New And Need Hope, Guidance And Support

[AnnJay]

Hi gluten free friends,

Please allow me to introduce myself. It's been around 3 months since I figured out my digestive distress was due to gluten. Since that time, I have had a negative blood test for Celiac, I have been through airports, on vacation, and traveled through many towns, all the while trying to eat gluten free but assuredly making lots of 'newbie' mistakes. Like balsamic vinegar, gluten-free ice cream from Ben n Jerry's, etc. I kept telling myself that when we returned home I would have better control of my eating and would for sure feel better.

Sadly, the feeling better part hasn't happened. If anything, I am getting more and more drained. I'm embarrassed to admit to the amount of TV my kids have been watching. //blush//. But the reaction -3 days of diarrhea, headache, fatigue, brain fog, joint ache, and depression - is really disabling, especially the 2nd day. My Uncle is also gluten intolerant, and a friend here in town likewise. But they can both eat foods without reacting that I can't eat.

At this point I suspect other foods may be the culprit, though it is possible that it's still gluten. That soda pop at a friend's house that I looked up online? It said was gluten-free. That mustard packet? Maybe it had gluten. Maybe manufactured in a place that also does wheat is enough for me to react, even though it's not for the others I know.

At this point I could really use some guidance, hope, and support. thank you.

[kareng]

With all the travel, you probably haven't been as gluten-free as you can be at home. Why don't you try a strict gluten-free diet of simple, unprocessed foods. Just meat, veggies, fruit, rice, spices. Skip the sodas and the ice cream. You may want to go dairy free for a few months, too. Celiac makes it hard to digest dairy, at least in the beginning

When you have had time to heal, you can try some other things like soda or dairy and see how you do with them.

[rosetapper23]

Since balsamic vinegar is gluten free and Ben & Jerry's will list on their carton ig a particular flavor contains wheat, I agree with you that something else is at play here that you're also intolerant to. Have you considered soy? For me, soy makes me feel exactly as though I've eaten gluten. Other big intolerances include dairy, corn, nightshades, and oats. As mentioned by the previous poster, you should definitely consider eating only natural, whole foods--vegetables, meats, fruits, potatoes, rice, nuts, etc. After you start feeling better, then you can begin adding things back in one at a time.

I wish you luck--this can be a tough journey!

[NGG]

Do you live with other people? Be careful of the toaster and that kind of thing. It took me a couple of days of having gluten-free bread toasted to realize that I was probably getting crumbs on my toast from using it in the toaster other people in the house use. Now we have two toasters. And have your own butter or margarine and peanut butter or anything else like that. If cross contamination might be a problem anyway.