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Swollen Tongue

Leis

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Leis Rookie
Leis
Posted

Hello

I started a gluten free diet 3 weeks ago.  I have been bedbound for 11 years witha diagnosis of cfs.  I have been feeling a bit more clear headed but the last week ive started to slur my words.  Ive never had this before.  Today people cant understand me at all.  Its really got me quite scared.  I think my tongue is swollen.  Why is this happening?  I know i havent accidently eaten any gluten.  Would really appreciate some help, thanks. Leis.

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Do you have nursing care? If its a swollen tongue, that's usually an allergy and could be serious if it impedes breathing. And you know slurring could be a sign of a stroke. I think you need immediate medical care.

Leis Rookie
Leis
Posted
  • Author

Do you have nursing care? If its a swollen tongue, that's usually an allergy and could be serious if it impedes breathing. And you know slurring could be a sign of a stroke. I think you need immediate medical care.

Thanks Kareng

My boyfriend looks after me.  I dont think its a stroke as it came on gradually over the week.  I thought it might be an allergy but ive been eating quite simple food and nothing that ive never had before. Its not hugely swollen, just feels big in my mouth and is over my teeth instead of inbetween them.  I think its just too swollen to form words properly.  I hope it goes away, its embarrassing!  

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Thanks Kareng

My boyfriend looks after me.  I dont think its a stroke as it came on gradually over the week.  I thought it might be an allergy but ive been eating quite simple food and nothing that ive never had before. Its not hugely swollen, just feels big in my mouth and is over my teeth instead of inbetween them.  I think its just too swollen to form words properly.  I hope it goes away, its embarrassing!  

 

 

Ok....

 

Maybe you should call your doctor and run it by him/her.

anonymous-123 Rookie
anonymous-123
Posted

the tongue swelling happens to me usually a day or two after i eat pasta, bread, or beer.  but i'm not sure if that's your cause b/c you said you went gluten free.  it could be a different food that isn't agreeing with you.  when i tell my dr's about my swollen tongue they look at me like i'm crazy and i'm making it up and i've told the emergency room at the hospital, my allergy dr. and my primary dr. and no one can explain it, so i just pay attention to what i've eatin that was different that may have caused it.  it usually doesn't happen immediately after eating. sometimes it happens the day after eating pasta or bread or a new food that i haven't eaten before or in a while.  stress also makes me flare up.  i take zyrtec daily and I find that drinking peppermint tea and eating a tums before bed helps my swollen tongue come down a bit.   i think it has to do with my stomach.  not sure if that's same for you, but just try to pay attention when it happens and what you ate prior to it happening even what you ate the day before it happens.  i would also say you should contact your dr. just to get a checkup just in case it gets worse.  my dr. did give me an epipen just in case it were to ever get really bad.  good luck to you and hope your symptoms improve.

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Allergies randomly come on. I never knew i had a tomato allergy until after i went gluten free.

Leis Rookie
Leis
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking maybe an allergy was showing up.  Think it might be milk, i drink the lactose free stuff as im lactose intolerant.  Boo, i hope not.  The inside of my cheeks are swollen too, i hope this isnt going to happen all the time. 

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anonymous-123 Rookie
anonymous-123
Posted

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking maybe an allergy was showing up.  Think it might be milk, i drink the lactose free stuff as im lactose intolerant.  Boo, i hope not.  The inside of my cheeks are swollen too, i hope this isnt going to happen all the time. 

wow that definitely does sound like an allergy.  make sure to keep benedryl on hand just in case it gets worse.  hope you figure it out.  good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Leis Rookie
Leis
Posted
  • Author

Well its still swollen today but my inner cheeks seem to be more of a problem.  Theyve swelled up quite alot in the night!  Quite sore too as my teeth are cutting them and my tongue.  I tried an anti histamine last night but it didnt make much difference.  Im going to stay away from milk today and see if that helps! Thanks Leis x

anonymous-123 Rookie
anonymous-123
Posted

i was told by my dr that if i ingested something that caused my allergic reaction, to take pepcid as it also works like an antihistamine in the gut.  but i'm not sure if pepcid is gluten free or not.  i only took it when i had my huge hive breakout and stopped taking it after that. 

 

now if i have gut issues i just drink peppermint tea and tums or lemon water. i always take a daily antihistamine such as zyrtec. and when zyrtec doesn't work i take a benedryl on top of that. 

 

if you are not on antihistamines, maybe you should have allergy testing done.  that will tell you if you have any food allergies.

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

I just heard Dr. David Hilden on WCCO radio, Twin Cities, MN.   He felt If you had a swollen tongue you may have Celiac Disease.  He felt that could cause mal-absorption of vitamin B 12.  I was intensly interested since my tongue feels too big for my mouth sometimes.  I am on B 12.  I am not sure I am absorbing it.

 

Date today.  Sunday March 10,2013.  Perhaps one could find information if they asked WCCO.

 

I was truly amazed a doctor thought of the Celiac possibility right away.  I believe canker sores were mentioned in the same case as the swollen tongue.

 

Now, I will add my own thoughts.  I think even with supplements that mal absorption is an issue sometimes, so B 12 might be short.  What makes it better sometimes than others is what one might have to figure out to gain control.

cavernio Enthusiast
cavernio
Posted

My tongue never feels right, dry or swollen or sores on the sides. My b12 tests in a safe range, but I still take 1000ug every few days since it's never been too high. Dairy makes my tongue really dry. Never so bad as you're describing it though, it's a little extreme and warrants someone looking at it.

A lot of people seem to report feeling worse at around a 1 month mark, before they get better.

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