Gluten Challenge Update

[penguin]

I'm exhausted. I was up all night with D and hives EVERYWHERE. I've been getting hives since about the time I started eating gluten again, but I started using a new detergent around the same time, so I have hypoallergenic detergent now and I'm in the process of re-washing everything. I hadn't gotten to the bed yet, so right now I'm thinking last night was a ridiculous reaction to my sheets. The hives are always worse in bed. Maybe I'm allergic to DH

At any rate, my immune system is going nuts right now.

I am now 53 days out of 90 for the gluten challenge. The brain fog has either subsided a bit or I've adapted. The daily D is back, I forgot how fun that was On the upside, that's slowing down the insane weight gain...maybe I can keep from gaining any more

Yes, I'm still doing the biopsy. Yes, I will be gluten-free the second it is done, and will remain that way forever. Even if the biopsy is negative, because every doctor I've talked to says I'm intolerant. I would never be able to be gluten-free forever if I never got the biopsy. I would always wonder what would have happened if I got the biopsy, and I'd go through this at some point anyway, so it may as well be now after only 4 months gluten-free and there's a better chance for damage.

For anyone considering a gluten challenge: It sucks!

Anyone got a good remedy for hives? The cortaid isn't doing a whole lot

I know it's hives, because they come on quickly and leave pretty fast (within an hour)

[queenofhearts]

I had a ferocious case of hives about a year ago, & the doctor recommended Benadryl (expected) & Tagamet/Cimetidine (unexpected!)-- for some reason the latter seems to help stop the reaction. Probably wouldn't hurt for your GI symptoms either!

Good luck,

Leah

[penguin]

Tagamet? Really? I'm already taking prilosec so they probably interact. I know benadryl will help, I just hate taking it because I can only take it at night and I'm really groggy the next day

Thanks for the tagamet suggestion! I may just try that!

[plantime]

Go to a store that sells herbs, buy some dried Stinging Nettle Leaves (also called just plain dried nettle leaves), and make a poultice out of it. I don't know why it works, but it makes my skin feel much better!

[queenofhearts]

Tagamet? Really? I'm already taking prilosec so they probably interact. I know benadryl will help, I just hate taking it because I can only take it at night and I'm really groggy the next day

Thanks for the tagamet suggestion! I may just try that!

Hm, the interaction might be a problem. Maybe you could substitute? But better ask your doctor.

Yeah, I hate that Benadryl fog too, but when I had the hives I was itching so bad it was just making me insane, & a little fog was an improvement! Not good to drive on it though, that's for sure. Worse than DWI in my book!

Hope you feel better soon.

Leah

[penguin]

Hm, the interaction might be a problem. Maybe you could substitute? But better ask your doctor.

Yeah, I hate that Benadryl fog too, but when I had the hives I was itching so bad it was just making me insane, & a little fog was an improvement! Not good to drive on it though, that's for sure. Worse than DWI in my book!

Hope you feel better soon.

Leah

With some googling, it looks as though Cimetadine and prilosec don't interact. Wahoo! I'll ask my pharmacist just to make sure. I need to keep a PDR handy

[jenvan]

Hang in there girl!!

[ravenwoodglass]

I hope you get some relief. Just as a bit of a warning, hopefully not needed, hives can be a sign of a true allergic reaction. I know you want to continue the poisoning until your biopsy but if you notice any swelling in your throat or any other signs that this reaction is getting more severe please don't ignore it and bring it to your doctors attention promptly. Have you notified your GI about what is occuring? Not all GI are clueless and he may make the diagnosis at this point without the biopsy or he may be able to move your procedure up a bit.

[penguin]

I don't have a true allergy to any foods, I just had allergy testing done in March. I have an oral allergy to tree nuts. I really think the hives are from the laundry detergent, it's the new Tide with Downy stuff. I'll give it a couple of weeks with the hypoallergenic detergent and if it doesn't get any better, I'll call the allergist, gastro, or both. Actually, if I keep having nights like I did last night, I'll call people sooner

Yeah, if my throat swells, to the ER I go! Thanks!

[Guest BERNESES]

Hang in there ChelsE- you are one brave woman! BTW, I take Nexium and for allergies I was told to take Pepcid AC and Claritin. I guess you can take Pepcid (which has an anti-histamine in it) with Nexium. But I would double check with your pharmacist or doc.

I will be so glad when this is over for you!!!!!!!!!

[queenofhearts]

I'm a big Claritin fan when it comes to my hay fever, but the doctor informed me that Claritin doesn't work so well against hives. (I had tried taking it immediately when I felt the oncoming symptoms but still ended up in the E.R.) Now I keep Benadryl & Tagamet on hand in case it happens again!

Leah

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I take CHILDREN'S Benadryl. The smaller dose seems to work just as well as the grown-up dose, and it doesn't make me nearly as sleepy. This is a good trick with other over-the-counter meds, too--I don't know if hyper immune systems like ours have anything to do with this, or if this would work for everybody (let's blame the pharm industry!).

[Jestgar]

When I was having really bad urticaria my boss (who is an MD) gave me a variety of options.

Allegra, 2x the recommended dose

Allegra and benadryl, (benadryl at night because it causes sleepiness)

OTC claritin (apparently better than other non-sedating antihistamines)

Also from reading I saw that for some people the H2 blockers:

Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB)

Famotidine (Pepcid AC, Pepcid Oral)

Nizatidine capsules (Axid AR, Axid Capsules, Nizatadine Capsules)

Ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75)

When taken with H1 blockers (like benadryl and claritin) can help, but not for all people and they do very little on their own.

And my massage therapist suggested arnica cream and tea tree oil.

[2Boys4Me]

I really think the hives are from the laundry detergent, it's the new Tide with Downy stuff.

I'll bet you ONE MILLION DOLLARS that it's the Tide. I tried a sample of Tide that came in the mail one time. I washed sheets with it and after two hours I booted my husband out of bed so I could change the sheets. I'd scratched my legs so much they were practically bleeding.

Also, everyone I've ever known with excema has it ease up a bit as soon as they quit using Tide.

Tide makes things itchy. It should be their slogan.

The only time I had hives they were terrible. Big, giant welts all over. I went to the emergency room and they gave me a shot of benadryl or adrenaline(?) or something. I felt like a cartoon. I could feel and practically see my heart beating. It was freaky.

[eKatherine]

I break out from any laundry detergent that isn't fragrance-free. When my daughter was an infant, my mother came to stay for a couple of weeks. She didn't think the laundry detergent I use is strong enough (doesn't have a stron fragrance) and she bought one she liked, that gave the baby and me a rash.

[Green12]

The hives are always worse in bed.

So sorry you are having such a difficult time.

When I have hives they are, more often than not, worse at night, during sleeping. I was told by my naturopath that during sleep is when some of the organs are doing their work and various detoxification processes are taking place (and I can't recall exactly the process, I haven't brushed up on my anatomy/physiology lately) but this could be the case for you. A big sign that the gluten is really taxing your body and it's trying hard to detox the poison.

Of course it could be the detergent as well.

[AndreaB]

A big sign that the gluten is really taxing your body and it's trying hard to detox the poison.

Of course it could be the detergent as well.

Julie,

Good point.

OK Chelsea, I'm concerned now. Please check with the doctor if changing detergents doesn't work. Did you say the biopsy was in August?

[DingoGirl]

Ugh. Chelsea, so sorry you have to go through this. I guess I thought the gluten challenge would be more fun, because you could eat whatever you want, clearly it's not! Hang in.....

[penguin]

Well, I washed my sheets and quilt and slept like a rock last night, not even a tickle! I had a small hive patch on my thigh when I got in the shower, but it didn't really itch.

*Fingers crossed* that the detergent is the problem!

In a way the challenge is fun since I can eat whatever I want, but to be honest, I like gluten-free food better! I certainly like being able to go into a bookstore without booking it to a bathroom. I love the convenience of being able to pull through Taco Bell when I'm hungry, though! The last two weeks before my biospy I'll probably gain 100 lbs because I'm going to 1: eat as much gluten as humanly possible for testing and 2: eat everything I won't be able to have again. I'm going to be eating a lot of NY pizzas I think my "last meal" will be at spaghetti warehouse.

Thanks for your help, everybody!

[lindalee]

Well, I washed my sheets and quilt and slept like a rock last night, not even a tickle! I had a small hive patch on my thigh when I got in the shower, but it didn't really itch.

*Fingers crossed* that the detergent is the problem!

In a way the challenge is fun since I can eat whatever I want, but to be honest, I like gluten-free food better! I certainly like being able to go into a bookstore without booking it to a bathroom. I love the convenience of being able to pull through Taco Bell when I'm hungry, though! The last two weeks before my biospy I'll probably gain 100 lbs because I'm going to 1: eat as much gluten as humanly possible for testing and 2: eat everything I won't be able to have again. I'm going to be eating a lot of NY pizzas I think my "last meal" will be at spaghetti warehouse.

Thanks for your help, everybody!

Oil of oregano worked for me also I eliminated anything with sodium laurel sulfate. Noni juice also helped with the inflamation. I called downy and asked about the wrinkle reducer product and they never got back to me. I use gain detergent and the 2 balls for the dryer instead of fabric softner. They work great. Hope the itch goes for you --- it is a pain in the neck and very frustrating. LindaLee

[Green12]

Well, I washed my sheets and quilt and slept like a rock last night, not even a tickle! I had a small hive patch on my thigh when I got in the shower, but it didn't really itch.

*Fingers crossed* that the detergent is the problem!

In a way the challenge is fun since I can eat whatever I want, but to be honest, I like gluten-free food better! I certainly like being able to go into a bookstore without booking it to a bathroom. I love the convenience of being able to pull through Taco Bell when I'm hungry, though! The last two weeks before my biospy I'll probably gain 100 lbs because I'm going to 1: eat as much gluten as humanly possible for testing and 2: eat everything I won't be able to have again. I'm going to be eating a lot of NY pizzas I think my "last meal" will be at spaghetti warehouse.

Thanks for your help, everybody!

Great news that your hives went away, it's easier to have the detergent be the cause then something else, believe me!

I hope you fit in some of Paula Deen's creations those last 2 weeks for good measure, since the rest of us can't, take one for the team

[Lymetoo]

Here are two sites for checking drug interactions. No need for a PDR!!!

Hang in there....you're tougher than me!!

Drug information:

Open Original Shared Link

www.drugdigest.com

[ebrbetty]

hang in there...my dr is thinking of having me do a challenge, not sure I could do it as my main symptom is severe stomach pain..good luck, you're a brave woman and while your at it please have a large xtra cheese pizza for me, what the hell, a steak and cheese sub would be great too!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Haves some Mu Shu Pork w/those pancake tortilla things for me! (Hope you don't get too many tummy problems from this challenge!)

[AndreaB]

I'm so relieved that the detergent seems to be the problem.

I keep forgeting to NOT lick the envelopes. Seth had a minor skin irritation which must have been from that. Cheese pizza....boy does that sound good...make mine extra cheese. Did any of you frequent Godfathers in years past? Now there's cheese! Of course I liked Pizza Hut's stuffed crust too. Ooh, how about fried mozzerella sticks. Never had em better than a catered party at a friends when I was visiting Pennsylvania while I was in high school. They lived in Sewickley, about 1 hour from Pittsburgh. I'm just mildly allergic to dairy so I can still have it, I just don't like to have a lot of it like I used to.