Jenny (AZ via TX)

Has anyone tried SinuCleanse? It came with a neti pot. I used to use this before gluten-free. Anyway, I called the company to make sure it is gluten-free. The customer service rep did not know what I was talking about when I asked if it was gluten free. She asked "is it free"? I said "no, gluten free. Free of gluten. Do you know what gluten is?" Then she read the ingredients out loud to me and said "no gluten". I asked her if she knew this for sure or if she was just guessing. She said she didn't see gluten in the ingredients (was actually looking for the word "gluten"). That was all I could take. I thanked her for her time (not her fault).

So, does anyone know? It look gluten-free to me.

Ingredients:

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Chloride

No inactive ingredients.

Thanks.

Mike,

I had many of the symptoms you have and very little GI symptoms. --

Terrible brain fog - didn't even realize how bad until gluten free

--Nutritional deficiencies - very low ferritin.

--Lack of coordination during episodes ("Gluten Ataxia"?) - I felt like I was leaning to the right.

--Considerable fatigue - still have but recently starting taking thyroid

--Chronic headaches - still get them occasionally and even migraines

--Cracking joints (don't know if this is a celiac disease symptom but I noticed others posting about this and I thought I'd mention it. - I have this too

I was a "regular" girl although the stools were soft and ususally only went once a day. It was a fluke that I was diagnosed due to an emergency room visit. Otherwise, I didn't think I felt that bad. But I have to tell you, that I do feel better. I didn't realize that my stomach felt uncomfortable most days until after being gluten free a while. Then I realized that I didn't have that feeling in my tummy anymore. It's hard to explain. I can't believe how much better I feel. I also had some depression which is mostly gone!

So, you can have celiac without magor GI symptoms.

Hope this helps.

RiceGuy,

What brand of B12 are you using? Thanks.

Yes, there are often lingering neurological effects such as brain fog and fatigue. Depending on how long you've been gluten-free, it may not be anything to worry about. However, many find that they benefit from B vitamins. In particular, B12 generally helps with brain fog and fatigue, energy, sleep cycles, mood, and much more. You may find a B-complex, along with a separate sublingual B12 (methylcobalamin form) to be very helpful. There may be other nutrients which aren't being absorbed properly yet, such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, iron, and zinc.

You are right about seeing a nutritionist, though not everyone feels their best with the usual serum levels of some nutrients. Magnesium and B12 are two which many on this board find helpful even when levels are supposedly "ok" according to their doctor.

Some other things to consider are other intolerances which often show up while body heals. Many find that they need to avoid dairy or soy, eggs, nuts, corn, nightshades, etc. Trust what your body tells you, and give it time to heal. The better the quality of your food, the better you'll fell, so try to avoid processed foods anytime you can.

It can be overwhelming at first, but you will feel more at ease as time goes by. This board is a great place for help and support. Welcome aboard!

VioletBlue,

Thanks for the quick reply. I went on Snopes and read what it said about Canola. I feel better about using it now. I've never had a problem with it and have used it for about 15 years. I'm still excited to use the sunflower oil - should be good with popcorn.

I'm going to go make the brownies. Thanks again.

Ok all you experts out there. There's at least a half a dozen of you that could write cookbooks! (I'm so jealous SickChick and Purple, just to name two)

I read recently that Sunflower Oil is supposed to be really good for you and that Canola isn't. I've used Canola for many years but have read bad things about it on this forum (I always thought it was supposed to be one of the better oils). I bought the organic Sunflower oil and I'm ready to use it. Soooo, here's my question. Can I bake with Sunflower Oil without any weird taste? I have some brownies I want to make this weekend.

I know many of you use Coconut oil, but I don't really love the taste of cocunut. If Sunflower oil isn't good to bake with, please give me some suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

The natural route is the best way to go if you can. If that doesn't work, I believe alprazolam (xanax generic) made by Mylan is gluten free. To be sure double check on this forum. There was a thread about it fairly recently.

I use Desert Essence Organics BodyCare lotion. Comes in many scents - I like the almond or Vanilla Chai. It actually says Gluten Free on the back! I get it in my local health food store (two 8 oz bottles for $10.00.) WholeFoods sells it, but it's twice the price there.

I use many of the Desert Essence products. I believe the line is gluten free. They also have shampoo (I switch off with Neutrogena) and a blemish stick which I like.

I also like the Neutrogena Body Oil.

Yum! Sounds good and looks easy.

Jessica,

I was thinking of you and hope you are safe. I have family and friends in the Houston area. They lost power last night around midnight. They headed for Austin. I'm sending positive thoughts to you.

Here's what I did when I was first diagnosed. I bought the book Living Gluten Free for Dummies. Very easy to read and gives you the basics about having celiac. I knew absolutely nothing about it before being diagnosed.

The next thing I did was call the grocery stores and see if they have a gluten free food list. Safeway has one. I'm not sure where you live, but Safeway is also called Tom Thumb and Ralphs. Anyway, Safeway sent me a huge list of Safeway gluten free foods, including their organic line.

Check all your meds and supplements. Wheat free does not mean gluten free! I made that mistake the first month.

The easiest thing to do and what has already been mentioned is to eat simply. No processed foods. Do yourself a favor and skip the gluten free breads for now. When you first go gluten-free, the bread tastes horrible. I don't know if it's because you still remember what good bread tastes like or what. I've also heard it's hard to digest until you have healed.

Good luck to you. I wish I had found this forum early on. It took me a couple of months before I knew about it. You will be able to find a ton of info on this site.

Oh, one more thing. I found that I had to start planning what I was going to eat instead of eating on the fly. Hope this helps you.

Has anyone tried any of these snacks? I love the reduced fat chips! Just wondering if anyone knows if their snacks are made on dedicated lines?

What are your favorite Michael Season's snacks? So far, I've only had the potato chips.

I went to Chili's in Lewisville, TX in May of this year. I ordered the hamburger without the bun. It came with the bun. I told the server I could not eat just remove the bun since it had touched the meat. Server looked at me like I was just a picky eater. Then the manager came over to say how sorry he was and that they would make me another hamburger without the bun. I was still nervous eating it and did not enjoy the meal. I probably won't go back to Chili's for a very long time, if at all. Just not worth it to me.

Thanks for all the replies! I think we may go this weekend. I love their Caesar Salad and haven't had it since going gluten-free. I have a craving for it and no I'm not preggers, just miss it.

Ginghamkim - thanks for the info on the soup. Would not have thought of pasta falling in.

AMQmom- I'm not sure I understand about the pan. Do you ask them to prepare your food in a pan rather than the grill?

Thanks Momma Goose. I'm so excited to have one more place to go!

You may want to call Safeway to get an updated list. This list I have, which they mailed to me, is dated March '08. This list also has their Organics products as well.

Has anyone been to Carrabas lately? I read that they have a gluten-free menu, but don't know anyone that has been there.

Please let me know of your experience there. Thanks!

I was in total shock when I found out. I really didn't know what celiac was. I think it was kind of a fluke that they even ran the panel. Anyway, after the shock wore off, I thought this won't be so bad. That was before I read up on it and found gluten was in so many things. Then I was really depressed.

Now, after about 4 months, I'm doing OK. After you get over the initial learning curve, it really isn't that bad. I messed up the first 2 months and took some supplements that had gluten. Now I either call on each supplement or find them that say gluten free. The hardest part for me are social situations, but that has gotten a lot easier too. I used to feel embarassed when I went to restaurants and had to ask all of the questions. Now, I just don't care what anyone thinks. Also, I try to call ahead or go to restaurants with gluten-free menus.

It really does get easier as time goes by. I also feel much better too!

dkasart,

I've been thinking of you and truly hope this storm misses you. I have many relatives in the NO area and most have evacuated. Please be careful.

Just taking a couple of guesses here . . .

I know Quaker Oats are off limits because of cross contamination during the manufacturing process . . . could be the same with the grits . . . I know people have problems with the Quaker rice cakes.

Cheetos may have been a problem because of the dairy. Could also be that they are just hard on the tummy (too processed) right now.

The other thing that popped into my mind is . . . what did you put on the grits . . . butter? Were your peanut butter and your butter free from contamination? You need your own container of butter, peanut butter, jelly, cream cheese, etc, so that you don't get the bread crumbs from the other people in your house.

You're right about the grits. I called them, unfortunately after I bought them. Said could have cross contamination.

So far I have liked just about everything there. I'm not sure if this is the same place, I live in AZ and didn't realize it was in other states.

One thing I don't like is reheating the pizza. It was great at the restaurant. I brought leftovers home, froze it and reheated and I would'nt even eat it.

I usually don't even get pizza when I go there, but the one I got and liked was I think, canadian bacon and pineapple.

We go there fairly often and yes, they are a bit pricey.

Hi all.

What brand of almond butter and sunbutter do you buy and where do you buy it. I love PB, but for some reason it doesn't love me right now.

On the coconut oil and coconut flour - does it have a strong coconut taste? Do you prefer a specific brand?

Can you use high heat with the coconut oil? I know some oils have a low flashpoint.

Thanks.

Hey Jenny. Your panel doesn't look too bad. Your lipoprotein a (aka Lp(a)) is simply a type of LDL particle. It happens to be small and denser than the other common type of LDL, lipoprotein B. While Lp(a) has been shown to be linked to heart disease, your LDL is quite normal, so I wouldn't worry much at all....really. Just always try to exercise and eat heart healthy. I have Celiac too. I was diagnosed last December.

Thanks MBJ2217. I had never had bloodwork for lipoprotein (a) but have since heard not to worry too much about it since my other numbers are pretty good. Thanks for the reassurance. I still need to go have some of the other stuff checked and hopefully I'll be good as new! You are so right about the exercising. I had been doing so well and then stopped when my MIL and FIL had a fall. I've been over at their place helping out. MIL just exausts me. She's a little difficult. (That's putting it nicely ha ha). Also, I have to constantly wash my hands over there due to all the gluten. I need to get back to it just to relieve the stress.

Thanks again.

Shay, I do have some symptoms of hypothyroid and that was the main reason I wanted the blood tests. I had read several posts on thyroid and thought I should get checked. Right before being diagnosed, my TSH was over 3 (that has come down). I had never had T3 or T4 checked and really didn't know much about them. I'm mostly tired and have really dry skin. Also have some anxiety.

Thank you for confirming this about the T3. I just want to feel good and be happy again, you know. Also had my other hormones tested as well. I know I am perimenopause (I'm 47). Let the good times roll. I am so thankful I don't have the hot flashes, but have other issues.

Is Armour prescribed for T3 as well as for TSH or T4?

To preface, I'm not much of a measurer, I also try different cheeses-I usually just dump stuff in until it's the consistancy and flavor I want....

I use the oven directions and I put sliced tomatoes on the top--add in as much cheese as you like, I don't really measure it--I taste it until it's as sharp as I like it (pretty sharp) and as creamy as I like.

8 ounces dried elbow macaroni or desired-shape gluten-free pasta (2 cups)

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/4-1/2c diced onions

2 tablespoons white rice flour

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1-1/2 cups fat-free milk

1/2-1c shredded mexican cheese blend

1c (or more if you like) shredded extra sharp special reserve Tillamook cheese-the one in the black pkg (or the sharpest stuff you can find)

Directions

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, for cheese sauce, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, saute onions until translucent. Stir in flour and pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Add cheese, stirring until melted. Stir macaroni into cheese sauce in saucepan, stirring to coat. Cook over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through, stirring frequently. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings.

2. Oven Macaroni and Cheese: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare as above, except increase milk to 2 cups. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Thanks for posting. It looks easy to make and very yummy!

Thanks for replying. It is so hard to find a doctor that really knows about Celiac. I got so frustrated waiting on that doctor, I had to walk out. They called me to apologize and of course, set up another appt. I did, but will probably end up cancelling.

My CRP was high also right when I was diagnosed. I am so good about being gluten-free, actually obsessive about it, so I would have thought the number would come down.

Oh well. My mission is to find a new doctor that knows what I'm talking about. I know they are out there somewhere!