penguin

I had recurrent sinus infections so they took out my adenoids, although I wish they would have gotten the tonsils while they were in there, then when I got mono it wouldn't have been nearly the hell it was. My mom was a nurse for 15 years and said she had never seen anyone that sick and survive...

and then the stomach problems started

My mom had hers out in her mid-20s because of recurrent tonsilitis.

Tell your mother Chelsea, to make gravy out of cornstarch it makes more for less and no gluten and just as good if not better than flour.

I'll tell her, but I think she's ahead of me in that dept....

I think Lollie's mom needs the education

I get sick if someone *thinks* about using flour

Breakfast is definitely the hardest meal for me so far...lots of eggs and fruit, and I'm still hungry soon after. But it was always my favorite meal, so I'm trying hard to find good replacements.

I had leftover gluten-free chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, topped off with coffee....that was great!

I always had that problem before going gluten-free, and the problem is pretty much gone now. It sounds like a hypoglycemic problem to me. Make sure you have a grain and protein with breakfast. Hypoglycemics really need to keep their meals balanced.

He may just be frustrated that you got sick. You get frustrated when that happens, right?

He may also be frustrated because he has to deal with you being sick for a few days, which, lets admit it, we're no fun when we're glutened!

Dunno. Guys are wierd.

In an "accidental glutening" first aid kit I would have:

- Imodium

- Phazyme

- Tylenol

- Antacid

- Benadryl (if nothing else you'll be knocked out)

- Red Bull (lots of B vitamins and helps me feel human after glutening)

- Heating pad or hot water bottle

Good luck venturing out into the world!

Age 62, no symptoms

My long-time sickly sister was finally diagnosed with celiac, so I went to my GP to ask about having myself tested. He said "there is no blood test for celiac" -- when I told him there WAS, he went out of the room and came back with a paperback book (Doctoring for Dummies, I guess) -- he searched the book and confirmed that, no, there was no celiac blood test

I went ahead on my own and got the DNA test, and was positive for half of one of the markers.

As far as things said by people who should not have passed their medical boards, you win.

By sensitive did he mean that you would be so sensitive that you reacted to the toiletries, or that you would be so sensitive as to be paranoid about it? The context is a world of difference...

My husband is very supportive, but thinks I'm overdoing it with some things. Like new wooden spoons and not kissing him after he's eaten gluten. Although, since he's seen me react to impossibly small amounts of gluten, he doesn't try to kiss me and warns me if he's eaten gluten and I have new spoons. I think he, like me, is trying to adapt, and is in a bit of denial himself about some things.

It's a grieving process for the whole family, and that's what it is, a process. Things will just kind of suck for a while, is all.

It's scary for your SO to see you sick all the time, and for you to be afraid to eat, socialize, etc. His intentions were probably good, though they may not have seemed that way.

Feel better!

Congratulations on your Celiac diagnosis! I know it sounds strange, crass even, to congratulate you for that, but think of it this way: now you know what's wrong and you know how to make it better!

The gluten-free diet isn't a big deal, really, when you get used to it and you learn how and what to eat. I've only been gluten-free two months, and while I've had my accidents, I overall feel great and I'm able to wean off some of my stomach drugs. My hypoglycemia (had it since puberty) went away within less than a month.

The average time it takes to diagnose celiac disease in the US is 11 years! Many here have been sick much longer than that, I was lucky, it only took three years. At any rate, most damage that has been done is totally reversible. Just ask some of the people here.

You're already halfway there with the diet you've been on, now you just have to eliminate the gluten. There are a lot of resources out there, including this board. Mainstream companies like Kraft, General Mills, and Unilever will always list gluten-containing ingredients and that makes life easier. Other companies keep lists, and yet others are dedicated gluten-free.

You can expect to live a full and happy life with Celiac! Going back to school? Go for it! Climbing Mt. Everest? Why not! Baking a loaf of gluten-free bread? Well, that'll take some practice, but it can be done

Glad you found us, there's a lot of great people and info here. Stick around!

I think I've taken that before, but it didn't work for the problems I was having. It tasted like a postage stamp. I didn't respond well to sublingual antispasmodics...

I do, however, take an oral pill antispaz called Bentyl when I need to, it's great. I find a great deal of relief that way, especially if I catch the symptoms early. It's in the same category as the Nulev.

They don't have any lasting effects, and they aren't dangerous drugs (in the way that ones like narcotics are), they don't hang around in your system.

When I get glutened, I take a bentyl, some tyleonl, and drink a Red Bull (for the fog, there's tons of B vites in there). It helps.

So glad you're caring for your wife! Hope she feels better soon...

To me, the blood type diet seems to be a load of crap. A huge load of crap, and it's just another diet fad like the cabbage diet or the three day diet. I wouldn't put much stock in what they say.

For my blood type, A, I'm supposed to eat a lot of grains and starches. Heellllooo, I have Celiac disease, not going to work. The type A is common in European lineages, and so is Celiac.

Your relative probably meant well, but doesn't realize that you have to stay away from gluten because of a real-life diease, not a fad diet.

Hope you're doing ok!

I am eating yogurt, I try to at least once a day, but I don't know if I'm getting enough cultures. I'm eating Cascade Fresh yogurt (btw, the green apple pie flavor rocks!), which has 8, but I didn't eat any over the weekend. I think I'm going to go the probiotic route and see if that helps.

As far as I know, my only food problems are gluten and tree nuts (oral allergy). Well, and a glass of milk bothers me, but not yogurt or cheese. I think it's the temporary lactose intolerance thing. I'm kind of approaching this as "one crisis at a time" and worry about other intolerances once I have the gluten-free thing down pat.

Yes. Kraft will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS list gluten-containing ingredients on the label.

I use it all the time with no ill effects, and I'm really sensitive. It makes the dry grilled steaks at restaurants taste better.

ENJOY!!!

How much alcohol? Are you drinking fairly frequently?

Haha, no. I drink too much maybe once every four months, if that. Maybe an occasional glass of wine or margarita inbetween, I'm not a big drinker. My dad and uncle both died of alcoholism and drug abuse, so I generally stay away from it.

Last weekend I was at a bachelorette party at a ladies-only club (I think you know what kind I mean ) and drank appropriately. I was pretty much fine the next day, pretty sure I wasn't glutened at the club but I WAS glutened at breakfast.

My stomach doesn't like alcohol much anyway, especially too much, but those affects are usually gone within a day. I think that might be part of my reflux problem I'm having right now.

I was doing so well these last two months, the D was virtually gone, I wasn't getting the crawly heartburn feeling that made me sit up really straight, and I didn't have pain...

And now, my stomach is starting to feel like it's digesting glass again, though I doing a decent job of keeping it at bay, at least until I get home from work. It hurts to eat or drink anything, I get a pain in the middle of my back every time I swallow. Now, I just had probably the most significant D I've had since starting the diet. Sorry for detail, but it looks like I'm not digesting again (spinach in my eggs at breakfast came out the exact same way they went in). And the D is a lovely color of strained squash. (sorry again) WHAT THE HECK!!

Sometimes I wonder if this diet is helping me at all, and then I remember what happens when I get glutened and how I was *finally* having some normal bm's after 3 years.

What's going on? I think it has something to do with the Tequin (antibiotic) I was on for cellulitis last week, it seems my stomach hasn't been "on" since. Not to mention all of the gluten-free alcohol and the cc glutening on Sunday. I was fine yesterday though, except for the pain in my back. I haven't had these problems with glutening before. I'm drinking a lot of water today (trying to get back in the habit), would that have something to do with the D?

Help! Please, what's going on? Is it normal to have a "flare up" after a while on the diet? Any thoughts?

Thanks...

I use the neutrogena hand cream, I've found nothing that works better! You don't need much and it works!

Ha, I thought of that at first, too. Now I can't get the gritty voice of the oxy-clean guy out of my head!!!

I think (hope) she means this:

Open Original Shared Link

Dangit! The nearest Ikea for me is in Houston (though I'm not above driving 2.5 hours for cake!).

I found Almondy stuff (what's at Ikea) at the gluten-free mall though!

Open Original Shared Link

Thanks! I've been using the green bag (and I still have one at home) so after I use that on Friday (weekly pizza night) I'll get the red bag.

YAY PIZZA!!!!

I swear, that and coke are the only things that keep me sane!

I've seen it at my local megamart (HEB), Whole Foods, Sun Harvest, and Wild Oats. If you go to their website, they have a store locator.

Open Original Shared Link

Well, that blows. Positive bloodwork is positive bloodwork. If it was just the IgG that was positive, it could have been because of Chron's, but since that was ruled out, here we are. Idiots.

I can't believe she crossed out the other three! WHAT BS!!! She's trying to cover her ass because she ordered an incomplete panel. I guess she went to PoDunk Med School because she couldn't get into Columbia.

Go gluten-free and find new doctors. Sheesh. Sorry you had to deal with that

Are Bare Escentuals and Bare Minerals the same things? I've never put much stock in the stuff since it has informercials AND is on QVC! I just don't trust those two marketing methods much.

I see that it's sold in Sephora, though, so it must not be all bad. That's a pretty snooty place... maybe I'll check it out...

Stefi: Your cats are so cute! The gray one looks like he/she has siamese in him/her! And I love tuxedo cats, cute!

Chelse,

I have described my stomach pain the same way. LIke my stomach is eating it self or something strange or glass going through my intestines. I think an antispasmodic would be something to have around.

Monica

I praise the miracle of the antispasmodic! It doesn't get rid of everything, but it sure helps a lot!

Another annoying symptom...wierd rash thing on my lips. It's like my upper lip is constantly uber-chapped. It finally went away last week, and I had smooth lips for the first time in forever, then I got glutened Sunday and it came back. Dammit.

I need to buy stock in carmex...

Nini!

You mentioned recently that you make Chebe pizza crust without the cheese and with the baking powder or soda?

I only have the pizza mix but I'm guessing a little leavener in there wouldn't hurt and there aren't instructions on the bag...

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!

Welcome to the board! You'll find lots of great info and greater people on here!

Unless there are other reasons other than gluten to avoid those foods, most of the ones you listed are ok, but you have to check.

Distilled vinegar (but not malt vinegar) is safe. Heinz is a good brand.

Heinz ketchup is gluten-free, most margarine is ok, some salad dressings are ok, (kraft ranch is safe), coke is (blissfully) gluten-free

Some companies will always list gluten containing ingredients (wheat, barley, rye, oats): Kraft, Unilever, general mills...

Someone named Nini has a newbie survival kit that I'm sure she'll send to you if you ask her real nice. It includes lots of lists of safe foods.

Basically, unless you KNOW it's gluten-free (like plain meat, veggies, fruits) you're going to have to check the label. When in doubt, don't eat it or at least call the company before you do. It's a pain, but worth it!

I use Cascade Fresh, it says gluten-free on the label, is fat free, and is sweetened with fruit juice. It also has 8 live cultures, woo-hoo!