A Little History - My Celiac Disease Diagnosis

I'm so sorry that this happened to you! Thanks for sharing your story. I would have never thought to ask if guacamole contained gluten. I think I've been getting a little lax about checking foods, and this was the wake-up call that I needed. I hope that you're feeling back to your Gluten-Free self very soon!

So what was in the guacamole that contained gluten?

First off, just wanted to say - that sucks! We went to a celebration dinner when my husband found a new job (about 2 years ago), and we went to a specific restaurant that always made my Gluten-Free pasta to order. Turns out they made my meal with regular pasta... Half a bowl and a month later, as I was packing up and moving I was still sick - all the usual symptoms were lingering.

Drinking only fruit juice for lunch or breakfast will help speed up your recovery time--I would say a week or two tops.

I suspect my husband may have Ceiliac. We have 5 daughters, one diagnosed last month, 3 others tested this month- 2 negative, 1 positive. 21 year old is refusing the blood test. Everything that my husband has been experiencing over the past 25 years is totally understandable IF he has Celiac...last month he moved out in his latest effort to find happiness. I tested negative, he sees his doctor today.

I, too, was doing fine in NZ and Australia on the WYD trip until I ate one wrong thing (by mistake). 5 days later I was still taking Lomatil to abate my symptoms and not ruin my trip. The best of intentions...

I want to thank you for sharing your story. I just spent four days with my family who could not understand what it is like to be a celiac. I am the ONLY diagnosed one in the family. I would have to walk away because they were shoving gluten laden food in my face and on my plate. (needless to say, I used several plates.) I understand the recovery time for consuming gluten, and it sounds like I am not the only one who can suffer so much from such a small amount.

How can I get my family to understand that I cannot eat their comfort food, delicious as it may be?

Again thank you for sharing, I had been feeling quite alone in my gluten free world. It was nice to have the confirmation that I am not alone.

west end

Boise, ID

To the person who suggested drinking fruit juice for awhile until their stomach recovers...I'd stay away from all citrus. I've had a few VERY BAD reactions from putting orange juice or lemon aid in my stomach after eating questionable items. Usually they don't upset me at all, but I have ballooned (to the point where the waist band of my otherwise loose fitting pants were hurting me so much.), and I think its just from your gut being mad already, that adding citrus really kicks it up a notch. Good luck.

I have had serious problems from eating at the Whole Foods salad bar, myself and no longer go there to eat, just to purchase groceries.

A great recovery product (that I just commented on in response to the article by Janet) is called Glutagenics by Metagenics. It may only be available through health care practitioners - I buy mine from my chiropractor. It contains glutamine, licorice root and aloe and seriously works! Other products that aid in restoring the intestinal lining include omega-3 oils and zinc supplements. I vary my sources of those. Additionally, a good probiotic helps wonderfully. The one that works best for me is called Lacidofil by Xymogen. Be careful of probiotics, many of them are not gluten and dairy free (I have to stay dairy free, too).

Finally, for the persistent nausea that I get, ginger root works wonderfully. My favorite brand actually comes from England, but there has to be a local brand that comes in a capsule form and has the following similar ingredients: 550mg ginger root, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide.

Here's hoping to a speedier recovery!

Jennifer

I have had celiac for 6 years now since diagnosis, and really haven't been back for a check up since. But occasionally, I get what I know as gluten reactions, but lately when it happens, I've been thinking it could be something more as well...like something in addition to celiac...I am 25 years old.

I wanted to follow up in response to one of your comments, asking what exactly was in the Guacamole that I consumed. As it turns out, there was a 'seasoning' packet mixed in that contained 'modified food starch' and in my case, that's all it took. I literally at 2 Tbsp. of the stuff, but clearly that was enough. I've seen these packets used in other guacamoles and at parties, etc... so I warn you all to be extra diligent when it comes to this type of 'fun food.' Thanks for all of your great comments.

Aimee

I'm very sorry...I hate it when that happens. You literally have to check every single thing that goes into your mouth...I find it better just to not eat out at all even though they say it is gluten free. It still messes with me. I also know how annoying it is when you just want to get the gluten out of your system because you feel like crap but it only takes longer that way. Hope your feeling back to your gluten free feeling! Good luck.

I'm new to the gluten-free world since being put on a gluten, dairy, wheat, and corn-free diet two months ago. I am struggling with getting my protein in and am scared sometimes to eat anything because I don't want to eat the wrong thing.

I'm curious, why can't you eat at a salad bar if you are eating things like shredded chicken or raw broccoli or artichoke hearts or anything that is on your diet but in a separate bin, why can't you have that at a salad bar?

How funny I should stumble on this. I had some of that guacamole today...two tablespoons to be exact and I am in absolute misery! I thought I read the ingredients. I'm new to being Gluten-Free so I guess I need to be more careful. I'll make it from scratch next time.

I feel your pain! The depression and brain fog that linger after accidentally ingesting gluten are the toughest things for me. It makes it so difficult to think and work -- and just plain live. Thanks for the info about the salad bar at Whole Foods. It's been an easy, fast salad dinner in the past for me, but it's just not worth the possible contamination.

Thanks for sharing. It was recently suggested to me that I may have a gluten sensitivity. I had somewhat dismissed it, but had taken several days off. Then, without thinking, I had some. Holy Cow!! I went into anxiety overdrive and bordered on panic. When I did a little research I discovered that was probably from the gluten. Reading your story and description of symptoms makes me believe that was the cause. I had been doing so well prior to the 'gluten incident'. Thanks again!

I value your comments. I too was poisoned on the 23rd of August, at a restaurant I had eaten at. I am extremely angry about it, as I was very explanatory to the waitress, and even asked the server twice to make sure and was assured that the food did not contain any gluten, and no wheat either. This was the 2nd time I had eaten at the restaurant, the first time there was not a problem. The 2nd visit, the waitress got angry that I was ordering so specifically. I want to do something about it, and have spoken to several lawyers, but none are familiar with Celiac. The depression part is hitting me hard right now, and it is causing major complications for my life, I have been so sick and still cannot eat, or wake up. Yesterday I could not walk. I have been so careful, and for this to happen to me because of a pissed off waitress...

I too am in the third week of a gluten reaction. Not only do I feel the aches and pains, but my hair falls out with each gluten exposure. I thought I was doing very well in watching what I ate. I did get some cross-contamination poisoning from eating out. Where I hadn't reviewed ingredients of products I use was in the bathroom. Two shampoos in my shower and the hair mousse I use contained wheat! I'm now going back and checking everything in my house. I'm very interested in finding something to help with these reactions.

Hello Fellow sufferers,

I really needed this today...my friends and family are sympathetic, but because it is an 'internal' illness, they can't understand the level of misery we go through. I was feeling very sorry for myself today as I am very sick this weekend resulting from eating gluten. I was also wondering if I was the only one who averages 2-4 weeks of recovery time, and a pretty consistent delivery of Symptoms. I'm in the gut wrenching pain part now, which is about 1.5 weeks in, and is very painful.... Eeek.

Maybe you can help me... I travel with my job, and eating can be a very big challenge. They just don't realize the degree to which North America peppers everything with gluten protein. We have a culture of Cheap and efficient solutions, and gluten protein seems to be number one on our list of how to make things work for consumers. When I travel in North America, I have a difficult time helping the staff 'get' what gluten is, and often end up with gluten episodes when I count on them to help me eat properly. Does anybody travel with work, and if so, what solutions do you use? I can't bring food as I stay in hotels, and the airlines won't usually let me bring food on board. Airports do not have gluten free food generally speaking and hotels are largely ill equipped to accommodate me. Solutions would be very welcome....

Thank you so much for posting this. I'm in the same boat, recovering from a self inflicted gluten poisoning. I had to leave work today because I felt so bad/weird. I hope you feel better soon.

I feel alone too. Its nice to hear that other people often have difficulties. When a reaction occurs it does no good to hear people saying cheer up. Its not that simple. Wish you well.

Hey I think you have a great blog going here, I found it on Bing and plan on returning regularly for the information that you all are providing.

I've found that it is because of the possibility of cross-contamination, just a touch of it and you are down for the count, good luck

I have traveled a few times since diagnosis in January. I am heading to Boston, Miami, St. Thomas, Washington DC and home for the next 2 weeks, ugh. I will take a lot of trail mix, trail bars and don't know what else I can take. I'm feeling paranoid because I don't trust what people tell me in restaurants, have been flat out lied to big time. I had Thai Food today and think there was wheat in the sauce on the spinach, 3 trips to the toilet at Walmart (as if Walmart isn't bad enough). I think I will talk to the cooks where I go, I don't care what anyone thinks, I'll be sick now for my trip from today (my fault, I checked on the curry, did not ask about another sauce, man you cannot get lax, good luck.

I believe people working in the food industry should be held accountable for POISONING their customers. Food poisoning...gluten poisoning...what's the difference?!