Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Cross Contamination Question

SLB5757

By SLB5757
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

SLB5757 Enthusiast
SLB5757
Posted

Hello :)

I have only been gluten-free since last Tuesday, 5/19/09. I am still trying to figure out what to eat/not to eat and cross contamination. I have went about 8 days with virtually no pain until last night after dinner when my sharp left side pain returned briefly. It wasn't to the extent that I had previously - but it was definitely the same.

My question is how much do I have to worry about CC?? My dinner - albeit odd (Im always eating odd combinations now), seemed to be gluten-free. I had Idahoan instant potatoes (original), broccolli steamed, and ham cold cuts that were heated in a frying pan. I also had a "corn pancake" that my mother made for me while trying to help me with my gluten-free baking.

The only thing I can think of is "the ham wasn't gluten-free", or the cornmeal or some other ingredient in her "corn pancake" wasn't gluten-free, orrrrr that maybe I am super sensitive and really did have a reaction to crumbs in the butter container. I have not gotten my own butter and pans yet because I doubted people could really react to such small amounts. I read the label carefully on the ham and it really looked gluten-free. I also verified ingredients with my mom and she only used egg, cornmeal, butter, and I think oil for the corn pancake. Could trace amounts in butter containers really cause a reaction in some people??? Again, the reaction wasn't "That" bad in comparison - just felt that pain that I had pre-gluten free. It was short lived, and I wonder if maybe it wasn't even gas from the broccoli/diet coke combination. I don't want to read too much into this and be ultra-picky about butter or over analyze the situation.

Stacy

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


OptimisticMom42 Apprentice
OptimisticMom42
Posted

Hello Stacy,

Your signature says that you are allergic to corn. Why are you eating it? Sorry to give you my Mom voice but.......stop that! <_<

Eating things that you are allergic to will cause inflammation in your intestines making it painful to pass anything. Corn is hard to digest even if you are not allergic to it. I'm not allergic to corn but it does slow down my digestive system and gives me pokey pains in my left side. Except for the occational taco night with the kids (corn chips) I avoid corn meal.

Hope this helps,

OptimisticMom42

PS Even my dog's food is corn free!

SLB5757 Enthusiast
SLB5757
Posted
  • Author

Unfortunately I am allergic to MANY things and can't eliminate all of them without starving or eating an ultra bland diet (I think). I haven't updated that signature yet :( I tested positive (4's or 4++) to Wheat, Rye, Barley, Corn, Soy, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Cinnamon, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Lemons, Grapefruit, Green Pepper, Potato, Tomato, Beans, Lettuce, Carrot, Celery, Peas...ummmm and pollens, trees, grasses, molds, dusts, weeds, all animals - etc. I had a post somewhere in the pre-diagnosis and testing forum that listed them all specifically. I just don't think I can eliminate all of those foods and stay healthy. Right now I am 5 feet and 105 lbs so I am at a good weight - I don't want to get back to 92 lbs. because Im only eating rice and ensure :(

What I am trying to do first is eliminate just the gluten grains in hopes that I am still able to eat the things like the veggies and potatoes and even corn. If I am still having issues I was going to eliminate the corn, potato, tomato and lastly the important veggies I don't want to have to get rid of :(

Maybe I will have to take out Corn no matter what - but I can tell you I definitely feel 90 percent better taking out the gluten :)

SLB5757 Enthusiast
SLB5757
Posted
  • Author
Hello Stacy,

Your signature says that you are allergic to corn. Why are you eating it? Sorry to give you my Mom voice but.......stop that! <_<

Eating things that you are allergic to will cause inflammation in your intestines making it painful to pass anything. Corn is hard to digest even if you are not allergic to it. I'm not allergic to corn but it does slow down my digestive system and gives me pokey pains in my left side. Except for the occational taco night with the kids (corn chips) I avoid corn meal.

Hope this helps,

OptimisticMom42

PS Even my dog's food is corn free!

Sorry - I saw this AFTER I typed my novel of a response. I didn't realize corn was so harsh on my digestive system. i will try cutting out Gluten and corn and see how that goes for me - maybe at least corn light and no corn pancakes like I have eaten for two days. They were just so darned yummy!!! I thought I had found a great bread substitute :(

OptimisticMom42 Apprentice
OptimisticMom42
Posted

Wow!

You've got it tough. I'm still hoping that some of my allergies will subside as my intestine heals. This morning I'm trying hard not to itch my eye's. I tried ketchup a couple days ago and found it had enough celery to make my eyelids swell and itch. I can't imagine trying to avoid all the things you've listed.

Are you able to use an antihistamine? So far the meds scare me as much as the foods do. My co-worker (celiac with OCD) uses dapsone. My son is using zyprexia (celiac with bi-polar). I don't have any of the brain/mental symptoms and I had a reaction to sudafed so I'm not taking anything. Just using topical allergy cream on the itchy spots, tart cherry juice for inflammation and magnesium to keep my digestive system moving.

You are the only person I've seen on here that shares my allergy to the celery family. Nice to meet you! How do you deal with it?

Most Humble Apologies for using my Mom voice on you :unsure:

OptimisticMom42

SLB5757 Enthusiast
SLB5757
Posted
  • Author
Wow!

You've got it tough. I'm still hoping that some of my allergies will subside as my intestine heals. This morning I'm trying hard not to itch my eye's. I tried ketchup a couple days ago and found it had enough celery to make my eyelids swell and itch. I can't imagine trying to avoid all the things you've listed.

Are you able to use an antihistamine? So far the meds scare me as much as the foods do. My co-worker (celiac with OCD) uses dapsone. My son is using zyprexia (celiac with bi-polar). I don't have any of the brain/mental symptoms and I had a reaction to sudafed so I'm not taking anything. Just using topical allergy cream on the itchy spots, tart cherry juice for inflammation and magnesium to keep my digestive system moving.

You are the only person I've seen on here that shares my allergy to the celery family. Nice to meet you! How do you deal with it?

Most Humble Apologies for using my Mom voice on you :unsure:

OptimisticMom42

Hello - and ha ha about the mom voice. I know it all to well as I use it frequently with my 10 and 4 year old!!

I like you seem to be constantly itchy or sneezy. My eyes have always been sensitive - esp. Last night for some reason. Maybe it was all of the corn. I don't think I had celery in anything - but I honestly never check for that. I still eat most everything I have allergies to except the gluten grains. I can't imagine eliminating everything.

As far as an antihistamine I just picked up Claritin ready tabs to try. They are gluten and lactose free also. The Claritin pills are not lactose free. The doctor prescribed me an inhaler and Singulair tabs and some shot called XOLAIR for the allergies too - but I am only trying the Claritin for now. I started taking Nexium 3 mos. ago and that helps with some tummy troubles. I would probably benefit from something like your co-worker or son takes but Im kind of anti-medicine and more natural. I really only take Tylenol. Nexium was my first daily medicine and Claritin - if I can handle it - will be my second.

Glad to see someone else shares some of my allergen issues!! Nice to meet ya :)

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

Your original question went unanswered. Yes, you can react to tiny crumbs of gluten in the butter. The longer you are gluten-free, the more sensiitve you may become. I know I did. I was getting sick and couldn't figure out why. My husband was sharing the peanut butter and jelly! I didn't even think he liked them! The saying goes "a crumb is as bad as a loaf". Your body only recognizes the enemy and attacks it with antibodies. It doesn't really care if it's a tiny little bit or a bigger chunk, then you are going to feel bad.

You may find it hard to believe but your body believes and is giving you pain as a result.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      0

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      Please read: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-gluten-ingredient-disclosure-foods?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeXhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzaDc3NWRaYzlJOFJ4R0Fic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrwuSsw8Be7VNGOrKKWFVbrjmf59SGht05nIALwnjQ0DoGkDDK1doRBDzeeX_aem_GZcRcbhisMTyFUp3YMUU9Q
    2. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to Atl222's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      Hi @Atl222 As @trents points out, there could be many reasons for this biopsy result. I am interested to know, is your gastroenterologist concerned? Also, are your blood tests showing steady improvement over the years? I remember when I had my last biopsy, several years after diagnosis, mine came back with with raised lymphocytes but no villous...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Atl222's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Atl222! Yes, your increased lymphocytes could be in response to oats or it could possibly be cross contamination from gluten that is getting into your diet from some unexpected source but not enough to damage the villi. And I'm certain that increased lymphocytes can be caused by other things besides celiac disease...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Aretaeus Cappadocia's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Brown Rice Vinegar (organic) from Eden Foods is likely gluten free

      This is a solid, well-reasoned approach. You’re right that “koji” by itself doesn’t indicate gluten status, and the risk really does come down to which grain is used to culture it. The fact that you directly contacted Eden Foods and received a clear statement that their koji is made from rice only, with no wheat or barley, is meaningful due diligence—especia...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to wellthatsfun's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      nothing has changed

      Seven months can still be early in celiac healing, especially if you were mostly asymptomatic to begin with—symptoms like low iron, vitamin D deficiency, nail changes, and hair issues often take much longer to improve because the gut needs time to recover before absorption normalizes. A tTG-IgA of 69 is not “low” in terms of immune activity, and it can t...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,190
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Atl222
    Newest Member
    Atl222
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      Please read: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-gluten-ingredient-disclosure-foods?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeXhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzaDc3NWRaYzlJOFJ4R0Fic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrwuSsw8Be7VNGOrKKWFVbrjmf59SGht05nIALwnjQ0DoGkDDK1doRBDzeeX_aem_GZcRcbhisMTyFUp3YMUU9Q
    • cristiana
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @Atl222 As @trents points out, there could be many reasons for this biopsy result.  I am interested to know, is your gastroenterologist concerned?  Also, are your blood tests showing steady improvement over the years? I remember when I had my last biopsy, several years after diagnosis, mine came back with with raised lymphocytes but no villous damage, too! In my own case, my consultant wasn't remotely concerned - in fact, he said I might still get this result even if all I ever did was eat nothing but rice and water.   My coeliac blood tests were still steadily improving, albeit slowly, which was reassuring.
    • trents
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Atl222! Yes, your increased lymphocytes could be in response to oats or it could possibly be cross contamination from gluten that is getting into your diet from some unexpected source but not enough to damage the villi. And I'm certain that increased lymphocytes can be caused by other things besides celiac disease or gluten/oats exposure. See attachment. But you might try eliminating oats to start with and possibly dairy for a few months and then seek another endoscopy/biopsy to see if there was a reduction in lymphocyte counts. 
    • Scott Adams
      Brown Rice Vinegar (organic) from Eden Foods is likely gluten free

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a solid, well-reasoned approach. You’re right that “koji” by itself doesn’t indicate gluten status, and the risk really does come down to which grain is used to culture it. The fact that you directly contacted Eden Foods and received a clear statement that their koji is made from rice only, with no wheat or barley, is meaningful due diligence—especially since Eden has a long-standing reputation for transparency. While the lack of gluten labeling can understandably give pause, manufacturer confirmation like this is often what people rely on for traditionally fermented products. As always, trusting your body after trying it is reasonable, but based on the information you gathered, your conclusion makes sense.
    • Scott Adams
      nothing has changed

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Seven months can still be early in celiac healing, especially if you were mostly asymptomatic to begin with—symptoms like low iron, vitamin D deficiency, nail changes, and hair issues often take much longer to improve because the gut needs time to recover before absorption normalizes. A tTG-IgA of 69 is not “low” in terms of immune activity, and it can take 12–24 months (sometimes longer) for antibodies and the intestinal lining to fully heal, particularly in teens and young adults. Eating gluten again to “test” things isn’t recommended and won’t give you clear answers—it’s far more likely to cause harm than clarity. Weight not changing is also very common in celiac and doesn’t rule anything out. Please know that your frustration and sadness matter; this adjustment is hard, and feeling stuck can really affect mental health. You deserve support, and if you can, reaching out to a GI dietitian or mental health professional familiar with chronic illness could really help you through this phase. This study indicates that a majority of celiacs don't recover until 5 years after diagnosis and starting a gluten-free diet: Mucosal recovery and mortality in adults with celiac disease after treatment with a gluten-free diet However, it's also possible that what the study really shows is the difficulty in maintaining a 100% gluten-free diet. I suspect that if you looked closely at the diets of those who did not recover within 2 years might be that their diets were not 100% gluten-free. Perhaps they ate out more often, or didn't understand all of the hidden ingredients where gluten can hide. Either way, it shows how difficult recovery from celiac disease can be for most people. According to this study: This article explores other causes of flattened villi:    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.