Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Strange Symptom-- Flu Or Gluten?

Lisa16

Recommended Posts

Lisa16 Collaborator
Lisa16
Posted

Hi all-- I have a wierd symptom (for me, at least.) I am wondering if what happened was gluten related (I ate some rotiserrie chicken from the supermarket and I may have gotten some of the marinade from the skin at 6pm the previous day) or if it is the flu. It has not happened to me before. I definitely have the flu that is going around-- aches and respiratory symptoms. But others who got this flu at work did not report the stomach part... just stomach pain.

Basically, my stomach swelled up with gasses that worked their way out with painful burps, starting in the middle of the night. This increased until I finally threw up at noon. It was almost like a valve in the stomach got stuck shut or something. I am much better today-- felt much better after getting sick too.

Usually gluten just results in diarrhea for me and it happens within about half an hour of eating the offending food, so if it was gluten, this is a new one. Or could it be that because things are messed up from the celiacs that the flu affected me like this?

Lisa16

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


hayley3 Contributor
hayley3
Posted

So, do they have the stomach flu at your work place? Since they have stomach pain, I'm assuming they do but just want to make sure.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Hi all-- I have a wierd symptom (for me, at least.) I am wondering if what happened was gluten related (I ate some rotiserrie chicken from the supermarket and I may have gotten some of the marinade from the skin at 6pm the previous day) or if it is the flu. It has not happened to me before. I definitely have the flu that is going around-- aches and respiratory symptoms. But others who got this flu at work did not report the stomach part... just stomach pain.

Basically, my stomach swelled up with gasses that worked their way out with painful burps, starting in the middle of the night. This increased until I finally threw up at noon. It was almost like a valve in the stomach got stuck shut or something. I am much better today-- felt much better after getting sick too.

Usually gluten just results in diarrhea for me and it happens within about half an hour of eating the offending food, so if it was gluten, this is a new one. Or could it be that because things are messed up from the celiacs that the flu affected me like this?

Lisa16

"I may have gotten some of the marinade from the skin ..." Lisa, I certainly hope that you did not take the skin off the chicken and ate just the meat. If so, you most definately could have gotten glutened. Many rotiserrie chickes do contain gluten and it will contaminate the meat.

Also, you may find, as you continue with your gluten free diet, that you symptom may change after being glutened.

Lisa16 Collaborator
Lisa16
Posted
  • Author

As for work, I am the only one with anything besides stomch pain-- nobody else reported vomiting or diarrhea.

And I am afraid I did take meat from below the skin, thinking if there was gluten it would be on the skin. I am a newbie and it sounds like I messed up. It was one of those social situations (a holiday party) and it looked like about the only option and of course they did it after work and of course I was hungry and of course it smalled really good.

Can gluten cause this kind of a reaction?

dinali63 Rookie
dinali63
Posted

I'm pretty new at all this too, but definitely when I get glutened the reaction has become stronger and the one time it happened recently, I vomited the food that I thought could have been glutened. I ate at a restaurant that had a gluten free menu, but the food must have been cross contaminated. I started feeling ill about a 1/2 hour after eating and felt ill all evening and then got sick around 11:00. I think everyone reacts differently, but I would be concerned that you got some gluten in the chicken. The marinades go into the meat too. I guess we all find some things out the hard way. The most difficult thing for me has been eating out......especially at the holiday parties where everyone is going on and on about how good the food is!

HAK1031 Enthusiast
HAK1031
Posted

I've never thrown up from gluten, but my stomach often gets horribly painfully distended like that...I look like I'm nine months pregnant! And I can't get rid of the gas in my stomach for a few hours, but it usually comes out the other end :-/

Ginsou Explorer
Ginsou
Posted

The chicken may have been gluten free, but was it lactose/dairy free? I noticed you have a problem with lactose....I recently discovered the lactase enzyme that I had been taking for about 10 years has wheat in it, and also soy!! The company has recently changed their ingredients, and I'm wondering if these ingredients were in it all along thru the years. No wonder I was sick in spite of taking the enzyme pills.

Tests at Enterolab show that in addition to gluten problems, I also have casein and soy problems. The results stunned me....I never would have guessed.

Since going gluten,lactose,casein,soy free I feel much better, but still have some problems. Ten days ago I went out to eat and brought my own salad dressing for the salad. The salad had cooked shrimp in it, and I started getting sick within 12 hours. Fortunately, I don't vomit.....I just get intestinal pains for a long, long time. Hmmmmm,wonder if I'm going to develop a shellfish problem next!!!

whoops, sorry Lisa...I wasn't paying attention and just noticed that you do not have a lactose problem...but the info is good for someone else!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


dionnek Enthusiast
dionnek
Posted

Well, first of all, don't beat yourself up for making a mistake - we've all done it and you will make many more :) And this is the hardest time of year! I've learned to either go hungry at stuff like that or bring my own snacks - I won't eat anything that I don't know exactly what's in it and how it was prepared (i.e. cross contamination) anymore :)

Second, I had the flu and was vomitting and D for about 5 days just last week, and my husband had the gas/burps that you were describing, but that was it (I'm the celiac in our family), so it could have just been the flu, but it could have been gluten - you just never know. My symptoms vary so much I can never tell. Good luck and try to make it through the holidays :)

VioletBlue Contributor
VioletBlue
Posted

Um, yeah, ditto that. Sucks too. My symptoms of accidental glutening have been up till now mostly neurological. I become a head case. But the last accidential gluten via white chocolate - who knew - resulted in nausea and stomach pain. That was a surprise.

Violet

Also, you may find, as you continue with your gluten free diet, that you symptom may change after being glutened.
blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I can say I know a good handful of people I work with and am friends with you just had the stomach flu and it sounds almost identical to your symptoms. All the people I knew, including my DH had the stomach pain. At one point he was curling up into a ball....Thankfully I dodged that bullet :)

loco-ladi Contributor
loco-ladi
Posted

I am going to go with ya got both problems.......

flu cetainly and ya glutened yourself accidently :(

Cant just take the skin off to make it gluten-free sorry but now you know :(

Concider it a lesson learned and hope you feel better soon!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @JudyLou! There are a couple of things you might consider to help you in your decision that would not require you to do a gluten challenge. The first, that is if you have not had this test run already, is to request a "total IGA" test to be run. One of the reasons that celiac blood antibody tests can be negative...
    2. JudyLou
      - JudyLou posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Hi there, I’m debating whether to consider a gluten challenge and I’m hoping someone here can help with that decision (so far, none of the doctors have been helpful). I have a history of breaking out in a horrible, burning/itchy somewhat blistering rash about every 8 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s and at that point it started at the ankle...
    3. marzian
      - marzian commented on Scott Adams's article in Diagnosis, Testing & Treatment
      5

      A Future Beyond the Gluten-Free Diet? Scientists Test a New Cell Therapy for Celiac Disease (+Video)

      This is very exciting news. The research lends itself to preventing the immune system in other autoimmune disorders from getting out of sorts. As someone with a compendium of autoimmune disorders I feel a bit of hope.
    4. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      Medications

      Hello, just popped in my head to ask this question about medications and celiac? I have always had refurse reaction to meds since I can remember of what little meds my body is able to tolerate. I was taking gabapentin 300mg for a week, in past I believe 150? Any ways it amps me up not able to sleep, though very tired.However I did notice it helped with...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to GlutenFreeChef's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Blood Test for Celiac wheat type matters?

      I'm not saying that some celiacs won't need it, but it should be done under a doctor's supervision because it can cause lots of problems in some people.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,139
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    kathleen apodaca
    Newest Member
    kathleen apodaca
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @JudyLou! There are a couple of things you might consider to help you in your decision that would not require you to do a gluten challenge. The first, that is if you have not had this test run already, is to request a "total IGA" test to be run. One of the reasons that celiac blood antibody tests can be negative, apart from not having celiac disease, that is, is because of IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, they will not respond accurately to the celiac disease blood antibody tests (such as the commonly run TTG-IGA). The total IGA test is designed to check for IGA deficiency. The total IGA test is not a celiac antibody test so I wouldn't think that a gluten challenge is necessary. The second is to have genetic testing done to determine if you have the genetic potential to develop celiac disease. About 30-40% of  the general population have the genetic potential but only about 1% actually develop celiac disease. So, genetic testing cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease but it can be used to rule it out. Those who don't have the genetic potential but still have reaction to gluten would not be diagnosed with celiac disease but with NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).  Another possibility is that you do have celiac disease but are in remission. We do see this but often it doesn't last.
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Hi there, I’m debating whether to consider a gluten challenge and I’m hoping someone here can help with that decision (so far, none of the doctors have been helpful). I have a history of breaking out in a horrible, burning/itchy somewhat blistering rash about every 8 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s and at that point it started at the ankles and went about to my knees. Every time I had the rash it would cover more of my body, so my arms and part of my torso were impacted as well, and it was always symmetrical. First I was told it was an allergic reaction to a bug bite. Next I was told it was eczema (after a biopsy of the lesion - not the skin near the lesion) and given a steroid injection (didn’t help). I took myself off of gluten about 3 weeks before seeing an allergist, just to see if it would help (it didn’t in that time period). He thought the rash looked like dermatitis herpetiformis and told me to eat some bread the night before my blood tests, which I did, and the tests came back negative. I’ve since learned from this forum that I needed to be eating gluten daily for at least a month in order to get an accurate test result. I’m grateful to the allergist as he found that 5 mg of doxepin daily will eliminate the rash within about 10 days (previously it lasted for months whether I was eating gluten or not). I have been gluten free for about 25 years as a precaution and recommendation from my doctor, and the pattern of breaking out every 8 years or so remains the same except once I broke out after just one year (was not glutened as far as I know), and now it’s been over 9 years. What’s confusing to me, is that there have been 3 times in the past 2 years when I’ve accidentally eaten gluten, and I haven’t had any reaction at all. Once someone made pancakes (they said they were gluten-free, they were not) and I ate several. I need to decide whether to do a gluten challenge and get another blood test. If I do, are these tests really accurate? I’m also concerned that I could damage my gut in that process if I do have celiac disease. My brother and cousin both had lymphoma so that’s a concern regarding a challenge as well, though there is a lot of cancer in various forms in my family so there may be no gluten connection there. Sorry for the ramble, I’m just doubting the need to remain gluten free if I don’t have any reaction to eating it and haven’t had a positive test (other than testing positive for one of the genes, though it sounds like that’s pretty common). I’d appreciate any thoughts or advice! 
    • Jmartes71
      Medications

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Hello, just popped in my head to ask this question about medications and celiac? I have always had refurse reaction to meds since I can remember  of what little meds my body is able to tolerate. I was taking gabapentin 300mg for a week,  in past I believe 150? Any ways it amps me up not able to sleep, though very tired.However I did notice it helped with my bloating sibo belly.I hate that my body is that sensitive and medical doesn't seem to take seriously. Im STILL healing with my skin, eye, and now ms or meningioma ( will know in April  which)and dealing with this limbo nightmare. I did write my name, address ect on the reclamation but im not tech savvy and not sure if went through properly. I called my city representative in Stanislaus County and asked if theres a physical paper i can sign for proclamation for celiac and she had no clue about what I was saying, so I just said I'll go back on website. 
    • Scott Adams
      Blood Test for Celiac wheat type matters?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I'm not saying that some celiacs won't need it, but it should be done under a doctor's supervision because it can cause lots of problems in some people.
    • Jmartes71
      Airborne Gluten?

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I also noticed I get debilitating migraines when I smell gluten, wheat and its not taken seriously when it affects one in every way.Im still begging to properly be heard.I also noticed tolerance level is down the drain with age and life changes. I have been told by incompetent medical that im not celiac or that sensitive. Diagnosed in 1994 by gi biopsy gluten-free ever since along with other lovely food allergies. Prayers
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.