koolkat222

They ARE the brand name Jelly Belly. I thinking that Kirkland gets them in huge bulk, then repackages them. I'm leaning toward Adalaide's suggestion, which is just to avoid them. I'll continue to enjoy Jelly Bellies that aren't packaged by Costco.

I'm sorry for all you're going through. I had (a few, still have) many of the same symptoms. Going gluten free was a life-changer for me! I was able to eat without having pain all of the time, and some of my other symptoms improved as well.

Like I said, I really can relate to many of your symptoms. I found out that I was clenching/grinding my jaw in my sleep. At first I didn't believe it, but after grinding through a mouthguard in about 3 weeks, I couldn't argue with that proof. That kind of clenching caused terrible headaches, tension, pain in shoulders and neck, etc. I'm still working on the clenching.

Keep us up to date on what happens with you. Good luck!

Jelly Bellies are a yummy treat for me, and I know that they are 100% gluten free. Costco sells a 4 lb. tub of them. I haven't had them in awhile, so naturally I read the label to make sure they were still safe for me. The ingredients are still gluten free, but under allergy information it says, "This product is packaged on equipment that also packages products that contain peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, eggs, and milk." Noooo!

I can't remember if that was always on the package or not. Can I still eat them? Has anybody else had a similar situation?

I thought that, for many celiacs, this was the case. I heard an explanation that said we had some sort of predisposion to celiac; but it wasn't triggered until we experienced a highly stressful, life changing event that "turned on" the celiac.

I know this isn't the case with everyone, but I believe it was the case with me. Nobody else in my family has celiac.

I totally sympathize with you! I'm so careful about what I eat, yet it seems my stomach is never normal! I rarely eat out because I am very sensitive to cross contamination.

My family threw a surprise birthday party for my dad last month. I wasn't planning on eating. But,the owner of the restaurant assured me that a special appetizer and a salad meal with gluten-free ingredients had been made for me. Then I told him about the cross- contamination issue, and he said that precautions would be taken. The meal was very good, and I thought I was ok.

I don't react within minutes like some celiacs do; my reactions take about an hour or so to kick in. It was the worst glutening and longest lasting (weeks) symptoms I've ever had!

So I understand the frustration you feel!

Wow, that is so great to hear! Since going gluten-free, I've been a bit leery about Red Robin because of all of the gluten foods. I've very sensitive to cross-contamination so I rarely eat out. This post makes me feel hopeful about eating there. Thanks

I wouldn't eat gluten again just to get an "official" diagnosis. To me, it's just not worth it. I know that even a tiny amount of gluten does me in. I can't stand the thought of willingly ingesting any gluten.

You are feeling better, and that's the important thing! Unless there is some reason for an "official" diagnosis, I wouldn't worry about it.

I know the relief you're experiencing at finally realizing, after all these years, what has been making you feel so terrible.

I've heard that people with Celiac are prone to other intolerances, and eggs are one of them.

Interesting you ask your second question - I've found that I can't eat eggs on their own (hard boiled eggs gave me horrible acid reflux), but I'm okay when they're used in baked foods like bread and cupcakes (gluten-free of course!).

Same here! I get a bad tummyache with plain eggs of any kind. I'm fine if they are an ingredient in something though. Didn't realize others experienced this as well.

Stick to the gluten-free diet (no cheating at all) and you should start feeling better very soon. I lost weight very quickly once my villi began to heal, and I started absorbing some nutrients again.

I would say it's definitely possible. I've gotten glutened after kissing my husband after he ate cereal. Better safe than sorry.

You should definitely try going gluten-free. You just might the answer to your problems, and there's nothing to lose. I started to feel better in just a few days. Of course, it took my body much longer to heal, but I did feel better.

Good luck to you

I didn't realize Disneyland had so many gluten free options available. I was at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney with my family, but I didn't order anything. The manager came over to ask if anything was wrong. I briefly explained that I had celiac. Imagine my surprise when she told my they could make me a gluten free meal. I told her that cross-contamination was a factor as well. She knew about that too. So I ordered and enjoyed my first restaurant meal in three years!

I'm in the same boat as kareng. I don't know anyone else who is gluten-free. It would make things easier, and it would be fun to be able to cook/eat with someone who is as careful as I have to be.

Thanks for the dining info. I'm super sensitive, so I don't experiment much. This will help because I do make the occasional trip to Las Vegas. I love that you're a reliable "glutenometer"

And, congratulations to the newlyweds!!!

Panko are Japanese bread crumbs, which are coarsely ground and tend to be light and crispy. Hubby and I are foodies and the thing we love to do most together is create gluten free recipes to substitute for our old favorites.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to look for some recipes

I have found that most recipes calling for panko, I can easily sub the crunched rice chex and it turns out delicious!

What is panco? I've never heard of it.

Friday I'm going to Anaheim..... OK not as good as Hawaii or Spain! But its the most I could get out them.

If you're near Downtown Disney, Rainforest Cafe makes a yummy gluten-free cheeseburger. Just talk to the manager first to be safe.

It was the first restaurant meal I had had in 4 years!

I was making chocolate covered strawberries yesterday. They were so good, I started dipping other stuff as well. Then I thought about dipping some gluten free pretzels (I so miss chocolate covered pretzels). They were fantastic!

Needless to say, I have found a new treat, even after strawberry season is over.

Today,my stash of dipped pretzels was gone, so I took some of the gluten-free pretzels and some of the unmelted chocolate, popped them in my mouth, and YUMMY.

I wouldn't worry about any official diagnosis. Most doctors (in my experience) are pretty quick to dismiss what they can't quickly diagnose.

You know that gluten hurts your body in a big way. Bottom line, you need to stay away from it in order to feel good regardless of what the doctor says.

Take care, and I'm glad you're feeling better.

I wouldn't bother going through the torture of ingesting gluten and all of the painful effects that come with it just to get a test done. You've already found out (on your own, I might add) that gluten is something you need to stay away from.

Look at the difference in how you feel! IMHO, you don't need a doctor or a test to tell you what you already know. Gluten just isn't worth it.

I have been gluten-free for over 4 years. I am very sensitive to any gluten or cross-contamination. For me, the symptoms of getting glutened get worse and worse over time. I figure it's because my body has finally gotten rid of what it basically sees as a poison. So when it does get glutened again, it's a pretty bad and kind of long reaction.

I tried BJ's pizza last week. I was a bit worried since I am very sensitive to cross contamination. I was thrilled to be eating in a restaurant! It was only the second time in 4 years I had done so.

A manager did come to my table, and he explained how the food would would be prepared. BJ's was a restaurant I would go to before I was diagnosed, and I did enjoy it. It was great to be able to eat there again

The pizza was good. I knew I'd be taking home leftovers anyway, so I decided to order their huge (I mean really huge) baked potato. It was loaded with cheese, bacon, butter, sour cream, chives. The potato was fantastic! Between the pizza and potato, I had leftovers for two more meals.

I know they have quite a few BJ's in southern California, but I don't know their other locations. It feels so good knowing that I CAN eat out again.

I just discovered a few days ago that Romano's Macaroni Grill also has a gluten free menu. It surprised me to see gluten-free at an Italian restaurant. After my BJ's success, I got brave and ordered the shrimp portofino. Success again.

Maybe people really are understanding the need for gluten-free meals. Yay!

I've tried them all, and they are yummy! The chocolate chip cookies are great.

My son made me a gluten-free birthday cake. The creamy white frosting on the devil's food cake was so decadent!! It was the first birthday cake I had had in 4 years! No more missing out for me

As a 24 year old, eating out is a huge part of my social life that I didn't want to give up. I got diagnosed with celiac about 3 months ago and have already been out a few times. I actually went to a restaurant with a gluten-free menu on the way home from my endoscopy to bite the bullet! You just have to be smart about it, for example I would be cautious about pizza chains and their diligence with CC. I have stuck to smaller local places where they make to food fresh on site. I always call ahead to ask if they have gluten-free options, and if they understand what I mean, I'll give the restaurant a shot. At the restaurant, be clear with the server and if they are making the meals fresh any alterations shouldn't be a problem. I have only been sick once so far. As much as it sucked, I have had so many great experiences out with friends that it is risk I have to take. And I am very sensitive to even tiny bits of gluten! My goal is not to let celiac control my life!

But...I am spending 5 weeks in Germany, France, and Spain this August and am VERY nervous about having to eat out all the time, and in a place where they don't speak English!

A friend of mine just got back from Spain. He was surprised at the level of awareness of gluten and gluten intolerance. Gluten-free labels were surprisingly common!

I don't know about the rest of Europe, but you should be fine in Spain.