BRUMI1968

I've had digestive problems my whole life, mostly unbearble bloating/gas and constipation, but also tummy aches to the point of having Xrays when I was a kid after drinking chalky stuff, ITP (an autoimmune blood disorder), chronic fatigue, and lots and lots of anxiety attacks.

I had years of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome diagnosis (along with a lot of hypochondriac ones).

Finally, two years ago I quit wheat and dairy, like my Ayurvedic (from India) doctor told me to. I felt a lot better, but had to keep adjusting more, like quitting potatoes for example, and watching out for black beans.

When I had my annual exam earlier this month, I got tested for Celiac through blood work at my own request. Since I felt a lot better since quitting wheat, I wanted to be sure I wasn't killing myself with other glutens. (By feeling a lot better I mean digestively - I was still very itchy and exhausted at my exam.) Anyway, she agreed and the blood work came back positive. She did say "mildly Celiac", but I put that down to no wheat for two years. Besides, I'm not sure what "mildly" can mean when you have something with no inbetweens, you know.

I don't want the biopsy and am perfectly happy adhering to the diet and fixing up my kitchen to avoid cross contamination. If my insurance company insists on the biopsy in order to cover stuff for the illness, I'll get it and be grateful that I'm not a person who has harsh instant reactions to gluten. That and living in the States -- I'm being shocked by the wait times in Canada.

Hope that info helps.

I cut it in half, scoop seeds out, salt/pepper, add ghee or toasted sesame oil to the insides and outside rims, then put in cake pan that I've lined with parchment paper. If you put a little water UNDER the parchment paper, it makes sure to keep the squash from getting dry and starchy. Also, I cover the whole mess with foil. Then when it comes out, I add more ghee (if I used ghee) and then a bit-of-maple syrup. Yummmmmeeeeee.

As for margarine...I suggest you try Ghee...it is clarified butter. Purity Farms makes some that says it is lactose and casein free...I'm not particularly sensitive to those things so I can't vouch for non-reaction, but ghee is the only dairy I eat. It is made by heating the butter, then scraping off the junk that floats to the top. It is expensive, but a little bit goes a long way. It does have an interesting taste - but I've gotten used to it. It greases things up just like butter - just tastes a bit different is all.

Corn is a tough one - American food has lots of corn in it. An interesting book to read for you might be "The Omnivores Dilemma" by Michael Pollen...the first section. It is all about how much corn is in our food. I'm sure your library would have the book.

Imagine foods? Is that the name of a brand that makes allergen free cookies? Their snickerdoodles are good.

I'll do more research and post again, but I thought I'd mention the ghee.

i like two things especially. One is I like messing with my rice:

basmati or jasmine rice cooked

lemon squeezed on it

leeks or shallots sauteed until soft stirred in

walnuts or almonds for some crunch

chopped cilantro

salt and pepper

maybe a tiny bit of chopped mint (not too much)

olive oil or ghee or butter

the rice does not have to be hot, either - it is equally good cool. I think I started experimenting with lemon/mint rice.

the other thing I really like to do, is have a huge salad with a protein source right on top of it, for me, salmon, for my hubbie chicken or steak. I put asparagus spears lightly wok'd in there, roasted carrots if those are in season and look good, etc. The whole plate is one huge salad, with the protein on top. Yum.

I ate a cliff nectar the other day and it didn't even dent my hunger...but it was tasty!

I read a really good book by Anne Marie Colbin called "food and healing" where she postulated that eating the reproductive biproducts of other animals (dairy/eggs) adversely affected human women in ways dealing with their reproductive cycles. I don't know about it for sure, but when I quit dairy, my periods got much lighter and easier, and my cramping became completely manageable. Just an idea.

anything I can sub for potato starch?

I don't get PMS too badly, except for a higher propensity for crying, and more bloating than usual - intestinally speaking. But I've only been gluten-free for two weeks; I don't know if it will get better.

I would definitely use all cotton tampons (my periods are really too light to use tampons at all and I use all natural pads), not because of gluten, but because those things have a lot of lint, and I'd hate to think of all that nasty lint hanging around being from chemicals and whanot. I tend to stick to what God/Nature made.

Good luck.

I like the cashew cookie ones, but the apple pie and the pecan pie are my favorites. Has anyone tried the new Cinnamon Roll ones?

Yes, good taste, different texture. Not sure I can get over the texture.

I like the cashew cookie ones, but the apple pie and the pecan pie are my favorites. Has anyone tried the new Cinnamon Roll ones?

Yes, good taste, different texture. Not sure I can get over the texture.

You should definitely get a CBC done (complete blood count), especially if you also have bruising or bleeding gums or any other signs of thinned blood. You could have ITP, which is when your platelets are killed by your immune system (mostly the spleen). I have had that for some years, though go untreated. Hopefully it is not that, but you would be smart to rule it out since it is serious and eventually you can bleed into your brain or spinal cord and die.

I only use glass containers to store food in, since plastic is most probably toxic to humans (give them a few more years - they're already admitting it with the teflon). Plus, they don't stain, don't harbor taste/odors, and clean in the dishwasher to a pristine state.

I posted the gluten-free list from McNeil, you can find it here--post #6

Open Original Shared Link

Note the the Rapid Release is *not* gluten-free.

Yeah, it's the rapid release I just took a few days ago. Thanks for the link.

I'm waiting a call from the nutritionist myself; but then my doctor's PA told me that she had sent someone else to see this same person, and didn't learn anything she hadn't learned on the Internet.

Thus, if my insurance ins't going to cover it, I'm going to research it out myself. My questions, though, if I do go:

1. where is hidden gluten

2. are we talking molecular levels - do I need my own toaster/cutting board/etc.

3. if I'm not one of those folks who instantly reacts to gluten, how can I be sure I'm safe

4. do I need a biopsy?

5. how do I get myself a bone density scan, and how often do they need to be checked up (though this might be more for your regular doc)

6. how can I be sure I'm getting enough fiber?

7. if I'm unable to absorb nutrients through my intestines right now, how can I get some vitamins/minerals into my system?

8. are there ways s/he knows of to help convince my family to get tested (Mom and sister)

9. what are support groups in my area

10. are there any studies that need my info right now?

11. are there any physicians s/he knows of who are experts in celiac that I might consider seeing?

i don't know...those are just some ideas. I think the hidden gluten, especially in non-food items, is important. Every time I use my shampoo and stuff I wonder what is in it, and since I don't read industrial gobbledy-goop, I can't tell myself.

Good luck.

I've always had cold hands and feet too, but wonder if it gets worse when I'm anemic. I'm anemic right now pretty badly, and I'm all over cold, even though it might be 70 outside. Okay, we're not really having spring this year, so it is not 70 outside, it's 60. But still....

maybe anemia?

Because I also have ITP (a potential bleeding disorder), Tylenol is the only pain killer I am allowed to have (it doesn't thin the blood). However, I've read Tylenol contains gluten.

Any ideas?

Also, can I have some acetomenephin (sp?) made by the phramacy that is gluten free?

White Stripes

Beth Orton

Niko Case

Johnny Cash

Black Sabbath

Nick Drake

new Neil Young

I have been going to an acupunctureist for about 4 months now and have seen amazing results. She has all but cured my allergies (usually by this time of year I would be a hay fever mess). When i get an accidental glutening she is able to get rid of the d and minimalize my reaction. I started seeing her originally because when I got glutened the reactions were getting severly worse. I would end up in the hospital within hours with severe dehydration, etc. Now even if I get a cold or the flu, she is able to minimize how sick I have gotten. She is working on building my immune system up etc. I see her once a week, it cost $30 but it is worth it. She also uses herbs. She is a caucasion american women (in other words no language barrier), who has a background in nutrition. She studied in China.

If any one in the Seattle area is interested in trying this, send me a message I will get you her contact info.

I'm in Bellingham and would love to get the info. I see an Ayurvedic Doctor....actually, I'm of to the doc right now to get a B12, so will post later. But if you can send me this woman's info, that would be great. Thanks.

Here's a breathing exercise that is supposed to tone the thyroid. It takes a while to start making a difference, but it is supposed to help. I was given this exercise by my Ayurvedic doc from India who has done so much to cure me of other ailments. (I've never done this one long enough to see if it works, and I'm only subclinical hypothyroid.)

Put your chin to your chest

Inhale through your nose

Stretch your neck all the way back so you're facing the sky

Exhale through your mouth

Repeat several times.

Repeat twice or so a day.

I don't know if it will help, but it is an idea from a different medical tradition, one thousands of years old.

Good luck!

Oh yeah, also not a teen, but definitely a NEAR vegan (I eat salmon and eggs, but not salmon eggs). There's lots to eat, and I don't eat soy, potato, nightshades, etc. Good thing I like my veggies, eh?

And to the tired. I was diagnosed a week ago after asking for the test due to fatigue mostly, and itching. I have felt MORE tired and MORE brain-foggy since then. I've had 1 b12 shot and am going in tomorrow and then once a week for more...they should help. Are you taking Vitamin B12, either shots or sublingual pills (dissolve under your tongue)? That should help.

Good luck!

I like "Food For Life" brand Raisin pecan, but it is a sweet bread; also very dense, can give you heartburn if you're not careful. I am glad to hear the recommendations for regular bread - I miss having some toast to soak up my poached eggs!

www.foodforlife.com

I just heard back from ShiKai, a healthy brand, and they say all but their oatmeal shower gels/soaps are gluten free.

Does anyone know about hair dye? I have been "washing the gray right out of my hair" for a few years...can I continue?

I emailed ShiKai the other day to ask about gluten in their products. I just got a reply saying that all their products are gluten free except for their shower gels containing oatmeal.

Just thought I'd pass it on. I like their fragrance sandalwood/amber.

Is this magnesum going to be absorbed through the intestines, or do I need to be searching for a sublingual version?

-Sherri

I just got dx'd and I've had a bizarre off and on sore throat for a few years. It literally comes on and goes away within an hour. Weird. Obviously better than having it all the time...but it's never been explained. Maybe it's aliens.