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So, being a newbie and all (diagnosed a month ago) I am still learning a lot. What types of non food products are safe? I know that you can only get glutened by ingesting it, but I am pretty bad about touching my face/lips often throughout the day and I really prefer purchasing gluten free products to be extra safe. Can anyone help me out on ideas for the following items? Oh, and preferably stuff I can buy at walmart/CVS type places. I really don't want to spend a fortune if I don't have to. I have already bought Dove shampoo/ conditioner and lotion

Hand soap

hand sanitizer

lip balm

lip stick

liquid foundation

and anything else that you have found to be gluten-free!

Oh, and also, what Over the counter pain medications are safe? I dont like to take them often, but ocasionally I do take them. 

Thanks!! I am so thankful for all of yall on this forum. You have really helped a newbie out A LOT. Thank you thank you thank you. Adjusting to a gluten-free lifestyle is overwhelming. Yall have helped a ton!! Hugs!

First off I had over 30 years of symptoms and am super-sensitive besides.  I had 4 days of bliss after starting gluten free.  After That I did really take a dive with fatigue and dizziness.  I eventually pulled back out of it.  My problem could have been withdrawal, but I also had let some gluten get by me by not reading labels closely enough. 

 

 

If I were you

 

I would try to rest extra. 

 

 

 I would consider quality gluten free supplements

 

 

I would check and recheck labels and find more and more gluten free products for you home. 

 

Give yourself time to adjust.  My family also had to make adjustments and we pretty much ended up without gluten in the house.

 

  I ended up doing many more things to keep my mind clear and the fatigue at bay, but that happened over months for me.  Over time it is easier to tell what is working for you, and then consider more if you need to.

 

You are on the gluten free path:  Keep Walking.  Get well!

 

D

Thank you Hearing that you went through something similar with the "4 days of bliss and then took a dive" makes me feel better

Withdrawl is basically your body wanting more gluten and not getting any. So your body reacts without the presence of it. However, it would normally happen when you first start going gluten free.

Thanks. Maybe I am just coming down with something. who knows.

Hey everyone:

I am a bit discouraged. I was diagnosed with celiac about a month ago. I did not have the endoscopy, as my blood test results were extremely positive. My Dr. did not feel it was necessary, and since I had already spent a fortune on every other test in the book, I decided not to. I started my gluten free diet immediately, and within a week felt so much better. I had honestly been feeling ill for so long that I forgot what it was like to actually feel a little bit normal.

So, I continued my gluten free diet, and some of my GI sympt began to go away. My stomach cramps, bloating, D, and nausea got noticeablly better. My anxiety, fatigue, and body aches were still there, but I knew that I had to be patient and that it could take a very long time for healing....

Until this week!!!

I have been miserable this week. I have had dizzy spells, rapid heart rate, fatigue, and moodiness like crazy. I even threw up one night.  I have not felt this bad since before my diagnosis. Even laying down sometimes, I get this horrible faint, dizzy, weak feeling like I am going to pass out. What in the world is going on?? I don't see how I could have possibly digested gluten, unless it was from hand soap or makeup or something like that.

What is gluten withdrawl anyways? I have heard of it but I have no idea what it actually means? Do yall think that could be the culprit in my illness this week? Did anyone else have something similar happen a few weeks after they went off of gluten?

HELP!!!

For $10 you can buy a cheap toaster at Walmart and keep it in the original box and stash it at your desk.   How about becoming the microwave monitor?  Keep it clean yourself and make sure your food is covered with one of those plastic plate covers (again at Walmart).  That will insure that it won't slip off.  

 

You might score brownie points for keep the kitchen neat!  

That is a good thought. I never thought about buying a cheap toaster and keeping it at my desk. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I was diagnosed with Celiac a few weeks ago and have been wondering about using the same toaster oven as people at work who eat gluten. I have replaced all of my at home kitchen supplies, but I am confused about using the break room stuff at work... 

I like to bring my breakfast to work with me, and would like to bring these gluten free frozen waffles I found at a health food store. Here is my question: If I put foil down and wipe down any crumbs on the door of the toaster oven to ensure that my waffles are not touching any crumbs, can I still get glutened? Would it be safe? or should I skip the waffles altogether for the risk of cc? I know that my waffles wouldnt be touching anything, but still, the thought of using it makes me nervous because I can visibly see bread crumbs everywhere in the bottom of the oven. What do you guys think?

What about using the break room microwave? Could I get glutened from that too?

Thanks for the input. I agree with yall, it is just too early for me to be eating out. I am not going to eat out again for a very very long time. It is hard because we are always on the go, but I am just going to have to find a way to make it work. This disease is really a difficult thing to deal with. Its discouraging because its SO hard and just knowing that it is permanent is frustrating. Oh well. I am committing today to not eat out for a very long time in order to give my body time to heal. Thanks for all your support! I have been dealing with feelings of depression lately because the reality of my diagnoses has set in. Knowing that I will never go out for pizza again, and that I will never be able to eat at family get togethers, and that I will never have my favorite deep fried, breaded buffalo wings again, and that I will never be able to eat anything that anyone else cooks for me ever again, etc etc ( the list goes on and on) Is so discouraging! Oh well. I am just going to take it one day at a time knowing that it is not a choice, it is something I MUST do in order to have a healthy life. I am glad that all of you can relate to what I am feeling

I just realized how much I just rambled haha. Oh well. I say all this to say that I am NOT eating out for at least 4-5 months so that my body can heal....Thanks for all your input!!

I have a relative who works at our local chickfila. He explained to me that it would be a safe place for me to eat. He said that they fry their french fries seperately from their chicken, and that if you tell the cashier that you have an allergy then they would be extra careful. SO I felt pretty confident that it would be the one fast food place that I would be safe eating at.

Last night I ordered a medium french fry and a sweet tea. I told them I was extremely allergic to gluten ( I know celiac isn't an allergy, its just what I am going to start telling restraunts so that they will take me seriously). About the time I finished my fries I starting having what appeared to be a gluten reaction. My stomach started cramping, I got extremely bloated, I started having hot flashes, and overall I just felt extremely ill. Almost dizzy/ flu like.

I am really confised. What could have possibly had gluten? Could it have been the distilled vingear in the heinz ketchup?

I have only known that I have celiac for 2 weeks now, so I have no idea if I am going to be one of the extremely sensitive ones who has bad reaction to the tiniest amount of cc, or if I am going to be one of the ones who doesn't feel it as much as others.

Or is it possible that it wasn't the chickfila, but just my body still recovering. 2 weeks ago I was still eating a heavily glutened diet, so maybe it's possible that its from that...? Have yall had any bad experiences with chickfila? It really seems like thats what did it to me, since I started feeling sick immediately after I finished my fries. I am still ill today with a bloated/ crampy stomach and a headache. What do yall think?

Hey everyone. Is Starbucks a safe place to purchase a cup of coffee? I know I shouldn't try for the blended beverages, but as far as plan and simple black coffee or plain iced coffee, would it be safe? I do like cream and sugar in my coffee.. As long as its not flavored, it would be safe right..? I'm new to this and there is a starbucks right by my work that I used to enjoy on occasion.

Do yall think it would be okay? Or would you say not because of the risk of cross contamination? I know that they probably don't clean their blenders after each use, but common sense tells me that plain brewed coffee should be fine. But what do I know....I was only diagnosed 2 weeks ago so I am still learning. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

ugg...I am so frustrated. After 4 years of misdaignosed health problems, was diagnosed with celiac about 2 weeks ago. It has been a major adjustment in which I am still learning, but I can already tell a difference in my health. I have read as much as I possibly can to learn about the disease. My family is extremely unsupportive and it's getting the better of me. They have just slipped in little rude comments such as :

"I don't think it's that serious, a little gluten won't hurt you"....

 "at least you don't have crohn's disease, that would be really bad"

"you are being a hypocondraic...you really can't feel that bad...you are young and healthy! It must all be in your head"

"You will grow out of it, this won't be forever. Maybe you should try to eat a little bit here and there to get your body used to it. Kind of like allergy shots!"

"Why don't you want to go to steak and shake with me....I am sure you can eat something!"

When I politely turned down the casserole that my aunt made last week, my uncle roled his eyes and just got that annoyed look on his face.

I am getting so frustrated. I try to educate them as much as possible about the disease (they know NOTHING about it) but it seems like they don't care. They don't listen. In fact, a couple days ago I said something about celiac disease and my dad looked at me and said "What is celiac disease?" sheesh....it is the disease that I have dad....the one that I have told you about 20 times now....

 I try to educate them as much as possible  but they don't listen. It is extremely discouraging. I try to tell them that gluten doesn't just give me a stomach ache...it literally damages my body and could cause serious health problems later in life if i don't avoid it 100 percent. But they just tune me out. My husband and mom are supportive and willing to learn, but no one else is. I am so thankful for them. But it still is not easy when practically everyone else in your family treats you like this.

Have any of yall dealt with this? How did you deal with it?

Hey everyone. I am newly diagnosed. I have been off of gluten for 8 days now and can already tell a difference. I am by no means well yet, but compared to how I was feeling, I would say this is an improvement. Is it normal to start feeling relief that soon after going gluten free? I know that I will not be completely better for quite some time, and I know that my intestines still have a lot of healing to do. But as far as relief of my symptoms, I can already tell a difference. I am still having stomach cramps, bloating, etc, but it is deffiantely not as severe as what I was experienceing before being diagnosed. Is it normal to feel relief so soon? How long did it take you until you began to feel a difference?

Thanks for the advise. Depending on where they decide to go, I will probably just decide to get a drink and enjoy company. (eat before) I really do not want to get glutened. I am already starting to feel better (compared to what I was feeling) I am by no means well yet. I was just feeling SOOO terrible before that even the smallest amount of relief that I am feeling gives me hope for feeling back to normal again one day. I deffinately do not want to reverse that process!

Hey everyone,

I am new here. I just got diagnosed with celiac disease last week after being misdiagnosed years ago. I went through 4 horrible years of stomach cramps, severe bloating, gas, diarrhea, body aches, brain fog, and constant fatigue. I have only been eating gluten free for a week (except for once when I accidently ate soemthing that had hidden gluten in it) and I can already tell a major difference. I dont feel miserable like I used to. I actually have energy and my digestive issues are starting to get better! yay!!

Here is my situation: I am going out with some girlfriends friday night for dinner and I am totally stressing over it!! Im not sure where I can eat, and even if the "gluten free" menus that a few restaurants have around here are safe for people who actually have celiac. I've heard that often they are intened for gluten intolerant people or people who are just trying the new fad of gluten free eating. I am worried that it won't be safe for celiacs

Also, I have no idea what to say to our server. Or how to communicate my needs in a way that they will understand. I know I have to be careful about cross contamination, (even if I order a gluten free menu item) but what should I say? Should I ask to speak to the manager? Should I call ahead and ask questions? If so, what questions? This is my first time eating out since being diagnosed, so I am really not sure what to do.

Any of you experienced celiacs have any advise for me? I'd appreciate any input you have. I am soooo stressed out about this and I dont want to be sick and miserable all night by accidently getting glutened. I really want to enjjoy this night out! And I'm so tired of being stressed out about it! Thank you in advance!!!

And don't be surprised if you break down and cry at the grocery store a time or two. I think most of us did at the beginning. Not only are you learning a new way to eat, but your body is going through real withdrawal which will make you more emotional than usual. It felt like the end of the world at first, but honestly, not only will you adapt, but you will THRIVE.

 

But if you need to come here and rant and cry and have a total meltdown, feel free. We have all been there, and we will give you the hugs and advice and support that you need.

 

 

OH LOOK!! There's one now!!!  ((((((HUG))))))

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all the support. It means the world!!

 

Welcome to the family!  

 

May I direct you to: 

 

(1) this thread for newbies--please read it--lots of good info there (some lady I know wrote it  )

 

http://www.celiac.co...ewbie-info-101/

 

 

 

and  

(2)   I recommend:

 

"Find Me Gluten Free"  for dining out

 

and

 

(3) I also HIGHLY recommend this must-read book:

 

Real Life with Celiac Disease

by Melinda Dennis and Daniel Leffler

 

Best wishes to you! we're here for you!

 

I promise you, soon you will see that all your favorite foods are not gone forever--they are just made with different flours.  We all eat plenty!!

 

I love this website too!!!

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

Thank you so much!!

Hey everyone,

So I am new here. After 4 years of being misdiagnosed I tested positive for Celiac disease last week. I went through 4 horrible years of bloating, weight loss, stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, body aches, brain fog, and constant fatigue. I am so thankful for a diagnoses with the hopes of feeling back to normal soon.

But I am also very overwhelmed!

There is so much more to this than I thought. Do any of you have any advise? I am trying to learn all of the things that gluten is "hidden" in so that I can be very careful to remove it 100 percent from my diet. I know the obvious things like wheat, barley, and rye..but I am learning that there are other things to look out for such as Malt and modified food starch. Any suggestions or knowledge..? 

Also, what about things such as lip stick, lotions, and shampoos/ conditioners? Is there a certain brand I should buy?

I would be very appreciative of any advise/wisdom!!