Telling The Difference Between Celiac's And A Stomach Bug

[Guest Norah022]

So it started on Friday with feeling like complete crap...running a fever, headache, hurts to move, severe nausea. Saturday it was the same but no fever. Yesterday I was having severe acid reflux.

This morning I wake up to severe cramping, continuous stomach pain, bloating, nausea, no appetite, massive salive production, and the fever is back.

At first I thought I had been glutened BUT normally with my gluten reactions I have immediate D and the first time I had D or C was tonight so 4 days after the symptoms started and I have never had a fever after glutening and it has never been this bad.

So how do you tell the difference between a celiac's reaction and a legitimate bug?

[chrissy]

since you know what your normal reaction to gluten is, and this is totally different, i'd guess it is not a gluten reaction.

[Guest cassidy]

How long have you been gluten-free?

I didn't feel better at all for the first 2 weeks. At that point I could tell when I glutened myself. My symptoms aren't always the same but they are similar enough to recognize them.

Right now I would say it really doesn't make a difference. Take care of yourself, drink enough fluids and make sure you eat bland, safe food. Either way the treatment is pretty much the same. Hopefully you have a bug and gluten isn't making you feel that bad.

Feel better soon.

[Guest Norah022]

I have been gluten free since June.

I have progressively felt worse since going gluten free as the months progress.

[Guest cassidy]

Well, something isn't right then.

How were you diagnosed?

What type of diet are you eating? Are you eating out? Have you cut anything else out?

Do you keep a food diary and is there any pattern to when you feel bad?

Have you checked everything for hidden gluten - cosmetics, shampoo, kitchen utensils?

Do you share a kitchen with gluten eaters?

Do you have other health issues that could be clouding the situation?

Sorry for all the questions but it is easier to give advice if you understand the situation.

[Guest Norah022]

Well, something isn't right then.

How were you diagnosed?

Dad got diagnosed about 7 years ago. I have had symptoms all my life and finally tested positive via a blood test in May. Because my dr is my dad's dr and I tested with such a strong positive i immediately went gluten free and within days felt absolutely amazing.

What type of diet are you eating? Are you eating out? Have you cut anything else out?

Gluten Free and minimal lactose free. No eating out. Not cutting anything else out as I have shown no allergy signs to other foods and my body is so weak gluten free they are seriously worried about limiting my diet anymore.

Do you keep a food diary and is there any pattern to when you feel bad?

This is the first time I have felt bad in months. no food diary as I have an eating disorder and food diaries encourage it

Have you checked everything for hidden gluten - cosmetics, shampoo, kitchen utensils?

Do you share a kitchen with gluten eaters?

To answer both questions at once I do share my utensils and kitchen with gluten eaters. I am in college and live in a duplex with 3 other girls who are aware of my situatioon and are careful. They don't realize how serious it is and have called me a liar. Celiac's has lead to a complete end to our friendships because they think I am exaggerating my illness. They have glutened me multiple times but I looked back recently and nothing is a warning flag. I watch all the utensils i use before I use them and all of my food is either kept in my room or kept separate in the fridge. There is no way for me currently to change that situation but i also live in a gluten house at home and have never had any problems

Do you have other health issues that could be clouding the situation?

Severe acid reflux but those symptoms are entirely different from the stomach situations I am having.

Sorry for all the questions but it is easier to give advice if you understand the situation.

[Amanda L]

Honestly it sounds like that nasty tummy bug that went around last year. I had it twice and had those exact symptoms. I never did throw up (thank goodness, as I have a SEVERE phobia of it) but I was sick for over a week. DH had it once too and was the same way.

Hope you feel better.

[Guest cassidy]

I have been gluten free since June.

I have progressively felt worse since going gluten free as the months progress.

I'm a bit confused. At first you said the above and it sounded like you were not feeling well in the last few months after going gluten-free, but then you posted again and said this is the first time you have felt bad after going gluten-free.

"This is the first time I have felt bad in months"

If this is isolated, then it is probably a bug. Sounds like you are doing the best you can in the situation that you are in.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Guest Norah022]

Sorry should have been more clear. This is the first time I have felt THIS BAD since going gluten free.

The sypmtoms I have been having are new for any gluten reactions.

I have a feeling its a stomach bug as I was up all night throwing up.