Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Alcohol Symptoms?


AlexandarZ

Recommended Posts

AlexandarZ Rookie

So i've been celiac for about 3 months and have been following a strict gluten free diet, but whenever i drink alcohol in particular spirits i get stomach aches and have to go toilet quite often the next day. Can someone enlighten me on what may be the cause and why it keeps happening and also how to handle the symptoms. Its to the point where whenever i drink i have to make sure ive got nothing on the next day. 

Thanks


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



IrishHeart Veteran

A celiac's ravaged gut may not be able to handle alcohol right away. It is a gut- irritant and causes gastritis.

Diarrhea is common with a gut that is still impaired.

A simple diet for the first 6 months may be your best bet.

Recovery sometimes takes patience.

Hang in there! 

NoGlutenCooties Contributor

Not all alcohol is gluten-free.  Make sure if you're drinking wine or hard alcohol that it isn't flavored with anything that contains gluten.  That said, it seems to be common for Celiacs to have low tolerance for alcohol while they're healing.  I've only been gluten-free for about 2 months and I have also found that alcohol hits me much faster than it used to - but in a buzzed way, not a glutened way.

GretaJane Newbie

Even distilled spirits sometimes have "mash" which contains gluten, added back into it after distillation for flavor. Make sure you get gluten free potato vodka or something that says gluten-free.

IrishHeart Veteran

Not all liquor is labeled "gluten-free" but it is  still gluten free. You do not have to drink potato vodkas exclusively.

 

I  sometimes drink Smirnoff or Stoli or Absolute---all gluten free.

  • 3 weeks later...
AlexandarZ Rookie

A celiac's ravaged gut may not be able to handle alcohol right away. It is a gut- irritant and causes gastritis.

Diarrhea is common with a gut that is still impaired.

A simple diet for the first 6 months may be your best bet.

Recovery sometimes takes patience.

Hang in there! 

What i meant to say instead of 3 months was 3 years, sorry about that confusion. I've had celiac for 3 years since i was 15.. i'm now 18 but i get constant diarrhea over everything i swear. I feel like my stomachs a moody little whining 12 year old girl, because sometimes i wake up and its diarrhea day and i know i'm not going anywhere.

BZBee Apprentice

Alcohol is hard to digest and with already troubled GI systems it's even harder.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



livinthelife Apprentice

Alcohol affects me faster now too. I'm a cheap date these days!!

 

Maybe just lay off for a little while and heal some more? That's what I'm trying to do.

 

 

IrishHeart Veteran

What i meant to say instead of 3 months was 3 years, sorry about that confusion. I've had celiac for 3 years since i was 15.. i'm now 18 but i get constant diarrhea over everything i swear. I feel like my stomachs a moody little whining 12 year old girl, because sometimes i wake up and its diarrhea day and i know i'm not going anywhere.

 

 

One of the main reasons why someone may still be having constant diarrhea 3 years after diagnosis is because somehow, maybe gluten is getting in?

 

You should not be suffering this all the time, hon.

 

I am not sure if you share a home with gluten-eaters or have roommates or what else may be contributing to your bouts with D.

 

Have you been to a GI doctor for follow up care?

 

And are you sure your stomach's not a moody little whining 12 year old boy? ;) 

NoGlutenCooties Contributor

Even distilled spirits sometimes have "mash" which contains gluten, added back into it after distillation for flavor. Make sure you get gluten free potato vodka or something that says gluten-free.

 

I believe what you're referring to is sour mash whiskey.  A bit of spent mash is added to the new batch prior to distillation - is keeps the bacteria levels in check and keeps the ph at an acceptable level so that the yeast can grow.  However, it would never be added to the whiskey after the distillation process because it would completely ruin the flavor.  All whiskey and bourbon is gluten-free.  The only exceptions would be some of the flavored/spiced varieties in which flavorings are added after the distillation process.  However, even Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum and Wild Turkey Spiced are gluten-free.

Pegleg84 Collaborator

If its distilled, it's safe. If its flavoured, check the ingredients.

However, some people are just sensitive to alcohol in general. I know a few people who are allergic/intolerant to alcohol, meaning a little bit will make them sick.

In your case, if you've been gluten-free for 3 years, it's possible that you are still getting cross-contamination from somewhere that's prevented your gut from healing completely, therefore not able to handle the alcohol. It's also possible, since your young and (hopefully) not used to drinking much, that you're just finding out now that you can't handle it (not that it makes you drunk super quick, but that it makes you sick).

Also be aware that Celiacs tend to be lightweights after they've healed, since our bodies are absorbing the alcohol where it wasn't before. (being a lightweight makes an evening out cheaper, if nothing else!). However, if you're feeling sick right away, then its probably your stomach not liking it.

 

Take it easy on the drinks in any case, check for possible gluten cc, and give that gut some healing time.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,906
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Betty t
    Newest Member
    Betty t
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Xravith
      Yes, you are right. Indeed, I’ve been feeling anemic since the beginning of this week, and today I felt horrible during a lecture at the university, I was trembling a lot and felt all my body incredibly heavy, so I had to come back home. I’ll do a blood test tomorrow, but I’m just worried about the possibility of it coming back negative. I’ve been eating two cookies in the morning as my only source of gluten over the past two weeks—could that affect the final result?
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.