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

Wheat Allergy Or Gluten Intolerance?

passionfruit877

Recommended Posts

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted

Hi!

I've been on a gluten free diet for about 2 months now. This diet has been great for me! Most of my bloating is gone, that icky feeling of constant fullness is gone, and my constipation is gone (sorry about that one, but it has been one of my biggest problems). I was treated for constipation for 2 years before the diet, and nothing worked. I was told I just had IBS. Up until now I was convinced I was gluten intolerant (my doctor knows I'm on the diet, he asked about a family history of Celiac).

However, I was curious how soon after being "glutened" a gluten intolerant person gets symptoms?

I have noticed several times now I was glutened, mostly at restaurants, and my reactions are fairly immediate. For example, we went to Red Lobster and half way through eating my rice I noticed little pieces of pasta in it. Before even leaving the restaurant the tips of my fingers on my left hand went numb, and I felt a tightness in my chest, not like I couldn't breathe, but like there was resistance to my breathing. I usually have the chest tightness combined with bloating when I get glutened (it has happened a few times) and it happens maybe 10 minutes after eating (the numbness only happened once).

I thought this was normal, but does anyone else get this, or am I having an allergic reaction? I just happened to be reading a website that said gluten usually creates problems 1 to 2 days later. I don't know what to do now that I think it might be an allergy, is it dangerous?

I was so sure that I was gluten intolerant (and maybe even had Celiac, I'm 22 and 4'11'' and 95 pounds with bad sinus allergies.)

I am going to talk to my doctor again, but i was just wondering from people who probably know the most about it. What does it sound like to you? And can a test tell the difference? Thank you so much!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

Gluten hits me very quickly, less than an hour to up to two hours.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

It's different for everyone--gluten hits me after a few hours.

Your symptoms could be the result of an allergy. An allergist can do skin testing--it's also possible to be both intolerant and allergic. With your breathing and chest symptoms, I think it's a good idea to have it checked out.

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

I have wondered if I have an allergy to wheat as well as gluten-intolorance. My nose runs when I'm "hit," and it happens right away. The GI problems hit shortly thereafter.

It's interesting . . . for YEARS I thought I had weird sinus problems as well as an allergy to mold. I ALWAYS had at least two full-blown sinus infections per year (horrible, HORRIBLE infections, and goodness knows to what extent the antibiotics messed with my GI system).

So far, since giving up gluten, my sinus passages have cleared. It was one of the first things I noticed after going gluten-free. I remember lying in bed, turning to my husband and saying, "I can BREATHE!" It has been such a blessing not to have a box of tissue in every room any more. My nose isn't a faucet now; it's a nose!

I can't wait to see if I can get through the rest of the year without a sinus infection. Dare I say it? . . . So far, so good! : )

So, bottom line: Your question about allergy is a good one. I am looking forward to seeing what others might post here. Thank you for this topic.

jststric Contributor
jststric
Posted

I think I'm simply intolerant but of many things, not just wheat/glutens. It usually takes me a day and a half to two days to start feeling symptoms. Sinuses is one of many and I can have some symptoms for as long as a week or so.

passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for the quick responses! I'm glad I brought up a topic that may be helpful to others!

Lynayah,

I have had severe sinus allergies my whole life as well. I used to get sinus infections and had to take Claritin year-round, although as I've gotten older they have improved. I'm interested to see if they keep getting better on this gluten free diet. I am also very sensitive to perfumes, as well as strong soaps ( once I used my husbands AXE body wash and when I got out of the shower my stomach and upper legs were covered in giant welts!).

My point is I already have allergies, so it is not so unusual to think that I may be allergic to wheat. I see that some people have quick responses after being glutened, does anyone have the chest tightness I described, followed by the upper stomach bloating and pain? Oh, and once I got a feeling like my throat was sore, and it felt like I had this bubble I couldn't swallow.

It just seems like the chest tightness could be an allergic response. I'm going to talk to my doctor. I think I may be lactose intolerant as well ( milk gives me a gurgly stomach). Is the skin prick test the only allergy test? I would be interested to know what other foods get to me (I still get mildly bloated after some meals). Thanks!

ciavyn Contributor
ciavyn
Posted
Thank you all for the quick responses! I'm glad I brought up a topic that may be helpful to others!

Lynayah,

I have had severe sinus allergies my whole life as well. I used to get sinus infections and had to take Claritin year-round, although as I've gotten older they have improved. I'm interested to see if they keep getting better on this gluten free diet. I am also very sensitive to perfumes, as well as strong soaps ( once I used my husbands AXE body wash and when I got out of the shower my stomach and upper legs were covered in giant welts!).

My point is I already have allergies, so it is not so unusual to think that I may be allergic to wheat. I see that some people have quick responses after being glutened, does anyone have the chest tightness I described, followed by the upper stomach bloating and pain? Oh, and once I got a feeling like my throat was sore, and it felt like I had this bubble I couldn't swallow.

It just seems like the chest tightness could be an allergic response. I'm going to talk to my doctor. I think I may be lactose intolerant as well ( milk gives me a gurgly stomach). Is the skin prick test the only allergy test? I would be interested to know what other foods get to me (I still get mildly bloated after some meals). Thanks!

Wow - passionfruit - I get the same reaction when I have "too much bread." I just recently approached the gluten-free option after some serious embarrassment and I am tired of feeling "ick." But when I eat a lot of grains, especially pizza or bread, I get this really sick feeling in my stomach, and the feeling of a bubble in my throat that I can't swallow - that is exactly how I would describe it. I thought it was just me. =) It feels terrible, and takes several hours and some severe diarrhea to get rid of it. Weird yet cool to find out I'm not crazy, and that other people have similar reactions.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


passionfruit877 Apprentice
passionfruit877
Posted
  • Author

Update:

I saw my doctor yesterday. He told me I was not having an allergic reaction, and that it would have been discovered at a younger age. He pretty much said I couldn't have been eating wheat my whole life and been able to tolerate it. So that clears that up.

He also said he doesn't think I have Celiac because of my symptoms.

He said he's pretty sure I have IBS because of my age and because of the GI symptoms I am having. He said my recent intolerance to gluten has probably been somewhat present my whole life, but has been amplified by the IBS, and he predicted that most of my symptoms should go away after a few years.

What he said makes sense. Now that I am off gluten I am doing well, and my reactions to it usually happen within 15 minutes and go away a few hours later. Hopefully he is right and they will go away on their own.

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. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      13

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      @tiffanygosci, Thiamine deficiency is a thing in pregnancy for "normal" people, so it's exponentially more important for those with celiac disease and malabsorption issues. I studied nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology because I was curious what the vitamins were doing inside the body. See my blog. Click on my name to go to my page...
    2. tiffanygosci
      - tiffanygosci replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      13

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      Thank you for sharing all of this, Knitty Kitty! I did just want someone to share some commonality with. I did not know This one Deficiency was a thing and that it's common for Celiac Disease. It makes sense since this is a disorder that causes malabsorption. I will have to keep this in mind for my next appointments. You also just spurred me on to make that...
    3. RMJ
      - RMJ replied to Riley.'s topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      Outgrow celiac?

      I think your initial idea, eat gluten and be tested, was excellent. Now you have fear of that testing, but isn’t there also a fear each time you eat gluten that you’re injuring your body? Possibly affecting future fertility, bone health and more? Wouldn’t it be better to know for sure one way or the other? If you test negative, then you celebrate and g...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Riley.'s topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      Outgrow celiac?

      @Riley., Welcome to the forum, but don't do it! Don't continue to eat gluten! The health problems that will come if you continue to eat gluten are not worth it. Problems may not show up for years, but the constant inflammation and nutritional losses will manifest eventually. There's many of us oldsters on the forum who wish they'd been diagnosed...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      13

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      @tiffanygosci, Hello. I apologize for your thread being hijacked. I recognize your symptoms as being similar to what I experienced, the migraines, food and chemical sensitivities, hives, nausea, the numbness and tingling, joint pain, tummy problems, sleep problems, emotional lability, and the mom brain. My cycle returned early after I had my...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,980
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Cathal Brugha
    Newest Member
    Cathal Brugha
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @tiffanygosci, Thiamine deficiency is a thing in pregnancy for "normal" people, so it's exponentially more important for those with celiac disease and malabsorption issues. I studied nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology because I was curious what the vitamins were doing inside the body.  See my blog.  Click on my name to go to my page, scroll to drop down menu "activities" and select blog.   So glad you're motivated to see the dietician!  We're always happy to help with questions.  Keep us posted on your progress! 
    • tiffanygosci
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Thank you for sharing all of this, Knitty Kitty! I did just want someone to share some commonality with. I did not know This one Deficiency was a thing and that it's common for Celiac Disease. It makes sense since this is a disorder that causes malabsorption. I will have to keep this in mind for my next appointments. You also just spurred me on to make that Dietician appointment. There's a lot of information online but I do need to see a professional. There is too much to juggle on my own with this condition.<3
    • RMJ
      Outgrow celiac?

      By RMJ · Posted

      I think your initial idea, eat gluten and be tested, was excellent. Now you have fear of that testing, but isn’t there also a fear each time you eat gluten that you’re injuring your body? Possibly affecting future fertility, bone health and more? Wouldn’t it be better to know for sure one way or the other? If you test negative, then you celebrate and get tested occasionally to make sure the tests don’t turn positive again. If you test positive, of course the recommendation from me and others is to stop gluten entirely.  But if you’re unable to convince yourself to do that, could a positive test at least convince you to minimize your gluten consumption?  Immune reactions are generally what is called dose response, the bigger the dose, the bigger the response (in this case, damage to your intestines and body). So while I am NOT saying you should eat any gluten with a positive test, the less the better.  
    • knitty kitty
      Outgrow celiac?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Riley., Welcome to the forum, but don't do it!  Don't continue to eat gluten!  The health problems that will come if you continue to eat gluten are not worth it.  Problems may not show up for years, but the constant inflammation and nutritional losses will manifest eventually.  There's many of us oldsters on the forum who wish they'd been diagnosed as early.    Fertility problems, gallbladder removal, diabetes, osteoporosis and mental health challenges are future health issues you are toying with.   To dispel fear, learn more about what you are afraid of.  Be proactive.  Start or join a Celiac group in your area.  Learn about vitamins and nutrition.   Has your mother been checked for Celiac?  It's inherited.  She may be influencing you to eat gluten as a denial of her own symptoms.  Don't let friends and family sway you away from the gluten-free diet.  You know your path.  Stick to it.  Be brave. 
    • knitty kitty
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @tiffanygosci, Hello.  I apologize for your thread being hijacked.   I recognize your symptoms as being similar to what I experienced, the migraines, food and chemical sensitivities, hives, nausea, the numbness and tingling, joint pain, tummy problems, sleep problems, emotional lability, and the mom brain.  My cycle returned early after I had my son, and I became pregnant again with all my symptoms worsening.  Unfortunately, I lost that baby.  In hindsight, I recognized that I was suffering so much from Thiamine deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies that I was not able to carry it.   Celiac Disease affects the absorption of nutrients from our food.  There's eight B vitamins that must be replenished every day.  Thiamine Vitamin B1 becomes depleted first because it cannot be stored very long, less than two weeks.  Other B vitamins can be stored for two months or so.  But Thiamine can get low enough to produce symptoms in as little as three days.  As the thiamine level gets lower, symptoms worsen.  Early symptoms like fatigue and anxiety are often attributed to life situations, and so frequently go unrecognized by medical professionals who "have a pill for that".   I used to get severe migraines and vomiting after gluten consumption.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins are needed to turn carbohydrates, fats and proteins into fuel for our bodies.  With a large influx of carbohydrates from gluten containing foods, the demand for Thiamine increases greatly.  Available thiamine can be depleted quickly, resulting in suddenly worsening symptoms.  Emotional stress or trauma, physical activity (athletes and laborers) and physiological stresses like pregnancy or injury (even surgery or infection) increase the need for Thiamine and can precipitate a thiamine insufficiency. Pregnancy requires more thiamine, not just for the mother, but for the child as well.  The mother's Thiamine stores are often depleted trying to meet the higher demand of a growing fetus.  Thiamine insufficiency can affect babies in utero and after birth (autism, ADHD).  Having babies close together doesn't allow time for the mother to replenish thiamine stores sufficiently.   Thiamine insufficiency can cause migraines, pins and needles (paresthesia), and gastrointestinal Beriberi (gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, back pain).   Thiamine deficiency can cause blurry vision, difficulty focusing, and affect the eyes in other ways.  Thiamine deficiency can damage the optic nerves.  I have permanent vision problems.  High histamine levels can make your brain feel like it's on fire or swelling inside your cranium.  High histamine levels can affect behavior and mood.  Histamine is released by Mast Cells as part of the immune system response to gluten.  Mast Cells need Thiamine to regulate histamine release.  Mast Cells without sufficient thiamine release histamine at the slightest provocation.  This shows up as sensitivities to foods, smelly chemicals, plants, and dust mites.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins are needed to lower histamine levels.  Vitamin D is needed to calm the immune system and to regulate our hormones.  Menstrual irregularities can be caused by low Vitamin D.   Celiac Disease is a disease if Malabsorption of Nutrients.  We must take great care to eat a nutritionally dense diet.  Our bodies cannot make vitamins.  We must get them from what we eat.  Supplementation with essential vitamins and minerals is warranted while we are healing and to ensure we don't become deficient over time.  Our bodies will not function properly without essential vitamins and minerals.  Doctors have swept their importance under the rug in favor of a pill that covers the symptoms but doesn't resolve the underlying issue of malnutrition. Do talk to your doctor and dietician about checking for nutritional deficiencies.  Most blood tests for the eight B vitamins do not reflect how much is available or stored inside cells.  Blood tests reflect how much is circulating in the blood stream, the transportation system.  Blood levels can be "normal" while a deficiency exists inside cells where the vitamins are actually used.  The best way to see if you're low in B vitamins is to take a B Complex, and additional Thiamine and look for improvement.   Most vitamin supplements contain Thiamine Mononitrate, which is not easily absorbed nor utilized by the body.  Only thirty percent of thiamine mononitrate listed on the label is absorbed, less is actually utilized.  This is because thiamine mononitrate is shelf stable, it won't breakdown sitting on a shelf in the grocery store.  It's so hard to breakdown, our bodies don't absorb it and can't turn it into a form the body can use.  Take Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which the body can utilize much better.  (Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test for Thiamine level.  Though not accurate, this test does better picking up on a thiamine deficiency than a blood test.) Are you keeping your babies on a gluten free diet?  This can prevent genetically susceptible children from developing Celiac Disease.   P. S. Interesting Reading  Thiamine deficiency in pregnancy and lactation: implications and present perspectives https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10158844/ Descriptive spectrum of thiamine deficiency in pregnancy: A potentially preventable condition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458305/ B vitamins and their combination could reduce migraine headaches: A randomized double-blind controlled trial https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9860208/
×
×
  • 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.