healinginprogress

I want to add that Blue Diamond just revamped their almond milk too--and there is no soy in it. Look for them in the dairy section with the new label saying "NOW SOY FREE!!" Do NOT buy the ones on the shelf--they are the old formula and have soy lecithin in it.

OOOooo YAY!!! Yes, Blue Diamond is the one I have, and am not drinking because it has soy lecithin...I got it off the shelf. I'll have to keep an eye out in the dairy section, Thanks!

I would reintroduce what ever one is most nutritionally advantages for you,,for example ,, if you are vegan and are low in protein I would try the soy,, if you are having trouble making your daily calories I would try the potatoes ect.....

Here is to another TERRIFIC DAY

Thank you so much!!!

Yeah, I was thinking almost more from a financial point of view that I would try soy first and hopefully be okay with it, because chicken and lamb are getting expensive LOL I'm having yams and brown rice as my starchy carbs, so I'm not really missing potatoes, I only thought to reintroduce nightshades first because I don't think I will have an intolerance to them. I REALLY hope I can have soy...I think I will try it first. How is your elimination diet going?

Have you ever tried quinoa? It's a wonderful grain, the only grain that is considered a complete protein! Usually, the only way to get a complete protein is to eat meat or to pair non-meat items like brown rice and beans. "Complete Protein" just means it contains all the essential amino acids that your body needs. It also has carbs, fibre, and healthy fats. You cook it much like rice, the ratio of water is 2:1 (2 cups water to 1 cup quinoa), it has a nice texture, and you can add anything to it, really. For breakfast, I would add some berries (frozen or fresh), or raisins and apple, some cinnamon, honey, and almond milk would make it nice and creamy, if you can find one without soy (I haven't yet, so if you have, let me know ).

Not everyone can eat steak or chicken for breakfast, so this is a nice alternative that is still meeting your dietary needs, yet is still kinda "breakfast-y"

I could not agree more Things are pretty bland but amazingly wonderful at my house too

I am glad you are finding some relief,,, Are you working with a dietitian or doctor?? I would suggest adding back foods very slowly ,one at a time , in pure form,waiting at least 4 to7 days after interdiction before assuming they are safe,,

be well

Yes, that is my plan...if my symptoms are good for a few more days here, I would like to try introducing one thing from either nightshades, soy, corn, dairy, or eggs. Any suggestion of what to introduce first? I was thinking either something from soy (tofu?), or something from nightshades (potatoe?).

My doctor told me to go gluten-free based on positive blood tests, but I don't get to see a dietitian until after I attend a celiac group on the 16th. In the meantime, because I was still getting sick, I researched about the elimination diet. I found a bit of conflicting info, though. Basically, I plan to, as you said introduce one food in it's pure form and eat it three times on the first day and then not again and go back to the elimination diet that I was asymptomatic on for a week and note any changes. Is that right?

Here's hoping for another good day! I slept okay, it's early and I'm UP and don't feel angry at the world or ridiculously groggy...my body wouldn't even let me sleep in lol I still would like to be sleeping a bit longer, but I will DEFINITELY take the energy for now and hope it lasts

So while I still had some very MINOR burpy and bloaty, I felt better than I have in a LOOOOOONG time!!! I even de-glutened my entire kitchen (well, I cleaned everything except my SO's gluten-cupboard) and managed to not get glutened! I had energy, it was crazy! I ate small portions of the "safe" foods on my elimination diet and ate frequently. I cleaned for HOURS and now feel really confident that my kitchen isn't glutening me. I was also very careful and used hand sanitizer after feeding the dogs, etc.

I HOPE this means that my gut is finally settling down and soon I'll be able to reintroduce some more foods...cuz things are pretty bland right now! But I'll take bland over tearing my insides apart any day! Finally, some hope!

I am the worst dieter in the world. I am absolutely crushed by having to admit that I have to change my life and my habits. I LOVE being low maintenance. I know that I will feel better by receiving this diagnosis (it started with Dermatitis Herpetiformis (horrible skin rash) and has led to me needing to lead a gluten-free life, so I know that I will get some relief... but I just can't imagine how this is going to work. You all seem so matter-of-fact, and I am just downright annoyed and sad. Did anyone else just feel mad and sad and exhausted by this whole thing?

Ohmygoodness, YES!!! I honestly think there is a grieving process involved in giving up gluten, and/or whatever other food group you find out you're sensitive to, as well! There are times where I'm totally fine, but there are definitely a lot of times and moments where I'm horribly sad, overwhelmed, and/or incredibly jealous. The first week was definitely the most overwhelming, and it IS getting easier as far as knowing WHAT I can or can't eat, but the emotions are still up and down.

When you think about it, your world has really been turned upside down...I know that I never imagined that this was how things were gonna go for me. We have to let go of the way of life we used to lead. It's a big change, and big changes are scary.

Sometimes I curse gluten, shaking my fist in the air! HAHA, ok, now I'm just having some fun.

But seriously...give in to it. Take it one day at a time, you'll get it in no time. And coming here helps a lot!

Just had some peppermint tea, which was nice to sip, we'll see if it helps. Unfortunately, I only have a shower I miss bathtubs VERY much, especially when dealing with all these symptoms! And the heat bags that I had were stuffed with wheat LOL But I think I have a regular old hot water bottle somewhere.

A member on here told me that Gas-x gel caps are gluten-free and since I'm still have issues with bloating and gas, I decided to buy a pack. They're ultra strength, and I've even tried taking 2, and find pretty much no difference. Has this happened for anyone else? I'm just remembering now I read somewhere that benadryl can help? Would that be more effective??

Seriously in major discomfort, here!!! Can't wait for my insides to settle down.

FWIW, we have a toaster oven, and rather than buying an entire new one I was able to call the company and get another rack. We wove foil around the edges so there can't be any confusion, and it's stored in the cabinet with the gluten-free baking supplies.

Our nutritionist, GI, etc doctors are completely okay with this.

We have a Black and Decker toaster oven (it was about $150 and it's rather large, so I really didn't want to duplicate it unnecessarily) and the rack was about $10, with free shipping.

Just a thought.

Thanks, that's a great idea

um...I'm not sure. I know some people use the Garnier line?

I had to stop coloring my hair because my hair fell out and my scalp was peeling and had sores on it...this nasty disease! anyway, I am happy you have good hair!!

I pray mine returns and I can look pretty once more...

Wow, that's terrible, I hope it does, too! I had only been gluten-free for about 4 days when I got it dyed and it was blindingly painful, my scalp was soooooo sensitive and I ended up with scabs and dry scalp...I hear that can happen with bleach sometimes...but I can put up with a lot of pain and it was pretty much unbearable. If I don't start feeling better on the very limitied diet that I'm on now then I imagine I won't be dying again and will be changing shampoos and scrubbing my house from top to bottom I guess

Not only is this disease nasty, painful, and a lot of time just plain gross...it is also a LOT of work!!!

Pretty glad to read that others are feeling like this...the foggy-head, memory loss...yeah, just all around not feeling like myself! Really can't wait for things to get better.

With regards to shampoo... I guess I should really change mine. The thing is, I JUST dyed my hair pretty much platinum blonde, so I'm using a purple shampoo so it doesn't get brassy...and I have a pretty strong feeling that nobody makes a gluten-free purple shampoo lol. But maybe if I used gluten-free most of the week and then the purple just once a week and be very careful?

thanks for the replies guys,

seems like i will be getting new items for my own use - kitchenware is more expensive than i thought!

It is! I just went to walmart and got myself one pot and one pan for $10 each...it's good enough for now, and they are colored so that it is VERY easy to tell which ones are mine

I'm new as well, but since nobody has replied, yet, I thought I'd offer what I can. I thought at first I didn't need to be really careful, but when I kept getting sick over and over, I had a little meltdown and realized I needed to get strict!

If you're getting a non-stick pan for your "gluten-free-ness", I would NOT share it with anyone. I got a non-stick pan, pot, new wooden spoon and plastic spatula and ladle, and a new cutting board. I live with my fiance and I don't let him use any of it, even if he's cooking stuff that's gluten-free for himself (ex. if he's going to cook himself some rice, he'll still use the old pots).

Also, it's a good idea to get your own toaster. I have a toaster oven, so I just cleaned it out really well, and I clean the rack before I use it (don't really have room for a second one, but right now I'm on the elimination diet so I'm not toasting anything anyways).

If possible, have a shelf that is dedicated gluten-free for all your stuff. Even stuff that is naturally gluten-free is best to be kept away from stuff that has gluten in it. And yes, cleaning it out is a good idea.

Same goes for the fridge..again, if possible. I haven't separated my fridge out, because there isn't much in there that is glutinous, but cleaning it out wouldn't be a bad idea. And you're probably going to have to start labelling! I'm not having margarine right now (there's soy in the vegan one I have, and right now soy is off the menu), but I bought my own and wrote "GLUTEN-FREE" on the lid...if your roomies are buttering their toast and sticking the knife into the marg/butter...not good! Also, I don't know if your roomies eat each others leftovers, but at work I put "Gluten-Free Meal, Do not Eat or Throw Away!"...after being stuck without food while at work!

I do clean everything together, though. I don't have a dishwasher, so everything is cleaned by hand, and by me, for the most part, so I just make sure everything is really clean.

I think it might be better to be really strict at first until you have symptom relief, and then if you think you're not that sensitive to try and reintroduce some things or be less strict. Then again, there are different schools of thought on this, as apparently once you cut gluten out, you become more sensitive to it. You could always try it your way at first...which I guess is kind of what I did...and if your symptoms go away GREAT!!! If not, then you know what to do

Feel free to ask any and all questions, the people here are pretty wonderful

Just a side note...I had my lactose intolerance test yesterday, and while the test came back negative, I did have gastro symptoms during the test. So I'm still cutting out dairy, soy, corn, eggs, nightshades, and, of course, GLUTEN!

Basically just chicken, rice (mostly brown), cucumbers, spinach, yams, apples, pears, olive oil, salt and pepper, and maybe some parsley and carrots.

Do you mean IBS or IBD? IBS is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom of another disease, like Celiac disease. Most doctors say it's IBS when they have no idea what is causing your bowels to be irritable. So the short answer is yes, if something other than gluten is bothering you you should be able to figure it out by an elimination diet. It is also possible that you have just not elimianted all sources of gluten cross-contamination and the gluten is causing your IBS.

Hmm interesting, I didn't know that about IBS. Before I got really sick, when I mentioned symptoms my doctor brushed it off and said it's probably "IBS"..his words. Then when I did get sick and he finally decided to test things (after about 2 or 3 years), my test came back positive, and he said it's probably celiac, but maybe with something else, and he mentioned again "IBS".

So I don't know. I guess I'll just try the diet, and hopefully by Sunday or so my symptoms will be under control and I will find some relief!

When my blood test results came back positive, my doctor mentioned he thinks there might be more than one thing going on...possibly a combination of celiac and IBS.

So I guess what I'm wondering is: on an elimination diet, you're supposed to eliminate all but a few "safe" foods for about 4 days or until your symptoms go away, and then add in some other foods. But if I have IBS, which I don't think is necessarily triggered by SPECIFIC foods...will I even GET to being symptom free on the elimination diet?

Hmmm salicylates...another thing to look up lol

Well, I did get some sleep, still tired, though...but I think that's a given. It's really nice out today...cold-ish, but at least sunny, so a walk with the dogs might perk me up.

Do/Have any of you experienced chills, or being cold all the time on the new diet? (I'm on elimination diet, not sure if that makes a difference)

They will probably do both a colonoscopy and an endoscopy then. You should ask them to confirm. If the endoscopy is to test for celiac they need to take biopsy samples to examine under a microscope. Usually people here want more than one biopsy sample taken for testing.

Okay, I called the surgeon yesterday and they said to stay gluten-free. So at least I'm doing something right When I go for the appointment april 7th they're just examining and deciding what to do from there, and if they decide I have to be eating gluten for the next step then they will tell me then...which could be really awful because, as you said, I'll likely be even more sensitive to it by then, but I'll do what I have to do to get a proper diagnosis.

So I'm still on the elimination diet, trying to not be hungry all the time, but it's hard. My lactose intolerance test came back negative, though I did have gas, bloating, burping during the test, so I don't really know what that means. We'll see what happens when I add it back in later down the road.

I must be "special". benadryl makes me "hyper" not sleepy... and melatonin---well, I fell asleep, but woke up anyway..arrgh!! Valerian root, passionflower...WIDE AWAKE!! I remain, sleepless in NY

Really?/ how can we be so exhausted, yet not sleep or be able to nap?? I don't get it!!

No kidding, I feel like I've gone manic or something!!! I've basically been up since 6am yesterday, and I haven't had any caffeine or drugs or anything...I don't think this has ever gone on for so long in one bout, yikes I'll take a sleeping pill soon and force it outta me I guess

Benadryl never makes me sleepy. Gravol, sometimes. But I think I'll go back to the Rx

I'm sure the empty stomach and bad headache didn't help matters. Today will suck, but I'll get through it somehow

Awesome. I only took more because it wasn't working

Yeah, I've been up since 6am yesterday it's almost 5 and I have to get up at 6am to go to the lab. Sigh...really wish someone hadn't booked me on at work today, but at least it's only an hour.

Omg...I haven't slept at all...and I took five of the damn things! I'm fasting for my lab test, and I don't know if that's what's caused it, but I have the worst headache. And now there's a wind warning and it's so loud it sounds like I'm gonna blow away! Lab test is in 3hrs...I'm really hating life right now!

I would like to try it but just read on one site that it can interact with verapamil. I just started(trial basis) on it for the raynaud's symptoms. The verapamil can make the melatonin less effective by helping the body get rid of it quicker. However, it is getting warmer and I could just not take the verapamil and try the melatonin and see how it works. I fear that once I start something my body will not be able to adjust without it on the nights that I am at home and trying to sleep. However I do have trouble going to sleep at night when I am off also because of the shift work. When I schedule vacation it only takes about 3 days for my sleep cycle to shift back to normal and I usually feel great. I was on vacation for 17 days in Jan. and ever since then I have had an unusually hard time back on night shift. I've been dragging...my moods have been horrible.

Melatonin is intended to help normalize circadian rhythms. I don't generally find it helpful, however, my med tolerance is pretty high, possibly due to damage to my insides? As an experiment, I will try it tonight, instead of my sleeping pill (which is prescribed, it's actually an antidepressant that makes me sleepy, but I take an antidepressant during the day, so don't worry about me going off a med or anything, I don't take the sleeping pills all the time)

I do like the potential of use as an anti-anxiety...I've been having a lot lately, despite my meds.

I'll let ya know how it goes...I have to be up super early for a hydrogen breath test, anyways