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Alcohol Symptoms?

AlexandarZ

By AlexandarZ
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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AlexandarZ Rookie
AlexandarZ
Posted

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

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IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

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
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

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
GretaJane
Posted

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
IrishHeart
Posted

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
AlexandarZ
Posted
  • Author

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
BZBee
Posted

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

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livinthelife Apprentice
livinthelife
Posted

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
IrishHeart
Posted

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
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

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
Pegleg84
Posted

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.

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