very sensitive to topicals. I also was planning to mention the cats. Check their food and the litter. Besides the obvious, these can release dust in the air and cause a reaction.

When in doubt with DH, look for sneaky gluten.

[mattathayde]

some people have hidden allergies that can be causing things.

as to the gluten alone, spelt was something i thought was gluten-free but its not. i didnt react as bad to it but had some reactions. some people are so sensitive they cannot use soaps or the like the gluten in them.

as to the vinegar and alcohols that have gluten, i personally do not believe there is any gluten in them, i personally believe that the reactions people have to them are reactions to other things in them. every where i have seen them tested gluten does not get carried over. however i dont consume and alcohol made from grains or malt vinegar. i do still consume apple and white vinegar (the brands say they are gluten free in tests IIRC, whitehouse)

try to get you BF to go to an applied kinesiologist who does allergy testing and clearing, it is safer, actually can fix most allergies or reduce them and is painless. it is very very weird but after the first allergy is treated you will keep going back.

gluten and wheat/rye/barley derivatives are in sooooo many foods you have to be extra careful when reading things. even carmel color from outside of the states can have gluten in it, usually carmel color from the us is not wheat based and i usually will eat it if the product is made here.

-matt