Confused

[wedgy]

I have been living a GF life for 4 months now and feel 90% better following advice from my Doctor. I have been extremely careful what I eat, however for the last 3 weeks I have been eating a small amount of Ryvita's (Rye Crispbread) without knowing they contain Gluten which has had no reaction. Generally any Gluten I have consumed has always given me stomach cramps and nausea. Any ideas?

[aklap]

Hey Wedge,

You may have just found the 10%. Gluten is found in Wheat, Barley, Rye. So, yeah, rye bread/crackers has gluten.

Basing gluten intake on reactions is not a good idea. Damage can and does occur even though you don't "feel it" [aka a reaction of some sort]. This damage is occurring at a microscopic level.

The amount of gluten you've been consuming might be small enough that it's just making you feel crappy.

Also, I have to wonder if there just might be some really sneaky hidden gluten getting in somewhere. You might be extra attentive to things like "natural flavors". By law, only wheat must be disclosed on the labels. This leaves barley and rye that could be hidden.

Then there's cross contamination issues? Do you live in a GF household?

Maybe you've got other food issues? It's very common to have issues with soy, corn, dairy, grains in general, etc. You might consider keeping a food journal to see if you can track down what's going on.


Keep looking for that gluten!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[cruelshoes]

Here are my thoughts:

*Absence of symptoms is not the same thing as absence of reaction. One does not need to feel it for gluten to be doing his/her body harm.
*Celiac symptoms can change over time
*If one goes "Gluten-lite" it can take a while before the immune system reaches its tipping point and causes a reaction that you can feel.

Just out of curiosity, why are you eating this food? Do you now believe that gluten is not the cause of your previous symptoms? If you have celiac disease, there is no safe level of gluten. No gluten ever, period.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[cruelshoes]

[wedgy]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Will look at keeping a food journal and try and be a bit more careful.