For those with sleep apnea and gluten sensitivity/celiac

There seem to be at least a few people here who have both apnea and gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. According to my allergist, because I'm GS, I should not put anything in my mouth that might contain gluten, or even on my skin near my mouth, or in my nose.

I've been doing a little research on products to use to seal one's mouth or lubricate one's nose. So far I've discovered that Super Poligrip and Super Poligrip strips don't have gluten, so they could be used. (I emailed them and got a reply). Of course, gluten is often used in adhesives, since it is sticky.

I've emailed the makers of KY jelly and Fougera Surgilube but haven't heard from either one. I'll post when I find out more. I've seen conflicting info on the net. One poster said that they contacted KY and that the company (Johnson & Johnson) said sometimes use gluten ingredients and sometimes not, so you couldn't be sure. Another poster said they were ok.

This could extend to the products you use to wash your equipment, since it comes into contact with your nose and mouth. I've checked Dr. Bronner's liquid unscented soap, and the company said that it's gluten-free.

As you already know, don't take this post as conclusive particularly if it's an old post by the time you read it, email them yourself, since ingredients can change and you don't want to be using old information on this one. But at least you'll have a place to start.

I'm posting this particularly for anyone new who needs to avoid gluten because it's such a pain to have to do more information gathering while you are trying to get your equipment and get going with treatment.

If you are GS or celiac and have anything to add, please do.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): seal

Right now, I am waiting to get a biopsy for celiac. I seem to have dermatitis herpetiforma and in fact was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the same time. I did not realize that apnea and GS might be linked... I have been concentrating on the OSA, since it is a definite. Gluten in non-food items had not occurred to me. Thanks for the post.

Is it true that there is a link between gluten sensitivity and OSA? I've got both, but can't imagine there being a link.

????

David

It seems that there are any things that go together, but whether or not they are actual causal or correlated I don't know. I have not researched celiac enough to know. It may be just a coincidence that people have both. If anyone has any links, please post.

Janine wrote:Right now, I am waiting to get a biopsy for celiac. I seem to have dermatitis herpetiforma and in fact was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the same time. I did not realize that apnea and GS might be linked... I have been concentrating on the OSA, since it is a definite. Gluten in non-food items had not occurred to me. Thanks for the post.

Hi Janine, is your skin being biopsied for the DH or are you getting the intestinal biopsy? I'd heard that all a person needed for the DH was a skin biopsy.

Janine wrote:Gluten in non-food items had not occurred to me.

Yes, there's a whole bunch of stuff like that. I'd imagine that with DH you would also want to take particular care with skin products.

One book my allergist recommended was "Gluten Free Living for Dummies" and it talks about that a bit. The food is much easier to monitor than some of the other stuff, like medications and things you put on your skin.

Snorkel wrote:Is it true that there is a link between gluten sensitivity and OSA? I've got both, but can't imagine there being a link.

????

David

Hi David,

I don't know if there's a link. If I ever find it's so, I'll be sure to post the study. But having to pay attention to all the different tapes and gels is a complication for those using xPAPs.

I received an email in my inquiring about KY Jelly. It looks as though it does not contain gluten. Here's a quote from the email.

In reference to your inquiry, our K-Y® Brand Jelly Personal Lubricant does not contain gluten. The source of the Glycerin,USP is Kosher Food Grade made from Soy Beans.

Thank you for your interest in our products. Should you have any comments or questions in the future, please feel free to contact us again. You can contact us via our website, or by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-582-6097. Our Health Care Specialists are available Monday through Friday, between 8 AM and 5 PM EST and would be happy to take your call.

Since it's Johnson & Johnson, I may be contacting them about their tapes. I'll post it here if I get one.

RosemaryB wrote: Hi Janine, is your skin being biopsied for the DH or are you getting the intestinal biopsy? I'd heard that all a person needed for the DH was a skin biopsy.

Hi Rosemary,
I am getting a skin biopsy. The blood work came back negative for celiac but I am not sure how accurate that test is.

RosemaryB wrote: Yes, there's a whole bunch of stuff like that. I'd imagine that with DH you would also want to take particular care with skin products.

One book my allergist recommended was "Gluten Free Living for Dummies" and it talks about that a bit. The food is much easier to monitor than some of the other stuff, like medications and things you put on your skin.

I really had not thought at all about non-food. Of course, it makes sense and you are right about skin products. It has been diagnosed as dry skin initially, so I was putting every cream under the sun on it. I think some made it worse. I better check my labels! Thank you!!!

I was able to do a little more research today. Here's a list of gluten free tapes

First Aid Tapes Johnson & Johnson
Non-Irritating Paper Tape
Paper Tape
All Purpose Clear Tape
All Purpose Cloth Tape
Cloth Tape
HURT-FREE™ Tape
SECURE-COMFORT™ Cloth Tape
Waterproof Tape
Coach Tape - Johnson & Johnson
(J&J customer service is 1-866-jnj-2873)

Neosporin original ointment
No gluten ingredients
But cross contamination not guaranteed