Help..please

[CarolinaKip]

Help, please! I found out a month ago that I have Celiac after 7 months of tests and scans. I'm learning alot, but still in pain. I went to a wonderful dietition who helped alot, but I'm still making mistakes. I have some pain free hours and I'd like to make them days. Right now I'm getting the handle on food, but want to go gluten free with my cosmetics, lotions etc. If anyone knows of a good line to try, could you please let me know. Any other advice, help, or suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks!

[lucia]

Don't worry - it gets easier! I was accidentally glutened 3 times in my first 3 weeks of trying to be gluten-free. I'd start to feel better, then - bam! - stomach cramps for the next 5 days. There is a learning curve. It sounds like you have a really positive attitude, and that's great.

I just have one suggestion: look out for food intolerances. Since your digestive system has been severely strained after eating gluten for so long, it may be hard for your body to digest other foods. It could be that you're reacting to something else in your diet, especially as your body starts to detox from gluten. That doesn't mean that you'll need to avoid it forever, but you may need a recovery period before you can eat it again.

You can keep a food diary and track how you feel alongside what you eat, to identify if you're reacting to other foods. Common intolerances include dairy, soy, corn, and nightshades including tomatos and eggplant, but everyone is different.

best to you, lucia

[CarolinaKip]

Thanks for your response! I'm going to start the food diary today. Right now, I'm working on cosmetics. I have been having some numbness on my face and icky skin. Thanks again.

Kip

[bluebonnet]

burt's bees tinted lip balms have fun color and gluten free. i also like their baby bee body lotion. (target) bare minerals and smash box are gluten free too. (sephora) if you tend to wash your hands a lot nutragena hand cream is nice. (target) for hair i've been using "surface" line from shampoo/conditioner to the gel and hairspray. (available in salons only though i believe they have a website).

i think a lot of people use the garnier facial cream but i haven't tried it yet. i think changing to gluten free products have helped me. early on i pinpointed i got cc from my hand lotion while eating popcorn, so i believe they can make a difference. good luck!

[CarolinaKip]

Thank You!!

[Tina B]

Check things like vitamins and supplements for starch fillers. Same for yogurts. I use Nature Made vitamins because they specifically say "gluten free," I did check One a Day on line in the past and are gluten free also.

[gflooser]

for things like shampoos etc. i to use garnier fructese, it smells GREAT! i also use suave from time to time. their deoderants, hand soaps, hand creams, they are made by unilever and they will disclose any glutens. dove is also a good product that will list glutens.

i like nutregena for things like facial soaps and hand cream!!!

dial is a good one for hand and body soap, dove, and irsh spring too.

tide for laundry det. and snuggle and bounce for fabric softener.

i tend to stay with revlon and burts bees for make up. they will list any glutens.

crest, colgate, and toms of maine for toothpaste.

as you can see, i try to buy all my products at the wallmart/target type stores. the gluten free food is so expensive that i can't be buying the pricey shampoos, soaps and lotions!

plus, I'm a cheap-o

good luck!!!!

[SuperMolly]

Cross Contamination (CC) can make being gluten free tricky. Here are some things I've learned:

• Get your own peanut butter jar, jelly, butter, and toaster.
  
• Get your own cooking utensils and serving spoons.(Mine are red so we can tell easily they are gluten free).
  
• I keep my lunchmeat and cheese in well marked bags away from the family supply. I no longer get sick from their wheat-covered fingers dipping in the bags.
  
• Be careful with food that is made in facilities that also use wheat.
  
• "Gluten Free Oats" make me very ill. Many can handle them, but not all of us can. (I hope you are one of the lucky ones that can!)
  
• Be careful at restaurants. I bring a cooler of safe food with me if I know I'm going to be away for a meal.
  
  I'm glad you found this forum early on. I wish I would have. Nobody understands celiac disease better than those who live it day in and day out.