Michi8
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Perhaps your doctor is wanting to rule out any other GI issues in addition to your having celiac disease? You need to ask your doctor for clarification.
Michelle
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I'm having trouble tracking down what is causing my hives, which appear in cluster of 3 or 4, usually on or around my hips, knees or buttocks (I've had them for the past 3 or 4 months). How long does it take to develop hives if it's from something you ingest? I'm pretty sure it's not something I'm touching, as I've not changed cleaning products etc
Thanks!
I would expect hives from ingested food to show up all over, but you never know. Since you're seeing it on those specific spots, I would rule out contact allergy first...especially since it seems to be in areas where you would have greater contact with your clothes (pressure points from where clothes rub, bend and stretch.)
Some potential causes:
1) laundry detergent or fabric softener (have you developed a new sensitivity to old products, or have those products changed an ingredient?)
2) fibers or chemicals in the clothes (lycra, dyes, wool, synthetics, chemicals such as formaldehyde)
3) metal embelishments like studs on jeans or zippers (reactions to nickel or potassium dichloride in metal can cause a reaction at the source or just away from it). Nickel in one's diet can exacerbate this as well.
4) soaps or lotions (the pressure points in your clothes could be irritating an area sensitive to ingredients in those products.)
Michelle
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I didn't start to show with my first pregnancy until between 3-4 months. I showed earlier with my next pregnancies, partly because I started at a lower weight than with the first, and just because you tend to show a little earlier with subsequent pregnancies.
It's hard to wait to show at the beginning, because you want to be able to wear the preg. clothes and for the world to know. Then, by the end, you get sick and tired of having to wear those clothes, and just want to have that baby in your arms!
Pregnancy is such an amazing time...Enjoy!
Michelle
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I agree with you that baby 411 isn't my style of parenting. I was given the book for hosting a shower. I do read the Dr. Sears books and it was in the Dr. Sears sleep book where I read that the only allergen that could affect a baby through breast milk is wheat/gluten. I'm not doubting that peanuts/milk/soy and other things go through the milk, but from what I have read if the baby will end up being allergic to peanuts/milk/soy and the mom eats those things while breastfeeding, the baby won't get sick.
Earlier you claimed you read it in "Baby 411" and said that the only allergen that gets into breastmilk is wheat. Can you point out where in Dr. Sears books you're getting this info?
However if the baby has celiac and the mom eats gluten the baby will get sick. You said below that your friend's second baby got sick when he first had peanuts, but not when she was breastfeeding. That was the only point I was trying to make, that the baby wouldn't get sick from breastfed peanuts.Dr Sears has written about allergens (milk especially) getting into breastmilk. The significance of allergens in breastmilk is that it presents the first exposure. Giving the food orally is the second exposure. It takes two exposures to develop allergy: one for sensitization, and then the allergy presents itself on the second exposure. I can use my son's penicillin allergy as an example as well. It wasn't through breastmilk, but crossed the placenta...he was first exposed during birth (I had penicillin during surgery) and then when he was given his first penicillin for ear infection, he had an immediate reaction. The doctor was very surprised it happened that way. When I had asked what to look for for allergy, she had told me, "oh, babies won't react with their first dose!"
Michelle
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I also read this in "Baby 411" on Sunday. Baby 411 also said that restricting peanuts when breastfeeding does not reduce the risk of the baby developing a peanut allergy. They again say that you only need to avoid foods that you are allergic to. They do say if your baby has sensitive skin to not use lotions that contain peanuts.
I don't know much about "Baby 411" since it wasn't around when I had my babies. I will take a peek at the book at the store, but given the reviews I read, it sounds as if the advice is quite one-sided and some of the practices they advocate are opposite to my style of parenting. If you are looking for a good resource book, "The Baby Book" by Dr. William Sears is a good all-around book for baby care. I found the style was very supportive of many choices in parenting, and gave good, balanced information. It's got good info on breastfeeding, calming baby, observing for allergy issues, etc. Dr. Sears also has good books on pregnancy and birth. Dr Sears also has website with tons of good info: Open Original Shared Link
Michelle
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I talked to a geneticist a fww weeks ago and asked her about the peanut thing. She said it is a myth that mom should avoid peanuts when pregnant. She said the only reason a pregnant mom should avoid peanuts is if she herself has a peanut allergy, not if there is a risk for one. I also read this in "Baby 411" on Sunday. Baby 411 also said that restricting peanuts when breastfeeding does not reduce the risk of the baby developing a peanut allergy. They again say that you only need to avoid foods that you are allergic to. They do say if your baby has sensitive skin to not use lotions that contain peanuts.
Studies on peanut proteins in breastmilk found exactly that: peanut proteins in breastmilk. Open Original Shared Link This is one of many sources I found during my search, and was big news the year after I had my second son. I already new that I needed to watch what I ate during breastfeeding when I had my first son 2 years before that.
Of course avoiding peanut products during pregnancy & breastfeeding for me was easy since I was allergic. A friend of mine wasn't so lucky. She had no problems with eating peanuts with her first child, and ate peanuts constantly during her second pregnancy and during breastfeeding of her second child. He ended up with a severe peanut reaction to his first food introduction to peanuts. Perhaps the studies are wrong, and her ingestion of peanuts played no role in it, but wouldn't it make sense, if there is a family history of allergies, to be careful about your own diet and what you feed your child to reduce the risk of developing specific allergies?
Michelle
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Just wanted to add in a little different perspective. My son was born with celiac and my daughter's was triggered after her open heart surgery. We didn't figure it out with my son until he was 3, but at the same time my daughter was having issues so they kinda co-diagnosed each other and I went gluten-free while nursing her and her symptoms improved. We tried multiple formulas and NOTHING could be tolerated by either of them. I fully intended to breast feed, but my daughter's health meant I had to pump, and I did so for 17 mos. There were many times that my supply ran dangerously low, so we would try to supplement with formula. Even the elemental and hypallergenic ones made her very sick. At 16 mos. she was finally able to tolerate Neocate and is still on that. Just make sure the baby can tolerate formula if your wife decides not to breastfeed. I would have pumped for Megan either way, but I really didn't have a choice. I think that is fairly common in celiac babies. My son didn't have her heart problems, but the very few formulas we tried him on made him very ill. I just gave up on the formulas and nursed him until he was 20 mos. It was easier with him becuase he could nurse and my supply wasn't an issue. Hope some of this helps!
This is where a milk bank may have helped...when mom is struggling to provide pumped milk for a sick baby, and artificial baby milk (formula) is inappropriate or not tolerated.
I had the benefit of using donated milk when my eldest was first born. We didn't want to introduce formula because of the potential for allergies, but his weight had dropped too much and my milk wasn't coming in yet due to my c-section (delays milk by a few days.) I was very fortunate that, once the milk was in my supply was more than adequate and my son regained his lost weight quickly. But it was good to know that the milk bank was available (in Vancouver, BC)...and especially good to know that the babies that really needed it (premies, infants with serious health problems, allergies, intolerances, etc) could get donated milk to help them heal, rather than relying on supplementing mom's milk with artificial baby milk.
There really needs to be more milk banks in North America (milk banks are currently located here: Open Original Shared Link). However, the milk banks are struggling to stay open and available as they are...and are always in need of donations of milk from healthy moms and in need of funding.
Michelle
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Is it the same issue with referring to your DH (dear/darned/damned husband) and DH (dermatitis herpetiformis)?LOL!!!!!
I guess both could be a pain in the @$$! LOL!
Michelle
note: I had to censor "ass" myself, since the program apparently doesn't find it offensive!!!
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I think it's crazy when you are reading about someone's girlfriend and they keep referring to their gluten free... or when someone is talking about the music on the compact disc in their car player and it comes out, I have the new Madonna celiac disease !!!!!!!!!!!
Is it the same issue with referring to your DH (dear/darned/damned husband) and DH (dermatitis herpetiformis)?
Michelle
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Greetings, all!
I've lurked here for a couple of years, but need some help from the amazing collective expertise that's here.
I got the celiac antibody test from Optimum Health Resource (formerly York Labs), after a long delay (3 weeks from placing the order to getting the test; did not respond to 2 out of 3 phone calls, or my e-mail).
The test results are in question. You're supposed to get pink-to-red colored bands by the T's for a positive; the blue band is a test to be sure you've performed the test correctly. I'm not getting bands at all, but something pink is seeping from one end. (My best frame of reference is those OTC pregnancy test kits that have a control band, and another band that activiates if you're pregnant). But it's pink, all right.
Soooo...if any of you have experience with these kits, I'd really appreciate a reply. I've been keeping a gluten-free home for two years (family member intolerant), but that doesn't mean that I want to have to live a gluten-free life if it's not necessary!
I've tried to attatch a photo of the tests below, but don't know if it'll show up.
Thanks!
Tree
/Users/jimhayes/Desktop/DSCN1705.webp
Unfortunately, I can't help with the tests. You photo is not working though. Try using a host like Photobucket.com for your photo. You can then link it to your post.
Michelle
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Lame Advertisement, poop, gluten-free, celiac disease
LOL!
I just found it curious, since I don't think this was happening when I first joined. There is one forum I'm a member of that simply links acronyms to a dictionary so if someone doesn't understand it, they can look it up. Hmmm...let's try a couple others to see if they change:
AFAIK
YMMV
ROTFLMAO
Michelle
Hmmm...guess it's not a very thorough censor!
Michelle
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What is the problem with Tide and Bounce?
The chemical ingredients and scent can cause skin reactions: itchiness, hives, eczema...depends on what you are sensitive to (I am extremely sensitive to the ingredients in Sunlight: detergent and dishwashing liquid!) My skin and my daughter's skin improved quite a bit with changing detergents and elminated Bounce altogether. You really don't need a fabric softener at all, and static cling can be taken care of by using vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Michelle
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I noticed when I posted last that "G F" (without the space) got changed to "gluten-free." Why is this happening now? Is there a reason that acronyms need to be changed? Is there a list somewhere that outlines which words/phrases will be changed?
Michelle
who's not thrilled about having words "censored."
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Suzie,
I am new to all this celiac stuff and I had a question abut getting pregnant. I was wondering about how long would have to be eating gluten free foods before I can attempt to get pregnant? My sister and I both want a child and she is more celiac then I am but I was wondering also if I would have to eat all gluten free foods or what? My sister told me I would have to eat the gluten free foods for at least 6 months to a year. Was she right?
I am going to write down your recipe and try it.
Please give me a response on those questions.
Motherhen
You may find you'll get more response to your questions if you start a new thread about this topic.
What do you mean that your sister is "more celiac" than you. Have you tested positive for celiac? If you are positive then, yes, all your foods have to be gluten-free. I don't know if you need to be gluten free for any specific length of time before attempting a pregnancy. If you can get pregnant sooner than later then that's great...just make sure you continue to be completely gluten-free during and after your pregnancy.
Michelle
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they look like what yours did...little red dots that are almost pimple like. i've never had any type of reaction like that to any type of new product...ever! So this is a little wierd to me. Is it celiac's related?
What do I look for on product labels? because it's not the same thing that i look for on food labels...is it?
It's not necessarily celiac related. You're probably reacting to something in the soap...and could be almost anything. Fragrances are often a source of irritation. I react to scented soaps, especially the deoderant ones. I tend to do best with Dove Sensitive, Dove unscented or a simple glycerine-based soap. Just another thought, though...was the water chemically softened? Bathing with softened water can be hard for those with sensitive skin as well. I find I have a terrible time staying at my inlaws because of their softened water (when showering). Also have trouble with their bedding since they used scented Tide and Bounce on their laundry.
Michelle
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The allergy test you had would not test for lactose intolerance...it's a different reaction in the body. If it were just lactose intolerance, then yogurt would likely be okay for you as well as the cheddar cheese since the bacteria consume the lactose. I'm lactose intolerant myself and have no problems with yogurt or hard cheeses such as cheddar.
In terms of cheese/dairy allergy, I'd be surprised if you were allergic to dairy but not to cheddar cheese, especially since cheddar cheese produces histamine so can cause a reaction in absence of a true dairy allergy (cheddar cheese used to make my mouth itchy just like with my other oral allergies).
The IgG allergy testing is a bit controversial, and from what I have read, can produce false positives. From what I understand, the body produces IgG in response to exposure to foods/proteins but does not necessarily correlate with allergy. There all all sorts of conflicting info out there about various allergy testing methods...of course there are those that believe in it and those that say it's a bunch of bunk. Gotta take what works for you, and ignore the rest.
I'm beginning to think that the best way is to do a thorough elimination test on one's own, and carefully document any and all reactions: physical & emotional.
Michelle
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Hey there,
I was only mildly allergic to hazelnut, nothing else. The doc said that could well be a false positive because the test is very sensitive and the wheal was small.
I'm sorry for your son! That sounds awful. I hope it goes better for your dd
It's possible you had a delayed reaction to an allergen. The scratch tests are only looking for immediate reactions in the specific area the allergen is applied...and are not 100% accurate. For someone like me, who has known, visible skin reactions, scratch testing is a good overall look at my multiple allergens. For someone who has more subtle reactions it may not be as helpful. Allergists can do a more specific test with injecting the allergen under the skin and looking for a reaction over a longer period. You an also do patch testing which tests over a 48 & 72 hour time frame. Finally, blood tests can be done as well.
I've just started reading an interesting book, "Is This Your Child?" by Dr. Doris Rapp. It's an older book, but it looks at children's immediate & delayed reactions and behaviours in determining whether allergies are the source of health issues. She considers emotional/behavioural reactions to be just as important as the typical histamine reaction in determining allergy, and suggests alternative methods for testing and treatment.
Michelle
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I am wondering whats up with my cycle as well. I wish you good luck and good health and hope you figure out what is going on.
I have been gluten-free since May and off the pill since Aug. My periods are really far apart and I am taking vitimins. I don't think I am technically underweight but have lost a little, only because I don't eat as many cupcakes and cookies (I think that's why anyway). I have been feeling good, but the weird cycle is questionable, I'm thinking unless when I pee on stick tomorrow there's a plus sign, I should probably go to a doctor and ask what the deal is.
Have you ever considered trying FAM? (Check out the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler.) Charting your basal temp and other signs/symptoms during your cycle can give you information on what is going on, and provides your doctor with some detailed info for easier diagnosis & treatment.
Michelle
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I used to keep a lot of snack-type foods around during pregnancy & breastfeeding. Home made trail mix, almonds, cereals. I, too, couldn't stand eating broccoli (though it is my favourite veggie!) and stuck to bland foods instead (potatoes, potatoes and more potatoes!) I also did okay with cauliflower...it's especially good cooked with carrots and onion, and did well with eating buckwheat kasha with bacon.
Chocolate (just like coffee) is apparently not great for baby, so keeping it to a minimum can be a good thing. Oh...and I found ice cold water with lemon helps a lot with nausea and food aversions...ginger was another good nausea buster.Michelle
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Gluten does go through breast milk. Wheat/gluten is the only allergen that affects the baby if the mom is eating it.
There are other allergens that can affect baby through breastmilk. Peanut is one...it is recommended that, if there is a risk for peanut allergy, then the mother should avoid eating it during breastfeeding (peanut protein does get into breastmilk)...and probably during pregnancy as well. Milk in mom's diet can also affect baby, as can any gassy foods. If baby is experiencing spitting up and/or colic eliminating problem foods can help a lot.
Michelle
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I have celiac, and my mother has celiac. Now, my wife is pregnant , and I pray that my child isn't.
I have heard from several sources that children of celiacs are supposed to be stictly gluten-free for the first 6 months of thier life, while thier immune system is forming, if they are at high risk for developing celiac (like my child will be due to genetics.) That's all fine and dandy, but here's where it gets tricky. My wife is NOT gluten-free. Will her breast milk carry gluten to the baby since she eats gluten? Does my wife need to be gluten-free while she breats feeds? I know this is kinda "out there". Just want my baby to have the best chance possible. Thanks!
Regardless of whether your wife is gluten free or not, breastfeeding is the best choice for baby, and will not change whether your child has inherited the genes. There is some evidence that breastfeeding is actually protective of baby's gut (encourages proper bacterial growth and provided much needed immunity) and may significantly delay the onset of active celiac disease. I don't know, however, whether your wife going gluten free (during pregnancy as well as breastfeeding) would even further delay the onset of celiac disease...something worth doing some further investigation.
Michelle
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The Boston Pizza in Sherwood Park, AB (near Edmonton) has a sign up about no longer carrying gluten free pizza crusts once their current supply runs out. The manager said that offering a gluten free crust is not a chain-wide policy, and that for one restaurant to carry it has lead to an assumption by customers that all the restaurants do (apparently head office has received flack for it?!) Also, there is concern since so many staff members are new (there is a serious lack of service industry employees throughout this area) that CC is a bit of a problem. So he feels it's better to remove this item from their offerings. He did say, however, that if a customer brought in their own crust, they would still be willing to make them a gluten-free pizza.
Michelle
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Can you buy products at the bakery?
Yes, they have a store...and I believe the prices are supposed to be better than at other grocers.
Michelle
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Breast feeding is good for babies. Most illness's are less harmful while breastfeeding. You need to get in touch with La Leche League!!! They are your best hope for answeres. They have listings of harmfull medicins that will go through the breast milk. They have a list of doctors practiced in breastfeeding that can answer questions for you. Tell mummy to hush. Theyre was a time when the medical profession thought is was healthier to bottle feed. Before that they thought that breast feeding was better. Now they are back to breast feeding again. If you believe in God, why would you tell him that he didnt know what he was doing? Yet theyre are people who continue to do just that. God knew what he was doing when he made us to breast feed. If you dont believe in God well this is just what our bodies do. This is how they function. La Leche League can help alot.
You've had lots of good responses so far. I also recommend to continue to breastfeed. There are too many benefits for your child, and for you own body (eg reduced risk of breast cancer) not to. It's hard when well meaning family and friends try to pressure you with their opinions, but remember that a lot of their fear comes from general misinformation. Do get in contact with a lactation consultant and/or La Leche League for support!
Also, try contacting an organization like Open Original Shared Link. They can provide you with information to determine the safety of drugs during breastfeeding and pregnancy. This is a Canadian-based organziation (don't know the equivalent in the US), but you may find some useful info through their website.
Michelle
Flu Shot
in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
Posted
Apparently (according to Capital Health) MMR manufacturers are no longer making separate vaccines (at least in Canada.) I chose not to innoculate my daughter (no vaccines at all), with the plan that she could get just the Rubella vaccine if she hadn't already naturally contracted it by the time she was a teenager. I would be really happy to know if it is still being offered separately, and which company is producing it!
Michelle