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I Got Glutened, Quasi-On Purpose. Bad Cathy...

clafran

By clafran
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

clafran Rookie
clafran
Posted

Please bump if this isn't the right forum/thread.

 

I have been gluten-free for more than two months, and I can honestly say I feel the difference.  I never had (discernible) tummy troubles, but tons of "other" issues.  The most concrete difference is my mood, my focus, and my energy level.   Eating at home is fine; DH and children are more than supportive, and we are working (slowly) toward testing the kids and having a completely gluten-free home.

 

So this weekend, I had a chance to see some old friends, and we went to Buffalo Wild Wings.  I knew right off the bat most things would be off-limits, so I settled on something "safe:"  chips and "molten buffalo dip."  Little did I know (and failed to ask), the fryers are multi-use, and the cheese dip came out in a deep-fried flour tortilla bowl.  

 

I decided to run a test, as I had no idea what kind of symptoms I might exhibit, should I be accidentally glutened.  Long story short, I found out.  In addition to the cross-contamination from the bowl, the cheese dip was evidently loaded with gluten.

 

The next morning, I thought I had a hangover.  I only had two ciders!  I felt hot, flushed, almost like a fever.  My ankles got sweaty!  After a bit, I was sick to my stomach.  I honestly though (hoped?) it was stomach flu, but no one else in my house got it, including two small ones who must stay in constant physical contact with me.  My mom, who is Celiac/DH, was sure immediately that I had gotten glutened.

 

I felt like crap the rest of the day, and the following day was a little rough for this high school teacher.  I finally feel like I'm on top of it (two days post-glutening), although I"m still really tired.  Despite my fatigue, my sleep has been poor, and it's been harder to fall asleep.

 

Sorry for the ramble -- I just didn't know where else to turn!  I know I can't be 100% sure, but I really do feel that I got glutened -- and suffered the consequences.  And no, before you ask, I will NEVER do that again!!

 

And a small post-script:  My MIL sent a lovely package of chocolates for us and the kids -- some of it has gluten, but all labels warn of cross-contamination on machinery.  Rats.  South Bend Chocolate Factory goodies.... *sigh*  That's OK.  I need to lose weight anyways, right?

 

Love and good health to all,

Cathy

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shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Please bump if this isn't the right forum/thread.

 

I have been gluten-free for more than two months, and I can honestly say I feel the difference.  I never had (discernible) tummy troubles, but tons of "other" issues.  The most concrete difference is my mood, my focus, and my energy level.   Eating at home is fine; DH and children are more than supportive, and we are working (slowly) toward testing the kids and having a completely gluten-free home.

 

So this weekend, I had a chance to see some old friends, and we went to Buffalo Wild Wings.  I knew right off the bat most things would be off-limits, so I settled on something "safe:"  chips and "molten buffalo dip."  Little did I know (and failed to ask), the fryers are multi-use, and the cheese dip came out in a deep-fried flour tortilla bowl.  

 

I decided to run a test, as I had no idea what kind of symptoms I might exhibit, should I be accidentally glutened.  Long story short, I found out.  In addition to the cross-contamination from the bowl, the cheese dip was evidently loaded with gluten.

 

The next morning, I thought I had a hangover.  I only had two ciders!  I felt hot, flushed, almost like a fever.  My ankles got sweaty!  After a bit, I was sick to my stomach.  I honestly though (hoped?) it was stomach flu, but no one else in my house got it, including two small ones who must stay in constant physical contact with me.  My mom, who is Celiac/DH, was sure immediately that I had gotten glutened.

 

I felt like crap the rest of the day, and the following day was a little rough for this high school teacher.  I finally feel like I'm on top of it (two days post-glutening), although I"m still really tired.  Despite my fatigue, my sleep has been poor, and it's been harder to fall asleep.

 

Sorry for the ramble -- I just didn't know where else to turn!  I know I can't be 100% sure, but I really do feel that I got glutened -- and suffered the consequences.  And no, before you ask, I will NEVER do that again!!

 

And a small post-script:  My MIL sent a lovely package of chocolates for us and the kids -- some of it has gluten, but all labels warn of cross-contamination on machinery.  Rats.  South Bend Chocolate Factory goodies.... *sigh*  That's OK.  I need to lose weight anyways, right?

 

Love and good health to all,

Cathy

Early in my diet i cheated 3 times... :ph34r: Never again...

Smylinacha Apprentice
Smylinacha
Posted

I know the feeling!  Were you ever dx'd by a doctor or did you just decide to go gluten free?  I have a bunch of symtoms and pretty much self dx'd myself because when I went gluten free for close to 3 months, almost every symptom went away.  I accidentally glutened also - eating out at restaurants - I can totally identify with the "hangover" feeling.  Not sure what it was that I ate and I had wine instead of gluten free cider and back in the day I could easily drink 3 nice glasses of wine and feel fine.  Now I get very ill from just one glass.  I am back on gluten again so I can get an endoscopy on Friday.  My tummy is starting to hurt but not like it did before (although I am eating gluten, I am eating fruits, yogurt and taking a good probiotic - something I never did before - never touched fruit or veggies - just at processed junk 24/7).  And all my other symptoms - fatigue, bags under eyes, rashes, itchy eyes, achey joints - all came back. 

Coryad Rookie
Coryad
Posted

I "cheated" too at the beginning....  I kept thinking well maybe I can have a little gluten LOL!  I learned pretty quickly ummmmm no. 

Pegleg84 Collaborator
Pegleg84
Posted

I have done the "oops I forgot to ask" thing where you end up with something that probably is/has gluten but you don't want to complain to the wait staff because you never mentioned it before.

But no more of that for me either. No way. Not fun. I also call it a gluten hangover, because that's basically what it is.

But it's a lesson, and I'm sure you'll be scrutinizing everything from now on.

 

Hope you feel better soon!

clafran Rookie
clafran
Posted
  • Author

I know the feeling!  Were you ever dx'd by a doctor or did you just decide to go gluten free?  I have a bunch of symtoms and pretty much self dx'd myself because when I went gluten free for close to 3 months, almost every symptom went away.  I accidentally glutened also - eating out at restaurants - I can totally identify with the "hangover" feeling.  Not sure what it was that I ate and I had wine instead of gluten free cider and back in the day I could easily drink 3 nice glasses of wine and feel fine.  Now I get very ill from just one glass.  I am back on gluten again so I can get an endoscopy on Friday.  My tummy is starting to hurt but not like it did before (although I am eating gluten, I am eating fruits, yogurt and taking a good probiotic - something I never did before - never touched fruit or veggies - just at processed junk 24/7).  And all my other symptoms - fatigue, bags under eyes, rashes, itchy eyes, achey joints - all came back. 

I have an actual diagnosis, although until my first "glutening," I never recognized any GI symptoms or reactions.  This was a HUGE wake-up call for me.  I feel like the diagnosis is real now, which is bittersweet for me...  my mom also has an official diagnosis, but her DH issues were very evident as soon as her celiac manifested...

Thanks so much!

clafran Rookie
clafran
Posted
  • Author

Thanks so much to all of you -- I appreciate your support.  That's why I joined the group... 

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karichelle Newbie
karichelle
Posted

I have no official diagnosis, as I went gluten-free before I knew that I needed to get tested first. I get very similar symptoms to what happened to you...feeling hot and flushed, and "hung over" in the morning....tired, headache, in a fog. But with the extra fun rash to go with them. So needless to say I will not be doing a gluten challenge. ;)

 

No compulsion to cheat here...cross contamination even makes me a little itchy and rashy. My "big one" was when I assumed all tamari was wheat free and found out the hard way that Tree of Life tamari is NOT. My bad for not reading the label carefully. After that I have no interest in eating wheat ever again.

KMMO320 Contributor
KMMO320
Posted

I have been there. 

Recently, I got take out and the place sounded so busy when I called to order, I didn't ask questions, I just got what I wanted thinking it should be safe. I knew within 15 mins of eating that there was something wrong. It had to be the seasonings. I hadn't been that sick in a really long time and it was 3 full days before I felt better. 

 

Before that, I had willingly eaten gluten and I felt bad but not like this. Now I know that there is just no turning back. I need to be vigilant because it is clear that I am very sensitive. I have reactions to food cooked in shared deep fryers, I have reactions when gluteny foods touch my food. 

 

I never thought I would be someone who was sensitive, but even my husband, who wasn't supportive at first, has become better at telling waitstaff about my gluten issues than I am. I have learned through making bad choices, but I am done with that because I cant afford to miss work, or kids activities because I am in bed, sick, due to me being lazy. 

clafran Rookie
clafran
Posted
  • Author

I have no official diagnosis, as I went gluten-free before I knew that I needed to get tested first. I get very similar symptoms to what happened to you...feeling hot and flushed, and "hung over" in the morning....tired, headache, in a fog. But with the extra fun rash to go with them. So needless to say I will not be doing a gluten challenge. ;)

 

No compulsion to cheat here...cross contamination even makes me a little itchy and rashy. My "big one" was when I assumed all tamari was wheat free and found out the hard way that Tree of Life tamari is NOT. My bad for not reading the label carefully. After that I have no interest in eating wheat ever again.

"hung over"  -- absolutely!!!  I'm thinking "gluten hang-over" or "gluten flu" are two things that most accurately describe how I felt.  Plus, I have a slow metabolism, so it took a while for me to feel sick.  I am really starting to feel better, and it's Wednesday night -- I got glutened Saturday night!!  Unreal...

angirach Newbie
angirach
Posted

Since I suffered from Cluster Headaches and Chronic Migraines for over a year before I was diagnosed correctly, those were the killers for me. The stomach issues, unfortuantely I got accustomed to it and wasn't sure if it was related, just thought I had a nervous stomach. Now, whenever I get glutened, my stomach if the first thing to act up but I get certain when the migraine starts pounding. I would never even risk it as I feel like it's not worth it. There was some mac and cheese my mom made over the holidays that tempted me for a second, but no longer.

 

Gluten Flu / Hangover is definitely what it feels like. Like you've been awake for 2 days with no sleep, ate some terrible food, and are about to get the flu....terrible. Feel better. 

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      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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