Question About Getting Glutened

[Nashville]

I doubt anyone can give me a definitive answer on this, but I would like to hear if anybody has any thoughts. I have been gluten free since being diagnosed on Nov. 1. I am fortunate in that I never got sick from eating gluten. My symptoms have been fatigue and headaches, which started after coming down with mono about four years ago.

Since diagnosis I have been extremely cautious about everything. I don't go out to eat and I wash my hands after touching anything with gluten.

So here is my question: When others are complaining that they get sick from possible cross-contamination in something like an Amy's frozen meal, if I get cc'd is that slowing down my recovery? I don't know if I get glutened because I don't get sick. My fear is that I am following this diet so closely yet I will never make a full recovery because of small amounts of cc that I don't realize I am even getting. Does this make sense? Any thoughts?

[key]

You are correct that if we continue to get gluttened with things such as Amy's meals, that we won't always be healed, but I don't think that it will set you back completely to where you were before. I had some of her vegan chili lastnight and got gluttened from it. I know because I had stomach cramping, bloating and gas and my legs ached this morning. I had specifically bought her product, because i was worried about another one I have been eating for chilli. It is very annoying. I am not sure who to trust anymore. I made my own chili, but used a seasoning pack from Frontier Coop and wasn't sure if it was gluten-free, because I couldn't find a phone number. It was good and I don't think I got sick from it, but when I make chili it makes a TON and I don't always need that much.

SOrry for that, but it is good you aren't eating in restaurants and being careful about CC. I am sure you are getting better. We just have to be as careful as we can for now, since it seems that some products aren't always telling the truth. I am hoping that Amy's products will get everything straightened out soon.

Sorry I am not more help, but I feel sort of in that boat, that continued gluttenings without knowing where it is coming from his keeping me from getting 100% better.

Monica

[Canadian Karen]

The only advice that I can give you is to tell you that if you are following the gluten-free diet, are very careful, don't knowingly decide to slack off on the diet (i.e. get lazy, thinking "What harm can it do?"), then I would say that you are doing just fine and not to worry about it. Worrying about it is only going to cause you more harm (keep the stress levels down!). There are alot here who are totally asymptomatic, wouldn't know they had gluten if it hit them in the face! Their bodies show no reaction, but as long as they are faithful to the diet, they pretty well know that the health risks are eliminated.

This probably doesn't make any sense, for some reason I am having difficulty today putting my thoughts down in words!!! I feel like DUH!!!

Karen

[Nashville]

Thanks for the responses. My primary concern right now is healing 100 percent — getting to the point where my energy is back and I can begin to exercise again. Once I get to that point (and I know it might take a while), I will be willing to take some risks (go out more often, etc.). My villi were severely damaged according to my biopsy, so it might be a year or more before I am back to normal — if ever at all. Thanks again.