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Howdy -
My original post warned that the package notes for Sucralfat  
suspension that we found on the internet says it contains wheat.  Our  
celiac daughter reacted to tablets obtained from the pharmacist that  
were called Sucralfate with a prototypical gluten reaction,  
consisting of gurgling stomach and increasingly sore joints.  I also  
asked for ideas about dealing with acid reflux as we couldn't get an  
appointment with a gastro for several months.

One person suggested that I contact the pharmacist and ask who  
manufactured the Sucralfate, as Carafate (the same thing, different  
manufacturer) is known to be gluten free.  I did, and found that our  
Sucralfate tablets were distributed by Watson Pharmaceuticals in  
Corona California and manufactured by Aventis Pharmacy in Kansas  
City, Missouri.  I called Watson, and was told they do not consider  
themselves to be a gluten free drug company because they do not test  
any of their products for gluten and so don't know for sure what has  
gluten in it.  The customer service representative said that the  
starch in the product was corn starch.  I told her about our  
daughter's reaction and someone was supposed to call me back but didn't.

So I guess that each manufacturer can have their own individual  
"recipe" for a drug (but call it the same thing!).  In the future, we  
will contact the manufacturer to make sure we know what is in our pills.

An update on the gastroenterologist - in frustration, my husband  
called our family doctor (daughter has been seeing a pediatrician)  
and they have a gastro who will see patients over 16 (and she just  
turned 16).  So we have an appointment in a couple of weeks.   
Hooray!!  He has prescribed Aciphex for her which she will try  
tomorrow.  My research indicates that it is GF and we are sticking  
with the brand name, not trying a generic.

I am hoping that this new gastroenterologist will help us to figure  
out whether her problem is from too much acid or not enough acid or  
something else entirely.

Summary of feedback below, my comments in parentheses.

Your feedback and ideas:
- symptoms might just be side effect of the pill, which include  
indigestion.  (Don't think so because joint pain isn't a known side  
effect)
- ask family doctor to make an appointment for you
- ask if can see a nurse or physician assistant sooner
-  Try DGL losenges or Heartburn Free (have tried both these in the  
past - DGL helped but doesn't any more and had adverse reaction to  
Heartburn Free)
- eat 3-4 oz of ABCD yoghurt each day (daughter is allergic to milk  
products which give her migraines)
-  Prilosec-OTC
-  Try specific carbohydrate diet (information at  
www.austinscdfriends.com)
-  Eliminate dairy as well (she has been dairy free for two years)
- Try an antihistimine for a couple of days. (Although the allergist  
we consulted insists that she isn't allergic to anything in the  
world, our daughter's acidic stomach seems to be related to her  
copiouspost nasal drip.  We think it might be caused by our dry and  
polluted air, as she was much better on a recent trip to the coast.)
-  Try Zantac or Prevacid
-  Omeprazole is generic for Prilosec and is guaranteed gluten free  
although Prilosec isn't
-  Don't drink coffee or soda, eat 6 small meals a day; minimize  
tomato   (our daughter doesn't eat tomatoes or drink coffee or soda -  
only water.  Frequent small meals is probably a good idea for her)
- Try a compounding pharmacist
-  In 2006, TEVA brand sucralfate was GF.  Some folks say sucralfate  
is not good for celiacs as it prevents absorption.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and sympathy.

Jackie in AZ
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