Michi8

That's an idea. I haven't tried the foil pouches - I assumed they were the same as the cans. Thanks!

The foil pouches are great. Here is a listing of Gluten Free camping food at Wilderness Dining: Open Original Shared Link You may have trouble finding packs that meet all your dietary requirements, but its worth checking it out to see what they have!

Michelle

I took a test and I'm pregnant!!!!

I never thought it would happen on the very first try...wow!

We are so excited we want to tell the world.

It's scary though, our best friend had a miscariage last year and so did my sister, so fingers crossed!

Congratulations! Do try not to worry though...take good care of yourself and enjoy being pregnant!

Michelle

OK so maybe I got the numbers mixed up...maybe it was 0.9 to 5.0. I was sitting there upset that I have yet another thing to add to my list of health problems and could have easily mixed up the 2 numbers. Thats not the whole point of me posting. He tested me for that T4 or whatever and that showed normal but this was way high. I have not had this problem forever, I remember be tested a couple years ago and it was normal. Also remember theres a HUGE differenece between American and Canadian health systems. We dont get to choose what we're tested for or when, and we'll never get detailed results on anything, and we have no choice on medication either.

Synthroid is not as bad as you guys are making it sound. I've heard from more than one person already who were on it and it made a huge difference. I'm not gonna try finding some natural thing, you have to realize I'm not from the US and there are not many options for anything here in Canada. For as much as I have been suffering in the last year and half, this is a relief that i finally have some medication to make me feel somewhat better, even if its not for my stomach.

I'm not trying to sound cruel...I know hypothyroidism isnt a huge deal, but its still a lot for me to handle. Like i said I've gone through so much in less than 2 years, and the last thing i needed was yet another disease added to my list.

I got this post made to get some help and hoped someone could describe hypo to me, instead I find nothing....

~ Lisa ~

Lisa, I think hypo or hyper, thyroid issues are a big deal...and become a bigger deal the longer it's out of whack. Now you may have an answer to some of your health issues...it's great that you will be treating it, and will hopefully have good results.

In terms of options for Canadian Health care, you have way more choices than you think. Yes you can request specific tests. You have every right to see the results and get a copy for your records. You have the right to have everything properly explained to you. And you have the right for a second opinion. Anything less, you should fire your doctor and seek out one that supports your needs and rights properly. I know that this is easier said than done, because physicians are in such short supply, but it is worth it to keep trying to find the right one.

Your options for drugs (in Canada) are virtually unlimited as well. We have access to all the same drugs...some are named or packaged differently, but are available nonetheless. Nice thing here is that were are not dictated by an HMO or other health plan that says we are limited in our choice of doctors or have to take generic forms of drugs.

You were given some great links about thryroid...do check out Open Original Shared Link it's a good resource. They have info describing hypothyroid, and options for treatment. At least give it a good read so that you understand the difference between treatment options.

Michelle

I just bought "Superbalanced Makeup" and that's ingedients are on the box, But the "Calming Cleanser" has the ingedients on the tube itself. I'm in the US, and as long as I remember there has always been ingredients listed. I would contact clinique to be safest, wonder if they change inactive ingredients between countries?

I wonder too. The regular items I bought have no ingredients, but the box from the bonus set does. It's entirely possible that the bonus was newer stuff, so it complies with current regulations. So I did check the listing for the liquid mild soap (it's a small tube in the bonus set) and there is no barley listed that I could see. I did find out that both the mascara and eye shadow has ingredients in them to which I'm allergic (chromium) so I'll just have to pitch them out. Sigh, it sucks to have to watch out for so many allergens!

Michelle

All the stuff I've seen it is has been right in the ingerdient list, not hidden at all. I think I saw it in the Liquid mild soap.. I did a post last week on Clinique products and the phone number to call to check the stuff out is in there.

They also check for soy, corn, and rice.

Are you refering to ingredient lists on the product packaging, or at the store? None of the Clinique products I have, even the ones I bought recently, have ingredients lists on them at all. I'm in Canada (don't know if there is a difference in Clinique product packaging from US)...apparently all personal products are supposed to now have ingredients lists on them (as of November 2006)...is Clinique not required to follow this regulation? Or are the products they're selling dated pre- Nov 06?

Michelle

I agree they are VERY common, I had to throw out so many products I had with it. I just think that if they are going to use oats, it will probally list it as it's a good selling point or have it as a main incredient, not hidden under terms "fragrance" or something as a filler.

I have seen barley listed in quite a few clinique products, that kind of surprised me.

Guess I'll have to be watching out for barley more closely...especially since I use Clinique products.

Michelle

My wife suffers from celiac and craves ice cream every now and then. I thought I'd google up gluten free ice creams and came up with a forum (that was 2 years old) on the different brands that offer / claim they are gluten free.

We tried Breyers (Natural Vanilla) and a few moments later she becomes ill (Burping, stomach bubbles).

Can anyone recommend a tested gluten free ice cream?

Thank you for your time, this is my first post

Open Original Shared Link makes gluten free (and nut free) ice creams. Don't know whether it's available in the US though.

Michelle

I can't find the gluten free menu online anywhere on McDonalds site. I found the old menu by googling, but the menu items have changed quite a bit since that menu was published. The newer menu items don't list the grilled chicken breast as gluten free as it contains hydrolized wheat gluten. Can anyone else find the gluten free menu on McD's website or have they now revoked it?

I haven't found a gluten free listing for McD's Canada either, but have looked at their ingredients. It seems they have different ingredients in some of their products from what is offered in the US (the fries are different too.) The grilled chicken (Chicken McGrill) doesn't not contain wheat products that I can see in the ingredients list:

Chicken McGrill

Thanks for the list!

I would check for oats though...oats are a fairly common ingredient in personal products...I think just about as common as wheat. Probably much less common for barley.

Michelle

I wish I could buy the sampler box they've sent to our local Celiac group several times. The sample sizes are about the size of the small Butterfingers and Three Musketeers. Perfect for a lunch goodie and an assortment of all their flavors.

I tried the Lemon Bar flavor this week for the first time. Didn't think I'd like it but it was really yummy. I haven't tasted any that I just flat didn't like but Bannana Cookie is my general favorite (although Lemon Bar may change that).

You can get a "sampler box" here: Open Original Shared Link and their per box price is cheaper at $18.95.

Michelle

Well guys hate to burst anyones bubble here but....since i was dx'd with DH have eaten at Arby's(after awhile of being gluten-free) and they made me sicker then a dog for 3 days....

I had cheese stick's and junior roast beef, had more of the sandwhich then stick's so DON"T order either of them just to be safe

And have I mised someting about Mc D's?

Last I knew they were full gluten due to their grease (son worked there for awhile til the cooking got him glutened bad)

Let me know !

I'm confused about what you're saying here. The roast beef sandwich and the cheese sticks have obvious gluten ingredients in them...why would you have eaten them after going gluten free?

Michelle

I have three kids, and toilet training was a completely different experience with each one. First off, it is not worth the aggravation trying to toilet train a child that is not ready.

My first son trained when we noticed he was lasting a whole night (13 hours) without wetting his diaper/pullup. He didn't really get the hang of using the toilet during the day until he started wearing underwear to bed, and then it "clicked" for him. He was just over 3 at the time. We've had the odd issue with wetting the bed as he got older...it was tied to his chronic constipation...no problems since treating that health issue.

My second son was not going to participate in training until he was good and ready. He resisted all attempts of sitting on the potty, bribery, etc. What worked for him was knowing that he was going to be starting preschool, and had to be using the toilet by then. He cooperated during that summer by not using his pullup during summer daycamp (waited until he was at home), and then decided he would use the toilet by the time school started in September. He was 3.5, and has had maybe two night time accidents since then. BTW, he still has control over what he will and won't do at 7yo...he is very comfortable about who he is and what he likes to do.

My daughter was fully trained within a couple of weeks when she decided she didn't like wearing diapers any more. The motivator for her was that her diapers were irritating and her skin is extremely sensitive (she also has eczema.) She willingly started using the toilet, and was determined to not wet the bed too. She was 2.5. To this day she still won't wear underwear or socks...not a battle I'm willing to have, because I know I won't win that one.

Michelle

New York Fries are gluten free. So are their cheese sauce and gravy*! Last time I was at the mall I had their Veggie Works Fries - yum! Now, if they'd just serve hot dogs without wheat filler.

Michelle

Note: *The gravy my local New York Fries is gluten free. They have an ingredients list for customers to check, and it listed that the gravy is thickened with corn starch (or was it potato starch?)...definitely no gluten. The manager at this location said they have a lot of celiac customers who order the poutine.

It says in tiny little print on the back of the bag (every single bag I have ever bought in the last 4 years) next to the nutrition facts label:

This product contains no preservatives.

Keep Frozen.

These products have been designed to be

frozen and thawed for use. While not

necessary, microwaving or toasting

improved flavor and texture.

Serves me right for not reading the fine print! I rechecked my product bags and saw that info too.

FWIW, I don't like the texture of some of their products after microwaving...I find the blueberry muffins are better left out to thaw before eating. That said, I may just try microwaving the pizza crusts a bit before adding toppings and baking.

Michelle

Just wanted to mention that Albumin is a blood protein also. It is what my diagnosis is based on - I have a deficiency of this blood protein due to 'spillage' and it makes up a large portion of the blood plasma in humans. My diagnosis is a kidney disease.

Thank you for the clarification. This list is of food additives, however, so I question how often one would find blood protein, as opposed to egg white, in commercially prepared food products.

Michelle

I haven't read through the whole chart yet, but I found the very first listing to be odd. It says that Albumin is "a component (protein) from the serum of animal blood"? Although this is technically true, albumin is also known as egg whites. If you see this listed as food ingredient, it likely means that egg whites are in the product.

Michelle

But I will have gone days maybe 2 or 3 that I won't have any milk or cheese, but my cheese is Lactose/Gluten free and I am fine with that, which I'll eat with gluten-free bread and gluten-free lunch meat. And what is the differance between casien and latose intolerance

Donna

With casein intolerance, your body cannot tolerate the milk protein. With lactose intolerance, your body is not producing any/enough lactase enzyme to break down milk sugar (lactose) so it passes through the system undigested. Healing of the intestinal walls can help the body with regaining the ability to produce this enzyme, so celiacs who are gluten free may regain the ability to digest lactose.

Michelle

My kids love both the Rich Chocolate Ovaltine and the Carnation Instant Breakfast Chocolate powder. Now both probably have the same CC risk since both products have other flavors which contain malt, but they don't ever seem to have any issues with either product and they are all pretty severe in their reactions when they do get glutened...

Neither product has soy in it, (I also have a soy allergy so I avoid that particular contaminate!), but they do have milk in them (which I also avoid), so I don't drink them. I do use the Hersheys Special Dark syrup on occasion though! No dairy or soy in that!

I love Carnation Instant Breakfast! Alas, it's got a lot of lactose in it...add milk to that, and it's dangerous stuff...even with Ultra Lactaid.

Michelle

Even the bag suggests that you microwave the frozen product for the best taste and texture.

Interesting to hear about microwaving. The bag of Kinnikinnick crusts I have says nothing about that, but I also have no trouble with cooking in the oven without defrosting the crusts first. I put the toppings on the frozen crust and cook in a preheated 350 oven for 15 minutes (on a perforated pizza pan.)

Michelle

Hello all

I think that I am slowly coming to the relization that I just might be lactose intolerant. Today after I ate my ceral it was gluten-free maple buckwheat flaks I had 2% milk with it. About an hour after I ate I started to get a little burpy with mild heartburn, that was about 4pm then about 5pm my stomach started to feel heavy and arms and legs felt tired as well. I did have the need to go poo but not anything too bad. so I just waited until i got to work. Now I am having a lot more heartburn. this is pretty much how I have felt after eating my cereal. Yes I did get some gluten last night but my reaction was not too bad. So I don't know if this is Lactose interalance symptoms or just from having some gluten last night. But this was a little more immediate than delayed.

donna

Doesn't sound like lactose intolerance to me.

My lactose reaction is gut wrenching pain, cramping and bloating followed by the sudden need to run to the bathroom. More often than not, as soon as I "sit down," the need (and pain) stops, without any "progress". As soon as I leave the bathroom, the need strikes again. I liken the feeling in my gut to a brick slowly moving through my intenstines.

I've tested my reactions, and have found that I tolerate higher fat dairy products very well. Ice cream is fine, but ice milk (eg DQ) causes immediate problems. The lower fat the milk is, the more sudden the reaction. I also tolerate yogurt and cheeses quite well. Seems my tolerance has improved a bit since going gluten free too.

Michelle

I'm eating Dibs right now...love 'em!

Are you sure that the hives are from something she ate? It could very well be from coming in skin contact with something she's sensitive to. Sunscreen? Bug spray? Pollen?

My daughter just developed severe eczema...it's that time of year again...hot weather, sun exposure, sunscreen, lots of pollen in the air (she's allergic to certain tree pollens). The skin that wasn't covered by clothing is just raw looking and peeling...and it's not sunburn. She's also got a few bumps that look a lot like DH...hmmm...I'm sure the doctor will say it's something else though.

Michelle

There shouldnt be any trouble with lotion etc because the pool is indoors

All the stuff that people put on their skin ends up in the water. From the perspective of gluten, it's probably a big non-issue. For me, it's the yuck factor. Apparently any foaming that happens in a hot tub is because of the lotions, etc that people introduce to the water. That's why you're supposed to shower before entering a public pool or hot tub...it removes lotions, oils, etc.

Michelle

Lately i have started doing alot of swimming and just wondering if there are any problems with swimming pool water and stuff they put in the water?

I also go in the sauna and jacuzzi but cant see much problem with these.

Aside from the health issues with chlorine, there shouldn't be a problem with pools. If anything, I'd be wondering about hot tubs, because of all the stuff that ends up in the water (sunscreens, lotions, etc).

Michelle

Oh my gosh, I love greek yogurt. Even better if you're eating it in Greece. I remember having some for breakfast with honey and fruit when we were in Santorini (almost 14 years ago!) So yummy!

Michelle

Is there a really good safe ranch dressing besides kRAFT. THANKS

You could make it from scratch. A google search came up with many recipes. I've always had luck with Canadian Living for great tasting recipes: Open Original Shared Link

Michelle