Peanut & nut intolerance that developed as an adult & sulphur burps

[anonymousplease]

A couple years after being diagnosed with celiac disease, when I was in my early 20's, I lost the ability to digest peanuts & nuts (coconuts excluded). I never had a peanut or nut allergy growing up. One day in my early 20's after eating a bunch of peanuts I developed the worst burning stomach pain I've ever had. It lasted for several hours. Then I started burping up the taste/smell of sulphur. Followed by severe diarrhea and vomiting.

I didn't associate it with the peanuts the first time it happened but over the course of the next few years, after reoccurrences of the same symptoms, always after eating peanuts or nuts, I made the connection. I have had it happen twice without eating peanuts or nuts, and during both of those occurrences I overate and fell asleep too soon after eating. 

Usually the vomiting starts after hours of stomach pain and sulphur burps and contains undigested food. Once, it was pasta I had eaten several days earlier that I threw up whole. 

For the most part I feel that I have the issue under control by not eating peanuts or nuts, and by not allowing my body to be horizontal for at least 1-2 hours after eating a meal. However, I live in constant fear of it happening again because it's so unpleasant that it's traumatizing. 

Strange fact: both my older and younger sister (who are also gluten free), developed the same intolerance around the same time. We all went gluten free around the same age too. None of us had ever had an intolerance to peanuts or nuts before going gluten free.

There remains some confusion about it because it does not happen consistently. My little sister accidentally ate almonds recently and had no reaction. She can also eat peanut butter and nut milks. I am too afraid to try peanuts or any nuts these days, although I can recall not always reacting badly to them as well. My older sister's stomach has gotten so bad that she can't really digest anything other than meat and dairy anymore. Any fiber what so over and she is vomiting. Our guts seem like they are healing since going gluten free, yet all three of us feel our stomachs have been on the decline. I know lower stomach acid is a natural part of aging but we are 29, 31, and 34 years old. 

Has anyone else experienced this change in symptoms? Stomach issues are not my only problem but I'm trying to narrow it down for the sake of this topic being mostly about food intolerances that developed years after being diagnosed with celiacs and going gluten free. 

I'm 31 and I've been gluten free for 11 years. 

Please share your experience if you can relate, or any knowledge you might have. 

Edited May 29, 2019 by Ali Rae
font got really small after last edit

[Ennis-TX]

Peanuts are legumes, not nuts, and yes tiniest amount and I am vomiting for hours and dry heaving (not an allergy but a food sensitivity or intolerance). I am fine with nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, macadamia, brazil nuts, cashews, etc) even coconuts. I find it easier to digest nut and seed butter though or eat foods made with flours made from nuts then whole ones.

You might read up on food sensitivity and intolerance issues, may celiacs get them and it can be to any food. Digestive enzymes might help with your sisters issues, also cooking veggies to mush, blending, or drying into a powder and mixing into foods. But hey I have some random issues with iceberg lettuce also making me vomit no matter what so no room for me to judge. 
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/are-food-sensitivities-for-life
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/119919-digestive-enzymes/

Few other thoughts, many times nuts, legumes, seeds are processed and coated with other things for roasting, flavors, and keep them from sticking. You guys could be reacting to these. 
 

[cyclinglady]

Nuts and peanuts (which are as Ennis pointed out as legumes and not nuts) are common allergens.  Celiac disease (autoimmune) and allergies are under the hypersensitivity umbrella (four types).   When you have one sensitivity, you can develop more.  Overload your immune system and you can trigger any one of these hypersensitivities.  These can vary based on environmental changes.  

If your celiac disease is flaring due to gluten exposures, your allergies or other autoimmune disorders may flare as well.  For example, I have a mild nut allergy to almonds.  Once spring hits, my reaction to almonds increases as my pollen allergies kick in.  If I have been exposed to gluten during this time, my allergic reactions become severe (swelling, hives,  vomiting, etc.)

Research hypersensitivity types and Mast Cell issues (which can be mild or life-threatening).  

Your best defense is to continue to avoid gluten.   See an allergist about your allergies and effective treatment and avoidance.  Consider follow up testing for your celiac disease by measuring your antibodies.  You may be getting exposure to gluten which is compounding your allergy issues.  

Edited May 29, 2019 by cyclinglady

[anonymousplease]

1 hour ago, cyclinglady said:

Nuts and peanuts (which are as Ennis pointed out as legumes and not nuts) are common allergens.  Celiac disease (autoimmune) and allergies are under the hypersensitivity umbrella (four types).   When you have one sensitivity, you can develop more.  Overload your immune system and you can trigger any one of these hypersensitivities.  These can vary based on environmental changes.  

If your celiac disease is flaring due to gluten exposures, your allergies or other autoimmune disorders may flare as well.  For example, I have a mild nut allergy to almonds.  Once spring hits, my reaction to almonds increases as my pollen allergies kick in.  If I have been exposed to gluten during this time, my allergic reactions become severe (swelling, hives,  vomiting, etc.)

Research hypersensitivity types and Mast Cell issues (which can be mild or life-threatening).  

Your best defense is to continue to avoid gluten.   See an allergist about your allergies and effective treatment and avoidance.  Consider follow up testing for your celiac disease by measuring your antibodies.  You may be getting exposure to gluten which is compounding your allergy issues.  

 

5 hours ago, Ennis_TX said:

Peanuts are legumes, not nuts, and yes tiniest amount and I am vomiting for hours and dry heaving (not an allergy but a food sensitivity or intolerance). I am fine with nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, macadamia, brazil nuts, cashews, etc) even coconuts. I find it easier to digest nut and seed butter though or eat foods made with flours made from nuts then whole ones.

You might read up on food sensitivity and intolerance issues, may celiacs get them and it can be to any food. Digestive enzymes might help with your sisters issues, also cooking veggies to mush, blending, or drying into a powder and mixing into foods. But hey I have some random issues with iceberg lettuce also making me vomit no matter what so no room for me to judge. 
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/are-food-sensitivities-for-life
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/119919-digestive-enzymes/

Few other thoughts, many times nuts, legumes, seeds are processed and coated with other things for roasting, flavors, and keep them from sticking. You guys could be reacting to these. 
 

Thank you - I edited my post to correct my error about nuts vs. legumes. 

[anonymousplease]

1 hour ago, cyclinglady said:

Nuts and peanuts (which are as Ennis pointed out as legumes and not nuts) are common allergens.  Celiac disease (autoimmune) and allergies are under the hypersensitivity umbrella (four types).   When you have one sensitivity, you can develop more.  Overload your immune system and you can trigger any one of these hypersensitivities.  These can vary based on environmental changes.  

If your celiac disease is flaring due to gluten exposures, your allergies or other autoimmune disorders may flare as well.  For example, I have a mild nut allergy to almonds.  Once spring hits, my reaction to almonds increases as my pollen allergies kick in.  If I have been exposed to gluten during this time, my allergic reactions become severe (swelling, hives,  vomiting, etc.)

Research hypersensitivity types and Mast Cell issues (which can be mild or life-threatening).  

Your best defense is to continue to avoid gluten.   See an allergist about your allergies and effective treatment and avoidance.  Consider follow up testing for your celiac disease by measuring your antibodies.  You may be getting exposure to gluten which is compounding your allergy issues.  

Thank you. I've never heard of the Mast Cell issues before. Will research. 

[Posterboy]

On 5/28/2019 at 9:09 PM, Ali Rae said:

Usually the vomiting starts after hours of stomach pain and sulphur burps and contains undigested food.

Alli Rae,

I just saw your thread.

If you are having sulpur burps then you probably have an Ulcer.

Most likely from H. Pylori or you might have also developed SIBO.

Here are some links about it.

https://www.healthhype.com/sulphur-or-rotten-eggs-burps-belching-foul-smelling-gas.html

quoting their article on Sulphur Reducing Microbes.

Sulfur-Reducing Microbes

"Various microbes can break down food in the gut during digestion as well as any residual nutrients that remain after digestion. Some of these microbes, particularly bacteria, may consume sulfur-containing compounds and release hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a byproduct. Alternatively, some of these bacteria may contain enzymes that breakdown compounds within certain foods thereby releasing the sulfur.

Some examples of sulfur-reducing bacteria includes:

• Helicobacter pylori, is a bacterium that causes gastritis and peptic ulcers. The presence of H. pylori within the stomach is diagnosed by urea breath test. Treatment includes eradication therapy with antibiotics.
• Giardia lamblia, a protozoan (single-cell parasite), is usually contracted by food or water poisoning. The resulting gastrointestinal illness is known as giardiasis. For diagnosis and treatment read about human intestinal parasites.
• Intestinal bacteria that are part of normal intestinal flora can cause various symptoms such as sulfur burps when there is an overgrowth as is seen in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. SIBO may be also  present in lactose intolerance or fructose malabsorption. In certain diseases like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, foods may not be digested completely and can be therefore broken down by sulfur-reducing bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide."

It is me again....I once had an ulcer and dragon breath (Sulphur burps) was a common sign of my ucler.

Note: this happens when our stomach acid get's too low and a dysbosis develops.

See this Howard Hughes Medical Institute research about how low stomach acid can lead to ulcers.

https://www.hhmi.org/news/excessive-growth-bacteria-may-also-be-major-cause-stomach-ulcers

you can easily test the level of your stomach acid with the baking soda test.

This article explains how to confirm this theory of low stomach acid being misdiangosed.

https://drjockers.com/5-ways-test-stomach-acid-levels/

I cant' say it will help you ....I just know it helped me.

Here is my story....I wrote a posterboy blog post about it.

https://www.celiac.com/blogs/entry/2106-is-ncgs-andor-celiac-disease-really-low-stomach-acid-misdiagnosed/

Good luck on your continued journey.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

2 Timothy 2:7 "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."

Posterboy by the grace of God,

[Kay20]

Hi there,

I just saw your post and after eating nuts recently which I can do in moderation (but I didn't ...I over ate them) I am currently dealing with sulfur burps.  Same deal as you described, hours of awful burping and stomach pain then throwing up and diarrhea.  My bouts last around 24 hours but I've had it last for days before.  Doctors thought it was my gallbladder so they removed it years ago but I still get the sulfur burps.  Sometimes not even from nuts in fact it's now an annual occurrence around spring time.  I don't have celiac disease...that I know of...but I am type 1 diabetic and just started seeing a gastroenterologist who said it could be from an overgrowth of bacteria in my intestines or it could be because diabetics have a slower than normal digestion system and there might be a problem with me not being able to digest food properly sometimes.  Either way we won't know until they run tests when the current lock down is lifted.  If you still suffer from these or if your sisters do the best advice I've read that actually works is to drink a glass of water with Alka-Seltzer at the very first burp you get.  It's really hard not to burp after drinking it right away but do your best because as you know it tastes gross to burp.  Typically if I do this at the first sign of burping and try to sleep when I wake up I can burp without the taste and smell.  I still have some stomach sensitivity for a day but it's at least bearable.  Best of luck!

[Amanda13]

I have a similar experience. I’ve eaten peanuts and peanut butter my entire life and especially loved peanut butter. About a year ago, I started a keto diet. After a couple months in, I decided to incorporate natural peanut butter into my food. Every time, I’d get really sick. Bad bad bad stomach cramping, diarrhea, the worst deep gross burps, and sometimes even vomiting. The pain would leave me miserable for hours. It took awhile before I made the connection with the natural peanut butter. I decided I was allergic to it for whatever reason. Then a few months later not even thinking, I got some peanut butter like I used to always eat (not natural) and ended up sick again. I decided it was just peanut butter causing this until one day when I had one of those little protein packs that has a small portion of peanuts in it. Guess what, it happened again. Each time I was sooo miserable. Now I just avoid peanuts because I’m so afraid of having a reaction. There really isn’t much I can do to calm it when it’s happening that I’ve found (tums, Pepto, gas meds). Anyway, I wonder if going keto somehow triggered it. I pretty much went gluten free that. I’m 37 and literally have eaten peanuts and peanut butter frequently my entire life until this. I wish I had more answers too. 

[Bars]

On 6/2/2020 at 11:52 AM, Amanda13 said:

I have a similar experience. I’ve eaten peanuts and peanut butter my entire life and especially loved peanut butter. About a year ago, I started a keto diet. After a couple months in, I decided to incorporate natural peanut butter into my food. Every time, I’d get really sick. Bad bad bad stomach cramping, diarrhea, the worst deep gross burps, and sometimes even vomiting. The pain would leave me miserable for hours. It took awhile before I made the connection with the natural peanut butter. I decided I was allergic to it for whatever reason. Then a few months later not even thinking, I got some peanut butter like I used to always eat (not natural) and ended up sick again. I decided it was just peanut butter causing this until one day when I had one of those little protein packs that has a small portion of peanuts in it. Guess what, it happened again. Each time I was sooo miserable. Now I just avoid peanuts because I’m so afraid of having a reaction. There really isn’t much I can do to calm it when it’s happening that I’ve found (tums, Pepto, gas meds). Anyway, I wonder if going keto somehow triggered it. I pretty much went gluten free that. I’m 37 and literally have eaten peanuts and peanut butter frequently my entire life until this. I wish I had more answers too. 

Omg the same thing is happening to me right now. I too started a somewhat keto diet 2 months ago and I wanted to incorporate some nuts in my diet for healthy natural fats and for calibrating my daily calorie intake. Horrible cramps, sulfurous burps, terrible diarrhea, feeling so bloated that I felt that I would explode. This is the second time this happened in the span of two weeks. First I ate some cashews but I also ate erratically that day and did not suspect the nuts were the problem. Now I ate some almonds and it clicked to me that this is the only thing that changed in my diet. As you mentioned, nothing I took medication-wise didn't help, it lasted for about 24h, I couldn't sleep because of the bathroom breaks and cramps.

 I used to eat whole bags of nuts without any issues whatsoever (bad, I know, but they are so easy to snack on). Is it a bad combination with a low carb diet? I would assume that my gut flora has changed since I am eating low carb for a while now. One thing I know for sure  is that I'm never eating nuts again.

[Kwinks428]

Omg! I am so glad to have found this thread. I dont have celiac but was trying to pinpoint WHAT I keep eating that is triggering these sulfur burps. I too would be extremely bloated with NASTY, clear the room like a fart, burps, watery diarrhea until I finally vomit which is equally nasty bc its its closest comparison sometimes is closer to poo then food. Gross, I know. I have light allergy to beef and tomatoes and thought mybe the tomatoes but Ive always loved pizza but severe stomach acid heartburn after. Then thought maybe brocolli but I dont eat enough to cause such a reaction but it does always happen when I am eatting healthier and typically with smooties using organic peanut butter powder to make it taste decent and now I'm thinking possibly that. But I have always loved, like LOVED peanut butter and all nuts. It only seems to do this when Im "eating healthy" though so is it possible that its the healthier peanut butter that contains something my stomach reacts too that normal pb&j peanut butter doesnt have? Ive also noticed its more in spring but had it in winter too sadly.  Idk, this is all so confusing. I did have my thyroid removed, have Graves disease and recently realized lactose intolerant so Ima head to the primary and see if they can assist but will update here if I get substantial answers. And def gonna follow this thread. 

[Scott Adams]

Hello @Kwinks428 and welcome to the forum!

Do you also have celiac disease or gluten intolerance? If not, or you've never been tested for celiac disease, your symptoms could also be due to gluten sensitivity, so you might want to get tested.

If you do have CD, then be sure you're diet has been gluten-free, as many celiacs end up getting small amounts of contamination, especially when they eat out.

Of course, you could have a peanut intolerance or allergy that is causing these issues, and many celiacs have additional food intolerance issues, some of which can be temporary and disappear after a year or two on a gluten-free diet.

[taylor916]

On 5/28/2019 at 10:09 PM, anonymousplease said:

A couple years after being diagnosed with celiac disease, when I was in my early 20's, I lost the ability to digest peanuts & nuts (coconuts excluded). I never had a peanut or nut allergy growing up. One day in my early 20's after eating a bunch of peanuts I developed the worst burning stomach pain I've ever had. It lasted for several hours. Then I started burping up the taste/smell of sulphur. Followed by severe diarrhea and vomiting.

I didn't associate it with the peanuts the first time it happened but over the course of the next few years, after reoccurrences of the same symptoms, always after eating peanuts or nuts, I made the connection. I have had it happen twice without eating peanuts or nuts, and during both of those occurrences I overate and fell asleep too soon after eating. 

Usually the vomiting starts after hours of stomach pain and sulphur burps and contains undigested food. Once, it was pasta I had eaten several days earlier that I threw up whole. 

For the most part I feel that I have the issue under control by not eating peanuts or nuts, and by not allowing my body to be horizontal for at least 1-2 hours after eating a meal. However, I live in constant fear of it happening again because it's so unpleasant that it's traumatizing. 

Strange fact: both my older and younger sister (who are also gluten free), developed the same intolerance around the same time. We all went gluten free around the same age too. None of us had ever had an intolerance to peanuts or nuts before going gluten free.

There remains some confusion about it because it does not happen consistently. My little sister accidentally ate almonds recently and had no reaction. She can also eat peanut butter and nut milks. I am too afraid to try peanuts or any nuts these days, although I can recall not always reacting badly to them as well. My older sister's stomach has gotten so bad that she can't really digest anything other than meat and dairy anymore. Any fiber what so over and she is vomiting. Our guts seem like they are healing since going gluten free, yet all three of us feel our stomachs have been on the decline. I know lower stomach acid is a natural part of aging but we are 29, 31, and 34 years old. 

Has anyone else experienced this change in symptoms? Stomach issues are not my only problem but I'm trying to narrow it down for the sake of this topic being mostly about food intolerances that developed years after being diagnosed with celiacs and going gluten free. 

I'm 31 and I've been gluten free for 11 years. 

Please share your experience if you can relate, or any knowledge you might have. 

I developed an issue with what i always referred to as stinky burps at about age 37 when eating Peanuts or peanut butter. The first time it happened was with peanut m&ms. And yes it's classic Sulphur burps with Sulphur farts later sitting in and then severe diarrhea. It makes me very sick. When it first started happening it was just uncomfortable with the constant stinky burps. At first I thought it a funny way to torture the wife who hates stink but it became a serious medical issue. I do not even eat Chinese food for fear of peanut oil being used to cook the food. Even certain chips can cause it if peanut oil or sunflower oil was used. Be careful you know what your foods are cooked in. Unfamiliar restaurants or brands of chips you have never eaten are a danger zone. Ive not been diagnosed with Celiac disease but there is a good chance I have it. I have been diagnosed with Sjogrens and Psoriatic arthritis. I do have gastroperesis which is an issue digesting food. I have to eat chicken and avoid beef. I do have to eat gluten free or it really messes me up. Gastroperesis is most common with Sjogrens, Lupus and diabetes. Ive definitely had issues with H Pylori and gastritis which im sure grows because gastroperesis makes food sit in your gut and rot. Especially ice cream. I also can't have peanuts because of diverticulosis. Once you get this issue I dont think there is any going back unfortunately. Maybe I'm wrong but I'll never try testing it. 

[JV36]

On 1/25/2021 at 4:50 PM, Kwinks428 said:

Omg! I am so glad to have found this thread. I dont have celiac but was trying to pinpoint WHAT I keep eating that is triggering these sulfur burps. I too would be extremely bloated with NASTY, clear the room like a fart, burps, watery diarrhea until I finally vomit which is equally nasty bc its its closest comparison sometimes is closer to poo then food. Gross, I know. I have light allergy to beef and tomatoes and thought mybe the tomatoes but Ive always loved pizza but severe stomach acid heartburn after. Then thought maybe brocolli but I dont eat enough to cause such a reaction but it does always happen when I am eatting healthier and typically with smooties using organic peanut butter powder to make it taste decent and now I'm thinking possibly that. But I have always loved, like LOVED peanut butter and all nuts. It only seems to do this when Im "eating healthy" though so is it possible that its the healthier peanut butter that contains something my stomach reacts too that normal pb&j peanut butter doesnt have? Ive also noticed its more in spring but had it in winter too sadly.  Idk, this is all so confusing. I did have my thyroid removed, have Graves disease and recently realized lactose intolerant so Ima head to the primary and see if they can assist but will update here if I get substantial answers. And def gonna follow this thread. 

Gosh, I'm so glad I found this thread.  I know exactly how you feel.  I started having very similar symptoms for the past 6 months on and off and couldn't figure out what was triggering. I saw my PCP and GI, which they ran a bunch of tests which were normal.  Was negative for H pylori & Celiacs

After seeing an allergist recently, they did a skin prick which revealed I had a reaction to soy, peanuts & tree nuts; but my blood test was negative for an immune response/anaphylaxis. The blood test unfortunately does not show  food intolerances. For now, I've been avoiding peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and also lactose (as I suspect I have an intolerance to diary), which can be challenge! (Luckily I can safely eat at Chipotle!) I'm finding items at the grocery that are soy/peanut/diary/tree nut free tend to be gluten free too.  

[drewsmom01]

Hi everybody, 

I just read everybody's comments about sulfur burps, throwing up and the bad stomach ache and had to keep going back to see if I was the one that wrote these stories, since my story is exactly the same.   I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes,  then not long after, I was told I have gastroperiesis,  that was some 30 years ago.   I just recently had upper GI and colonoscopy and was told I don't have it (rolling eyes), because YES I still have the sulfur burps, etc.. 

So im testing myself and have discovered every time I eat Pecans, or Walnut ls or any nuts for that matter,  I get this!!   I thought it was tomato, or something in pizza, so  I stopped eating pizza,  then I have had pasta, same story. I haven't eaten any kind of Rice in 25 years 😕,  I thought that caused it, I try to stay away from all beans, especially Kidney- my favorite, and everytime I get this Im miserable and swear Im nevertheless eating again! Which is this morning! Its not worth the pain and especially the sulfur burps.  I actually thought I was gonna be divorced, and alone back in the day from the burps. The terrible smells, I cannot smell, but anybody else can. 

I am divorced now- Not from that lol.

I am going this month to get a CT on pelvic to see why Im still having these issues 😒,  will update if he can tell me what else might be going on or if I need allergy test done.  Thank you all for your stories so much like mine, I have been researching this for years and this is 1st time I have come across the Story just like mine. I hate that we are all in same boat and that we have to go thru this.  Im 59 now and have had it pretty much 30 years. 

 

 

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum @drewsmom01, it’s frustrating how much trial and error goes into managing chronic digestive issues, especially when diagnoses seem to change or contradict your lived experience. It sounds like you’ve been through so much over the years, from the initial diabetes and gastroparesis diagnoses to the recent confusion after your upper GI/colonoscopy. The sulfur burps and unbearable stomach aches are bad enough, but the emotional toll—like worrying about the impact on relationships—is something so many people don’t understand unless they’ve been through it. It’s encouraging (though bittersweet) that you’ve found others with similar stories after years of searching—it makes you feel less alone, even if the struggle is exhausting. I’m glad you’re pushing forward with the pelvic CT and exploring allergy testing; sometimes a fresh set of tests can reveal what earlier exams missed. Wishing you answers and relief soon—please do update us! It’s heartbreaking that you’ve dealt with this for 30 years, but your persistence is inspiring. Hang in there!

Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months.

Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal.

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