Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Help! I'm My Own Worst Nightmare

cpicini

By cpicini
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

cpicini Rookie
cpicini
Posted

I was diagnosed with Celiac in October of 2007. I felt great the first couple of months but I seem to be getting worse. I am living with a constant stomach ache and have no doubt that it's my own fault. The biggest issue I have is that I work from home and take care of my 4 year old son during the day until my wife gets home. I am constaintly handling foods with gluten, mostly bread. I though I was being careful with the crumbs but am wondering is I can also have a reaction from just touching the bread? Would gloves help? Also since I"m new to this forum I've been reading many of the other posts. What I'm getting is that I'm gonna need a whole lot of new kitchen utensils and pots and pans. If these items are put through a dishwasher are they really still contaminated?

Any help is appreciated.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

It is common to have your condition improve immediately and then slip back somewhat. It will then improve again if you stay 100% gluten free.

The answer about your kitchen stuff is that it depends:

Some things can be cleaned easily and do not pose a worry. These include stainless steel pots, pans, flatware and baking pans. Wash them thoroughly and they will be okay. A dishwasher will do this, but if you are purging gluten for the first time I would suggest a double wash cycle.

Some things are porous and will retain gluten despite your best efforts. These include wooden utensils, scratched non-stick pans, and especially toasters. You must replace these--they can not be adequately cleaned. Colanders can trap gluten in their mesh.

I touch things which contain gluten at work frequently. I wash my hands at work frequently compulsively. I do not react to dermal gluten exposure, but I know that many do, including most of us who have DH (I don't).

cpicini Rookie
cpicini
Posted
  • Author

Peter, thanks. I don't have DH either but I suspect I have gluten somewhere in my diet. The toaster comment is interesting. Since being diagnosed I haven't eaten much bread or used the toaster oven. Recently I found a roll that I love ( www.againstthegraingourmet.com) and have been toasting in the toster over. I've been wrapping the roll in foil to avoid cc. I'm getting the feeling that that's not enough.

A-Swiss Rookie
A-Swiss
Posted
Peter, thanks. I don't have DH either but I suspect I have gluten somewhere in my diet. The toaster comment is interesting. Since being diagnosed I haven't eaten much bread or used the toaster oven. Recently I found a roll that I love ( www.againstthegraingourmet.com) and have been toasting in the toster over. I've been wrapping the roll in foil to avoid cc. I'm getting the feeling that that's not enough.

Good option - toaster oven. What I do is just put foil over the tray each time I use it and it is like having a fresh toaster. They cook and toast, so it works for most things. Buying a new toaster obviously works, but if you have a family - someone may be using regular bread in it. If you just cover the tray, you won't have to lose the crispness that the toasting gives (vs covering the roll itself with foil).

babysteps Contributor
babysteps
Posted

gloves can definitely help!

Separately, could your wife make your son's sandwiches the night before & put in plastic, then you could hand to him without bread contact?

AMQmom Explorer
AMQmom
Posted

Just a random thought, but my girls are celiac and I am not. I had to switch to gluten free lipstick for kisses. Gluten is sticky and you never know what they might touch (like where I kiss them) and then accidently touch their mouth area. I have to be sure not to cross contaminate my lipstick by eating gluten and then applying more lipstick. If your wife kisses you, does she brush her teeth first? I know it sounds off the wall, but you may want to consider this IN ADDITION to the safe kitchen precautions. I tossed all of out wooden utensils and things that had rubber just to be sure no glutens get into my girls. It is so easy for them to get sick! Best of luck to you!

AMQmom Explorer
AMQmom
Posted

Also, there was a recent feed about latex gloves - avoid those that are powdered.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


gfp Enthusiast
gfp
Posted

The problem with crumbs is they are just crumbs! Its culturally acceptable to just wipe down the surface and use the same dishcloth etc. and its so hard to get in a mindset where we would treat it like poison.

Imagine you had some poop, you wouldn't use the same dishcloth yet the reality is a bit of poop would likely NOT make you sick, its just YUCK!

The whole cross contamination thing is a mindset. I spent a lot of time working in labs handling dangerous chemicals and I try and use the same mindset around gluten.

When I was younger I used to think many of the procedures were way over the top, then I had a few friends get serious burns or poisoned.

Its amazing how stuff can transfer, get on your hands then into your mouth, even when you are working in a lab and have to wash before and after .. Its a shame gluten doesn't glow in the dark ...

cpicini Rookie
cpicini
Posted
  • Author

My wife hasn't kissed me for years! :) Just kidding. I did think abou the lipstick though and have my wife checking. I also just realized that the new hair gel my wife bought has wheat in it. HAIR GEL!!!!

I also agee that I need to be in a differnt mindset. I realize now that when I by cold cuts that I have to have a separate package for me. I noticed my wife handling food with gluten and then reach to make herself a sandwich. The hardest part is going to be to get my wife to changer her mindset.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't know what I did before I found this site.

Chris

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

You could also feed your son only gluten-free foods. It's not going to be harmful for him, and it will certainly be safer for you.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,298
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    HollyZ
    Newest Member
    HollyZ
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.3k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • DebJ14
      Toddler Diagnosis?

      By DebJ14 · Posted

      They will have to put him back on gluten in order to get accurate tests results, so all the progress may be lost for a while. My grandson was 2 1/2 years old when he, his father, and his mother, were diagnosed.  He was not even on the chart for height or weight and had not been on the chart since he was 12 months old.  The first month he went gluten free he gained 6 pounds and grew an inch.  Unfortunately, he missed a whole lot of opportunity to grow in those first years.  He remained the smallest, skinniest kid in the class until high school when he clawed his way into the middle row for pictures.  He is 20 and topped out at 5 ft 6 inches.  His mother is 5'7 in a family where everyone is 6 feet tall or more.   His younger brother was 7 months old when he was diagnosed.  At 18 he is 6ft tall.  Best to catch it as early as possible.
    • trents
      Gluten free diet - are these symptoms normal?

      By trents · Posted

      Maybe you picked up a little intestinal virus? Maybe some ingredient in the gluten free processed foods you've been consuming is causing this. In order to simulate the texture that wheat provides, a lot of gluten free products contain ingredients that may cause digestive distress. Xanthan gum and similar polysaccharides are among the chief offenders.
    • Wheatwacked
      Gluten free diet - are these symptoms normal?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Welcome @Ems10, Isn't is wonderful how a simple change helps. Gluten free eating is not a punishment.  It does take attention to details when buying processed foods.  
    • Gunni
      Diabetes like symptoms and more

      By Gunni · Posted

      Hey Talia4, I still try to stay on the lower end of carb intake but things are way easier for me these days. It really looks like a digestive issue at the core in my case   As supplements with meals I'm now taking 3-4x 650mg betaine hcl without pepsin (to handle larger doses) 1-2x Doctor's Best digestive enzymes   And daily Share Pommelozzini. This has helped my digestion immensely with carbs and fats. I'm way more tolerant of larger meals and things are a lot easier. Happy to hear any progress or findings on your end as well though!  
    • Ems10
      Gluten free diet - are these symptoms normal?

      By Ems10 · Posted

      Hi. So for a month or two I had been experiencing extreme pain around my left rib going right up to underneath my breast, I went to hospital and the GP many times and one day it just came across my mind maybe I’m celiac/ gluten intolerant (celiac runs in my family)! I instantly stopped consuming anything with gluten (tbh everything I was eating was full of it) and the day I stopped having gluten the pain instantly disappeared, the next day I had a GP appointment about the pain & I informed him it just stopped instantly and explained why I believe I’m intolerant! I’m waiting on test results as of now, however I have still had absolutely no pain whatsoever today I’ve started to have diarrhea which I haven’t had in at least two months, I was severely constipated whilst consuming gluten! Just wondering would this be a symptom of gluten withdrawal? I’ve done a grocery shop from the “free from” gluten section, I’ve been very careful as I’m terrified the pain will start again! 
×
×
  • Create New...