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Celiac And Breathing Gluten

jbyrd

By jbyrd
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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jbyrd Newbie
jbyrd
Posted

My wife was diagnosed with Celiac in July 2008. Now her problem is she can`t even breath gluten, even shampoos, conditioners, colognes, and makeup has to be gluten free. I can`t even wear afthershve lotion. If she breaths it then she has ashma symptoms, so they gave her an inhaler and then that makes her sugar bottom out. She can`t go over on the deli side of the grocery store or down the bread isle or the baking isle.

Has anyone else had trouble breathing because of gluten?

The Gastorenterologist that did the test said to file disability because she couldn`t breath gluten . She has been denied twice and next stage is a lawyer.

If anyone has this breathing problem please respond. jbyrd@cswnet.com

James Byrd

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Has your wife been evaluated by an allergist? She may have an allergy as well as celiac. That said it is not uncommon for celiacs to react to inhaled flour dust. There are many of us who have had relief from asthma with the gluten free diet.

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted
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lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Generally speaking, most folks with celiac don't have problems with breathing around gluten UNLESS you're talking about some sort of gluten dust in the air. Reacting to an after shave (are you sure it acually has gluten) or to wrapped bread is highly unusual, and the asthma part sounds like an allergic reaction, not a celiac reaction.

richard

LadyCyclist87 Apprentice
LadyCyclist87
Posted
My wife was diagnosed with Celiac in July 2008. Now her problem is she can`t even breath gluten, even shampoos, conditioners, colognes, and makeup has to be gluten free. I can`t even wear afthershve lotion. If she breaths it then she has ashma symptoms, so they gave her an inhaler and then that makes her sugar bottom out. She can`t go over on the deli side of the grocery store or down the bread isle or the baking isle.

Has anyone else had trouble breathing because of gluten?

The Gastorenterologist that did the test said to file disability because she couldn`t breath gluten . She has been denied twice and next stage is a lawyer.

If anyone has this breathing problem please respond. jbyrd@cswnet.com

James Byrd

Well, I've never had breathing problems, but I can still relate. If I'm in the bread area of a grocery store or around flour, gluten, etc. it eventually gets to me...I mostly get a terrible headache and have difficulty concentrating. I don't know of any other symptoms b/c I've never stayed in a designated area of bread/gluten long enough for additional problems.

I hope your wife gets the care she needs for her problem and feels better soon.

kmcr80 Newbie
kmcr80
Posted

Sounds like there may be other things at work here besides just the Celiacs

Nantzie Collaborator
Nantzie
Posted
My wife was diagnosed with Celiac in July 2008. Now her problem is she can`t even breath gluten, even shampoos, conditioners, colognes, and makeup has to be gluten free. I can`t even wear afthershve lotion. If she breaths it then she has ashma symptoms, so they gave her an inhaler and then that makes her sugar bottom out. She can`t go over on the deli side of the grocery store or down the bread isle or the baking isle.

Has anyone else had trouble breathing because of gluten?

The Gastorenterologist that did the test said to file disability because she couldn`t breath gluten . She has been denied twice and next stage is a lawyer.

If anyone has this breathing problem please respond. jbyrd@cswnet.com

James Byrd

I agree that you need to look into the possibility of more issues, including true allergies, which are a different disease process than celiac.

That being said, the products that you're talking about are products that get all over the place and can be ingested. Some people are extremely sensitive to gluten and have a reaction to virtually microscopic amounts.

Shampoo and conditioner, for example. As much as you think it doesn't get into your mouth, really pay attention the next time you take a shower and see how much rinse water gets into your mouth. Makeup is a hard one to get away with if it contains gluten too. Think about how many times a day you touch your face. You scratch your nose,rub your eyes push your hair out of your eyes, etc. She definitely can't use lipsticks, lip balms and nail polishes that contain gluten. The gluten will absolutely get in her mouth that way.

With these kind of products, it's not really inhaled gluten that's the problem. It's that it ends up in your hands, on your lips and then gets into your mouth because it's on your hands and your lips. Not to say that your wife may not also be reacting to inhaled gluten.

When I first went gluten-free, I thought that I'd be able to get away with keeping my shampoo, conditioner, makeup, etc. But it just made me so sick. I was going through the day trying not to touch my face or my hair. I thought I might be doing okay until the wind kicked up all of a sudden and I ended up with hair in my mouth. Sick for three days. Lovely.

So yes, she really does need to keep away from those type of products. Many, many of us have to.

As far as colognes and aftershaves, that might be a allergic reaction or a super sensitive celiac reaction. But it also might be secondary to how completely sick she feels. Think about the last time you had a really awful case of the flu or a raging migraine that just doesn't seem to want to go away. Everything smells gross and really strong smells make you feel like you're going to throw up or make your head start pounding.

I hope that helps and your wife starts feeling better. It can be really hard to figure out where your personal boundary lines are with gluten.

Nancy

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N.Justine Newbie
N.Justine
Posted

remember gluten is a toxin for celiac/gluten intolerant purposes; as with toxins it is most dangerous to imbibe them, secondarily dangerous is inhalation, and third is skin contact.

yes, celiacs/gluten intolerants can get VERY skin from -inhalation- of as little as 1/8t of gluten

(this includes crumbs, flour, etc.)

yes, celiacs/gluten intolerants can get VERY skin from -skin contact- of as little as 1/8t of gluten

(this includes lotion, shampoos, etc.)

celiacs/gluten intolerants can get VERY skin from -eating- of as little as 1/8t of gluten

(this includes lipstick, topical solutions, etc.)

raisin Enthusiast
raisin
Posted

My significant other is afraid to use shampoo other than my own, because I won't go near him. At Wegmans, they placed the deli next to the organic section, which contains their Gluten Free section.. and I have to hold my breath or cover my mouth/nose with my cloths to go in that general area. (People tend to stare.) I usually can't get close to anyone wearing perfume and most deodorants. Oh, and, I do not have chemical sensitivity.

Having an allergy to wheat is extremely common in celiacs (though two different conditions,) and I have been told I probably have a wheat allergy, which is probably the cause of my non-digestive reactions. I never looked much into it, because it's irrelevant - either way wheat is the enemy.

UnhappyCoeliac Enthusiast
UnhappyCoeliac
Posted

ive not heard of this the only symptom I get around fresh bread is a rumbling stomach and wet lips :lol::huh:

  • 1 year later...
sfkate Newbie
sfkate
Posted

I just recently read on the GAPS diet page that asthma is a result of leaky guy syndrome which is an side effect of celiac disease. I would recommend to research both the GAPS diet and Leaky Gut Syndrome. The best way to counteract this effect is to incorporable probiotics in her diet to restore her digestive health. I hope this helps.

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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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