Lisa

I have been on the diet for, lets see, four months by now. I still feel uncomfortable going out of town. At two months, every other day was a good one. At three months every second day was good. And now at four, it is every three days.....healing will take time.

I know that when I have to be out of town or sitting in a meeting for six hours, Immodium has been a lifesaver. I have been hesitant to use it because I did not want to mask my symptoms....but I gave that up to have a life.

Keep strictly to the gluten-free diet and slowly but surely you will improve day by day. It is nothing that you can rush. It took a long time to do damage and you can't expect it to turn around in a few weeks.

Be patient, there is light at the end of the tunnel. This does not have to be aburden.

I cooked a wonderful dinner tonight that I would have ordered in any restaurant. Good food can truley be enjoyed:

Pork Tenderloin - Dry Rub from Paul Prudhommes' Fajita Magic for several hours

Baked and servered with Paul Newman's Peach Salsa

Uncle Ben's Rice with can of corn, and black beans, mixed together with butter. (disclaimer - all gluten-free to my knowledge)

Life can be good.

I living in the northeast coast of North Carolina ( I think most everyone here knows that).

I take Oil of Olay, which is gluten-free, but you must be able to ingest (as in being able to absorb nuitrients through your small intestines). This big "D" will run it straight through your system and it won't absorb.

I have also found that it has cleared away some of my age spots and sun over-exposure spots, and it has evened out my complextion and softened that hormonal rash that some us get as we age. I strongly recommend it.

Lisa B.

Short but sweet question........Many products just list ingredence as "vinegar".

Do I assume that all vinegar's are distilled, and therefor OK? Or do I need to buy products that list "distilled Vinegar"

Thank you for your impute

This may be shortly off topic....but may pertain to Kraft:

When a "safe" company lists vineager, should be assusme that it distilled and therefore safe?

I have found some products on the delfi list that are "safe", yet on their product, it just says vineager on their ingredence.

There in is my confussion. Any help with this.

Lisa B.

(PS. Is there spell check with this site?) I need it!!!

The red blood that I mentioned is surely hermroid issues. I am not concerned about that. For months I have been dealing with the big D and now being gluten-free for almost four months my "discharge" has changed (I don't know how to put it although it is harden and not easily passed as not has been the facter for six months) and it is expected that the bowls have made a drastic change.

My colonoscopy showed no concern.

PLease note that there are two Lisa's on this post.

About the blouting. About four o'clock in the afternoon, I start feeling the blouting comming on. I then take a Zantac 75, or really feeling blouted at Zantac l50. I need to be home when I take them, at least for now. When I am constipated, it usually helps...I guess it moves the gas around and moves the other to proceed to where it needs to go.

Darn (not my choice of words), I hate to be to personally graphic.

I hope that this little bit is not TMI for your husband. I feel it is for me.

PS. I tried Medimucil (sp) and it was too much fiber for me with a compromised system as of now. Lots of bathroom trips and could not differentiate between gluttened and Metimucil.

Hope that this will be helpful.

Lisa B.

I can't help you make sense of this because I just don't know.

I do know that when I went the the GI Dr., I had never heard of Celiac Disease. I knew alot about IBS, but nothing about gluten intolerance. I was diognosed within two months of the celiac disease kicking into high gear and I am hoping that the damage was not as severe as those who have been undiognosed for many months or many years.

It is all in the education, or mis-information. You can't change peoples train of thought, you can only suggest. I know that your heart is in the right place, but those you talk to need to be open for suggestions. And if they are not, that is all you can do. They will just have to heal themselves by trial and error. You have done your best.

Lisa B.

This may be a dumb question......If Swanson Low Sodium 14oz is gluten free, will the 32oz also be???

Lisa B.

I will add my impute, but give me a few day to get my thoughts together.

Sounds like a wonderful idea...

It is so easy to make it yourself and make a pot full and freeze it.

I use "Swanson chic. broth" to cook my chicken pieces," Herb.ox chicken bouillon" to add additional flavor, add Uncle Ben's rice. and of course chicken simmered in a pot. Pick the chicken pieces and add to the pot. Add whatever fresh herbs you like. Onion, basil, red pepper, and corn starch to thicken if you like it that way. I don't. Put what you don't use in the freezer and pull it out in the am when you want it for dinner. Make a big pot. Mix with a salad and your have a great meal.

Add carrots is you like, or other veggies.

Good cooking.

I am three months into the diet and I am now just beginning to feel bloated. I am alternating between D and C. I think the high carbo diet, rice, potatoes etc. is leaving no room for fiber. Metimucil (sp) in caplets is gluten-free, so I have started on that.

I have also noticed that there is bright blood in my stools when constipated, the past two days. I think that my intestines are so used to fluid stools that it is hard to deal with the other - parden the pun. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I AM WRITING THIS TO EVERY ONE IN THE WORLD - 9,000 PEOPLE).

Ok....Too Much Information I think that I need to change my pen name. I'm embarassing myself.

Oh well, may be input may help someone else.

My plans for T-day is to cook Libby's Pie Mix (gluten-free) with evap. milk and egg as it says on the direction and use no crust. Home made whipped cream made with brown sugar and cinnimon. (sp)? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

I am odd having Celiac as that I have never liked bread, pasta, donuts, or pie shells. It suits me just find. --- it's the additives.

We share T-day with other and they will bring the pecan pie with crust for the others.

On the personal side, which started this thread. After 3-months, best I can gluten-free, I am bouncing back and forth from D to C. Is this common?

Lisa B.

I have had no problems with that product. In fact, I find it a wonderful moisterizer. Sorry about your reaction.

Okay - then this is what I'm going to do. Starting Monday (and each Monday after), I'm going to post on this thread to remind everyone that is it their week to e-mail Oprah. They just need to e-mail her that week, not a specific day - that's easy enough. I'm going to ask all those with last name begins with A, then next week B and so forth. I will post also Oprah's website and what link on the site to look for so they don't have to figure it out themselves. It's easy but it has to be super easy so more people will take five minutes and do it. Eventually someone's story will be dramatic that the producers will have to call and then we're good to go.

We can do this people! Even if only a few people a week do this, it will be irritating enough for them to call someone - even to say they're not interested in the story. But I think they will be interested if some of you with compelling stories - sick for years - get involved. We have nothing to lose by trying and everything to gain. After all, when Oprah speaks people listen. Come on you Celiacs - it's time for you to get your fifteen minutes of fame!

I'm In, tell me when and how.

I guess that I haven't said this in a while, but I just wanted to thank all the people that have responded to my questions, that have been asked a million times before me.

The ease,the confidence and control that you all seem to have mystifies me. I ate something at a social event three days ago and I feel that it has set me back days. We live in a small social town and there are many events in homes with a variety of foods offered. We have wonderful cooks hereand the food is always very tempting. I have learned that I can't eat it, I can't ask the cook what is in the ingredience, I can't explain that if I eat your food it would be like ingesting rat poision. (quite a compliment to the chef???)

I am a darn good cook and have adjusted well with home preparation. But, I also want to enjoy all the good food at a cocktail party. That part sucks.

Okay Lisa, We'll just have more social events in our home where I can control the food and know what I am eating is ok. The guest won't even know.....Right.???

(sorry, a small monent of a personal "pitty-party".) --tomorrow is another day Scarlet.

She has already had A blood test, but not the full panel. It was negative.

Head aches are calming down.....we'll take every day as a test.

As said in a pre-post, she will see her gyno next week and discuss the head aches. Perhaps they will switch her to another brand. If in a few weeks, the aches will not subside, then we will do the endoscopy.

We will keep a very close watch on her as she is genetically disposed to celiac disease. She is young and just now learning to cook ( as recommended by her fiance).

In my heart and in my gut, I don't feel that it is celiac disease. Mothers kinda know these things.

I will keep you all posted as you have informed me and help me make judgements.

Without this message board, I truely don't know what I would have done in handling this infliction. Guess this is a new post.

But thank all of you that feel concern for us, as I do for you.

I live with my husband and college age daughter.

I have green round "dots" that I put on things that are mine to use and not to cross cantaminate. They know that those with the stickies are mine and they should not use them. I have also bought squeese jellies and mayo that will not touch the bread.

Put dots on your things and they will know that it is special just for you.

Maybe this will help.

I have tried Gillian's French Rolls. I have found then in Farm Fresh Freezer section as they have no preservatives. Pretty good toasted with sandwich meat and cheese.

(specialty food section)

Lisa

You asked for advice and what we all think.    I want to address the headaches.  I understand your daughter is preparing to get married,  did she recently go on birth control pills in preparation for marriage?    I used to get terrible headaches from them when I took them (I've stopped them just a few years ago and the headaches never returned).  ...Just a thought of what could trigger a migraine/headache in a young woman.  Also, I believe BC pills affect blood pressure too.

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The birth control most likely is the culprit. She has an appointment next week and will consult her Doctor. Her blood pressure is right on the mark. Thank you all for you input.

Thank you.  This does help.  For right now, the dining out part will be challenging until we have the knowledge to know exactly what to look for.  Hopefully I can pick up some literature this weekend at Barnes & Nobles so I can have a clue on what to do.  Its also tough being a few states away - I can't keep an eye on him to make sure he's paying attention to what he eats  

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Lola:

Search the web and go to the Delfi Forum, Go the the gluten-free Product List, sign on with a free password and you can down load lots!!!! of Gluten Free Products. It is about 80pages but it is essential to a new Celiac (or a person who has Celiac Disease). It will get you and your friend started on knowing what to buy and what is not safe.

Also run off the Celiac Safe and Forbiden List on this site. It will be confusing until you learn what to look for.

Good luck and if you have any further question you can post here or e-me on my personal site listed here.

Best of luck, keep that man straight.

Dining out will be your biggest challege, as it has been for me. I live in a small town and they welcome me into the kitchen to talk to the chef to see what can be prepared for me for that night.

We recently went to a pot-lock holloween dinner at a neighbors and I ate some ribs. I asked the chef what was in the merinade (who doesn't know about my affliction) and what he mentioned sounded ok. I ate one and wished that I didn't.

I feel your problem. I don't want to make this a public issue, so it holds me back for eating all the wonderful food at parties and receptions. The holidays are comming, and to be honest, I am not looking forward to them.

When I eat at home, I know it is safe. We seem to have more people, neighbors over for simple meals. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked bean ....all that I know is safe.

Dining out is a real challenge. Always approach the manager and ask about any gluten free foods. If non available, bring your own salad dressing and order a salad. Restaurant managers are often very helpful if you explain your situation.

Hope that this will be helpful, not rewarding, but good heath is paramount.

Lisa B.

So has she still not been tested for celiac? I would really for push for this - that sounds like me before diagnosis, except I didn't have headaches every day. Should especially get tested since you have it.

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Thanks Julie:

She has not been tested yet, trying to see if the meds for her consipation/and spasams will settle down the headaches. She not complaining as much, so that may be working. If not on the endoscopy.

Thanks for keeping up with us.

I got a response from Libby's Pumpkin Pie Mix and they indicated that it is totally gluten free. It is a Nestle product. So...on to the crustless pumkin pie with cinnamom whipped cream.

I can't believe that your have gone this long not going gluten free. You must have has a rough two years. Now that you know, you have the healing power with in you. You can choose to feel bad and risk internal cancer and other disease and other associated diseases that can cause mega changes in your life, or loss of life.

Please take this seriously. I don't mean to sound so blunt. This is the time to inform yourself. You are still very young and should have a full life ahead of you.

Take time to research this forum and read all that you can. This will be the best source that you will be able to find. There are several books out there that will be helpful for those with Gluten Intollerance.

The people here have been an incredabale support and the collective experience has been totally invaluable. I truley would have not been able to handle my diognosis without the information and support that I have found on this site.

Every day that you are not gluten free is causing your damage to your system. Please read all these posts and ask any question that you need to. The key to a healthy life is in your hands. Join us, through our travels through Celiacland.

Welcome to the board and I hope you wil

Cookiedog, be a constant reader. Best wishes to you.

PS: Your lack of attentiveness is called "brain fog" and yes, it is a sympton of being "glutened". It may last a day or several depending a the level of your sensitivity. Dry mouth, scrambling with words, lack of abilty to concentrate, starting sentence and not being able to finish it, searching for words that just won't come...........yeah...."Brain Fog".

This is a message board about Celiacs help others. Ask away if you have any questions, and welcome to the board. We all want to feel better and live well with the world around us.

Lisa B.

I know that masa is corn derived, but the word flour still gives me the creepies.

Has anyone has 2-Alarm Chilli. Is it gluten-free?

Thanks

Lisa B