Gluten, Gluten, Where’s the Gluten?

Oh, good! The store brand of loratadine I got from HEB is gluten-free! I had just called Kroger and asked about their store brand of acetaminophen, (it has starch and cellulose with no indication of where it comes from), and talked with one of the nicest sounding ladies on the planet, who told me that she would have to have the bar code off the box so she could tell me who manufactured it. Then I could call and ask them. I almost didn’t bother to call HEB. Their loratadine has a starch that comes from corn, but I didn’t know where it came from until I asked. I’m glad I did. My face hurts and allergy med will help.

This is a common experience with medicines. Generic drugs, whether over the counter or prescription, are obtained from different companies at different times. The company that manufactures the medicine would have to be contacted. I guess they use some kind of number off the bottle  to check the batch to see what is in it. From what I’m reading on this website I’ll stick with the brand name for acetaminophen, but I can use HEB’s loratadine.

While I’m here… In my last post, I said I thought an antibiotic might have messed me up. I still don’t know for sure. The name brand would have been fine, but I took the generic. I didn’t think to ask the pharmacist to call the company. I’ve read that it helps if a medical professional makes that call; they tend to be able to get better attention to their call.

A couple of other things could have been the problem though. One is if I ate out at a place that used the same knife to put the mustard or whatever on my gluten-free sandwich that was used on regular bread. Or, even if they dip the knife in the same jar of mustard or whatever. Maybe they use a squeeze bottle? Or, if the bread or corn tortilla or something else that I might have eaten, was laid on the same surface that was used for foods that have gluten. Surfaces have to be cleaned in between or the gluten-free food will be contaminated. I’ve read that if there are people living in the same house, and some have gluten issues and others don’t, that they need separate toasters and have to be careful not to cross-contaminate food.

Another thing that could have happened is envelopes. I’ve licked the glue on several envelopes recently. Wheat is used in that glue. It’s also on stamps. Yea, for self-sticking stamps! Otherwise, I would have been exposed to even more gluten.

So, if you have come off gluten to see if it changes your energy level, your sense of optimism, your digestive issues, or whatever, make sure to check all sources, including meds and glue on envelopes and stamps. Now, I need to go call that lip balm company.