Michi8

Do you guys have New York Fries kiosks in your malls in the States ? All they do is fries - I read somewhere that they are safe BUT some seasonings aren't so either stick to just salt or look it up (I guess they have different ones ?). When I go to the city over Christmas, I'm going to try some !

At the location I go to their cheese sauce and gravy are safe too! The gravy is thickened with potato starch.

Michelle

Patch testing is helpful for reactions to various allergens, metals, chemicals. I had it done to test for the standard panel. It confirmed I am not allergic to latex, but am allergic to some metals (nickel, chromium and cobalt) and to neomycin (polysporin has a related antibacterial ingredient.) It is good to know, because these metals can be found in foods and used in making a long list of different products I may come in contact with on a regular basis. The adhesive on bandages is one example.

The test itself involves putting many different patches on the back, which get left there for a number of days. Once the patches are off, it's another wait to see if there is a reaction that shows up a bit later. Of course, no full-body baths or showers during this time...and it's really hard to keep from scratching those spots.

Michelle

If you're looking for some good chocolate recipes, check out this new book:

Health By Chocolate, by Victoria Laine: Open Original Shared Link Her recipes are all vegan and are marked if they are gluten-free (gluten free), WF (wheat free), NF (nut free), SF (soy free), RW (raw, or mostly raw food). Because all the recipes are vegan, there are no dairy ingredients to worry about...however, honey is listed as a sweetener in some recipes...I would imagine you could use the sweetener that best suits your needs.

Michelle

I have never seen an oven that has a separate space for broiling, especially at the bottom of the stove...I'd be concerned that the high temps required for broiling would be a risk so close to the floor. Are you sure it's a broiling drawer** rather than just a warming drawer?

My oven, BTW, is gas, but the broiler is an electric element at the top of the oven. Ours works with the oven door closed, but many models (especially older ones) require the door to be slightly ajar for broiling. I've never run into problems with broiling, aside from the oven smoking if it needs a cleaning.

Michelle

**Edit: Okay, I did a search on broiler drawers...and, I'll be darned, they are a somewhat common oven feature! Still don't know if I like the idea though

So, I have been getting more into cooking these days and one thing John really wants to go is use our broiler...I am a bit scared to do so, since it is very different.

We have a gas range which is about 15 years old, a Caloric model, which seems to be not even made anymore....but has been outliving all of our GE appliances in the apartment.

The broiler is in the bottom drawer of the stove....I would have rathered a storage drawer

So, it is very dusty and you can tell it has never been used...strange huh. So of course no manual and no one to ask.... hopefully someone on here can point me in the right direction.

Anyone ever used one of these broiler drawers....Help help help!

I use almond milk or Dairy Free (potato based milk substitute). The kids prefer Dairy Free for their chocolate milk. The almond milk works really well in baking, mashed potatoes, smoothies, chai lattes, etc.

Michelle

Always has a "stay-dry" liner on top of their pads that feels like a rubbery kind of plastic. I found that that liner is especially irritating. I always thought of it as the same feeling as wearing an old-fashioned slicker (raincoat) next to your skin--ugh.

Always was the first product I reacted to...just like a diaper rash! It was the plastic cover.

In the case of any of the feminine products, I don't think it's necessarily a gluten thing. I do believe that the chemical-filled absorbent layer is a health issue though, regardless of whether one reacts to the pads/tampons or not.

Michelle

Irritation from feminine care products can be because of any number of ingredients. Synthetic fibres, dioxins, chlorine bleach, pesticides on cotton, etc. can all contribute. I have found that I am more and more sensitive to most of the commercial disposable femine care products. Started as an occassional rash, but it happens more often now.

I've switched to 100% organic cotton pads and tampons (Natracare: Open Original Shared Link ) and am very happy with them. I've also found that underwear with any synthetic fibres cause irritation and increase discharge. So only 100% cotton, and I make sure that my clothes are thoroughly rised after washing to reduce the chance of reacting to detergent residue.

Finally, I've discovered that I am sensitive to polyester...I clued in when I was making Halloween costumes and was using polyester batting/stuffing...my hands were becoming sore and raw from touching the fibre. I seem to have an easier time with a smooth/soft polyester fabric, but anywhere there's a rough/broken fibre I react. Even tags on cotton clothing can be synthetic...and cause eczema on me.

Michelle

I can't believe that anyone would say that medication is the only option for a young child. OCD meds are almost always SSRIs like prozac and paxil, and almost all of the recent research says that giving these meds to children (under 18) dangerously increases the risk of suicide.

Now, I haven't heard of many 5 year olds who have committed suicide, but I would have to be absolutely POSITIVE that they were necessary before I would risk giving a young child of mine those medications. Especially as there are so many behavioral modification prodedures for helping OCD (and those are actually considered to be more permanantly helpful than the meds).

One of the best books about OCD that I've found is "Tormented Thoughts and Secret Rituals" - written by a Dr. who has OCD himself. (Just in case you want more information.)

And considering how celiac elevates anxiety for so many people, and that OCD is an anxiety disorder, I am certain that gluten makes obsessive compulsive symptoms worse for those who already have the tendency.

Given her age, the therapy available to us is either for preschool age (dd would be too old for it once she got to the top of the wait list) or much older. Early onset OCD is apparently unusual, especially for girls...I think that lack of understanding is part of it. She is still young for understanding what is going on in her head that leads to her rituals. Also, psychiatrists do treat with meds, so meds will often be their first or only suggestion. We're working with a psychologist for support. Luckily our dd doesn't have symptoms at school, and we doing okay dealing with it at home. To go on meds is a long process of trial and error that can lead to significant (although possibly temporary) side effects. I'm not willing to play around with my dd's temperament and personality.

Finally, I suspect this is also tied into EDS for us, I have read some research that ties anxiety disorders to the same gene that is (partly) responsible for some variations of EDS.

Michelle

Has anyone actually read the dietary acne cure book? Is it worth buying?

If you can find it at the library, borrow before you buy it!

Michelle

NOBODY should be losing weight while pregnant, not even women who are overweight.

I don't think that this is necessarily true. Some normal, healthy women do lose weight in the first trimester through no fault of their own. Morning sickness can play a part in this. Some may simply maintain weight as they lose excess fat, but gain baby weight. Ensuring mom is on a healthy diet to support a growing baby is what is needed. Weight may fluctuate in the beginning stages without alarm, but weight loss towards the end of a pregnancy would be a bigger worry.

Michelle

I have celiac disease, and my paternal grandmother had it. My father has all of the symptoms, and says that he talked to his doctor about it, but he won't change his diet, because he "doesn't care". Now that attitude is rubbing off on my sister. She is 6 months pregnant, and has lost 17 pounds (not gained!). She won't get tested. She says that she doesn't get diarrhea, so she doesn't have "my stomach problems". I have begged her, and offered to pay for the dr's visit. It doesn't help that on her first visit I begged her to just bring it up to her doc, and she said that he told her "oh, don't worry about that" so that is her attitude now. She is smart, but lazy. Does anyone have an article about pregnancy and celiac, or anything I could send her or tell her to maybe get her to re-think getting tested?? I love her so much and I am so worried about her...

It's really tough to watch loved ones make decisions that you don't agree with. But I don't think that there is much more that you can do than make the information available and set an example. She will need to get to the answer about her own health through her own experience (be it positive or negative), and that is something you cannot provide.

Don't push, but offer support and guidance as she needs it...at some point she may change her mind.

Michelle

Have you considered following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? Open Original Shared Link

Michelle

Open Original Shared Link

I hope this works! I am trying to send a full article about world incidence of celiac disease and it's very surprising! I was trying for the Irish connection, but it must be more fable than fact. That a subset of Africans are the highest in the world(>5%) is amazing. And all that wheat that is sent over for food!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting article, thanks for sharing.

Michelle

I am afraid I have to interject here for just a moment.

Signing the papers for consent in reality has nothing to do with the actual consent.

When you show up in a hospital with a child in your arms ready for surgery it is called "implied consent". Some hospitals are doing away with consent forms all together.

Informed consent has an acceptable number or percentage of risks to be discussed. If indeed the Dr. went through ALL the risks, you would never have time for the actual surgery.

Thanx

Andie

I have never had a surgery or procedure without signing a consent form (and, yes, I read them.) If hospitals didn't have you sign, they'd be putting themselves at risk of malpractice. It is irresponsible to assume that a patient has fully consented without full disclosure. That is a huge issue for something like cesarean section (I use this example because it's has a huge impact on the norms of birth, and is a big issue to me,) and has played a big part in the sky rocketing rate of surgical births. Far too many women are choosing this procedure in the absence of medical need and without full understanding of the risks involved. As mentioned by a previous poster, if patients really understood the risks, they wouldn't choose to have the surgery.

Michelle

Ladies, thank you all for your info/suggestions. I'm just so frustrated - I feel so helpless I can't take clomed (sp?) because I have problems w/ cysts. I appears that I'm ovulating and that my levels are good. My husband has been tested and has an exceptionally high count. I guess I was hoping that it would just happen the "old fashioned" way.....just having fun and not thinking about it. I really didn't want to be one of those gals who has to consume themselves with charts, temperatures, and positioning, but I guess it has come to that....oh well! I guess its all worth it in the end, isn't it?

Thanks again girls - I feel much better now that I have some new info to explore!

I wouldn't look at it as being "consumed" with charts, temps, etc. (positioning has little to do with it though!) I found charting was very empowering. For once I really understood what was going on with my cycles and body!

I charted for a long time (used it as birth control after going off the pill) before I chose to become pregnant. I don't chart now. I've learned to read my cycles quite well...and no longer am concerned about pregnancy prevention.

Do check out the book...you may find that it can happen the "old fashioned way"...or if not, then maybe you'll get a clearer picture of what is going on.

Michelle

Pregnancy is not a time for dieting. If you are going hungry to keep this doctor happy, you are risking the health of your growing baby.

I gained plenty of weight in my pregnancies. 25 lbs with the first, 40 lbs with the second, and 60 lbs with the third...I started at different weights each time, but ended up at the 180lb mark at the end of each pregnancy (I think my body needs to be at this weight for proper prenancy health.) All three of my kids were born at a healthy weight (8lbs 6oz, 9lbs 8oz, 9lbs 12oz) and I had no troubles with gestational diabetes. BTW, I lost all the weight each time with extended, on demand breastfeeding.

I really believe that to be healthy in pregnancy, one needs to eat & drink to hunger and thirst, and make healthy food choices. Weighing-in is of questionable value, and only creates more stress regarding whether one is gaining "enough" or "too much" weight. You're going to weigh what you're going to weigh.

Michelle

They don't give you the form when you meet with the surgeon beforehand (which is something I had to insist on, and had to pay a separate office visit fee for it) They give it to you when you show up at the hospital for surgery at 6 am, with your child in your arms, and you're all stressed out already because they're going to crack open your child's chest. They give you so many forms to sign, and it's impossible to understand all the forms you are signing unless you have a lawyer present! Sure, you try to read them all, but it's not realistic to expect that you will understand them all, especially when the risks are different from the ones explained by the doctor.

Are you expected to believe that the pre-printed risks are more appropriate to your child's situation that those explained by the surgeon?

In reality, those pre-printed risks WERE more accurate than what the doctor said. But how is anybody expected to know this?

Believe me, I'm not happy with how patients are treated, and certainly not happy that such vital information is kept from patients, or seriously downplayed! (I don't want to end up going into my rant about doctors corecing women into choosing cesarean sections without full disclosure of the risks.)

All surgery comes with risk of infection, adverse reactions, death, etc. I know that, and know what I'm signing, but I also read, read, read about health stuff and thoroughly know about any procedure that I (or my family) will be going through. The public at large is not fully informed, does not necessarily understand medical procedures, and may make decisions based on fear and/or pressure without knowing risks...or knowing that they have the right to hear about all the risks before they sign on the dotted line. Finally, they also have the right to say no.

That's why I mention it's in the form...legally that information has to be there...it's the way the staff and hospital have to protect themselves. Patients are supposed to have fully informed consent...in reality that doesn't happen that often.

Michelle

anyone have any ideas?

Why not just have Campbell's Bean & Bacon soup? Campbell's lists it as gluten free (in Canada at least.)

Michelle

Have you looked into Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) as a means of pregnancy timing/achievement? I found it invaluable for knowing exactly what was happening during my cycle, and when the optimum timing for pregnancy would be. As well, I was able to time for choosing the sex of my last child as well (well, I'm assuming it worked as we planned, because we got a girl after two boys.)

With FAM you chart your basal temperatures, cervical position, and cervical mucous and learn to read when ovulation happens for you from this information. As well, if there are problems with acheiving pregnancy, charting can provide important information about what is/isn't happening in your cycle. Finally, you can tell from charting whether you have achieved pregnancy without using a pregnancy test.

The book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility," by Toni Weschler is a great resource. Not only does she explain FAM, but discusses the best timing for pregnancy achievement, myths about cycles, etc. Also check out Open Original Shared Link for further info and software for charting.

Michelle

When I asked her why the surgeon didn't mention "death on the table" as a possible risk, she said that if surgeons tell parents that it is a risk, they never choose the surgery.

Something all patients need to do is really read the fine print on the consent form that is signed before any surgery. Regardless of whether the staff actually point out all the facts, they are printed out in black and white. The fact of possible death (and other possible risks) is on that form...when you sign, you are saying you are accepting the risks and are consenting to the surgery.

Michelle

I just wanted to share with you that my son had an endoscopy done to get a diagnosis of Celiac Disease. He was only 16 months old. I was very afraid and thought the surery was invasive but when it comes down to it, Carter was "knocked" out with anesthesia and he was given versaid through an i.v. so he wouldn't be agitated before going into surgery. This put me more at ease. Our doctor/gastroentomologist assured me that there would be no ill side effects from the biopsy etc and that Carter wouldn't feel any pain. He said the worse case scenario would be that Carter would have a mild sore throat from being intabated.

Unfortunately, the worst case scenario is more than a sore throat...it can involve internal bleeding and infection, which can lead to further health issues...after all, a foreign object is being inserted into the body, and a tissue sample is being taken. A patient needs to hear all the possible side effects of a surgical procedure in order to have fully informed consent. It's negligent of a doctor to downplay the risks involved.

Michelle

I looked it up and there some said they didn't have an issue while others said they'd not try it out. Now, I am finding (so far) that I am not that sensitive so I may try it out. BTW-they said the process in which it's made somehow processes the gluten out?

I'm confused...maybe I'm missing something. You're trying to be 100% gluten free, right? How do you know if you're "not that sensitive" if you haven't been 100% gluten free? Why do you want to try a barley drink? AFAIK, there is no process that will remove the gluten.

Michelle

Previous quote: People with peanut allergies aren't subjected to this kind of nonsense. If they have one reaction, they are immediately told to stay away from any and all peanuts. They aren't told that it's in their head, or that they MUST endure invasive and expensive procedures before they are "allowed" to take peanuts out of their diets.

I would just like to respond to your peanut allergy statement. My daughter, in addition to Celiac, has a peanut allergy. To be diagnosed, she was subjected to blood tests (invasive), scratch tests (invasive) and a food challenge (not invasive but required us to be at the hospital for four to five hours).

Taking away peanuts and taking away gluten are two entirely different issues. There are a myriad of foods that she can eat to replace the protein found in peanuts - she is not allergic to other nuts and peanuts can be easily replaced. Gluten, on the other hand, is very different. It is much harder to replace gluten and get the same nutritional benefits.

I have to respectfully disagree here. Eliminating any food from the diet is essentially the same process. One does not ever have to go through invasive testing before eliminating a food. And I challenge that a proper elimination diet is the most sure way of determining whether one is sensitive to a particular food. That said, if an anaphylactic reaction is suspected, then testing for that food should be done under proper medical supervision.

I was allergic to peanuts as a child. I did not have testing done to prove it, because the proof was in my reactions...and, even at an early age, I naturally stayed away from foods that caused me discomfort. I was fortunate that I never became anaphylactic. I have had skin scratch testing done since, and have confirmed many allergies (and many new ones to foods), but the peanut allergy came back negative. Great, I can eat peanuts now...but I do still react sometimes. So much for the accuracy of the test!

Finally, the nutritional benefits of gluten are questionable. The fact that so many people are or can be gluten intolerant speaks to how beneficial gluten is. One can live a very healthy life eliminating gluten, without finding a "replacement" for it. I think I have a harder time missing out on the benefits of the nutrition from tree fruits (apples, peaches, cherries, etc) due to my oral allergy syndrome.

Michelle

You say you don't like tea, but have you tried something like a chai latte made with an herbal tea (such as Rooibos)? It's caffeine free, and quite tasty...and not as sweet as hot chocolate. Tetley makes a tetra pack of Rooibos Chai that you add milk (or milk substitute) to and heat up.

Michelle

How old is your daughter? Are you being evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist? I can pretty much guarantee you that a psychiatrist will want to medicate for OCD.

We've just had OCD confirmed for our 5 yo daughter. We've essentially "known" it was OCD for the last 2.5 years, but now it's official. The psychiatrist is offering meds as the only option (because of our daughter's age), so we've chosen to stick with seeing the psychologist who is supporting us in managing the OCD in other ways. We're finding that a reward chart/system is a good motivator for our daughter, and we make small concessions here and there to help her make it through rituals. I will be trying dietary changes too.

I would give the diet a good try for a while yet, but make sure you are completely eliminating the suspected foods. Good luck!

Michelle