Corn Intolerance/allergy & Medications/vitamins/supplements

[gifree]

Hi All -- So, I'm 6-months along my new-found gluten-free diet and feeling better in some areas and not in others. I was and possibly still am, a Marsh 3, which is basically complete villous atrophy; hopefully on the mend.

Anyhow, I had an Alletess Food Allergy Panel conducted a few months back, which revealed that I had all sorts of other food sensitivities. So, I've heard mixed reviews of food allergy panels, from folks telling me to totally disregard them to the other end of the spectrum. My GI doc doesn't buy into the panel results and even the clinic RD didn't seem to be too concerned with the results. However, I still have all sorts of issues: occasional stomach ache, cognitive (brain fog, memory, processing speed, etc), fatigue and a host of ADHD symptoms...which brings me to my question:

Should I still be taking medications/vitamins/supplements with corn in them? Albeit the corn allergy was only a 1 on a scale to 3, but am a bit weary of any further encumbrances. Currently, I take an occasional stimulant (adderall), and most days, vitamin D3, daily vitamin, calcium and a probiotic. I plan to incorporate a digestive enzyme, magnesium and omega 3/6.

Anyhow, thoughts suggestions? I'm hopeful that most of this regiment can be eventually be primarily controlled with diet, but I'm not quite there yet.

[captaincrab55]

I'm also thinking that corn is an issue in my life... Just seems like it's in so many gluten-free foods.. Will Insurance pay for Alletess Food Allergy Panel?? I spent a lot of money last winter at Johns Hopkins Hospital / Bayview Location. Seemed like the Doctor was only interested in Food Allergies that caused Life Threating events... He talked like he understood Celiac, but didn't seem to understand the many other food issues that haunt people with Celiac...

[gifree]

I'm also thinking that corn is an issue in my life... Just seems like it's in so many gluten-free foods.. Will Insurance pay for Alletess Food Allergy Panel?? I spent a lot of money last winter at Johns Hopkins Hospital / Bayview Location. Seemed like the Doctor was only interested in Food Allergies that caused Life Threating events... He talked like he understood Celiac, but didn't seem to understand the many other food issues that haunt people with Celiac...

Hi There- My insurance provider did not cover the panel, but it was only $140 for the panel results and diet plan...well worth it, if you ascribe to secondary tolerances.

I'm curious if other folks have a secondary corn intolerance and if they've had to compound their medication, etc because of it?

[julandjo]

Hi All -- So, I'm 6-months along my new-found gluten-free diet and feeling better in some areas and not in others. I was and possibly still am, a Marsh 3, which is basically complete villous atrophy; hopefully on the mend.

Anyhow, I had an Alletess Food Allergy Panel conducted a few months back, which revealed that I had all sorts of other food sensitivities. So, I've heard mixed reviews of food allergy panels, from folks telling me to totally disregard them to the other end of the spectrum. My GI doc doesn't buy into the panel results and even the clinic RD didn't seem to be too concerned with the results. However, I still have all sorts of issues: occasional stomach ache, cognitive (brain fog, memory, processing speed, etc), fatigue and a host of ADHD symptoms...which brings me to my question:

Should I still be taking medications/vitamins/supplements with corn in them? Albeit the corn allergy was only a 1 on a scale to 3, but am a bit weary of any further encumbrances. Currently, I take an occasional stimulant (adderall), and most days, vitamin D3, daily vitamin, calcium and a probiotic. I plan to incorporate a digestive enzyme, magnesium and omega 3/6.

Anyhow, thoughts suggestions? I'm hopeful that most of this regiment can be eventually be primarily controlled with diet, but I'm not quite there yet.

I am very sensitive to corn, corn oil, dextrose, xanthan gum, etc. (basically anything related to corn messes me up!). I take quite a few supplements, and though it was a chore, I was able to find safe replacements for all of them. How occasionally do you take your adderall? If it's fairly spread out, I would start by replacing all your other supplements (obviously make sure you're covering all your bases - depending on your gut issues/intolerances, go dairy/soy/egg/rice/whatever free in your supplements now so you don't have to re-buy everything if another intolerance pops up!). Once you've been on the new supplements for a few weeks you should be able to determine if there's a pattern of symptoms whenever you take your adderall.

I will tell you that I have not been able to find an ibuprofen or acetaminophen that's free of corn products. When I do have to use either of these meds, which averages 1-3 times a month, I do not have a reaction. So that's promising!

[gifree]

I am very sensitive to corn, corn oil, dextrose, xanthan gum, etc. (basically anything related to corn messes me up!). I take quite a few supplements, and though it was a chore, I was able to find safe replacements for all of them. How occasionally do you take your adderall? If it's fairly spread out, I would start by replacing all your other supplements (obviously make sure you're covering all your bases - depending on your gut issues/intolerances, go dairy/soy/egg/rice/whatever free in your supplements now so you don't have to re-buy everything if another intolerance pops up!). Once you've been on the new supplements for a few weeks you should be able to determine if there's a pattern of symptoms whenever you take your adderall.

I will tell you that I have not been able to find an ibuprofen or acetaminophen that's free of corn products. When I do have to use either of these meds, which averages 1-3 times a month, I do not have a reaction. So that's promising!

Thanks for the response. So, I assume that you call the manufacturer and find out ALL of the active and inactive ingredients first, before purchasing? I have a number of supplements that I was going to purchase, but gather that I'll need to call in advance, regardless of whether it's claimed to be gluten free...or simply the allergen free claim good enough?!

Also, based on your allergies, may I ask you what you eat..or staples in your diet? Just cutting out corn and any corn derivative seems like a mighty chore.

[julandjo]

Thanks for the response. So, I assume that you call the manufacturer and find out ALL of the active and inactive ingredients first, before purchasing? I have a number of supplements that I was going to purchase, but gather that I'll need to call in advance, regardless of whether it's claimed to be gluten free...or simply the allergen free claim good enough?!

Also, based on your allergies, may I ask you what you eat..or staples in your diet? Just cutting out corn and any corn derivative seems like a mighty chore.

I buy all of my supplements online. If you're in the U.S., check out vitacost or Lame Advertisement - they're very good about labeling everything. Each of the supplements I buy clearly says on the label "Free of: gluten, dairy, soy, egg, etc. etc. etc."

Oh man, my diet... it's depressing. Here's my exact list of safe foods: chicken, turkey, beef, potato, sweet potato, carrots, peas, apples, olives, garlic, onion, and olive/sunflower oil. Oh and sea salt & pepper. There is one safe brand of potato chips that is not cooked in corn oil and not produced on the same lines that also handled gluten. Those are literally my only processed food; everything else is bought fresh and prepared at home. I'm really really hoping I get some foods back sooner or later - this is really doing a number on me.