mythreesuns

Or at least, the box is sitting on my porch waiting to be picked up.

I actually drove all the way to work, parked, and walked to my building before I realized I forgot to put it out! I SOOOOO did not want this stuff sitting in my freezer until Monday. LOL

Question, though...why did they send me the swabs for the gene test when I didn't order the gene test? All I ordered was the gluten sensitivity stool panel complete and the egg, yeast, and soy food sensitivity stool panel.

Also, the gluten sensitivity stool panel was supposed to include the casein test for free, but there was no mention of it on my invoice.

So, did they send me the swabs by mistake? Do you think I'll still get the milk test even though it's not on my invoice?

Maybe I'll e-mail the company to ask, but at least the samples are on their way! Three weeks and counting...

Edit: Shoot, I just realized that the free casein test only comes with the stool and GENE panel complete. But then, that still doesn't answer the question of why they sent me the swabs...

Toni

Here is the link to Vances--

Open Original Shared Link

You can use the powder as is in coffee or tea, or make a creamer with water. It's good either way!

Thanks!

The almond milk is tasty in coffee, but a little watery.

I think you can order Vance's online. I get it at a store, but I believe it's available online, too. It's worth the hassle.

Were you the one who posted the link? If so, can you post it again?

I looked it up that day, but thought to myself that I'll just look for it at the store. Well, my local Whole Foods didn't have it (or I couldn't find it) so now I need to find it again. Actually, I guess I can just google it, huh? LOL

Anyway, so do you take the powder with you on the road and just put the powder in your coffee?

What you shouldn't do though, is start substituting dairy with a lot of soy milk products!

So true!!!

That's what I did, and now I suspect the soy is what's keeping my diarrhea around.

This weekend I switched to almond milk which is FABULOUS in cereal! It does have some soy lecithin in it, but it's not totally soy so I figure it won't trigger such a reaction.

I can't find the Vance's stuff--it would be HEAVEN to be able to have coffee on the road!

This is all very interesting to me.....

I have long been known as a fast driver, always in the fast lane and passing whenever possible. However, when I drive at night, I'm like a lil' old granny with hands firmly at 10 and 2! I have such a hard time seeing the road at night, and if lights are coming at me, forget it!

I also am very sensitive to sunlight. I actually HATE sunny days, and sun glare is a known migraine enhancer for me. The sun makes me bone-numbingly tired.

I also have tons of other "weird" things going on, like the cold hands and feet, Reynaud's, etc.

I'm still too new into being gluten-free (about 6 wks) to know if it improves, but I'll be sure to let you know!

my grandmother is diabetic and this may be a good alternative for her-ive never heard of it...is it in a crystal/powder form like sugar!!?!?!?

I bought it in packets, just like Equal or Sweet-n-Low packets. It's crystal-y or powdery just like the other sugar substitutes.

I think you can buy it in other forms too, that's just what I happen to see on the shelf.

it's safe... just get it in the pure form, not cut with anything, sometimes they cut it with maltodextrin so if you are sensitive to corn you would need to avoid that...

The one I got actually does have maltodextrin in it. Where can you get pure stevia?

After still being sick on a Gluten-free Casein-free diet, I've decided to cut out EVERYTHING artificial. At least until I get my EnteroLab results back to see if there's something else I'm intolerant to.

So, I'm not using Equal anymore (and after reading some research, I'm not sure I ever will again!) but I did find some Stevia extract at Whole Foods and I've been using that in my coffee.

It wasn't in the food section, but in the supplement section. So, is Stevia safe? What's good about it? What's bad about it? Anyone have any info?

I picture it tasting something like the way my dogs' feet smell.

ROFLMAO!!!

I use Vance's Dari Free--it's a potato-based milk substitute. It is free of dairy, gluten, grain, oils and nuts.

But what does it taste like!? I suspect I may have a problem with soy, and I would still like to have things like cereal and creamer.

We should all get together sometime!

I'm in!!!

Prolly can't have the Chocolate Thunder, though....milk doesn't like me

Resident, are you on a gluten-free diet? Are you or is someone you know having health issues that pertain to celiac?

I'm just curious. Just wondering where your interest in celiac comes from.

hope this helps, all it means is that the stool has more gas - diarrhea is stool that passes quickly = more gas = floater. The longer stool sits in the large intestine - the darker it becomes.

Thanks!

I normally go to the one in Marlton--it's smaller, but they're doing renovations on it now.

I'll be there tonight!

I"m actually finding that everything I need I can get at Wegmans.

I've been there too, but have only found a small selection. I have a friend with celiac who offered to go there with me to show me where everything is, so I'm going to take her up on that.

I haven't been concerned about beauty products, mostly because I don't know what to look for! I've given up on that for now. Anyone know where there's a GOOD COMPREHENSIVE list of what's ok and what to avoid specifically in beauty products?

I'm just wondering...

I'm still having intermittent diarrhea even after about 6wks gluten free (with I'm sure a couple of accidental glutenings) and lately my poop is back to floating.

It didn't always float before, but now it's almost every day. I was just wondering if that was normal in any way. To get totally TMI, it's a darker color than it was before, but it's still floating.

Does that mean anything, or am I reading too much on the internet, like my friends keep telling me?

So then I should go with the most comprehensive EnteroLab testing?

The Optimum site said it tested for 4 levels of intolerance, not just allergy. Is that just semantics? They test for IgGs--is that intolerance? And I didn't find out anything about their level of sensitivity. Like, just how sensitive do you have to be for it to show up on their tests?

I would go with the enterolab tests. Mainly because the Elisha testing the other lab does didn't pick up my gluten intolerance.

So did EnteroLab pick up your intolerance? Or did you just confirm it through diet?

EnteroLab it is! I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm a Jersey girl!

I live in Burlington County, but I work in Trenton...not *too* far from Edison. I've shopped at the Whole Foods in Lawrenceville before. HUUUUGGGGEEEE store!

What is Optimum 96? I have only heard of Enterolab. Sounds interesting....

www.optimumhealthresource.com

It requires only a pin-prick, and tells you how sensitive you are to 96 different kinds of foods.

But I don't know which one to go with.

I suspect that gluten may not be my only issue, which makes the Optimum 96-food panel more enticing, but I don't know if it's as sensitive as EnteroLab testing.

Which would you recommend?

I could be wrong but I believe ferritin levels are the iron levels.

Did they do an A1C?

I don't see ferritin on any of the test results.

The A1C was 5.5 (normal is 4.5-5.7) so that's good, right?

I think hemoglobin also tests for anemia.

Hemoglobin was 12.4 (normal was 11.5-15.0) so good again, right?

Some more poop humor:

HOW TO POOP AT WORK WITH GRACE

We've all been there but don't like to admit it. As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORKPOOP is inevitable. For those who hate pooping at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.

CROP DUSTING:

When farting, you walk briskly around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants.

FLY BY:

This is the act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in and check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.

ESCAPEE:

This is a fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.

JAILBREAK:

When forcing a poop, several farts slip out at a machine gun pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do not panic. Remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.

COURTESY FLUSH:

The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poop hits the water. This reduces the amount of airtime the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.

WALK OF SHAME:

Walking from the stall, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk up the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. This very uncomfortable walk can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.

OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER:

This is a colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an Out Of The Closet Pooper enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under his or her arm. Always look around the office for the Out Of The Closet Pooper before entering the bathroom.

THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N):

A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of Out Of The Closet Poopers, and identify SAFE HAVENS.

SAFE HAVENS:

A Safe Haven is a seldom-used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.

TURD BURGLAR:

This is someone who does not realize that you are in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poop at work. If this occurs, remain in the stall until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.

CAMO-COUGH:

A phony cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall is called a Camo-Cough. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. The Camo-Cough is very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.

ASTAIRE:

An Astaire is a subtle toe-tap that is used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you are occupying a stall. This will leave all doubt that the stall is occupied. If you hear an Astaire, leave the bathroom immediately so the pooper can poop in peace.

WATERMELON:

A watermelon is a big poop that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.

HAVANA OMELET:

A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often acompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough with an Astaire.

UNCLE TODD:

An Uncle Todd is a bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. This person could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot. An Uncle Todd makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poop when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as other bathroom attendees.

Hope the Survival Guide helps, as the WORKPOOP is an inevitable part of life.

Ugh, what the freak CAN I eat then? LOL

I don't eat too many potatoes or other nightshades, but I do have tomatoes almost every day in my salad. And eggs.

DH gets his first paycheck on Friday and the first thing I'm doing is sending for the EnteroLab tests for whatever food they offer. I gotta find out what's going on here.

Oh, and on a side note, I did see that my dr ordered the Western blot test for my second Lyme test. That was negative.

Also, my glucose was borderline high (98) after fasting, my sodium, potassium and calcium were on the low end of normal (but still "normal" according to the test). What's the one that would tell me where my iron was?

Lyme can manifest in the digestion. I have heard that the testing for Lyme is as unreliable as the testing for Celiac, the Lyme board folks speak about IGeneX, a lab in Palo Alto, and the importance of the Western Blot as a diagnostic tool for late term Lyme. I have been using the Salt?Vitamin C treatment used for Lyme as a diagnostic tool, if you want more information PM me.

I'm curious about these other tests for Lyme. Are they tests that the dr could order, or is it another situation like EnteroLab where I have to pay out of pocket?

I know I'm probably talking too much about this here , but have you read up on adrenal fatigue?

I did try to follow your discussion about that but it didn't make much sense to me. LOL How do you test for that?

And also look into soy and dairy.

Also check out the article by dogtorj. He has gone through a lot and has done tons of research.

Yeah, soy keeps popping up as another issue for a lot of people. Outside of EnteroLab, what's a good way to test yourself for that? Soy is is EVERYTHING!!!!

Especially since I'm casein free as well. I've been off dairy since June.

Go gluten free and see how many of your symptoms resolve themselves. If you already are gluten free, in everything, then I don't know.

Thanks, the joint pain was what finally pushed me over the edge to go gluten-free. I've been doing that for about 6 wks or so, but the pain is just getting worse and worse. The D is better though. Not gone, but better.

The fact that the pain is getting worse is making me think there's more than just the gluten thing going on. Sigh...still searching for answers, I guess.