My Very First Glutening

[AshleyE]

Well, I've managed to make it a little over a month living gluten free without any problems. Yesterday I went to a restaurant with my husband and some friends and I ordered this delicious polenta and vegetables dish that I thought would be safe. This morning proves to me that it wasn't completely gluten free. I've been in and out of the bathroom with D all morning, and my stomach is cramping horribly. I never had symptoms like this when I was eating gluten, so I wasn't sure how I would react, but now there's no question.

Does anybody have any advice on any way to make the pain and D a little easier, or do I jsut have to ride it out?

[bbo1]

Well, I've managed to make it a little over a month living gluten free without any problems. Yesterday I went to a restaurant with my husband and some friends and I ordered this delicious polenta and vegetables dish that I thought would be safe. This morning proves to me that it wasn't completely gluten free. I've been in and out of the bathroom with D all morning, and my stomach is cramping horribly. I never had symptoms like this when I was eating gluten, so I wasn't sure how I would react, but now there's no question.

Does anybody have any advice on any way to make the pain and D a little easier, or do I jsut have to ride it out?

Ashley - It DOES go away, as soon as your body get's the poison out! (That's what gluten is to a Celiac - it's poison.) Drink lots of water - it's a natural way to cleanse without causing more problems. Also it will cut down on the butt-burn D can cause. NO MILK til all D is gone - it irritates the intestinal track=more D.

I have learned to be very careful in restaurants - send waiters to talk to cooks to find out if something contains wheat, ask the chef to tell the waiter what is safe to order, etc. Most places offer grilled meats and steamed veggies, baked potatoes, rice... just be sure to avoid sauces and dressings! Tell the waiter to put "ABSOLUTELY NO WHEAT" on your order.

Good luck with your new diet. I recently got a good book "The Gluten-Free Bible" - you can get it at Barnes & Noble, or they will order it for you.

~~Barbara in Nipomo, CA

gluten-free by intuition since January 2006 (negative blood test Oct '06)

Brother diagnosed Celiac July 2005

Nephew diagnosed Celiac August 2005

Oldest brother died Sept '02 with multiple Celiac symptoms for years, but no diagnosis

[bbo1]

Well, I've managed to make it a little over a month living gluten free without any problems. Yesterday I went to a restaurant with my husband and some friends and I ordered this delicious polenta and vegetables dish that I thought would be safe. This morning proves to me that it wasn't completely gluten free. I've been in and out of the bathroom with D all morning, and my stomach is cramping horribly. I never had symptoms like this when I was eating gluten, so I wasn't sure how I would react, but now there's no question.

Does anybody have any advice on any way to make the pain and D a little easier, or do I jsut have to ride it out?

Ashley - Drink lots of water - it will help "flush" out the poison (yes, you've been poisoned - that's what gluten is to a celiac!). It will also help cut down on the butt-burn that accompanies D. NO MILK until the D is gone - milk irritates the bowels and it prolongs the effects.

When eating out, I've learned to ask waiters to check with the chef for wheat-free menu items - they know the ingredients that don't show up on the menu. Also, when in question, go simple - grilled meat or fish, steamed veggies, rice or baked potato...stay away from anything with a sauce, gravy or dressing. It's also ok to ask the waiter to write "Absolutely no wheat" on your order.

A good guide book I recently purchased is "The Gluten-Free Bible". You can get it at Barnes & Noble or they can order one for you.

Good luck with your new diet.

~~Barbara in Nipomo, CA

gluten-free by intuition since January '06 (negative blood test Oct '05)

Brother diagnosed Celiac July '05 after years of medical issues

Nephew diagnosed Celiac August '05

Oldest brother died 9-02 after years of Celiac symptoms & medical issues - undiagnosed

[plantime]

I had my very first typical gluten reaction the end of March. I thought I was going to die! I almost went to the ER, the diarrhea was so bad, and I was getting so dehydrated! Just keep drinking lots of water, it will help your body to flush out the gluten, so the reaction will stop.

[AshleyE]

Thanks for the advice to drink lots of water. It's about three o'clock now and I'm starting to feel better. I've been kind of afraid to put anything else in my body. I'm hungry, but I don't want to make my body mad. I think I'll nibble on some rice cakes or something basic. Fruit sounds good, but probably a little too acidic.

Anyway, thanks again.