Inconsistent Reactions

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Okay, I've been gluten-free since January exept for one day, where I ate a Chinese dumpling and a spring roll with no discenable reaction. I was glad I didn't react, but with all my immune system goofiness, I'm not about to scarf down gluten, so I went right back to my gluten-free diet.

Tonight, my husband made a box of scalloped potatoes (he never cooks, I just had the kids swimming and was late and he was getting hungry). I assumed he'd checked the box; he assumed it was gluten-free (which of course it wasn't).

I only had a couple of mouthfuls (we were in a rush to get our oldest son to a recital), and didn't think about it until 5 hours later, when my tummy blew up like a balloon.

Why am I not reacting consistently? I must have had much more wheat in the dumpling, but didn't react at all. Two bites of scalloped potatoes, and I look like I'm 6 months pregnant. It doesn't make any sense!

[lonewolf]

I wish I knew the answer. Sometimes I'll get a bad stomach ache before I finish my meal, sometimes several hours later, sometimes no stomach problems at all. I haven't been glutened for a long time now, but I really thought I had eaten something wrong last week, was expecting a problem, and it never came. In the past, I've had other non-digestive problems when eating gluten. It would much simpler if it would be consistent!

[Ursa Major]

Sounds like maybe other intolerances as well. You react to other things (maybe corn?) differently. That's what happens to me.

I did a gluten challenge a week ago for four days, and didn't even get diarrhea. But I know that I have had no gluten since, in fact I fasted for 24 hours, and then ate all things made from scratch last night, no chance of cross contamination. NOW I have terrible diarrhea (started yesterday). I think it's a delayed reaction to the gluten a week ago! Pretty crazy. Consistent? No way! Predictable? Definitely not. Why do I react differently every time? I have no idea, but it's a fact of life, nothing I can do.

Anyway, you may want to test things like corn (there was likely corn in the scalloped potatoes, and a ton of other possible allergens).

[ravenwoodglass]

Sounds like maybe other intolerances as well. You react to other things (maybe corn?) differently. That's what happens to me.

I did a gluten challenge a week ago for four days, and didn't even get diarrhea. But I know that I have had no gluten since, in fact I fasted for 24 hours, and then ate all things made from scratch last night, no chance of cross contamination. NOW I have terrible diarrhea (started yesterday). I think it's a delayed reaction to the gluten a week ago! Pretty crazy. Consistent? No way! Predictable? Definitely not. Why do I react differently every time? I have no idea, but it's a fact of life, nothing I can do.

Anyway, you may want to test things like corn (there was likely corn in the scalloped potatoes, and a ton of other possible allergens).

This is really not unusual. Gluten is an intolerance and depending on how quickly 'things move' will often take a few days to show up. When my allergist guided me with the elimination diet he took great pains to explain this delay because I was questioning why I had to wait a full week between adding items. I agree completely with checking for other intolerances also. I have found I am sensitive to the nightshades and am in the process of ruling out soy now. Seems they put soy in almost all processed foods. Sometimes I think my body is best off with just 'pure' unprocessed meats, veggies and fruits, but gee it would be nice to have a 'not really good for you' treat without the worry.

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

Okay, I've been gluten-free since January.......

........Tonight, my husband made a box of scalloped potatoes (he never cooks, I just had the kids swimming and was late and he was getting hungry). I assumed he'd checked the box; he assumed it was gluten-free (which of course it wasn't).

........Why am I not reacting consistently? I must have had much more wheat in the dumpling, but didn't react at all. Two bites of scalloped potatoes, and I look like I'm 6 months pregnant. It doesn't make any sense!

Sometimes w/ celiac disease you can have a problem with dairy and other things too. I do. For me dairy issues w/bloating (and pain) and gas are my symptoms also. Scalloped potatoes are cheese dairy and the thickening agent. The later could have been the problem cause it to be worse. Have you had a reaction to cheese and dairy before? Or corn? Mint tea helps me with the bloating.

I keep a food & body journal. Very important. It really helps me understand why I feel bad, and why. And I've been working with, believe-it-or-not, my chiropractor and he's helping my digestive system get better. He is changing patterns I have formed. But journal what you eat -- and what your -- stool is like. I know, I had a hard time typing the word. But you will get answers to what foods work and what foods don't.