I purposely glutened myself at a party

[Emily M]

So I’m about 3 days into being officially diagnosed with celiac disease. I suffer mostly from systemic immune system responses, neurological symptoms and the occasional bout of diarrhea. One of my more severe immune responses seems to be facial flushing/redness and swelling and it’s the symptom that prompted me to seeing my current integrative specialist in the first place. Well, all of my test results came back 3 days ago and she diagnosed me with celiac disease. To give background on my situation: I was diagnosed with PCOS and also was pre-diabetic for a short time so in the last 3 1/2 months, my diet went from Taco Bell and processed foods to EVERYTHING organic, loads of veggies, some fruits, and basically slashing all sugar and carbs from my diet. Even with the complete 360° in my diet, I was still experiencing symptoms. So naturally when I found out that I had celiac disease, I decided to give gluten-free a whirl (even though I was so skeptical because I thought there’s no way in hell that I have celiac disease!). I tell you- within the first 24 hours I started to feel amazing. Yesterday, I had my cousin’s 3rd birthday party and my family isn’t the healthiest bunch to begin with... I glutened myself pretty much on purpose. I was so hungry when I got there that I just didn’t care what I was ingesting! Mac and cheese, pasta, bread, and a cupcake... I feel like total crap today! I didn’t immediately start developing symptoms- they started when we got home from the party after I took my makeup off and laid down... I got the urge to make a bowel movement (which is usually when my symptoms flare-up at their worst) and my face began to turn bright red/hot and the brain fog ensued. I made the bowel movement which is usually relief and symptoms go away within 45 minutes... Well, this morning I woke up with a bright red/hot face AND a swollen eye. I feel so mad at myself! I wish I hadn’t done this to myself. I’m just getting started on this crazy celiac disease journey and I’ve already made such a huge mistake. I guess I’m paying the price for my negligence.

[GFinDC]

Hi Emily,

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you didn't have the endoscopy?  That's ok, I didn't have one until years after going gluten-free.  But it is the final part of a celiac diagnosis.  The problem is, you have to be eating gluten for 2 to 4 weeks before the endoscopy, and 12 weeks before the blood antibodies tests.  Without doing that gluten challenge, the test results won't be accurate.

But, getting a formal diagnosis is of limited value IMHO after you have already gone gluten-free.  It is better to get all the testing done before going gluten-free.

There is a sticky thread in the "Coping with Celiac" section with tips and info that might help.

Celiac disease is an auto-immune condition.  It does not act the same as food poisoning or a stomach bug.   Those condition symptoms can be over in a week or two.  Celiac can cause symptoms for much longer.  Long after the gluten containing food is gone from your system.  Recovery from celiac damage can take 18 months or more.

It would probably be helpful to know what tests you had and the test ranges for that lab.  That is good info for you to keep in your records.

[RMJ]

Don’t beat yourself up too much,  Perhaps this is just what you needed to convince yourself to stay gluten free from now on!

[tessa25]

When going to a party I find out what type of food they are serving. I then make my own equivalents and bring them with me. I have a cooler that looks like a messenger bag so it's not totally obvious. That way when they have cupcakes so do I.