How To Deal With Glutening

[GF avenger]

Hello folks

I've been lurking around here for a few weeks, having come the conclusion that the 'wheat intolerance' I was told I had is actually probably celiac. That's a long story for another post, but this forum has been a life saver!

I'm generally really careful about gluten, but went to a restaurant tonight where I've been safe before and suspect that I may be a victim of cross-contamination. My usual symptoms - weird 'girl part' pain within 30 minutes of ingestion, followed by diarrhea, 3 hours of hanging out in the bathroom with the hot pad on my pelvis, and tonight, the lap top! Thank God for technology!

So, my question - anyone know anything that can stop the reaction in its tracks? Herbal, allopathic, or otherwise? The hot pad has been one part of the solution... How about anything else that can help with the pain/cramping, etc?

My apologies if this post isn't in the right place.

Thank you all for being here!

[Generic]

There really isn't much you can do but ride it out. You can take some immodium which can help with the D and cramps. Check which one is gluten-free. I think the liquid is not safe, but I'm not sure. There is also the option of getting steroid pills from the DR. But most people don't like taking them because they can cause serious side affects.

[mysecretcurse]

I'm lucky I don't get the D. But as for the pain, no clue if there is a way to stop it, or the skin reaction that follows for me, someone let me know? A time machine to go back and eat something else? Gah...frustration.

[happygirl]

There is nothing to stop the actual reaction from continuing - best you can do is help minimize the symptoms. Immodiums are a life saver - helps to keep them on hand.

[Rya]

As for now, all I can say is hang in there!

Once the D stops you might try some light exercise. That helps me with my bloating, even the next day.

So sorry you got so sick!

[GF avenger]

Once the D stops you might try some light exercise. That helps me with my bloating, even the next day.

Thanks for your replies. The exercise comment is interesting. While I've been healing this summer, I haven't had much energy for my usual intense exercise (and life!) routine - but small amounts have made you feel better?

I noticed on one occasion that walking, when possible between bouts, did seem to speed things up a bit...

I wonder if it's a circulatory issue.

[Rya]

Thanks for your replies. The exercise comment is interesting. While I've been healing this summer, I haven't had much energy for my usual intense exercise (and life!) routine - but small amounts have made you feel better?

I noticed on one occasion that walking, when possible between bouts, did seem to speed things up a bit...

I wonder if it's a circulatory issue.

Exactly - as you exercise, your body shunts blood away from your intestines to your muscles. (From here out is my theory) ...thus your intestines don't have such a party with inflammation and self-attacking...

Swimming really really helped me...

Plus it's a mood booster

[GF avenger]

Exactly - as you exercise, your body shunts blood away from your intestines to your muscles. (From here out is my theory) ...thus your intestines don't have such a party with inflammation and self-attacking...

Swimming really really helped me...

Plus it's a mood booster

Rya, I think you're a woman after my own heart. I've often told my massage clients that a little tiny bit of comfortable movement is a better option than not moving at all when they're sore from some sports event or gardening or whatever - and I'm convinced that the circulation is the thing. I'll definitely keep that in mind for future glutenings.

I'm still feeling a little peaked today - but just went for a big walk with my boyfriend that's at least made my head feel a little better.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[sickchick]

Mild exercize has gotten me though this whole ordeal. It helps mood, gives you some energy, restabilizes your whole being. I walk semi-hard 25 minutes a day (down hill then back up)

Are you currently taking any probiotics Sweetie? That will also help tremendously with inflammation of your intestine (Acidophilus works on small intestine, Bifidus on large)

Be very patient with yourself. Especially in the beginning

[GFinDC]

I really think it makes sense to let the D do it's thing, and clear your gut of the poison (gluten). Getting it out quick is better than using something to keep it in and cause more damage. So, maybe this is rough, but as soon as you realize you have been glutened, eat a whole can of sauerkraut without draining the salty brine. That should clear out most anything nasty hanging around! This is best done at home on a weekend though.

[Kauk]

Exactly - as you exercise, your body shunts blood away from your intestines to your muscles. (From here out is my theory) ...thus your intestines don't have such a party with inflammation and self-attacking...

Swimming really really helped me...

Plus it's a mood booster

I am a 2nd degree Green belt in Karate. Was awsome, but other heath issue have lead me to swimming. I may start that a few times a week! I work nights, managing a theater..waiting for the schedule to work before I start.

HUGS

Rebecca

[Rya]

Rya, I think you're a woman after my own heart. I've often told my massage clients that a little tiny bit of comfortable movement is a better option than not moving at all when they're sore from some sports event or gardening or whatever - and I'm convinced that the circulation is the thing. I'll definitely keep that in mind for future glutenings.

I'm still feeling a little peaked today - but just went for a big walk with my boyfriend that's at least made my head feel a little better.

Thanks for your thoughts.

It's good to have a kindred spirit.

I think sometimes getting your head straight takes precedence over the body. On the note of the body though, when I hurt my back so awfully a few years ago, my old horseback riding instructor and life mentor I guess (injury unrelated to horses) told me to keep from laying still on my couch all day. The pain was so great though that I didn't even try to walk, even just for five minutes. The thought of a hard breeze catching me or a stumble was unbearable. Unfortunately, the old man had it right. We ended up having the same surgery within a year of each other. He, at 65, recovered in less than two months. I, at 21, didn't feel right until over a year out. There's something to it.

[GFinDC]

I haven't tried this, but I am wondering if it makes sense to take some tumeric extract after a glutening? Tumeric is supposed to contain a natural immune suppressant, curcumin, and so it might help with autoimmune symptoms.

[dksart]

I really think it makes sense to let the D do it's thing, and clear your gut of the poison (gluten). Getting it out quick is better than using something to keep it in and cause more damage. So, maybe this is rough, but as soon as you realize you have been glutened, eat a whole can of sauerkraut without draining the salty brine. That should clear out most anything nasty hanging around! This is best done at home on a weekend though.

......my thoughts exactly!

I haven't tried this, but I am wondering if it makes sense to take some tumeric extract after a glutening? Tumeric is supposed to contain a natural immune suppressant, curcumin, and so it might help with autoimmune symptoms.

Very interesting, it makes perfect sense. I wonder if anyone's tested turmeric?

.....off to google it!

[AndrewNYC]

Eating something that is super easy on your stomach, like an elemental diet formula, could be helpful, rather than eating regular food in the aftermath.

[GF avenger]

Hello helpful folks!

Just wanted to let you know about 2 discoveries I've come across in the last couple days...

First, in response to the tumeric comment - just today the Oregonian published a little blurb about the pain killing and anti-inflammatory qualities of tumeric. A reader wrote that she's used a blend for 5 years with great success with her nerve pain. The blend is called "Solaray Tumeric Special Formula", and it's made from bromelain, boswellia and tumeric.

I don't yet know if that brand is gluten-free - there might be more info at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Also, a very helpful RN named Wendy Cohan has a recipe for a tummy soothing smoothie, post-glutenization. The base of it is stinging nettle tea - which I used just a couple days ago in the absence of other ingredients, and it did seem to soothe things lots faster than just waiting it out.

I'm equally opposed to letting the gluten stay in my body, but the getting-it-out process is so agonizing and leaves me so drained (and sleep deprived) that I wanted to know what folks were doing to help themselves during and after. So thanks, GFinDC, I hear you.

[Generic]

The key is to only take enough Immodiums to slow things down a bit, not plug it up. It makes no sense to have severe D to the point of dehydration (like some of us who end up in the ER). I personally don't enjoy brown underwear if you know what I mean.

[dksart]

I can't take Immodium. I would be constipated for ever!

I was glutened about two weeks ago, got explosive D and the terrible joint pain to the point that I was bedridden for days. The combo of pain meds and immobility caused one of my worst cases of C ever. It was over a week before I finally sent the hubby for some senna and citrate of magnesium. The last five days have been miserable, I went from looking pregnant from the C to cramping and passing nothing but water.

Yesterday, I got poisoned again! Without thinking I picked up a pizza box and I guess I got some on my shirt (washed hands and arms thoroughly) Fuzzy headache and my weird jaw tightness pain within 15 minutes and woke up this morning in pain everywhere with terrible stiffness in my joints. AAARGH!! I do not want to go through this again! My brain fog is so bad right now, I keep hitting all the wrong keys! I am so mad at myself. (> ~ <)

I will try stinging nettle tea, but I guess it's too late.

[GFqueen17]

haha i use the laptop for cramps too!

[GFinDC]

I personally don't enjoy brown underwear if you know what I mean.

But you'll miss out on the height of celiac fashion with that attitude!

Hi GFAvenger,

Thanks for the info about turmeric and inflammation! What got me thinking about all this is a a commercial for Enbrel. In the commercial they have a warning that Enbrel is an immune suppressant, so you might be susceptible to infections while on it. So, my brain goes, hey, why not take an Enbrel when I get glutened, to help fight the autoimmune reactions? After some further reading I found that immune suppressants are used in treating crohn's patients. Anyway, my preference would be to take a natural immune suppressant of some sort, rather than a doctor pill.. I found some references to green tea being an immune suppressant also.

Here is some info on the immune affects of turmeric. This is just part of the article talking about research on using turmeric in aids. There are also some sites that talk about it possibly helping RA patients, which is also an autoimmune disease..

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Curry for cancer?

Researchers have discovered that curcumin, found in curry spices, had anti-HIV activity in lab experiments with cells

First, curcumin appears to suppress the chemical messengers needed by the immune system (cytokines) to fight HIV and many of the infections seen in AIDS. At the same time, this plant extract appears to stimulate production of cytokines that further weaken the immune system.

Second, curcumin can block the growth of B-cells and, more important, T-cells. In people with HIV/AIDS, CD4+ and CD8+ cells appear to die faster than normal. Compounds that therefore impair the growth of T-cells - and possibly cause them to die prematurely - may accelerate HIV's destruction of the immune system.

Third, curcumin has historically been used to suppress inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Drugs such as corticosteroids and low-dose cyclosporin can also produce similar benefits. However, prolonged use of corticosteroids can weaken the immune system's ability to fight infections. Indeed, in some experiments, curcumin's anti-inflammatory activity has been compared to that of the immune-suppressing drug cyclosporin. Clinical trials of cyclosporin in people with HIV/AIDS have not produced beneficial results.

Fourth, curcumin has antioxidant activity. This feature may make it attractive to people with HIV/AIDS because of their need for an increased intake of antioxidants. It appears, however, that curcumin should not be the antioxidant of first choice. The reason for this is that the body has specific biochemical needs for certain antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. As well, the body can make its own antioxidant enzymes using the amino acid cysteine and the minerals selenium, zinc, copper and manganese. Finally, some people may choose to take supplements of alpha-lipoic acid, an expensive antioxidant. Fulfilling the basic nutritional needs with antioxidants and the substances to make them should take priority over a compound for which there is no daily requirement.

[GFinDC]

Ok I found this link about decreasing permeability of the gut. They say that black pepper, nutmeg, and bay leafs can help reduce permeability of the intestine, which would be good to know if accidentally glutened. Hot peppers / paprika increase the permeability, so a bad idea if glutened. Black pepper, nutmeg and bay leaf tea anyone? I don't know if this would help or not, but maybe it would keep some of the gliaden from getting into the blood stream.

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