Been glutened and need some help with a few answers

[Momfor2bs]

I have been trying really hard to watch everything I eat.  I was told due to Celiac about two months ago to eat gluten free.  I must have ate something over last weekend that had gluten in it because on Monday, I was so very tired and could hardly stay awake plus my stomach was not feeling good.  I started exercising at my local Curves for Woman gym about a month ago and have been feel pretty good up until last weekend.  Is there any thing I can do to get this gluten stuff out of my body asap?  Also, when I am feeling tired should I still try and exercise or should I just take it easy and rest.  Any words of wisdom would be very helpful.

[cyclinglady]

Getting glutened can happen to the best of us!  There is no quick fix.  Everyone heals at a different pace.  Remember, Celiac disease is not an allergy but an autoimmune response that is triggered by gluten.  It sets off a "flare-up" of symptoms.  It can last a few days, weeks or even months! 

I was glutened at the beginning of July (unknown source) and then most likely glutened while on vacation, despite my best efforts!  Took me about two months to feel better.  Even went back to my GI to get my antibodies tested.  Results confirmed that I did get glutened.  Ugh!

I drank lots of water, rested,  ate simple easy-to-digest foods. I also became lactose intolerant again!    Those dairy enzymes seemed to help along with other digestive enzymes when I was really feeling bad. 

Things are looking up after a solid three months.  I am back to consuming dairy.   Did I figure what glutened me?  Nope.  I suspect two items that my husband never eats.  But I am not willing to test those items.  A few months of being ill is not worth it! 

Exercise?  Take it easy.  Gentle exercises for now.  Put all your healing into your gut.  I got off my bike for a few weeks.  Started walking, then running and then got back on my bike. 

Hang in there! 

 

[BarryC]

I was mostly symptom free after three months no gluten. I believe it takes that long for the gluten anti-bodies to leave your system? I have been reglutened twice since then, and all the symptoms returned with a vengeance, but after a few days they resolved. I am no expert, but I think the longer you are off gluten, if you are reglutened it hits you harder because you have less antibodies. If someone could set me straight it would be appreciated.

[Momfor2bs]

Thank you for the feedback.  I am actually starting to feel a bit better today and not as tired.  My muscles and joints still feel tired and a bit stiff, but at least my eyes don't feel as tired today.  I work a full time secretary job and felt like I just wanted to curl up under my desk and take a long nap.  I really wanted to reach for a strong cup of coffee or tea because I was so tired and still needed to function at work, but after doing some reading on this site, I decided to just drink water and try and push through my day.

 I take a product call Digest All ( probiotic digestive enzyme) (recommended by a local health food store) one tablet before every meal and a probiotic daily plus CeliAct.  I hope all this is helping my body in some way.  I actually go see my GI doctor next week for a follow up (it's been about two months) since I was diagnosed via a small intestine biopsy.  Should my doctor run a vitamin panel to make sure my levels are ok?

Also, I work in a school so I come across a lot of colds/flu children/adults, should I get the flu shot?  What about taking Echinacea on a daily basis or when I feel something coming on?

This gluten/Celiac thing is new to me so I am still trying to figure things out.  Thank you for any and all words of wisdom 

 

[cyclinglady]

Glad things are improving!  Rest as much as you can this weekend.  Go ahead and have some coffee or tea -- just do not overdo it.  I can not give advice about the flu shot.  Last year's batch was a dud and was not effective.  Hopefully, they'll get it right this year!  They select three strands when they are many strands of the flu virus.  So, it's a crap shoot, but effective for many, especially those really ill people.  I must note that we work from home and not in a high risk environment like a school! 

I think recent studies do not show any effectiveness of Echinacea.  You might want to research further.  I use those cold tablets that you dissolve in water.  I think it makes me feel better, I doubt that the contents actually work, but the brain is such a powerful healer!  My 14 year old gets colds, but hubby and I rarely do.  I think we have had all strains of cold virus and have missed the new ones!  Washing our hands and disinfecting door knobs while my germy kid is sick helps.  I guess that is one good thing about celiac disease, I have been very careful about not touching my face unless I wash my hands!  

 In any case, MAKE SURE ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND MEDICATIONS ARE GLUTEN FREE!

Ask your doctor to check you for vitamin and mineral deficiencies which are so common in celiacs.  I was severely deficient in iron (ferritin level was a 2).  Check for b-12, folate, and vitamin D for sure! 

 

[JR]

When I get glutened, I vomit, get a massive migraine, have to go to the ER and get fluids and pain meds. I am in bed for at least 2-3 days. Going out to eat is a major, stressful event. I grill wait staff and it still happens sometimes. The last time, I wrote a letter to the restaurant, where I had eaten safely before. A trip to the ER is $3000!!!!

[BarryC]

I am so glad I dont have full blown celiac and have to suffer what you people do.  Being glutened sucks, but I get over it fairly quickly. Positive things I have noticed in the last few weeks:

* Better mental attitude and no more fuzzy thinking

* No more sore joints

* No more cravings

*No more digestive problems

*Best thing is am loosing weight!

God Bless you all, its so good to have friends!

[cyclinglady]

I am so glad I dont have full blown celiac and have to suffer what you people do.  Being glutened sucks, but I get over it fairly quickly. Positive things I have noticed in the last few weeks:

* Better mental attitude and no more fuzzy thinking

* No more sore joints

* No more cravings

*No more digestive problems

*Best thing is am loosing weight!

God Bless you all, its so good to have friends!

Glad you are feeling better! 

[cyclinglady]

When I get glutened, I vomit, get a massive migraine, have to go to the ER and get fluids and pain meds. I am in bed for at least 2-3 days. Going out to eat is a major, stressful event. I grill wait staff and it still happens sometimes. The last time, I wrote a letter to the restaurant, where I had eaten safely before. A trip to the ER is $3000!!!!

After my last glutening in July, I have not even gone out to dinner.  My husband will go, but I am still too afraid.  It is just not worth being ill for two months and longer!  I felt like I started all over (my GI said I did with such elevated DGP results!)  Even the best of restaurants will make mistakes.  It is just a chance that I am not willing to risk again.  How long did it take for me to forget childbirth?  And to top it off,  I became lactose intolerant again and developed some hives due to new food intolerances!

I do think that I was getting glutened by one of two products, but I will never test them.  They were products that my husband never used.  I also went on vacation after that first glutening.  I am sure I was glutened a few more times or at least it felt like it!  Someday.....I will figure it out! 

[BarryC]

I have just gone from an awesome week, to feeling crappy. Its like I have a hangover or even the flu, but a voracious appetite. Have I caught the gluten flu-or am having withdrawel symptoms? After four months it seems late to be happenings, but I did have a couple minor accidental glutenings,  so  have really only been 100% glten free foe a couple weeks now.