What To Do About My "mixed" House

[Nan2N]

Now that I officially have celiac disease I don't know how to protect myself in my own house. I have a 10 year old son who eats everything constantly and my ex-husband has come to help while I've been so sick and his food goes all over the place too. Do I need to change my cat food too, even though I'm not eating it? I'm not sure about all the cross contamination and what to do about it since gluten seems to be an invisible enemy. I don't get sick as far as my stomach goes so it's pretty hard to tell if I've gotten any gluten. My problem is mostly with my head and anxiety and the anxiety only hits if I've eaten bread or something. Of course now that I know I have it I've been sticking to a very bland diet and forcing it down because I still have no appetite. And I keep losing weight and hair which is really stressing me out. I can't imagine how I'm going to get my house together in the condition I'm in right now. Or really how to tell if I've gotten even a little bit of gluten. And does anyone know if cigarettes have gluten in them? I wish the stuff was bright green so I could see it!! I'm really at a loss being so overwhelmed. If anyone could give me some suggestions I'd really appreciate it. I know about the wooden spoons, plastic bowls, etc. but how about everything else.

Thanks

[superbeansprout]

cutting boards you should keep them separate! non-gluten-free and gluten free...and cooking pans as well. I would just make sure your family is aware how serious it is if they leave crumbs or anything around on countertops or anything. but just in case, just make sure that YOU cook your food in your designated pans, and just wash wash wash wash wash your hands a whole lot. I live with my parents and they are perpetually bad about leaving bread crumbs ALL over the counter, all over the mail that gets left on the counter...so it's really tough, I won't lie. Getting others who aren't immediately affected can be very difficult. But do what you can, and just make sure your kitchen surfaces, and tables are cleaned thoroughly. And grind the idea into your ex and your son that you can't even have a crumb or you'll get sick. I wouldn't worry about the cat food...just wash your hands really thoroughly after feeding or giving treats, I know the treats my cat gets have gluten in them.

If your ex has come to "help" while you're sick, maybe that's a great time to explain about his glutenous food being left around (crumbs and drips)...maybe you could try to make the whole house gluten free for a while...make some basic meals with rice or potatoes, spices are usually fine, too...but make a lot of natural foods, just try it, and see how it goes! or switch to gluten free pasta for a while and see if your son notices...he may not. be careful of the sauces you buy though, some of them DO contain gluten!

[missy'smom]

My son will be 10 soon and he eats gluten-free with me. I rarely buy gluteny snacks for him anymore. There are so many good gluten-free ones available. Plus if he helps me with the eating I get more variety! Most of our meals and the lunches that he takes to school are gluten-free. He still gets plenty of gluten outside the home and I don't have to worry about CC. My father lived with us for a while and is VERY picky but was fine with the gluten-free pasta.

these are our staple snacks:

gelatin made with fruit juice and unflavored gelatin, sometimes with fruit added, popsicles made with fruit juice and dollar store molds, gluten-free pretzels taste the same as regular ones, many all natural fruit leathers, dried and fresh fruits, freeze dried fruit, Namaste cake mixes made into cupcakes and frozen(unfrosted), non-microwave popcorn, cheese sticks. There are many others out there.

I have trained my son over the years to do almost all the houshold chores. My husband works 16+ hr. days and is often gone for 3 days to a week at a time so I've been called a single mom! Not to make light of the challenges that a real single mom faces. Anyway, with being sick so many years and still being very fatigued at times I really need the help plus my goal as a parent is to prepare him to be independent and be able to care for himself when he grows up. I'm not a drill sergent and some tasks have been taught in steps as he has grown.

There are gluten-free cat foods out there. I'd recommend the one we use but it's expensive because I have an allergic one. There are other reasonably priced ones though.

It will get better. It is a process. Hang in there.

[MDRB]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time.

I wouldn't worry about cat food, just make sure you don't get any on the bench tops and wash your hands and any cutlery you use thoroughly.

When I went gluten free I went through the house and threw away anything that had gluten in it and then went on a gluten free shopping spree. My partner still keeps his regular bread and some lunch meats but other than those things, all our meals are gluten free. He doesn't mind as we just cook our regular meals except using rice noodles or gluten-free pasta instead.

As for the hair thing, this is often a vitamin B problem and has been known to occur amongst celiacs.

I would suggest a good gluten free multivitamin and possibly some vitamin B injections.

Also its really important to get your house gluten free, don't use the same toaster etc.

Even a small amount of gluten can really hinder your recovery.

I don't smoke, so I have no idea about the cigarettes. If you can't live without them I would suggest calling the company and asking.

Good Luck, I hope you feel better soon.

[kbtoyssni]

I'd try to buy mostly naturally gluten-free foods. I doubt your son will care much if you buy corn tortillas instead of wheat, safe condiment brands, fruits, veggies, meat. Rice pasta is pretty good so I'd switch that to gluten-free. Mrs. Leepers tastes great and is available at Super Target. Bread and crackers are a bit more tricky. I've pretty much stopped eating sandwiches and I use corn chips as crackers.

As for the cat food, I would use gluten-free stuff. I guess I worry the cat will eat and then jump on the counter or will want to sit on your lap or something. It's one of those things that some switch to gluten-free and some don't.

I'm pretty sure there's a brand or two of cigarettes that uses gluten to glue the paper around it. Do a search - I know it's been asked before.

As for the ex - I'm sure you really appreciate the extra help, but you need to tell him to only eat gluten-free or be more careful. He's really not helping if he's continually glutening you!

For the loss of appetite try gatorade or smoothies with protein powder added. It's often easier to get liquid calories down when you have no appetite.

[ThatlldoGyp]

Hi, your son gets to go gluten-free with you (and your ex while he is at your place) . It is better for him anyway. You need to toss or freecycle all your heavily glutened stuff and get new stuff as you can. It will be a big change, but I promise they get used to it.

Your ex sounds like he is trying, but he just doesn't get how careful we all have to be. When you finally start yelling, "who the heck brought regular bagels in this house!" you know you have gotten to a "good" spot in your life and your diet, lol!

And I know you do not want to hear this, but you really need to try to kick the nicotine habit asap, it is only slowing down your healing and although it feels good at the moment, is harming your recovery and ergo your anxiety relief in the long run. Nicoderm should be your best friend next to your crock pot (non- glutened, that is) right now!

for my cat I use wellness Core. It is cheaper than Evo, and is grain free. I am sensitive, so my other option is to have my son feed the cat( which he will be unable to do in 2 yrs when he goes to University) or feed gluten grain free or do the three min. wash (like a surgeon, if it will get Staph off, I figure gluten will go away in that time as well). Mostly, just be careful that when cleaning the cat dish you don't cc your sponges with cat food bits. For a while I did wash my cat's food dish in the laundry room with her own sponge, then I found core and thought, why even worry anymore?

Hey, one last edit. Make sure you are taking a good vitamin supplement, and I got a tip on her a year? ago to take 1000 biotin (b complex) and that helped a TON with my nails and hair (also falling out) issues. Hope that helps, stay on this site, read at least an hour every day, and I promise this will become easier day by day! Hang in there, and congrats on your diagnosis, although it doesn't feel like I should say that now, but in a few months you will know what I mean! Blessings!

[MelliDuff]

Now that I officially have celiac disease I don't know how to protect myself in my own house. I have a 10 year old son who eats everything constantly and my ex-husband has come to help while I've been so sick and his food goes all over the place too. Do I need to change my cat food too, even though I'm not eating it? I'm not sure about all the cross contamination and what to do about it since gluten seems to be an invisible enemy. I don't get sick as far as my stomach goes so it's pretty hard to tell if I've gotten any gluten. My problem is mostly with my head and anxiety and the anxiety only hits if I've eaten bread or something. Of course now that I know I have it I've been sticking to a very bland diet and forcing it down because I still have no appetite. And I keep losing weight and hair which is really stressing me out. I can't imagine how I'm going to get my house together in the condition I'm in right now. Or really how to tell if I've gotten even a little bit of gluten. And does anyone know if cigarettes have gluten in them? I wish the stuff was bright green so I could see it!! I'm really at a loss being so overwhelmed. If anyone could give me some suggestions I'd really appreciate it. I know about the wooden spoons, plastic bowls, etc. but how about everything else.

Thanks

I tried doing what you are doing for a month, it was hard because I constantly worried about CC. My cc is most dominate in depression, fever and fatigue. I completely understand the "head" mess. Worrying about being cross contaminated every time you eat does not help - especially when you are trying to gain.

I stopped and thought this is my deal, my house, (pretty much my husband works 24/7) and my life. Then I drank 4 espresso shots (which i am not recommending) and I cleaned out my entire kitchen.... I threw everything gluten away. I threw out most of my pots, pans, cutting boards, strainers, spatulas .....I went to the dollar store and replaced them with cheap safe ones. I kept a few gluteny snacks in a small enclosed place for my son and husband. My husband was appalled, I made it a point to let him know that I did not clean the kitchen and sort the pantry, about a 4 hour job, for him to but heads with me on this. Your son could try eating his snacks outside or in his room? Gluten free snacks are easy to get used to if he wants cookies or whatever. Your X is nice for helping you out but like previously posted he's not helping you out by poisoning your living quarters.

On the hair, the only thing that worked for me was topically applying evening primrose oil. Some brands of Head and shoulders shampoos have it in there. Also CHARLES WORTHINGTON Keraflex Complex Results Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave-In Conditioner has it already in there with a couple other oils to stop hair loss. It's cheap and you can get it at target. I have to use the products daily never skipping to notice an improvement over a couple weeks time.

If your super sick you could "accidentally" spill a 5 gallon bucket of soapy water all over the kitchen floor and cabinets.... and ask for "help" cleaning it up.

I wish it was neon green too.

I know that nicotine gum is gluten free I stopped smoking recently but still miss it.

I hope you get things sorted out.

[pixiegirl]

Personally I'd say any "ex" that is getting gluten all over my kitchen isn't really helping at all (I don't know your situation so I can't really say but sounds like a lot of extra work).

I've been gluten-free for about 6 years... we didn't find out my daughter had to be gluten-free until about a year ago, it was at that time I changed the entire house over to gluten-free. I wish I would have done it sooner.

Its funny because prior to making that switch I was VERY VERY careful with gluten and so was my daughter, when she ate cookies or something with wheat she would carefully open the package, use it only on one counter, we'd both clean up. And I thought we were doing ok.

But now that the entire household is gluten-free I feel so much better (and I thought I was fine before) I have more energy, fewer rashes, etc.

I did change my dogs food to gluten free because we all kiss the dog and I didn't want her to have gluten all over her sweet face.

Good luck,

Susan

[Ivanna44]

Now that I officially have celiac disease I don't know how to protect myself in my own house. I have a 10 year old son who eats everything constantly and my ex-husband has come to help while I've been so sick and his food goes all over the place too. Do I need to change my cat food too, even though I'm not eating it? I'm not sure about all the cross contamination and what to do about it since gluten seems to be an invisible enemy. I don't get sick as far as my stomach goes so it's pretty hard to tell if I've gotten any gluten. My problem is mostly with my head and anxiety and the anxiety only hits if I've eaten bread or something. Of course now that I know I have it I've been sticking to a very bland diet and forcing it down because I still have no appetite. And I keep losing weight and hair which is really stressing me out. I can't imagine how I'm going to get my house together in the condition I'm in right now. Or really how to tell if I've gotten even a little bit of gluten. And does anyone know if cigarettes have gluten in them? I wish the stuff was bright green so I could see it!! I'm really at a loss being so overwhelmed. If anyone could give me some suggestions I'd really appreciate it. I know about the wooden spoons, plastic bowls, etc. but how about everything else.

Thanks

Hi Nan2N

I very much relate to where you are coming from. At least in terms of the "gluten" people (aka rest of family) leaving your home in "crumb swampland." Luckily for you, as you are diagnosed as celiac, they may take you more seriously. I do not have that diagnoses, I just had a very wise doctor, going on a hunch and some odd blood work results that asked her to "question that perhaps I was gluten sensitive." She recommended I try going gluten free to see if it helped out my stomach related problems.

It did This coming Monday I see her again, for a follow up, 1 month after going (other than accidental ) gluten-free .

Do they help out with the housework, your son, on a normal basis I mean. I'd assign him the job of vacuuming out the drawers in the kitchen and even vacuuming the floor, sweeping has a way of just scattering and you don't get all the bits as well. I'd recommend "they" vacuum the floors in the kitchen nightly.

I do relate again, there are 4 people in my home and only 1 is doing the gluten-free diet. However, I have made observations. They tend to crumb up one area the most, beside the little table in the kitchen. I have a rather small kitchen. I also have a 4 year old austitic son, whom I could never explain things too, such as "forcing mom to eat that cookie would make me sick." Luckily my husband does do "cleaning" of the kitchen, but he doesn't quite get it, about the cross contamination, I do get "physically" sick, upset stomach etc. But, he still asks questions like > I don't see why you have to have that Eco gluten-free rice crispies. Why can't it be Rice Krispies (Kelloggs). I try to explain but he still don't quite get it. I think maybe if I was diagnosed as celiac, he may take it more seriously.

So to make some allowances for my 4 year old. I've done things like "leaving open the box of cookies, and allowing him in the kitchen to get his OWN". (Our kitchen is gated due to our son's autistic unawareness of dangers, its for his safety) This way I am not constantly washing my hands to "serve" him. Then I just put them back in the package at night time, when the "cookie monster" is down for the night.

I personally tend to use the opposite countertop, at the opposite end of the kitchen (away from the gluten crumb people ) to do my meal preps etc. I also vacuum the kitchen a lot. Drawers every few days, floors daily, sometimes twice.

The Dollar Store is your friend. And thank Heavens for it. I was able to buy myself just last week, a bunch of baking tins, 2 small loaf pans for my breadmaking, a cookie pan, a pizza pan for gluten-free pizza, and a circle cake pan. Prior to that I was just buying those short life tin foil ones. I also got things like plastic containers from the dollar store to store all my gluten-free foods. I also label everything with "gluten-free" that is to Remain gluten-free !!! They are NOT allowed to touch them. As I can't afford everything at once. It is costly enough with the food changes (gluten-free is ExPeNSIVE!! ) I get by with Dollar STore, cheapos, until I can afford to replace it all. I have also done the following:

1. One upper cupboard is MINE!!! All my gluten-free pantry foods go there, in gluten-free assigned plastic dollar store containers. (this way when I open that cupboard; I can just see my stuff ) (temptation was hard for me in the beginning >not so much now, now that I know how sick I get by being "gluttened."

2. I have one Dollar store Basket in the fridge, that I put all my gluten-free foods in that need to be refrigerated.

3. I use one counter away from the "gluten grubbies :D " I Preclean it again, before I do anything on it.

4. I have one lower cupboard, where I store all my Dollar store, measuring bowls, colanders, pots and pans, baking tins etc. All the tins etc. are marked on the bottom in Permanent marker "gluten-free free, handwash only" >which I do myself, and wipe with Papertowel that I store in My gluten-free free lower cupboard. I also store my own dishtowel and "pink" kitchen gadgets there.

5. As the gluten gang, has taken over the kitchen table. I use the dining room one, and I set myself a rather "fancy" table, flowers etc.

6. As mentioned prior I also vacuum the kitchen a lot.

7. Remember the Olde Days! "Wash your hands before eating!!!" enforce it. This way if they snack on gluten-free foods, they won't CC them.

Eventually I will move my family over to at least "middle ground" where we just have one gluten-free free meal a day (dinner) and I will make only gluten-free desserts etc. I hate feeling like an "outcast" ... I'm getting my new Kitchen Aid mixer (from AirMiles) in a few weeks.. woooooo hoooooo... .. and they all ready know it will be gluten-free >> hands off It's mine!!!!!!!

As for the nails and hair, that could be stress too. I'm just guessing that your illness has left you not working (forgive me if I'm wrong) Stress is terrible on the nails. Poor nails and hair is also a warning symbol of poor health. Celiac disease is one of most underdiagnosed food allergies. Many people have no physical symptons yet they have it. Just keep up the gluten-free diet, it does take time to be totally gluten-free .

Use Olive Oil as your friend. You need to be careful with alot of personal care items. Makeup; Bathroom items like shampoos, hand soaps can contain Gluten. Olive Oil is a good rescue for your hair and nails. Use Olive Oil like a hot-oil hair treatment, apply a few tablespoons to dry hair, wrap in showercap for 20 odd mins, and wash out. Do nail soaking with Olive Oil. Allow to soak into nail areas for 5 mins, massaging into the cuticals. > Think of it as your day at the SPA.. Also for another pampering, take some bath minerals and Olive Oil, and do a weekly effloiating scrub. I mix olive oil with the bath scrubs store in a plastic container in bathroom with a plastic spoon, and have my SPA shower days.

This link will also give you an idea of what to look for in cosmetics and bathroom ideas, the NO NO list (a ton of foreign looking words that are really derivatives of gluten)

I keep a copy with me in my wallet, when I shop for those items.

Open Original Shared Link

I know its hard when they don't take you serious with your gluten-free lifestyle. But, compromizes do help. Maybe they can have a "boy's night out" and do Pizza. Remember you can do snacks like Plain Potatoe Chips; Plain gluten-free corn chips, tortillas. Some people here just allow 25% of the home items to be gluttened. All the rest has to be gluten-free foods etc. But, they need to weeded into this slowly. I think if you aim for that 25% glutten allowed, you'll be a much happier camper. As will they as they'll be eating healthier foods.

As for the smoking. Its hard enough with going gluten-free ,never mind giving up something else. I smoke myself. Yes, I know bad girl . Look for a posting by Meline, on gluten cigerattes some brands do have it. One person replied to her posting on it, about a week ago in this forum topic >coping with.

Good Luck and hugs

[Nan2N]

Thank you all so much for the information. I've been to the dollar store and am waiting for a friend of mine to come over and clean out the kitchen for me. That's never been my strong suit! I'm planning on going completely gluten free because it seems impossible to catch every little crumb. I'm also wondering about silverware and the dishwasher. Can I wash everything together and still be safe or just hand wash my stuff? Right now it just seems like I hit the twilight zone!

A special thank you to Ivanna for all the great links. Now if only my printer would work I'd print off the lists!

It's nice to know there's still some regular food left that I can eat. I've been researching things myself but it seems endless.

Thank you all, again!!

[Ivanna44]

Thank you all so much for the information. I've been to the dollar store and am waiting for a friend of mine to come over and clean out the kitchen for me. That's never been my strong suit! I'm planning on going completely gluten free because it seems impossible to catch every little crumb. I'm also wondering about silverware and the dishwasher. Can I wash everything together and still be safe or just hand wash my stuff? Right now it just seems like I hit the twilight zone!

A special thank you to Ivanna for all the great links. Now if only my printer would work I'd print off the lists!

It's nice to know there's still some regular food left that I can eat. I've been researching things myself but it seems endless.

Thank you all, again!!

Hi again, Nan2N

Don't you just LOVE the dollar store

I'm glad you have a buddy whom is willing to help you clear out the gluten in your kitchen. In terms of your questions for the dishwasher etc. To remain on the safe side, I would prewash with a nylon plastic scrubber any pots, pans you use, as well as utensils for eating, cooking. Get rid of any plastic wear that has been glutened >replace with dollar store cheapos, get rid of any pots with scratches, as the gluten hides in those areas, and they can't be cleaned. The dishwasher is ok, but to be on safe side. Prescrub them (utensils, pots, pans) prior to using them, as you never know if someone has "cheated" in a home you are trying to de=-gluten.

The first week I went gluten-free free, was hard!!!!!!! I think I cheated daily. Dang!! Corn Pops (contain Oat bran) LOL They are bound to cheat when you are not there. But, take heart there is a lot of gluten-free foods still available, but most of it is healthier eating LOL Something that don't go over well with healthy boys and big appetites. I swear my son has a few hollow legs LOL . There is also a lot of good substitues for gluttened flours that can be used for homemade pancakes, desserts etc. Here is another link, it is just a freebie sampler, but it helps to know "name brands." It lists not only foods, but meds, over counter stuff so on. (keep in mind its just a sampler, they want you to buy their books (available at this site's glutenfree market )

Open Original Shared Link

I also highly recommend the book "The Gluten Free Diet- A Comprehensive Guide" by Shelley Case (dietician).. I don't think I could of gotten a better book to help "understand" it all. It is very loaded, recipes, brandnames to look for, what labels stuff is sold under, internet links so on. That book is a must have (just my opinion) and good as it is written by a dietician, who specialized in celiac disease and keeping your diet balanced. If you can't afford to get it, it and a number of other books are available at your local public library

gluten-free is not that bad, and there are some really good subs out there, that you'd swear are really wheat. Taste better in some cases. gluten-free eating, really just means getting back to the basics with cooking, cooking from scratch (so you know what the heck is in there) .. Freeze leftovers for busy days too :D

Take it one babystep at a time.. and Flybaby it.. One Ta Da at a time. (FlyLady website quote)

hugs It does get Better.

PS. I just read a posting on kitty litter having wheat in it. It don't sound from the responses that it is ALL cat litters, but again, read labels. and RE READ Labels. The posting is listed under the "indregients" topic forum at this site.

[Ivanna44]

Hi again, Nan2N

Don't you just LOVE the dollar store

I'm glad you have a buddy whom is willing to help you clear out the gluten in your kitchen. In terms of your questions for the dishwasher etc. To remain on the safe side, I would prewash with a nylon plastic scrubber any pots, pans you use, as well as utensils for eating, cooking. Get rid of any plastic wear that has been glutened >replace with dollar store cheapos, get rid of any pots with scratches, as the gluten hides in those areas, and they can't be cleaned. The dishwasher is ok, but to be on safe side. Prescrub them (utensils, pots, pans) prior to using them, as you never know if someone has "cheated" in a home you are trying to de=-gluten.

The first week I went gluten-free free, was hard!!!!!!! I think I cheated daily. Dang!! Corn Pops (contain Oat bran) LOL They are bound to cheat when you are not there. But, take heart there is a lot of gluten-free foods still available, but most of it is healthier eating LOL Something that don't go over well with healthy boys and big appetites. I swear my son has a few hollow legs LOL . There is also a lot of good substitues for gluttened flours that can be used for homemade pancakes, desserts etc. Here is another link, it is just a freebie sampler, but it helps to know "name brands." It lists not only foods, but meds, over counter stuff so on. (keep in mind its just a sampler, they want you to buy their books (available at this site's glutenfree market )

Open Original Shared Link

I also highly recommend the book "The Gluten Free Diet- A Comprehensive Guide" by Shelley Case (dietician).. I don't think I could of gotten a better book to help "understand" it all. It is very loaded, recipes, brandnames to look for, what labels stuff is sold under, internet links so on. That book is a must have (just my opinion) and good as it is written by a dietician, who specialized in celiac disease and keeping your diet balanced. If you can't afford to get it, it and a number of other books are available at your local public library

gluten-free is not that bad, and there are some really good subs out there, that you'd swear are really wheat. Taste better in some cases. gluten-free eating, really just means getting back to the basics with cooking, cooking from scratch (so you know what the heck is in there) .. Freeze leftovers for busy days too :D

Take it one babystep at a time.. and Flybaby it.. One Ta Da at a time. (FlyLady website quote)

hugs It does get Better.

PS. I just read a posting on kitty litter having wheat in it. It don't sound from the responses that it is ALL cat litters, but again, read labels. and RE READ Labels. The posting is listed under the "indregients" topic forum at this site.

OOps >>> bad typo that would be "Ingredients" topic forum LOL :D

[gfp]

I wouldn't worry about cat food, just make sure you don't get any on the bench tops and wash your hands and any cutlery you use thoroughly.

This might work if you can get the cat to use a tooth brush and mouthwash afterwards.

Admittedly, cats are much cleaner than dogs in this regard but they are still gong to get some on their fur round their mouth and then rub up against you ... on top of this they will spread the food all round their fur when they clean ..

How much? How big a risk?

I certainly wouldn't want to dismiss this out of hand...

Like the OP said, wouldn't it be nice if was bright green....

On the other side why not just feed the cat REAL food? It really isn't hard to save offcuts, buy some very cheap cuts etc. and unlike dogs you can give the cat bones and all and it will eat around them...

For eating at relatives ....

This is a hard one.... and I don't think there is a great answer ...

Some people will try and get it, others will passingly not use bread or pasta etc. but very few will really appreciate the fact dishcloths and pans might contain gluten... Its really as much a cultural problem...

Most people will not clean the loo with the same cloth as they clean dishes (I hope) but they won't think twice about breadcrumbs... It takes a total mindset change to start regarding gluten as an insidious poison.

[MDRB]

This might work if you can get the cat to use a tooth brush and mouthwash afterwards.

Admittedly, cats are much cleaner than dogs in this regard but they are still gong to get some on their fur round their mouth and then rub up against you ... on top of this they will spread the food all round their fur when they clean ..

How much? How big a risk?

I certainly wouldn't want to dismiss this out of hand...

I have never had a problem with feeding my cat regular cat food, my comment came from personal experience and I certainly did not mean to dismiss anything.

I guess the thing is with cats, is that they (mostly) keep thier mouths to themselves where as dogs will lick floors and just about anything they can find. It all depends on your cat (indoor, outdoor etc)

I'm very careful about these things since my diagnosis, but I'm also not one for parranoia, 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' is a good motto. Rather than adding to your worries (perhaps for no reason) I would probably suggest staying with the regular cat food for now but looking at changing it if you still have symptoms in a few months time.

Thats just me.

[zeenat]

hey i have been suffering GI issues for years i just went to a dr.. and talked about it but none of what she offered me gave me a solution anyways one day i just went on the net and put down my symptoms and guess what i realised i needed to be gluten free ....and gluten free i did i realised i couldn't digest milk,corn and peanuts and it really hurts me but anyways i always wanted to heal myself but however i still suffered constipation . so i decided to get myself acidophillus probiotic and a multivitamin my hair fell out like crazy until i stopped the probiotic i don't know why though it was gluten free maybe the maltodextrin i really dont know and i think the probiotic did help me with my constipation but i am too scared to try anything ... another factor that's driving me crazy is that not everyone in my house is gluten free and they don't understand the cc factor at all recently i changed all my utensils and what not so i wasn't really completely gluten free all this time and i have really stopped cheating too as i know i feel sick in the sense i have constant constipation and gas which is horrible.

i dont know how to have one section for myself as my MIL keeps on cooking her gluten stuff and putting crumbs all over she is old and doesn't understand one bit of what i say the fridge is shared by a number of insensitive ppl who think this illness will heal and go away........... though i wish it would........LOL

i have tried storing my items in a different place but i dont know what to do about the fridge especially storing my tortillas, i do keep them with the wrap on to avoid direct contact with the bread in the same compartment , i need some advice from ppl who have no choice like me to make their entire surroundings gluten-free ..god help....