BlessedMommy

Is there any way of finding out whether deli salads (like potato salad and the like) at Meijer's and Wal-Mart are gluten-free?

Anybody have any info? I've looked for it and come up dry.

Waffle irons (if you use them) should be replaced. I can't imagine ever getting all the gluten off a waffle iron. (and they're not really designed to be washed anyway)

I understand not wanting to ever eat gluten again.

I would not do another gluten trial for a million dollars. 

I'm newly diagnosed, also.

 

What I've told friends is this:  For right now, until I have everything under control and feel comfortable, I'm just going to have to stick to eating only foods I prepare for myself.  I'd love to come to their house and have dinner, and my husband would be happy to eat what they prepare .... rather than have them go to a big fuss and worry about me getting sick, I will just bring my own food .... and we can have the joy of spending time together while not worrying.

 

Good friends have said "Sounds like a great idea!"

Not-so-good friends have said "You're being ridiculous."

My response to the not-so-good friends is along the lines of "I'd rather be ridiculous than be in and ambulance, again, and in the cardiac unit of the hospital for three days. So, I'll just be ridiculous, and we'll pass on the dinner invite for now."

 

At my age, I can appear ridiculous and don't really care what they think.  I want to be alive and enjoy all these grandkids !!!

 

I love it Kathy! Great job sticking up for yourself!

I'm not quite as spunky as you, but I'm making progress.

A friend is hosting a bridal shower for her daughter and I mentioned that I would be coming. She said, "We'll have wheat free stuff there." I said, "Thanks, but I'll provide my own food, don't worry about me!" My friend said, "Oh it's safer to bring your own, isn't it? I can understand that you'd rather not risk it."   

So I called her later and found out what the menu was so that I could bring something similar. 

I'm sorry that you got misleading advice from the doctor. You do need to be eating gluten in order to get accurate antibody testing.

Flour stays airborne for hours and pretty much goes everywhere. That's why baking gluten free bread in a gluten containing bakery is virtually impossible. I hope that you figure out a solution that works for everybody. It's no fun being sick!

Ah, looks like this is a pretty good guide. And it looks like there's no reason to be fearful of my Crest toothpaste.

Open Original Shared Link

Which toothpastes are safe?

It sounds like you probably do have celiac, however without currently consuming gluten, you are most likely not going to get a DX unless you start eating gluten again. You have to decide how important a DX is to you, can you stay gluten free without it?

In my case, at a certain point I didn't really have much of a choice about pursuing further testing, as I had a failed gluten trial with extremely severe symptoms. (see sig for details) Really, the main reason for conclusively DX'ing celiac is so that people will follow a gluten free diet carefully. I figured that in my case, a $3,000.00 hospital bill was essentially my "biopsy substitute."  I committed to being gluten-free for life at that point.

In the end, you have to make the choice about whether to go gluten free without diagnosis or pursue a gluten trial. If you pursue a gluten trial, I highly recommend consulting a physician and doing it under their supervision and with their guidance.

Good luck!

Welcome to the board!

No, I would not take a positive gene test as a definitive answer.

Since you are still eating gluten, I would suggest getting your doctor to order the full celiac panel blood test. It's important to do it now, as after you've been gluten free for awhile the results will be negative, regardless of whether you're celiac or not, since it measures the gluten antibodies in your blood.

So in the end, I ended up buying up buying basically a few of each type (except plastic):

I got some wooden,some silicone utensils, and some metal utensils for my kitchen.

The metal ones are great for when I'm making a dish to pass for a potluck and want to ensure that they can be washed thoroughly. I love the silicone spatula because it doesn't scratch up my non stick pans, nor does it melt, like plastic. 

I think that silicone is a lot better than plastic, in terms of heat resistance.

Also, due to the small amount of information that is actually available on NCGS, we don't really know what long term health ramifications there are from NCGS people eating small amounts of gluten. 

It's tough, but if you know that they can't prepare safe food, I would stick to providing your own food. Either that, or stand in their kitchen and supervise them while they make it.

Just explain to them that you get so sick from small amounts that you just can't take the chance.

I don't see why people get so annoyed. Would they be annoyed at a diabetic who eats a low sugar diet for medical reasons?

I am so, so sorry for the pain that your family has been through. It does sound like celiac could be a possibility for them. I hope that you get a definitive answer soon. 

Very true. I guess that I'm sort of "thinking out loud" through these issues. 

My kids do have state insurance, so on the next visit I will be talking to their doctor about the specific issues that I'm concerned about, in regards to their diet.

I suspect that I'll need to print out some information and take it with me, to show him.

Oh bummer, it has dairy in it.

Well, I might have to do some baking and make my own.

Oh my goodness, that looks so yummy! Is that a new product? Have you seen it in stores yet?

A test like that would be great for my kids. I wonder what year they will come out with it? Any projected dates?

Would a test like that definitively DX celiac without a biopsy?

Does anybody know of any unsweetened non-dairy gluten free carob chips? That's a product that seems to be somewhat difficult to find. Also, does anybody know of any commercially available gluten free fig newtons? I really miss fig bars!

So, I've been thinking, what is the chance that they will ever come up with a celiac test that doesn't require any gluten exposure at all? Is that absolutely impossible?

It seems like the current tests essentially measure how much damage gluten does to you.

How would the mechanism of such a test even work, if they were able to come up with one?

Do you have a recipe for the pancakes, Jamie?

I've started buying him Fage Greek yogurt. He loves it and it's certified gluten-free.

My husband tends to have blood sugar issues and so requires protein with breakfast. Can anybody help me brainstorm good vegetarian options that won't compromise my gluten free house? He is lacto-ovo vegetarian, so milk and eggs are fine.

Butler soy curls are also good.

Franklin Farms veggie burgers are also gluten free and dairy free.