17 replies to this topic

[kerri124]

I went out to eat for the first time since being diagnosed. I asked for plain grilled chicken with nothing on it at all. They put it on top of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. I had them bring oil and red vinegar to the table. That was all I ate there. I woke up the next morning feeling so sick. But not with gastro symptoms like I have heard many of you talk about. I felt extremely tired, muscle aches and pains, a little dizzy and headachy. Is this a normal reaction? And what do you think I reacting too? I was pretty sure everything was gluten-free. I've only been on the diet for about 3 weeks. I was starting to feel a little bit better until this happened. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

Kerri

[kerri124]

I just wanted to add did anyone ever feel anxiety as a symptom of celiac disease? Thanks!

Kerri

[Tye-Kon]

Stacie:

I had the same thing happen to me with french fries, but these were from a MacDonald's. I had ordered french fries several times at different MacDonald's locations and never had a gluten reaction, but this was a MacDonald's I had never eaten at since being gluten-free. I ate the french fries and within 30 minutes I knew, boy did I know, I was sick for about 4 days. I'm afraid to go to MacDonald's again after that. Maybe I should have gotten a clue after opening up the box my burger was in and it had on it ketchup, mustard, and onions after specifically ordering a plain meat patty! I learned from that experience to check what the food looks like before driving away!HaHa

Tye-Kon

[mijoryma]

I am glad that I am reading all of everyone's information. I have been gluten-free since Feb. 16th, and I am feeling a little better some days and terrible on others. I feel like I am eating everything the right way, but then I end up sick again. For example today I ate a gluten-free rice roll with peanut butter and strawberry jam and I have been sick ever since. I think that my body is still taking time to heal, after I have read all of your comments. (or maybe my pb has bread crumbs in it)

I did want to let everyone know that I work at a McDonald's part time and they are the only fast food place that has a dedicated fryer for fries. Wendy's and Burger King do not. I have eaten there several times and have not gotten sick at all. I guess when we go to Wendy's we will have to stick with the baked potato.

If anyone has any ideas on how long it takes to feel better, please let me know. Thank you again for all of your help.

[mijoryma]

Thank you for the info. I am only 30 and have been dealing with misdiagnosis for 6 years. I cannot even imagine if it took any longer. I was very persistant and found a doctor who took the time to figure it out.

I was wondering if you completely eliminated everything from your diet (except meat and veggies) at first and then readded them after some time or if you just were eating gluten-free and dealt with the sickness. I have read other entries and noticed that some people thought that adding dairy and sometimes even grains after 6 months or so worked better for them. I had been feeling better as soon as I switched my diet, but now more recently have been having problems again. I hopefully will be able to see a nutrionist soon and get some answers.

Thanks again for your response. It made me feel better.

Michelle

[wildones]

There are two restaurants that I know of that have gluten free menus PF Changs and Outback. Chick-fil-a was always a favorite for my kids and also has gluten free items on their menu. I was there the other day and asked for a grilled chicken breast with out the bun. I usually just say I am allergic to wheat, because most people understand that, and they just don't get the auto-immune disorder thing. I got probably the stupidest comment yet about gluten . A woman told me that "our buns don't have wheat in them" when I asked her why she would say that she said "because they are white bread" I was trying not to laugh at her stupidity and could only say to her that she should NOT tell anyone else that there buns are wheat free. The Chick-fil-a near us has a dedicated fryer for their fries and we have not had any problems with them.
I have had reactions from various gluten accidents, that vary from GI, to extreme fatigue, achiness, irritability, headaches, depression, feeling 'in a fog' and my sons have had vomiting and shaking and skin reactions besides the classic GI reactions.

[kerri124]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I guess I will have to stick with eating only at places that have gluten-free menus. I am sure that my body still has plenty of healing to do as I've only been gluten-free for about 3 weeks.

[lovegrov]

A few comments.

Somebody said McDonald's was the noly place with a dedicated fryer, yet every single Wendy's I've ever checked also has a dedicated fryer. And every Burger King. The problem is that even at places with dedicated fryers, accidents happen.

PF Chang's and Outback are the most prominent and well-know places with a gluten-free menu (and the folks there might be better trained than at most places), but many others have them as well. Places like Wendy's and McDonald's you can go to their web sites and find what's gluten-free. Shoney's has a book at the restaurant that shows what foods have each of the eight major allergens (although not barley or rye). Numerous restaurants will send you a list if you contact them (and some will jst tell you to buzz off). I remember a woman on the St. John's list who collected gluten-free menus for something like 30 restaurants, although that list would be old by now. There's a fellow who sells a list for more than 50 restaurants.

Your best bet, at least when you're eating close to home, is to find some good local places that cook with mostly with fresh ingredients and then introduce yourself to the owner or the chef or cook.

Eating out is always risky, even at the most conscientious restaurants. Somebody who has been gluten-free just three weeks has not healed and should not be eating out yet. I didn't eat out for almost three months and I know gfolks who didn't eat out for a lot longer than that.

richard

[angel_jd1]

Every Wendy's I have checked with does not have a dedicated fryer for the fries. The fries are cooked in the same oil as the nuggets. I have even found a chicken nugget in my fries before!! (this was what prompted me to ask about it!) You are lucky to have found a wendy's with a totally seperate fryer for fries.

-Jessica