Lisa

Great article Karen. I copied it to add to my file for my doctor's appointment in a few weeks. (the same one that didn't know what was wrong with me )

Welcome to the Board!

There is a wealth of information on this site. I too, and glad you found us.

I am sorry that your father is having a difficult time. To answer you question... A positive blood test can rule Celiac in, but a negative blood test cannot rule it out. They are not always reliable.

Has your father had an endoscopy exam and a biopsy? The most conclusive testing for Celiac is a positive response from the gluten free diet.

Would he be willing to go 100% gluten free?

I have had celiac for about a year, and just got diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Is it true that cheese with no sugar in it is lactose free, since lactose is a sugar? and can we have sharp cheddar. I know nothing...

Hi Hanna and welcome to this board!

Hey, there is a lot to learn about what we eat and we have all been there.

Ask away, we have all been there. And glad that you have joined us.

Hello! I just joined, so this is my first post. Hope I'm doing this correctly! I recently purchased some sweet rice flour, some tapioca starch, and some potato starch. I'm new to gluten free baking, so I'm not sure about proper storage: pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. Some brands of the special flours are marked for storage, but these came from an oriental market and are not marked. Can someone please help me with this? Thanks so much.

Frances in MS

Hello and welcome!

I'm not much of a baker so I can't offer the best advise. I do have some gluten free mixes that I keep in my pantry in a zip-lock container or a tight storeage container.

I have a positive dx by endoscopy/biopsy. Yes, I have Celiac Disease. But, many have had health improvement going gluten free. You can call it what you want, as far as I am concerned. If you have greater health going gluten free, good for you. All the better.

Calling yourself Celiac for weight loss control, yes I do have an issue. It diminishes the inroads that we have traveled toward restaurant awareness (for medical issues, as opposed to weight control).

sneezydiva,

If you are totally gluten free ( and that should be addressed, if you have not been) and have been feeling better with a gluten free diet, that in itself is a diagnosis.

Many people here have been self diagnosed and feel very comfortable in those shoes.

If you have:

Checked your meds if any for gluten free.

Checked your shampoo, lotion, lipstick or anything that can get into your mouth.

Checked your pots and pans for scratches, gluten can hide in Teflon scratches.

Toast your gluten free bread on a new toaster.

Buy new rubber spatulas, the dishwasher should clean it sufficiently, if not by hand. Loose your wooden spoons.

Clean you electric can opener.

And clean all surfaces from bread crumbs from others.

I think if you take some time to read here, you may find a place here. If not, it's okay. Celiac, or wheat or gluten intolerance does not fit everyone. But, I am glad that you are looking into why you ill feeling.

As Rachelle said, you need to listen to what you body is telling you.

Good luck and if we can help you in any way, stick with us. Gotta great bunch of folks here.

Gosh KarenB, you do good work. Thank you for you time. You are a wonderful example of good people doing good things. Cheers to you!

ALL BLUE LIZARD 30+ UVA/UVB SUNTAN LOTIONS ARE gluten-free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hear you, mouth!

Convience as in fast foods:

Wendy's has a list of gluten free food on their website - www.wendys.com

and Chick-fil-A, www.chickfila.com.

I think that the whole of the corporate structure is corrupt. You work for a company for over 30 years contributing to the corporate billions. You retire with a pension. The company declares bankruptcy and terminates your pension and health coverage (promised for life), and notified by a simple form letter and did not have the nerve to have a signature at the bottom...and the corporate executives walk away with a 33 million dollar "golden parachute". And they continue to count their quarterly profits in the billions. Now that sucks!

Yeah PICTURES!!!!

The scenery is spectacular. When you get a change, tell us some stories. Some of us are arm chair travelers.

Is this daily? Thank you, it does help.

It sure does. I take one daily and notice when I forget.

Does casein issues do intestinal damage as gluten does for a celiac? I have asked before and recieved inconclusive answers. Any one know?

Aged cheddar cheese hits me hard! Although, I don't get the brain fog.

Hey,

I used to take B-12 injections once a week for a month, then every two week, then once a month. I do not take injections presently.

I take Nature's Bounty Sublingual B-12, 2,500mcg. They disolve under your tongue and go directly into your blood stream.

I certainly notice when I do not take it.

Hope that helps.

Jenny,

I'll mark that day for special thought.

Jessie,

I don't have much to add, but it may be a bug going around. Yup, sometime we need to look outside of the box.

As far as your little guy, since you are diagnosed, what do you think about letting him be gluten light?

I am not a fan of daycares for personal reasons and it is not related to gluten issues. Should I have grandchildren (and it looks like I may be a grandma), none of my grandchildren living in my town will never see the insides of a daycare. (PM me and I will expain, the bitter in me). I do understand the need for working parents.

Hope he feels better soon.

I've been voluntarily on a low gluten diet for a little over half a year now to help lower the my incidence of headaches and migraines. I still have soy sauce, vitamins with gluten, and don't worry about cross-contamination. I cheat at least once a month.

But now my neurologist thinks it's likely that I am a celiac. He didn't test me because I've been on the gluten-free diet for so long it would just give a false negative.

My other health issues are tendonitis, ADD, anemia, easily bruised, and fatigue.

Should I get tested even though it means I would have to eat gluten again? How long would I have to eat gluten for before the test?

If I am a celiac, do all celiac's have to be super stringent and have gluten-free shampoo and use seperate pots and pans from thier family?

I'm feeling overwhelmed just when I thought I was doing great and finally over most of gluten cravings.

Any advice would really appreciated.

Well I would say that if you are satisfied with your tendinitis, ADD, anemia, bruising and fatigue, I would suggest you continue doing what you are now.

If you would like an anticipated improvement with those symptoms, try to be 100% gluten free for two months and see if it helps.

If you do have Celiac, it is a commitment for life, in order not to develop far more serious , potentially life threatening issues. Many people here have permant pysical and mental damage from undiagnosed Celiac.

I understand that at first is is very overwhelming. But, with education and a little time it gets much better. This site is a wonderful source.

Give it a go and see if you fell better. There are lots of folks here to guide you through your journey.

Momma Goose,

I am sorry you not feeling well. I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Phyllis,

I think alot has to do with stress. I have taken on the role of a caregiver and managing two homes. That certainly is not an easy job. I'm just plumb worn out.

I'm going to start with Folic suppliments and hope that will help a little, in addition to the b-12 and daily vit.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Tom:

In the two years since I was diagnoses and learned what in the world Celiac Disease, I have witnessed tremendous awareness.

You are familiar with my hometown. We had no gluten free products. This week the Food Lion (one of two grocery stores) put in a huge health food section and more gluten free products that I only have heard about from this site. Talk about a kid in a candy store.

It's also good product marketing to the "Boomer" generation.

Again, thanks all. Dinner was wonderful. We went to a celiac-friendly steak and seafood place near us (The Keg, for any Canadians wondering).

It is so nice to have so many friends all over.

My mother was born in Minnesota and raised in California, and she wanted to have a "Fourth of July" baby. She was in labor for most the of the third, but managed to hold on until after midnight for my entrance to the world.

Today is a special day for me, and this forum is a special place.

Your mother tried to hold on, ouch. What was she thnking???? You owe her a great debt of gratitude. Never the less, we celebrated your birthday with fireworks around the US.

Have a wonderful time away. Enjoy every minute of your trip.

Fatigue can very much be from deficiencies. B-12 injection or sublinual can be very helpful.

Avoid stress, for me, it puts me right onto the sofa for days.

Hey Carole,

We are glad that you have joined us.

Most doctors, are not well versed to look for Celiac Disease. It formerly was considered rare, but it's estimated that 1 in 133 have Celiac with an average of 11 years before being diagnosed. Rather not much excuse for doctors.

I had chronic lower back pain for many years and my doctor always told me that my IBS issues and back pain were unrelated. WRONG. After six months gluten free, the back pain is totally gone.

I am happy for you that you now can be on the road to recovery. Please feel free to ask anything.

Welcome to the Club!!!

Gulia (Angie) has made some fried onion rings using gluten free pancake batter -- and they sure looked good.

Beer cheese soup sound wonderful. That, I would like to try.

Happy Birthday Peter!!

We are celebrating down here, fireworks and all.