Recovering From A Severe Glutening...need Advice!

[erikalikescows]

I'm new on this forum, and it is my first time posting, but I have been reading and everyone seems very helpful and I am really in need of advice from some other Celiacs. I'm a college student and I'm living abroad in Europe (Germany, specifically!) and at least in my experience, people here aren't exactly the most diligent or friendly in restaurants when it comes to food allergies/sensitivities.

 

I am extremely cautious about what I eat and I'm also very very sensitive, therefore it isn't very often that I accidentally eat gluten. This weekend however, I went to a busy restaurant with my boyfriend and was drinking some wine, and I asked the waitress to make sure the food I ordered was gluten free. She seemed very busy and uninterested and I guess she didn't bother to actually check. When the food came I was pretty uncertain but I had been drinking so I went ahead and ate it anyways. BIG MISTAKE!   (It was stuffed mushrooms so I suspect there could have been bread crumbs inside)  I got sick on Saturday night. Today is Thursday (5 days of this ), and I still can barely eat without getting extremely sick. I managed to start to tolerate bananas and plain gluten free bread today, but only in small amounts. I went to the doctor and they didn't do anything except give me some pain medication! My question is, does anyone have any tips for recovering from glutening more quickly? I am going to fly on a plane for 10 hours in two days and I am getting so stressed because I have no idea how I am going to travel when I'm like this! AHH!

 

What does everyone else do to recover? Has anyone else traveled when they were sick from gluten?

Thanks so much for the advice! 

[cyclinglady]

Oh no! I am so sorry. Unfortunately, there is no fast cure for a glutening!

Is there no way to re-book your flight (the rebooking charge might be reasonable)? Is this your first glutening? Do you have a pattern? Or do your symptom vary? You just might recover fast!

[erikalikescows]

Thanks a lot.  Unfortunately, I don't think it will be possible to change my flight, so I'm just trying to figure out how to manage my symptoms as much as possible. This isn't my first glutening, but I have never been sick for such a long time!    I have the same symptoms usually (the pain, diarrhea, headaches, etc). for normally just one terrible, unbearable day and then the worst part is over...but something is different about this time because nothing that usually helps is improving the symptoms. I tried all sorts of probiotics and kefir but that seemed to just make it worse! I have this feeling now like I never want to go in a restaurant again if this is what will happen. Eeep. 

[cyclinglady]

A wise decision! We avoid eating out as much as possible. It is not fun anyway with the worry of getting glutened. I always get up from the table and ask to talk to the manager or chef. I want them to know that I am not avoiding gluten for the fun of it.

I often carry in my cute little cooler bag into the restaurant containing my own food when dining with gluten-eating friends or I just order a drink. I always have nuts, gluten-free cereal bar or jerky in my purse or glovebox. If I am on the road, I head to the car to tailgate my meal and return when everyone has just received their food. Whatever works for you.

If you get on the plane and you are in the air, you can let the flight attendant know that you might need quick access to the bathroom which may be helpful if there is a line. Choose the restrooms in the back where all the attendants hang out.

Take on food even if you order a gluten-free meal. I have yet to eat one that has not been botched. Of course, there is always peanuts and drink some high calorie juice or soda.

Watch out on the probiotics. If you have any allergies (i.e. milk), taking a milk-based probiotic will only make you feel worse. Otherwise, taking Tylenol or equivalent might help with aches and pains.

Happy flying!

[mareahf]

I'm sorry to hear of your recent gluten incident. I recently got a bad gluten attack when the "gluten free friendly" restaurant gave me the wrong hamburger bun! It was the most gluten I've had since going gluten free. Unfortunately I was sick for weeks. A normal cross contamination would put me out for a few days but this one was way worse.

I don't want to scare you I want to let you know how I got through it. I always crave fruit when glutened so I make lots of smoothies. Use plain fruit and add vitamins. The brand "Naked" makes good fruit smoothies but DO NOT drink the green one. It has wheat grass

[Miss-Fish]

When I get sick drinking Spearmint tea helps with the symptoms. It won't make it go away or stop hurting, but for me the tea helps with the bloating, and it's the bloating that causes a lot of the discomfort. The brand that I use is called Versana, best of luck to you