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    Kristen Campbell
    Kristen Campbell

    How Celiacs can Deal with Accidental Gluten Ingestion

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac.com 01/03/2009 - Recently on a gluten-free forum, I found a post asking for advice on what to do after a woman had accidentally consumed a large amount of gluten.  After unknowingly eating from her daughter’s takeout box, the woman had realized her mistake and was simply devastated to have broken her diet and subjected herself to the old, too-familiar symptoms that were on their way.

    It was interesting reading the various responses, which resulted in a debate over whether or not to induce vomiting, drink pineapple juice, take enzymes or engage in a certain illegal activity.  In all the debate, the woman eventually disappeared off the forum, which probably meant that she took some action or another, though I never heard the final result.

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    This whole subject inspired some research on my part.  I first consulted my extensive gluten-free library, which led me to one solitary, repetitive answer: do not eat gluten.  In a world where doctors and authors alike are so concerned that their advice on the subject will lead people with gluten sensitivities to forgo a gluten-free diet in favor of a “band aid” of sorts, that finding a documented recommendation is near impossible.

    These experts are right to reinforce the importance of maintaining a gluten free lifestyle, and the fact that there is no “cure” for gluten intolerance and celiac disease (other than complete avoidance of gluten from wheat, barley and rye).  But mistakes do happen, and from time to time people do get "glutened,” and when they do, which action is best?

    No matter what the size is of the offending dose of gluten, all experts agree, inducing vomiting is too dangerous and disruptive to the body to be considered.  But there is one option that at least two noted experts in field of celiac research agree upon: enzymes.

    When I contacted the renowned Dr. Kenneth Fine of EnteroLab, and asked him if perhaps a dose of enzymes that are designed to break down gluten might help, he had this to say: “The good news is that everyone will survive and recover from the gluten exposure.  The enzymes you mention might help, but not completely, unless they consumed at the same time (as the gluten) for best results.”  And like all good doctors, he did go on to warn, “Avoidance is still the best policy.”

    Shari Lieberman, PhD, CNS, FACN and author of The Gluten Connection very humbly admits that “gluten slips happen.”  She also devotes a couple of pages in her book to research conducted using digestive enzymes to help manage those occasions when gluten does make its way into your diet, citing a research example in which “The study demonstrates that enzyme therapy can substantially minimize symptoms in people with celiac disease who are exposed to gluten.” 

    The enzyme used in this study does not seem to be currently available, but other gluten enzymes are at your local health food store.  I contacted one company in regard to their product, which according to them helps to reduce inflammation caused by the introduction of gluten in an individual with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.  According to them their enzymes will not prevent all damage, but may reduce some inflammation and help the body to better digest the protein.

    Ultimately, gluten sensitive individuals should recover from one accidental “gluten slip” here and there, and keeping some digestive enzymes handy to help cope with such an accident is not a bad idea.  But do keep in mind that repeated offenses, even the most minute, will damage your body and prevent it from healing.  Enzymes help treat the symptoms, but only complete avoidance of gluten can treat the disease.



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    Guest Mary

    Thanks for posting this article - and thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. I have had success with apple cider vinegar in the past, and have been tempted to buy enzymes at Super Supplements that aid in accidental gluten ingestion.

    Like a complete idiot, I chose to eat gluten today and I am absolutely feeling it - only an hour later. My joints and hands are immediately swollen and my head feels like a swollen, disconnected balloon. So fatigued and achey, sinuses and face feel awful. Why did I do that to myself? Ugh. Maple bars... not worth it.

     

    Thanks everyone for posting, this was super helpful. I'm off to buy tequila and enzymes!

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    Guest Jackson

    Posted

    Believe it or not, I have found that one shot of tequila within a few hours of ingesting gluten greatly minimizes my symptoms, almost to the point of negating any reaction! Just one shot, though!

    Like an earlier contributor, I too use tequila as a medicinal treatment for everything from the flu to GI relief. Remember, it is natural vs. the many chemicals in Rx bottles! My dosing is 1 1/2 to 2 traditional size "shots" of high quality tequila along with a multi-vitamin and B complex vitamin. I use it maybe 2 or 3 times a year and it has never failed me in the 26 years of the practice!

     

    If for any reason you choose not to drink alcohol, please don't take this as a suggestion to do so. This only works when under control and very infrequently.

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    Guest Teresa

    Posted

    I have been gluten-free for over a year, but I get products that say gluten-free but are not. My remedy is a heating pad, peppermint tea with a splash of ACV and honey 2-3 times a day. My symptoms are harsh, swelling in intestines (bad) lower back pain, constipation and loss of energy.

     

    I tried tequila just a shot and it took the edge off. Someone said charcoal pills which I will try this week. My symptoms last 3-7 days. Pain-pain in the intestines.

     

    I will let you know how the charcoal pills work, I purchased Gluten Digest at a health food store, didn't work.

     

    Bottom line:

    fruit/veggies

    water

    pepermint tea w/ ACV and honey

    heating pad to reduce inflamation

    rest

    * a good husband helps. :)

     

    We are gaining ground folks, people are becoming aware. And we are being intentional in eating.

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    Guest fretavill@hotmail.com

    Posted

    For me, the best relief for accidental gluten ingestion has been to get the gluten out of my body as soon as possible. I treat it with a full day of a good allergy med that works for you, 2 doses of Miralax in apple juice and water, and a clear liquid diet plus lots and lots of water and moderate walking. I use this "treatment" until mydigestive system is free of the gluten: about 6-8 hours, which is much better than suffering for 3 days! Good luck!

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    Guest Cheavon

    I'm glad I found this article! I was just recently diagnosed only 3 months ago and I struggle with this too...the only solution that I have come up with is removing it from my body as soon as possible!! ( not by vomiting can't bring myself to do it) but senna or laxatives yes... then I follow it with 2 week course of Nexium no advertisement.... Pepcid AC is the same just only half the dosage... I take that to heal my stomach lining if not the post nasal drip is terrible and the mucus in my throat OMG! I was just recently glutened a few days ago. The worst ever sick for days

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    Guest Jenn C.

    Posted

    Wow the comments in this forum were SUPER helpful! I've had some of my own remedies that I'd vaguely heard about and was superstitious with - the tequila and taking a good antihistamine like my preferred Zyrtec-D - but the apple cider vinegar is one I will try when I get home! I was desperate for chocolate today and I ate a fun-size Milky Way bar because I'm a moron and thought I was cool because I didn't see "wheat" on the allergens...Milky Ways have malted BARLEY in them though and now I am miserable and trying to mitigate my reaction which is an immediate constriction of my breathing, swelling of my sinuses, neck, fingers and knees and a very foggy head. The belly swelling will come later and stick around for a few days to up to 2 weeks. Joy.

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    Guest Laurel

    Posted

    In the weeks before I was diagnosed, the ONLY thing that would ease my mysterious stomach pain/nausea/heartburn was Celestial Seasoning's Tummy Mint Tea. I know I might sound like a corporate plant here, but it's a completely benign thing to at least give a try. Even though I'm now on a gluten free diet, it seems my stomach upsets easily, and it is almost always effective. I'm sure other brands of tea with similar ingredients would work as well.

    Agreed! I got glutened and sip on their peppermint tea.

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    Guest Ray

    I am happy to see this article. For me a gluten "slip" isn't a slip of willpower, it's simply as innocent as eating out -- for lunch with colleagues or out of town at a new restaurant, where the staff is ever so sure that the food is gluten free. Only to find out later in the day- that it's not (I happen to suffer immediate + painful consequences - no laxatives necessary... but I still worry about the inflammation and damage to my body). Thanks for posting this - I'm rushing to the health food store for some enzymes for the next event, which might be better called - a gluten "poisoning".

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    Guest Joette

    When I get accidentally triggered (usually from cross contamination or mislabeling) it will be about 8 hours after I ingest , and it causes severe cramping, diarrhea, and extreme bloating in my upper intestine. I go to clear liquids and start taking diatamaceous earth suspension - I know it sounds weird, but ask your health food store about it. I think it works like the charcoal, as it absorbs the gluten out of your tract and carries it out. I drink lots of water, and let my body cleanse itself. After 10 days to 2 weeks, I can usually function using Claritin D, Pepto Bismol, and prescription dicylomene for spasm. Psyllium husk helps restore natural digestive rhythm when I am healed up.

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    Guest Maureen

    Posted

    Wow. I cannot believe all the posting on eating gluten and having the same symptoms I get when I accidentally find out that it had a hidden gluten ingredient. I had a small piece of chocolate last Friday, Ghirardelli's. The ingredients looked okay. Well I have been SO sick since then. It has been 1 week. Online their website says that they try to clean machines but their candy is not gluten free. Well I have had severe gastritis symptoms. The next day I had diarrhea and stomach pains all day. The next few days I had severe burning in my stomach and severe nausea. 2 doctors later they tell me it is gastritis and gave me meds to take. Blood work done came back normal, so happy. But still feeling like crap. Husband is tired of hearing me complain! He does support me at all, so stress also adds to my situation. I have been living on toast with jelly, jello, cream of rice, flat ginger ale, gluten free crackers, and chamomile tea. I just can't get rid of the nausea, it comes and goes. I had diarrhea the other day for about 5 hours. It is now 1 wk today and I am just slightly better, but not 100%. I cannot believe that a small piece of candy could do so much damage. I am so careful. We cannot go out and we do not go out to eat. I cook everything at home and I am okay with that because I am in control. Mostly I eat plain chicken or plain salmon. My question is is 1 week normal to feel like this? My husband is pushing me to go to a GI doctor, as he is disgusted with me complaining. For the most part I am okay, but I do have my days. I am gluten free about a year. I don't think your body ever really heals itself completely after eating gluten for 50 years, so I just feel that it is my normal. I am taking anti acid pills, the doctor gave me Prilosec, Pepcid,and zolfran for nausea, although TUMS seems to help instantly when I get the nausea feeling and I am good for most of the day. Of course my stomach is irritated since I took a lot of MOTRIN and AMOXICLLIN for 2 wks for gum infection and doctor really thinks I irritated my lining of my stomach I think it is a combination of the gluten candy and the medication irritation. Anyone have this? What is the longest it takes to recover from being gluten. So tired of telling everyone I have a stomach virus...no one gets it.

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    Guest matthew smith

    Posted

    Believe it or not, I have found that one shot of tequila within a few hours of ingesting gluten greatly minimizes my symptoms, almost to the point of negating any reaction! Just one shot, though!

    This posting was a Godsend!! My girlfriend has a severe gluten allergy and after accidentally ingesting a fair share of gluten and feeling very ill was near her wits end. Luckily I saw the above post about the Tequilla remedy and happened to have some Jose Quervo agave tequila handy. Let it be know that she is not a drinker and was reluctant at first but almost immediately after taking a shot felt 100 percent better. It's been an hour since and she is still feeling no effects. JOSE JOSE JOSE VIVA LA MEXICO!!!!

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    Guest Traci C

    Posted

    I'm so glad for this post. I've been gluttoned via sneaky ingredients such as spices or seasoning on foods at picnics etc. Someone contaminating condiments or the butter. I normally get extremely painful psoriasis in those instances. What has worked for me is taking an allergy pill 2x a day for a week (my pcp advised this after I was unsuccessfully treating myself topically for a month). It went away within a few days. If I were to consume a piece of bread or noodles, I'd be vomiting before finishing my plate. I'm thankful for the suggestions posted here in the event I get served the wrong food at a restaurant.

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    Kristen Campbell

    Kristen Campbell is a gluten-free, natural beauty expert. Diagnosed with severe gluten intolerance, she tests and tries, then recommends only the very best and purest gluten-free cosmetic products.


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