Emergency Room

[Katerific]

On Saturday I got glutened so badly that I had to go to the Emergency Room at the hospital.  I only eat in restaurants approximately 2 times a year.  We went to a pizza place that has gluten free pizza.  They show nutritional information about all their menu items and it seemed I could get all the ingredients for my gluten free pizza.  Now I read that pizzerias are one of the top places to get glutened.  About 2 hours later, I started vomiting and having diarrhea.  I couldn't stop vomiting, I was dizzy, pouring sweat and I was shaking so much.  I have never felt so sick in my life.  The hospital gave me Zofran and a bag of saline and I went home a few hours later.  Yesterday I sat in the recliner and sipped Pedialyte and ate gluten-free crackers all day.  I felt weak and nauseous.  Today I feel better, but weak.  What else should I do to recover from the gluten assault on my body?

[Scott Adams]

I am so sorry you went through such a terrifying and severe reaction; that sounds absolutely awful and it's completely understandable that you ended up in the ER. Unfortunately, pizzerias are indeed one of the highest-risk places for cross-contact, as gluten-containing flour can stay airborne for hours and contaminate surfaces, utensils, and even the gluten-free ingredients. For your recovery, the best course is to continue exactly what you're doing: prioritize rest and hydration with electrolytes like Pedialyte, as your body has been through a massive ordeal. Stick to very simple, easy-to-digest foods like bone broth, plain rice, bananas, or applesauce for the next few days to avoid further upsetting your system. Be patient with yourself, as the weakness and fatigue can linger for a while as the inflammation subsides. It's a brutal reminder of how serious this is, and while it's devastating that one of your rare meals out went so wrong, your caution is completely justified. I hope you feel back to 100% very soon.

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