How long does it take for you to react to gluten?

[aballard]

Hello-

My daughter is newly diagnosed (March) and only had sporadic reactions to gluten before her diagnosis. She's currently suffering pretty severe nausea (but no vomiting) and stomach pain, a headache, and body aches, but the only gluten we can think she might have been exposed to was at a pizza place 36 hours ago. Is it possible that the reaction can be delayed that long?  Thanks for any insight you might have. We are very puzzled over here. 

[cyclinglady]

Yes.  Celiac disease is not an allergy.  It is an autoimmune (AI) disorder like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.  The trigger for celiac disease  is known (gluten), unlike other AI disorders.  Once it is triggered,  antibodies ramp up and start attacking the small intestine and can get into the bloodstream and damage other areas of the body.  It can take hours or days for the ramp up of antibodies and take days or weeks to subside.  

I hope she feels better soon.  I can tell you that the longer she is gluten free, the worse her symptoms might become after a gluten exposure (this has happened to me).  Dr. Fasano has said in his lectures that celiac disease is like a chameleon —  always changing.  

[heatman]

I’ve recently figured out that it takes me 2-3 days (most of the time 3) to have a reaction. I have the neurological symptoms, migraine and body aches, which I figured is why it takes me longer for a reaction. Knowing this has definitely helped me identify what is glutening me and it doesn’t feel as much like a wild goose chase anymore.