4 replies to this topic

[cblack]

Hi All,
I have been gluten free now going on 6 months and am doing quite well. Most, if not all of my symptoms and issues have disappeared on the gluten free diet. During the 6 month gluten free period, I have gotten "glutened" by mistake a couple of times, usually by eating out in a restaurant and getting cross contaminated. I've noticed that the longer I am gluten free, the more severe reaction I get if I do get glutened, and the longer recovery time. I usually know within 30 minutes that I've ingested gluten, immediate bloating, then quite rapidly progresses to severe stomach pain and cramping, severe nausea, and sometimes diarrhea. The pain is usually so intense that I quite literally curl into a ball. This will last for about 3-4 hours before easing and then I just feel lethargic and "tender" for about a week.

My question is this: Is there anything I can take during one of these episodes to ease the symptoms, just ease it enough that I can tolerate it and not feel like I'm going to die? Any over the counter medication that you know of or have experience with helping? We're getting ready to go on vacation and I'm a little nervous that I will get "glutened" while away. Any help is appreciated.

[Dixiebell]

I have heard some people take Pepto and some drink lots of water.

[rachy]

Hi cblack
I was given something called Digestaid from the naturopath to assist with this exact issue. The only problem I have found is the ones I was given contain lactose and I become lactose intolerant when Ive been glutened.
Hope that helps.
Rach

[Cypressmyst]

I got glutened this past weekend and got a headache and brain fog nearly immediately. Ate an organic apple and that helped considerably. I was able to focus and my headache got to a manageable point. Just something that I observed.

It does make sense though, apples are nature's detoxers.

I only inhaled gluten though, I didn't ingest it so I'm not sure it would help with intestinal distress.

[Marilyn R]

I don't know if this will help you, but it helps me...really reduces the recovery time.

Dissolve 1/2 cup epsom salt and 1/3 cup baking soda in your bath tub and soak in it with the hottest water you can stand for as long as you can. I read about this "detox soak" in a book about autoimmune diseases.

I concentrate on the toxins leaving my body while I'm soaking; started doing that after listening to a program on NPR with a cancer researcher commenting on the positive outcomes from people who meditate.

I drink plenty of filtered water and always make Thai chicken soup with coconut milk. (I posted my recipe in the recipe section of the forum, or you can google one...) I've read that coconut water (different from milk) was used as a "universal plasma" during WW II and has great healing properties. I always feel better when I have that soup, and it's just about the only thing appetizing to me when I'm dealing with the aftermath of being glutened. Probably any gluten-free chicken soup would help though...

Others have suggested rigorous exercise to sweat it out, but that's a tough row to hoe when you're miserable!

Hope this helps, and above all, I hope you feel better!