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No Gluten Free Pain Relievers

anonymousplease
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anonymousplease Apprentice
anonymousplease
Posted

I'm really struggling here to cope with menstrual cramps with no certified gluten free pain relievers available on the market. Some are labeled gluten free but are not tested below 20ppm. I used Aleve until I realized it was causing me stomach upset. The same goes for Advil. Advil used to advertise their regular (not gel cap) pills as gluten free but has since changed that status. I found & tried Target brand acetaminophen which is labeled gluten free (not certified of course) and while it has not caused me any stomach upset, it does not work for cramps at all! I suffer them pretty badly each month, it is debilitating, and I'm concerned that I'll be dealing with this struggle for quite some time - which is a very stressful thought. 

Does anyone with celiac disease have any trusted pain medication that they take? Any fellow super sensitive celiac's with recommendations?

Thank you in advanced!

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Kirkland (Costco) is labeled gluten free.  But as long as there are no gluten ingredients, you should be just fine.  My thyroid hormone replacement is not certified gluten-free and I do just fine on it.  

 Unfortunately, pharmaceuticals do not have to comply with gluten free guidelines.  A bill has been submitted this past fall, but with this pandemic, I am afraid this bill has been halted.  

If your cramps are that severe, consider hormonal treatment.  I have friends who have even used the ring, to manage cramps.  Just something to consider.  

ncsc Apprentice
ncsc
Posted
On 4/16/2020 at 10:30 PM, cyclinglady said:

Kirkland (Costco) is labeled gluten free.  But as long as there are no gluten ingredients, you should be just fine.  My thyroid hormone replacement is not certified gluten-free and I do just fine on it.  

 Unfortunately, pharmaceuticals do not have to comply with gluten free guidelines.  A bill has been submitted this past fall, but with this pandemic, I am afraid this bill has been halted.  

If your cramps are that severe, consider hormonal treatment.  I have friends who have even used the ring, to manage cramps.  Just something to consider.  

Both Advil and Aleve contain aspirin.  It could be the aspirin that is upsetting your stomach.  I know I cannot take aspirin at all, gluten-free or not.  I do take Tylenol without any stomach upset.  So maybe it is the aspirin that is upsetting your stomach.  

On 4/16/2020 at 10:30 PM, cyclinglady said:

Kirkland (Costco) is labeled gluten free.  But as long as there are no gluten ingredients, you should be just fine.  My thyroid hormone replacement is not certified gluten-free and I do just fine on it.  

 Unfortunately, pharmaceuticals do not have to comply with gluten free guidelines.  A bill has been submitted this past fall, but with this pandemic, I am afraid this bill has been halted.  

If your cramps are that severe, consider hormonal treatment.  I have friends who have even used the ring, to manage cramps.  Just something to consider.  

Both Advil and Aleve contain aspirin.  It could be the aspirin that is upsetting your stomach.  I know I cannot take aspirin at all, gluten-free or not.  I do take Tylenol without any stomach upset.  So maybe it is the aspirin that is upsetting your stomach.  

Both Advil and Aleve contain aspirin.  It could be the aspirin that is upsetting your stomach.  I know I cannot take aspirin at all, gluten-free or not.  I do take Tylenol without any stomach upset.  So maybe it is the aspirin that is upsetting your stomach.  

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

@ncsc

Good point.  

NSAIDS (e.g. aspirin and ibuprofen) can cause stomach upset for some  celiacs, regardless of whether it contains gluten or not.  I am actually allergic to NSAIDS and even acetaminophen.  I get swelling and hives all the way up to throat swelling.   It is not a gluten thing, but a Mast Cell issue.  Related to celiac disease?  Who knows?  Health issues like allergies and autoimmune disorders fall under the umbrella of hypersensitivities.  So, I think they are related.  

 

anonymousplease Apprentice
anonymousplease
Posted
  • Author

I apologize for not being more clear - when I said stomach upset I meant my typical gluten reaction that I can feel in my gut.

I don't trust medication that isn't certified gluten free, and none of it is. Obviously I'm banking on this bill being passed and the drug industry being regulated. Until then, I will continue to not trust medication that isn't tested for gluten. 

Unless...there is a good number of super sensitive celiacs that take one kind and have not gotten sick from it. But I have yet to hear that many of us are taking one kind and not getting sick from it. 

If you use the Kirkland brand - what kind do you use? I'm willing to give them a try but there are several options.

https://celiacsavvy.com/celiac-disease-gluten-free/pain-relievers/

knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted

Ali Rae, 

Sorry you're feeling poorly.  

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need in order to function properly.  

Instead of searching for a pill to pop for instant relief, consider giving your body what it needs to help itself.  Your body can improve its own health if given the right tools and supplies.

Many Celiacs are deficient in Vitamin D.  Vitamin D acts as a hormone.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I had severe menstrual pain.  Once I got my Vitamin D level up, I felt so much better!  Here's an article about it....

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265788/#!po=61.1111

Another vitamin that has been shown to help is Vitamin B1, a.k.a. THIAMINE.  Thiamine is a water soluble vitamin in the group of eight essential (your body can't make it) vitamins, and must be replenished daily.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4825494/

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of thiamine (and other B vitamins) because they are absorbed in the area of the small intestine where damage from Celiac Disease occurs.  Keep in mind that Thiamine and the other B vitamins and minerals all work together.  Thiamine likes magnesium and Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine in the form P-5-P).  

 Start researching what your body needs nutrition-wise.  Knowledge is Power! 

 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Unfortunately, I am allergic to most  OTC pain medications (not a gluten thing).  I just tough it out.  I do buy Kirkland ibuprofen marked gluten-free for my daughter who does not have celiac disease (tested twice). 

Consider subscribing to the Gluten Free Watchdog.  She actually tests products and medications.   I am a subscriber.  It is like a Consumer Reports for Celiacs!  

https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org

 Another source is the pharmacy drug list:

http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/newlist.htm

And finally Valisure Drugs.  This online pharmaceutical company actually checks drugs for contaminants, etc.  they are the ones who found that Zantac and the generic contain contaminated that can cause cancer.  Metformin has also had the same issue.  

https://www.valisure.com

 

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