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What To Do When You Get Glutened..

lcharp

By lcharp
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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lcharp Newbie
lcharp
Posted

I was recently told I am non-celiac gluten sensitive and allergic to wheat. Good times. :P As I am transitioning to a gluten-free diet, I have had a few moments where I got "glutened" unknowingly. Depending on what I get, my reaction ranges from hives/wheezing which I can relieve with Claritin or Benadryl, or digestive problems (mostly stomach cramps and gas, not to be TMI)

Is there anything I can take for the digestive upset? I haven't tried Pepto or anything like that because I don't want to take medication if it's not going to do anything. Or is this something where I just have to grin and bear it until it passes?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

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sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

For the allergic reaction, definitely take meds, especially for wheezing- dangerous.

For the stomache stuff, I just drink water, eat clean and let it pass, but I'm also new to the diet and healing. If your gut is inflamed I think it just needs to rest.

Some people take an amino acid L glutamine but I haven't tried it yet.

AKcollegestudent Apprentice
AKcollegestudent
Posted

I take activated charcoal if I can catch it early enough. It keeps most of the gluten from hitting me, which at least lessens the severity of the reaction.

And if you're already wheezing? It's possible that the wheat allergy's only going to get worse. (I'm under strict orders to keep an eye on my dairy allergy, which has gone from mild skin itching to full out hives and wheezing in less than 10 months.)

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

I didn't think about the charcoal.

You need to have an epipen if wheezing is an allergy symptom for you.

DownWithGluten Explorer
DownWithGluten
Posted

I can't speak to the allergy/wheezing.

But when the gluten hits me and the digestive system, basically I sigh a resigned sigh, writhe about and just have to let it get itself out of my system...painful and exhausting as it is. Sorry. At least with me it got the point that I could predict it pretty well. I knew what was coming next, about how long it was going to last, etc. So for me, find a safe quiet place with a bathroom nearby and be prepared for an annoying, frustrating and painful excursion.

Probably not very helpful. :unsure: But damn if I woulda figured a way to make it stop, I wouldn't have gone on the gluten-free diet in the first place. But nothing worked. Not hot water, not peppermint, none of that. And trying to "stop" it would just make it last longer. Let it get itself out of your system. I was always happier the faster it came. The sooner it starts exorcising itself out of my body, the better. The less writhing and cramping and pain. That's the best thing you can do, I think...just let it happen.

But if you just get gas and cramps...that's far less than what I would get. I guess you just have to deal with it and rest it out...

rtrheli Newbie
rtrheli
Posted

I drink about 2 or 3 TBS of liquid magnesium citrate every morning and night. It helps get it through faster, and relieves the gas and bloating quicker.

jenngolightly Contributor
jenngolightly
Posted

I take Maalox. It usually takes a few doses until I start feeling relief. I get really bloated, painful cramps, and nausea. I've used it for 5 or 6 years.

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kayo Explorer
kayo
Posted

I like Pepcid AC chewables. They seem to calm the gas down pretty quickly.

afreeclimber74 Rookie
afreeclimber74
Posted

I've read that drinking lots of fluids is supposed to help get the gluten out faster.

If I knew I ate the wrong thing before too much time had passed, I'd make myself throw up.

A product called Digestive Advantage for IBS can be bought over the counter at drugstores and is worked amazingly well at reducing symptoms for me. It was like night and day within 24hrs.

Lollie Enthusiast
Lollie
Posted

If I am having gas I take phazyme. They seem to really help. I also take pepcid AC if it's more sour stomach. I drink lots of fluids, it helps to wash out the system.

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