rmmadden

I am on Prevacid for stomach acid treatment and am trying to ween myself off. I was wondering if anyone knows if Zantac or Pepcid AC (or like product) is gluten-free & safe to take?

Any info/help is greatly appreciated.

Cleveland Bob

I was on a recent business trip and booked my airfare online. I selected the Gluten-Free Meal from the special needs drop-down menu and thought this is easy. I come to find out that my flights were changed in that "No Special Meal Offered" was printed on my receipt. I ended up having to pack a travel meal and carry it with me so that I could sustain myself while in-flight.

Lesson learned is that it's alsways good to double-check and have something gluten-free with you just in case.

Cleveland Bob

I was diagnosed recently and have been gluten-free for 2-months. Before that I had severe weight loss (20-pounds in 7-weeks). That was pretty much the clue my doctor needed to test me for celiac disease (positive Endoscopy and positive blood work).

I notice a gluten reaction within a short time after eating. I also get the bloating and the Big "D" as well. I have been feeling better here the past 2-weeks and I hope it is a sign that I am slowly healing .

Hang in There & Good Luck!

Cleveland Bob

Hello ya'll from the Big Easy. I'm here in New Orleans for a 5-day convention and thought I would share my experience as I try to stay gluten-free on-the-road.

First off I contacted the hotel where I'm staying (Doubletree on Canal St) and asked about a gluten-free menu. Unfortunately they do not have one but the restaurant does have a low-carb menu which offers a nice selection of foods that are gluten-free (cross contamination is a possibility, though) and I have talked to the cooks about the food. Overall this has been a positive experience.

Next I went on-line and found a health food store nearby (Whole Foods) and a short cab ride later I was able to stock-up on gluten-free goodies to keep me going during the convention (I had the hotel bring me a mini-fridge for my room to store my groceries).

As this is my first experience traveling after being diagnosed I was real anxious about staying gluten-free and avoiding any "attacks." But, it hasn't been bad. I pack my own lunch each day and plan ahead before going out (I carry apples or pears just in case). I ask a lot of questions when dining out and if I feel the item is questionable then I avoid it (luckily hurricanes have rum in them and are gluten-free!).

Anyways, this has been a positive experience and I hope this helps other celiac disease people planning trips.

Cleveland Bob

Thank you all for your input on exercise. I love to walk (sometimes up to 3-4 miles a day) but as In said it's tough this time of year. I can't wait for the weather to break so I can get back to my regular schedule. Like I said the exercise usually makes the chest/muscle aches go away and I've never been short of breath.

I have noticed that I do get tired and I try to watch how much I do or how often. Hopefully as I heal-up I rebuild my system I can start to jog or do more strenous exercise.

Thanks again for all your info.

Cleveland Bob

I get a rapid heart rate if I get "Glutened". I usually get a large amount of belching, too. It definitely scared me at first because I didn't understand why it was happening. I really have to focus on my relaxation breathing to try and calm myself down. Afterward I am usually tired from the adrenaline let-down.

Best of luck!

Cleveland Bob

I was wondering how many people exercise on a regular basis and what kinds of exercise do you do?

Since falling ill in August I noticed that I feel better when I walk (especially after eating). The chest aches etc. that I have generally go away and I feel better. Unfortunately mother nature makes it hard to walk in Cleveland this time of year (it's 7 degree's and snowy here today). I am a bit afraid to do more than walking in that the chest aches I get from being celiac disease scare me. I don't want to hurt myself or anything. I've never been short of breath from exercising but I wonder how much strenous exercise celiac disease people do and how do you feel afterward.

Thanks for your input.

Cleveland Bob

Interesting to hear how long it takes to feel well again after ingesting gluten. I am a new celiac disease patient and am frustrated in how long it takes me to feel better. I have started a food log and been reading the labels of everything including my shampoo, deodorant, etc. and It takes me days to get over a gluten attack. I was under the assumption that the recovery time would be a few days after getting "Glutened" so I guess your info tells me that I must be more patient in my expectations

I do take enzymes (Proactazyme Plus from Nature's Sunshine which I double checked with the company to make sure they are gluten-free) and they do help you digest your food better (and absorb the nutrients).

Thanks for your input!

Cleveland Bob

I get nausea sometimes for no aparent reason. I figure it's my body adjusting to the new lifestyle/diet and my intestine's are healing slowly. I keep a food log which helps me identify when I have a questionable food item.

Try going to your local health food store and pick-up a bottle of Pure Japanese Oil Of Peppermint (bottle only costs $5.00). You add 2-drops into a coffee mug of warm water and drink slowly. It will help settle your stomach AND has been known to cure IBS, too.

Good Luck!

Cleveland Bob

I am a recently diagnosed celiac disease patient and I certainly know what it's like to go "Cold Turkey" off Gluten. It's overwhelming!

First thing my wife and I did was go to the local library and check out some books on Celiac Disease and Gluten Free cookbooks. I figured I would look through some of these books and If I liked them then I could then purchase a copy to keep at home. This gave me a base of knowledge to start my gluten-free living.

Next I started reading the labels of everything that I had in the house. I went through the pantry and seperated all the glutenous foods that we had and gave it all away to a local food kitchen. I then went to our local health food stores and began making notes (prices) on various gluten-free products (Flours, Pasta, Soups, Cookies, etc.). That way I familiarized myself with the stores offerings and was able to stretch our shopping dollars.

Now once a week my wife bakes me a loaf of gluten-free bread so I can have sandwiches etc. We also eat a lot of vegetables, rice and potato's. The key to staying away from Gluten is to read, read, read the labels. I read everything and if I have a question regarding the ingredients I call the company or research it online. I started a 3-ring binder of gluten-free info including recipie's and any other tips I pick-up from these message forum's. I also keep a food log to check everything I eat. That way if I get hit from a "Hidden Gluten" I can go back and examine what I ate and try to identify the offending food item.

It is a lot of work and it requires your constant attention. Hang in there and best of luck!

Cleveland Bob

Your mental state can be an amazing tool toward healing/feeling better. Pick one thing each day that makes it worthwhile to get out of bed and focus on that (Your Fiancee sounds like a great incentive to stay alive for). If you can change your mental state/attitude then you can hopefully progress toward feeling better.

The old saying that no man (or woman) is an island couldn't be more true. It's not just about you. Others do care about you and would be crushed if you did something drastic. Make up your mind that you are going to do whatever it takes to live each day to its fullest and reflect upon the many gifts you have (Again, your fiancee). That in itself is worth living for.

Best of Luck!

Cleveland Bob

I realize that each celiac disease patient is different in what they can eat and can't eat but, does anyone have any firsthand knowledge of the Organic Tamari Wheat Free Soy Sauce?

I see that one of the ingredients listed is organic alcohol. Anyone know what this is made from? I would like to hear about any positive or negative experiences please.

Thanks!

Cleveland Bob

I am a new celiac disease patient and I am looking for a really good tasting gluten-free bread recipe. I have tried a few breads from the various cook books and they are very dense and lacking in taste. I thought maybe some of you celiac disease veterans could pass along a favorite recipe that we all could share in. In return I am posting a gluten-free Raw Fruit Pie Recipe I have been making:

Ingredients:

Raw Almonds / Fresh Coconut / Figs (Or Substitute Dates) and, Any Fresh Or Frozen Fruit You Like.

Pie Crust:

In a food processor chop up the almonds into small pieces (but not to the point where it's a powder). Set aside the almonds and wipe out food processor. Crack open your fresh coconut and save the coconut milk. Chop the coconut in the food processor until it's in small pieces. Set aside coconut and wipe out the food processor. Finally, process your figs (or dates) until it comes together as a paste.

In a mixing bowl combine your almonds, coconut and figs together and add the coconut milk a small bit at a time until the mixture comes together. Spray a pie pan with cooking spray (make sure it's gluten-free) and press your mixture into place to form a crust. Cover and refridgerate for at least 1-hour.

Slice your favorite fruit (If you like Apples, or something else that will oxidize then place the slices into a lemon/water bath for 15-min.) and layer them into your crust. Cover and refridgerate (This is a raw pie that requires no baking). It is best to eat the pie the same day as it doesn't store that well but, it does taste great when it's fresh.

Enjoy!

Bob

I agree.......As a newly diagnosed celiac disease patient I have been amazed when I read the labels of things I used to eat. An 8-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup had so many ingredients the list took up 3/4 of the label. All those additives/preservatives/chemicals cannot be good for the human body! I truly believe that fast food and all the preservatives in the ready-to-eat meals etc. are what is makeing people sick (Cancer, heart disease, etc.)

I have not only gone gluten-free but am eating only organic foods as well. It is more expensive but it is ultimately better for my condition and body as a whole.

Bob

Thank you, thank you, thank you everybody for your tips and input. It really does help me feel better knowing that I am not alone in this constant battle.

I have looked into my aftershave, soap, etc. as I had a day last week where I had a severe headache and I was able to trace it back to my shampoo and hair jell which both contain wheat protein. Also, I was working in my son's bedroom removing a wall paper border and scrubbing/scrapping the residue away. Half way through I started feeling lousy and wondered if the paste (residue) contains gluten. After researching it online sure enough the paste does contain wheat starch. That one got me for 1-1/2 days.

One tip I can offer for anyone with muscle/bone aches is to try magnet therapy. You place a natural magnet on the spot where you ache and it increases the blood flow to the spot and draws the pain out. I use mine almost every day as it does bring me relief.

Bob

Yes, I have Celiac Disease

No, I Don't Have Diabetes

Male (And An Avid Indians Fan.....Go Tribe!)

Hello.....My name is Bob from Cleveland and I have recently been diagnosed as having Celiac Disease (December 2004).

My health problems started in August when I had a case of food poisening and I just never recovered. I couldn't eat or drink anything without heartburn and generally was just feeling lousy. I lost 20-pounds in 2-months time, had a lot of trouble sleeping through the night and just didn't feel well on a day-to-day basis. The Dr. had me try Reglan, Pepcid AC and finally Prevacid. I did find some relief from the Prevacid and had days where I felt better but not quite 100%.

After 3-months of taking the Prevacid (and not feelling well enough on a consistent basis) I asked to take the Endoscopy test and they found damaged villi (and confirmed with follow-up blood work) my celiac disease. I realize I am lucky to have been diagnosed as quickly as I was because I have read some of the horror stories online about people going years before being properly diagnosed.

My main question/concern is a reality/sanity check in that I would like to know that I am not alone in the various symptoms that I have:

-Gas / Belching

-Bloating

-Jittery / Shakey Feeling If I Don't Eat

-Jittery / Faint Felling If I Eat Gluten or MSG

-Chest / Muscle / Bone Ache (Sensitive To The Touch)

-Trouble Sleeping (Wake Up After 4-hours & Sometime Toss-N-Turn)

-Light Headaches

Not knowing what the problem was in the beginning caused me great anxiety as I did suffer a few panic attacks (especially related to the chest/muscle/bone ache as I was afraid it was heart related). I have been walking/exercising regularly and It makes me feel better during and after as my aches generally go away. In the beginning the exercise was the only thing keeping me from going totally nuts over the chest ache because I could do the exercise and get my heart rate up (120-130 Beat Per Min.) and not suffer any pain or shortness of breath.

I am trying to avoid Gluten and learn all I can to hopefully start feeling better but, the hidden glutens have been getting the better part of me. From bullion cubes containing MSG to Rice Milk containing barley enzymes I have had a tough first month. I have been taking vitamin supplements, food enzymes (all checked for Gluten) and juicing (Apple/Carrot/Celery Juice Is Better Tasting Than You Would Think) to try and keep my immune system up. I also use "Magnet Therapy" to help alleviate my gas pains & muscle/bone aches.

Any insight or helpful tips from you celiac disease "Veterans" would be greatly appreciated to this celiac disease "Rookie". Sometimes it feels like I am trying to fight the tide from coming in (Sorry, bad analogy after the Tsunami -- God Bless Those People!)

Bob