<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi! Listmates,

I am new to the list, and this is my first posting to the list group
completely.  I have had Celiac Sprue for 12 years.  I was diagnosed in
the fall of 1987 at the UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.  At that time
they said it was not hereditary, but my Dad was diagnosed in February of
1983.  Since we have both found out it is inherited.

For the first 7 years, I was in denial.  I figured anything I wanted to
eat was ok, if I didn't have a reaction.  Well after 7 years of eating
exactly just what I wanted, then it started to take its toll on my
intestinal track.  It started with instead of having diarrhea, having
trouble with times of constipation.  In short summary in July of 1994 I
underwent Major surgery to remove the damaged area of intestines.  It
was a slow recovery.  I was in the hospital for 8 days, and off of work
for 3 months.

I really learned a lesson and was watching my diet of GF.  I learned to
read all labels, and started to ask questions when I went out to eat.

The next problem came in 1995-1996.  I started to have alot of back
pain, trouble walking, and just moving at all.  I went through a battery
of x-rays, blood testing, more different xrays, each week a different
specialist, and finally a bone density scan.  I was diagnosed with
osteoporosis.  This occurred from exposed of gluten without the
knowledge of it.  I thought the muffins I purchased from a local bakery
were gf, but found out after the fact were not.  I now take prescription
vitamin D too help in absorption twice a week from now on.

My next experience with the wrong side of the gf diet came in the form
of colored dye in prescription and over-the-counter items, in reference
to Red 40.  Any red 40 is off limits to gf diet, my reaction to Red 40
was in the form of skin rashes and skin discoloration.

I can not use any hair products with any form of wheat or derivative
without have a skin reaction.  It is not worth not to read and research
the products we all use to be sure of gf products,

I am so very glad to have a group like all of you to share and get
information about gf products from, and again thank you to all who have
made this possible.  Have a 'Happy and Safe Holiday Season to all.'

Sandy from Rockton, IL