No Official Diag

[Trying to live G free]

I have no official diagnosis from any Doctors. My symptoms have been going on for 10 years plus. I stumbled upon Gluten intolerance about 5 years ago and started trying to eliminate Gluten. I also struggle with lactose, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia. Although I try to stay away from Gluten I don't always succeed. I still battle with intestinal gas that is embarrasing, and very itchy back and back of the head. If I manage to control the Gluten free diet I do notice a difference. I also feel very sensitve to touch, like my skin sometimes hurts if patted or rubbed. The symptoms stay with me several days if I have Gluten for one day.... Doctors acted like they did not know what I was talking about and even did not know what test to do when I asked about testing for Gluten intolerance. Some made me feel like I was a hypocondriac...But I know my body and do not give up trying to find and even balance. I do take digestive enzymes and probiotics, always looking to make sure no lactose or Gluten. Does any one else find it diffucult to stay completely away from Gluten? Can anyone recommend a Doctor in Orange County, Ca?

[mushroom]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

This may sound a little simplistic, and is not meant to be condescending, but the rule for staying gluten free is to not put something in your mouth unless you KNOW what it has in it. If you don't know, don't eat it. And of course, you also have to learn where gluten lurks and where to look for it. You have to decline food made by well-meaning friends who do not know about cross-contamination and, in some cases, even what gluten is. You have to be extremely careful in restaurants and make sure your server knows what gluten is, and that he communicates to the chef your gluten free needs.

And, of course, you have to ruthlessly go through your pantry and donate all your food items that contain gluten to a worthy cause (which is not your stomach)

Do the same for lactose - none comes into the house. I used to make my guests bring their own milk and take it home for a while until I learned to keep a box of milk in the pantry and then I would send that home with them when they left. No cheating on ice cream

Itching could be a sign that you need to get rid of soy or another food that may be an additional intolerance. But you won't know that until you completely get rid of the gluten and lactos.