Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.
Good for you deciding to be proactive in light of your mom's testing and intolerances as well as your corn "issues". Have you noticed any problems with gluten or dairy or did you decide to eliminate them from your diet based on your strong family history? Marliss, you mentioned "gut issues" and I'm seeing some of the same minor issues with my kids as well... when they tell me about it.
My children are a bit younger (I'm guessing) and I have explained what I'm dealing with and the likelihood that they have a good chance of developing some of the same problems. I've suggested that they consider eliminating gluten and dairy now but they don't want to hear it. They tell me they "feel bad for me" and the limited diet I have and don't want to do anything unless they have to.
There is a wealth of wonderful information and people here. You have a great mom!
Yes, my mom is great!
As far as issues with gluten, for the last year or so I was paying more attention to how my body reacted to corn, so I didn't pay any attention to reactions to gluten. I will be from now on. For dairy, I am most certainly lactose intolerant. I found that out...oh...about ten years or so ago when I had to go to the bathroom about an hour after eating potato soup. The first time I thought it odd, so the next day I ate the soup again and had the same reaction. My grandfather is lactose intolerant, so it didn't surprise me. I can drink lactose-free milk with no problems, so I'm pretty sure that I have no issues with casein. I think that's what Mom is referring to when she mentioned my gut issues. I will say that if I DO drink milk with lactose in it, or eat ice cream or anything else with lactose in it, I make sure I'm going to be at home the rest of the day, but it doesn't happen all that often.
As others have said it is great you are being so proactive. Hopefully from now on there will be more well informed people like you tackling things before they go too far.
Hi, Lauren! I've been searching for GF shampoo and skin lotion. What shampoo do you use? Even Johnson's Baby Shampoo makes my scalp itch. I've used glycerine soap as shampoo just to get relief. Aveeno lotion (unscented) on my skin seems okay, but I'm still not sure about it on my face. Any suggestions?
Pat C.
"Don't sweat the small stuff.
P.S. (It's all small stuff!)"
I'm going to jump in because Lauren is a busy young lady and not an everyday reader here...
There are a lot of choices, and other than gluten, you may have individual responses (so some GF products might be better or worse for you, even if they don't contain soy or dairy, due to even natural/herbal fragrances).
I was looking at the gluten-free savonnerie (http://www.gfsoap.com/) but then remembered how much I loved a gift I got from Suki's Naturals a few years ago. Very expensive, but I'm going to treat myself to their travel kit. I'm going to call and ask the source of some of those harder-to-pronounce ingredients.
Out there in the world of DIYers (not necessarily GF), some folks are making their own shampoo, or using just baking soda. A little googling will either inspire or horrify you ;) I have diluted my own shampoo and added baking soda, and I've used baking soda... I've given this a lot of thought considering I haven't really thought about it, if you know what I mean ;)
My skin is sensitive to a lot of things, also, and I hate a soap that leaves a film on the skin - I like to know that my hands are clean when I finish washing, so this is what I've used for decades:
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks, Sara and Tex! I'll try the Kirk's Castile Soap...I've seen it at our local store. And I'll check out the forum link. I'm learning so much! (No thanks to my docs!)
Pat C.
"Don't sweat the small stuff.
P.S. (It's all small stuff!)"
California Baby is gluten, dairy, soy and chemical free. There are lots of products and I have tried several of them including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotions. I have ordered from lucky vitamin via the web however I have found their products at Target as well.
Thanks, Kelly! I've just ordered California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash, and Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion. A bit pricey, but hopefully worth it!
Pat C.
"Don't sweat the small stuff.
P.S. (It's all small stuff!)"
Good luck Pat. Do you have a Target nearby? If you have short hair you should be okay. Unfortunately I have long hair and the shampoo and conditioner don't really work well enough for me. I have to use too much of both to make it worthwhile and the conditioner isn't conditioning enough for me although I have read some positive reviews. I absolutely love the body lotion however. I use the shampoo as a body wash which it is intended for as well and it works fine for that.
I'm still in search of a quality shampoo and conditioner which works well for long hair. I'm thinking about trying this one next (along with the matching conditioner) but it does get expensive trying all of these products. http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-127474-hu ... nium-12-oz
Kelly
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things~ Joe Paterno
My husband looooved California baby, which he discovered while we were on vacation with friends (and their actual baby). The mother thought it was hilarious, but I'm going to order it right now!
I'm going to stock up on the Kirk's, too - we are always looking for a soap we like. My husband feels sooo much better on the almost-GF/DF diet, and has definite skin/scalp issues... I think he dodged a gluten-bullet because I got sick first, to tell you the truth!
Hi Lauren
I think we might be kindred spirits. I'm new around here. I knew exactly what you meant by "invisible itch" - have that too! I cannot eat corn anymore and I know dairy gives me bad g-a-s. Oh, and I also have a mom with MC.
Good luck on your journey. I'll be super interested in what you learn.
Hi Lauren
I forgot to mention that a natural product I use for the itch is Tea Tree Oil (from Oz). A little dab will do ya. I have tried mixing it in water to dilute it, but since it really is oil it doesn't dissolve in the water. Plus it will attack most plastic bottles so you want to leave it in the glass bottle it comes in. Now I just dip a Qtip into the bottle and rub it over my itch area and it usually helps unless I have scratched my self raw...at which point it is too late and I just have to suffer or resort to a cortisone cream. Tea Tree Oil is also a natural disinfectant.
I feel comfortable recommending the Kirk's Castile Soap also. I have a supply of it although I alternate with "homemade' soaps when I have them. Not made by me but find them occasionally.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
