Michi8

The procedure went really smoothly. All I remember is having my throat sprayed, then having the "tooth guard" placed and having meds injected into my IV (demerol and something else?) I woke up 2 hours later after a really sound sleep. Apparently my body takes meds really well. It was a very surreal experience to wake up and remember nothing.

So the doctor wrote a note for me (she doesn't speak to patients after the surgery because of the amnesiac)...everything looks normal. I was disappointed to hear she only took two biopsies though. I expect the results of those will be 100% normal too. I think it will take more exploration and trying the diet to figure out what all my symptoms are about.

Michelle

Brrrrr! It's cold here, and getting colder!

The temperature will continue to drop through the weekend...the forecasted high for Sunday is -23C (-9.4F) and the low will be -27C (-16.6F). Yikes!

Michelle

I can't think of any scientific reason why staying away from a specific food would ultimately make you allergic to it unless you already were anyway.

There is certainly a lot that is uknown/misunderstood about allergies and intolerances...the medical community has a long way to go yet. However, not all allergies are related to the gut/digestive system, and many allergies are due to cross reactions (eg pollens and fruit). I certainly don't have to eat an apple to react to it...I can have a reaction by simply touching my eye after cutting one. I am allergic to it, because it is related to my birch tree allergy, not because I have digestive issues/leaky gut.

Allergies can and do change over the course of a lifetime. Peanut is one that was assumed to stay with you for life, but many people, like myself, have outgrown it...I believe it's more common than previously thought. My allergy to apples, BTW, started after my first pregnancy...about the same time I "outgrew" my peanut allergy.

Given that my allergies have been changing over the years, I do think it is possible that I may still develop new allergies...and I do believe it is scientifically possible to develop a wheat allergy at some point...but I do not already have an allergy (IgE response) to wheat...although I may have an intolerance to wheat/gluten (hopefully biopsy will give me some answers.) However, to take it out of my diet and reintroduce it just may be the trigger to developing an IgE allergic response.

Michelle

LOL

Probably too subtle for them. I'm breastfeeding, attachment parenting, babywearing....so they'd probably think it's just par for the course !

Yeesh. That's awful.

I got the granola label for all of those things (breastfeeding, attachment parenting, babywearing) plus sleeping with my baby...and when I had a home waterbirth, it was just over the top. Everyone talked about me and my "dangerous" choices behind my back, including my mother. I've also got the hypocondriac label, not to mention being the only one in the family willing to discuss anything of any substance.

Michelle

I remember I tried a gluten-free diet once and I got a bad headache until I ate bread - is this a sign that I am NOT celiac? I am pretty much a paranoid hypochondriac, so I always get worried about these types of things even though there is pretty much virtually nothing wrong with me.

The headache could have been a symptom of withdrawl. It can take a while for your body to get used to being gluten free, even if you are celiac or gluten intolerant.

Michelle

Yes, they are supposed to, but they often aren't.

I'm very sorry about your troubles. It's frustrating and as much as we sometimes want to beat them over the heads with a 2x4, we can't make people understand nor be sympathetic.

Ditto here. Family can sometimes be the most difficult to deal with! You can't choose your family, but you can choose to be amongst understanding and supportive friends.

Michelle

Interesting article. Thanks for posting the link. I wonder if it's only true for peanuts. I didn't know that people could outgrow an anaphylactic type peanut allergy. My nephew has almost died a couple of times by accidental exposure to peanuts - wonder if an allergy that serious could be outgrown.

My allergies are not now, and never have been anaphylactic. They are still IgE responses, but just aren't that that severe. I get itchy lips, tongue, throat and ears, skin reactions, conjunctivitis (from airborne allergens) and have asthma attacks (also from airborne allergens.) The dr calls my food allergies "oral allergy syndrome."

I do not know how often allergies that result in anaphylaxis are outgrown. One child that I know personally who has outgrown peanut allergy was assumed to be anaphylactic "just in case" (given an epipen in case a reaction became severe) but never actually had a reaction that severe. The allergy was determined to be outgrown with an oral challenge and skin test. He outgrew this allergy by the time he was 8yo...until that point, he carefully avoided all contact with peanuts and nuts.

Michelle

So basically this could go both ways?? Either I am making him more sensitive by keeping him off of it, or I could be causing unknown damage by having him on it. Am I right? I am a little confused. Basically what this boils down to for me is that I want my son to have the least complicated preschool experience that I can give him. I know how difficult it was to keep my dd gluten-free in preschool. I know it is not impossible, but why have your child left out of almost every little party if they don't have to be? (My dd is now starting to notice that her treat is different and she doesn't really like that.)

I guess there is probably no "right" answer to this question. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Thanks to all who have offered advice and any more is always welcome!

Shannon

No, he has not been allergy tested. Do allergies run in families as well? We recently found out that my dd has a shellfish allergy. She also has allergic reactions to certain soaps. Maybe we need to check into that.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The tendency to be allergic can run in families, especially if both mother and father both have allergies. The allergies do vary from person to person, however. So, although your dd has a shellfish allergy, your son may never develop one. I developed allergies to different things than my brothers, and a different times in our lives. I was allergic to peanuts and cat dander since toddlerhood, where my brother developed an allergy to legumes, wheat (though it may be celiac...still trying to convince him to get tested!) and peanuts in his late teens. My allergy to birch pollen, tree fruit and tree nuts didn't show up until my early 30s.

Michelle

Hmmm, interesting. I was told by two different doctors that you tend to become sensitive (or allergic) to foods you eat the most. You've obviously had a different advice.

If your body is reacting to a food, it seems like you just shouldn't eat it. You can supress a reaction by continuing to eat small amounts of a food, but that can also burn your immune system out after a while. When your body reacts to a food or chemical it's telling you that it sees it as poison or at least as dangerous to your body.

For example - I am allergic to dairy, but consumed it for many years. My body could fight a reaction, and did so by producing small amounts of an opiate-like chemical, so I actually craved milk. (And, there was damage bing done to my body that I couldn't feel.) Once I stopped drinking it for a long time, my immune system no longer produced this chemical to fight the reaction and when I tried to drink it again I reacted very badly. This meant that I was giving my immune system a much needed break. I wish I could find the article that I read about this that explained it all. I know I'm not explaining it well.

I don't have time to respond in depth right now (I've been a mouse potato for too long today! LOL!) But wanted to pass on this article about outgrowing peanut allergy and keeping it at bay: Open Original Shared Link The reason I outgrew the allergy in the first place was due to totally avoiding peanut for many years . Had I eaten small amounts over that time, I probably would still be reacting to peanuts.

Michelle

Do you mean that you think going gluten free for a while might MAKE you allergic to wheat?

I'm concerned that the reintroduction of wheat after a long time of avoidance may trigger an allergic response. I'm basing this concern on how my allergies have changed and increased over the years.

For example, I developed an allergy to dogs after our family dog died (15 years with our family and no reactions) and I was "reintroduced" to dog dander after she was gone for a few years. Another example... since "outgrowing" my peanut allergy, I've been instructed to eat peanuts on a regular basis so I don't become resensitized. The theory is that to stop eating peanuts for awhile and then expose myself again, I may develop the allergy upon reexposure.

Michelle

If you are feeling better gluten free, then what is the benefit of doing a gluten challenge during pregnancy? If you truly are celiac, then why risk further damaging your villi while you are pregnant? Because damage means you may not fully absorb the necessary nutrients, it may affect the essential nutrition that you provide your baby.

Michelle

Anyone have a tasty recipe for stuffing with these restrictions?

Thanks!

P.S. Is gravy better made with rice flour or potato starch, in your opinion??

Maybe try a rice stuffing. There are hundreds of recipes out there, with all sorts of ingredient combinations...just Google for "rice stuffing recipe."

Michelle

I've read many stories of adverse reactions to the Hep B vaccine...most of which tell of resulting autoimmune issues, some debilitating. Yet this vaccine is still required in many places and the stories of reaction are dismissed as unrelated.

I definitely wouldn't be surprised if it triggered the onset of celiac disease. Giving the gluten free diet a serious try is worth it. It is actually a very healthy way to eat, and any weight loss should stabilize eventually.

Michelle

Well, I was thinking of getting something for my acid reflux, but then I looked up 'homeopathy' on the web and it seemed like its crediblity is up in the air.

There are many homeopathic preparations that work very well to treat ailments/improve your health. However, homeopathy has it's limitations, just as allopathic medicine does. What works best is when the different types of medicine are used to compliment each other. I used to have a family Dr that combined the best of all worlds to support body, mind and spiritual health...sadly, she has retired from practice.

Michelle

Let's make a distinction between the UK cereals and the USA made cereals.

This could be where the descrepancy lies. UK and USA formulas are not the same.

in USA most commercial cereals have malt (barley)

The UK cereals have malt too (note my earlier post). Kelloggs is saying that the gluten level from the malt falls below the Codex Standard 200ppm, so is considered "safe" for European celiacs to eat.

Michelle

Does not having dreams mean you aren't sleeping well? Today I went to bed at like 12, woke up at 6, and I don't remember actually falling asleep at all but I feel relatively well rested. Does dreaming mean you go into REM sleep or doesn't it matter?

If you feel well-rested, then you've had REM sleep...you're likely just not remembering your dreams.

Michelle

So what do you all think? Can a person who does not have a gluten intolerance develop one if kept off gluten? I want to be able to send my son to school on a "normal" diet if possible. I am planning on sending him to a Mother's Day Out program starting in January. I guess we will have to challenge this again in the summer when it isn't cold and flu season. I hate to make him sensitive if he doesn't have a problem with it. Do we need to introduce it slowly if we do it again?

Thanks for any thoughts. I have thought about this many times before and wanted to ask, so now I am!

Thanks!

Shannon

It think it can work that way for allergies, but doubt it's the same with intolerance.

I worry a bit about it myself. I'm going to go gluten free after my endoscopy (on Thurs!) regardless of the results, but wonder if I'm setting myself up for developing a wheat allergy. I already have numerous allergies, including to foods (and the list keeps growing), so I don't think it would be a stretch.

Michelle

How would they check all these levels and could it be done from one blood draw? Thanks again! Kandi

Yes, all the tests can be done with one blood draw (fills a few test tubes,) provided the doctor asks for them all on the requisition. If your son is concerned about pain, you can use an EMLA patch on the blood test site. You can get it from a pharmacy...you simply apply the patch 1 hour prior to testing...totally numbs the area.

Michelle

Thanks everyone for your well wishes! Much appreciated. I also appreciate all your comments regarding the celiac disease testing. I just hope and pray that she doesn't have it!!! AND I will continue to breastfeed (even though it's a huge pain in the butt!!!)

Belated congratulations!

I have to say, if it's a "pain in the butt," then your not breastfeeding correctly! LOL! (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Seriously, it will take a few weeks to get into the groove of breastfeeding...it's a learning experience for both you and baby. Once you've got the method down pat, you'll find it's actually a breeze...and way less work than having to clean and prepare bottles.

Michelle

He has not taken any supplements and has not had his levels tested. My doctor's here are not very informed/knowledgeable about gluten intolerance. Could celiac cause the malabsorbtion of these levels or is it an entirely different problem. I'm so confused. What specific tests could I ask for and what type of doctor would do them? Thanks

Yes, celiac can cause malabsorption of vitamins and minerals, and recurring canker sores are one of the many symptoms associated with celiac (but can be associated with other health issues too.) Testing for iron and B12 should be pretty standard even for a regular yearly blood workup. Personally, I'd get blood testing done for the celiac panel, thyroid function, vitamin levels, CBC & differential, etc.

Michelle

I don't buy frozen turkeys anymore. I rarely have enough room in my fridge to thaw a bird for 2 whole days, plus I usually found that 2 days wasn't enough and I stuggled to finish defrosting the morning before popping it into the oven.

I now always buy fresh! I simply place an order for the turkey ahead of time, and the grocery store keeps it for me until the day before or day of. I find the end result is a juicier bird...and with less hassle.

Michelle

Hi guys, not to confuse things but I had the same issues and I rang Kellogs about it. They told me that the only cereals approved by the Celiac Association (I presume in the UK) were Rice Crispies and Coca Pops. Just thought Id mention it but Im not saying that they are correct - not contradicting the other people on the board, but thats what Kellogs told me.

Hope it doesnt just confuse you. Maybe Kellogs isnt the brand you get? Try ringing the manufacturer for their response.

Good luck.

Liz

Check out this notation from the Kellogg's UK website (it's from a page listing Open Original Shared Link):

Please note that only the cereals listed above have been removed - although Kellogg Rice Krispies, Ricicles and Coco Pops contain malt flavouring they fall well within the international Codex Standard of 200ppm

All of those products contain malt, which has gluten. To my knowledge, the U.S. and Canada do not follow the Codex Standard and thus these cereals are not considered gluten free (or should that be "gluten safe?").

Michelle

Rice Krispies contain malt, which I believe is derived from barley...so it's not safe. There are gluten free brands of rice crisps available.

Michelle

Recurrent canker sores can be caused by vitamin deficiencies (iron, folic acid, vitamin B12.) Has your son had his levels tested? Is he taking any supplements?

Michelle

We've had a nice blanket of snow here in Northern Alberta since the first week of November!

I thought you were in Calgary, Carrie. Where are you located now?

The Edmonton area has had snow since before Halloween. Unfortunately, the blanket of snow is now dirty with gravel and salt from the roads, and my clothes keep getting dirty from leaning into the car to buckle my kids up!

Michelle

Well I guess there are a slightfew who love winter******************Living up in the north forty would be wonderful except I don't like the many hours of darkness... We enjoyed our 12,755 mile vacation to Banff ,Kluane Lake then to Alaska for the summer a year ago that we are planning on a return trip in 09.....Would love to see the northern lights....

To all the canadian friends I hope you enjoy the miracle of winter! It's gonna happen no matter what so you might as well enjoy it......

mamaw

Visiting Banff and Jasper is great. Living with 6 months of winter just isn't postcard picture perfect, and hard to enjoy when it's -30C and you still have to get the kids to school, go to work, etc.

The hours of darkness in the winter are depressing too, but, where I live, we get many hours of sunlight in the summer months...At the peak, it's light at 5am and not dark until close to 11pm.

Michelle