Possibly At Applebees?

[SLB5757]

I know...silly mistake to eat there but 1) I am not diagnosed Celiac....just with alot of Allergies at this point. I have eliminated gluten for at least 5 months or so now and have been following the rules fairly well, although I eat out alot and then run a cross contamination risk.

Two nights ago after working out with a friend she asked if I wanted to go to Applebees. I said sure and figured there would have to be some sort of plain grilled chicken or baked potato etc... that i could find to eat there.

I ended up ordering the garic herb weight watchers grilled chicken with the potatoes it comes with and broccoli. Also, had plain tortilla chips as a appetizer.

I seemed to be fine that night (ate at 8 PM), but by the next day at lunch time I was very sick. I got the same left sided, under ribcage pain that I had been having for quite some time. It is a horrible pain that doesn't go away. Nexium doesn't help, two doses of TUMS from 11-3, and I was still in a great deal of pain on my left side. I had alot of belching and indigestion as well. Of course I was at work so I left and drove around a bit hoping that it would dissipate - it didn't.

I ended up at the ER for testing...and some meds that did not work at all. They gave me a GI cocktail (Mylanta, donnatol, lidocaine), and a shot of Bentyl (I told them I do not have IBS). They also took blood and did abdominal xrays. Everything came back fine, yet the meds they gave me didn't touch the pain. They sent me home with a prescription for Miralax and vicodin and said follow up with a gastro (my appointment isn't until May 18th!).

Do you think the Applebees definitely had wheat in it? It seemed like I ordered foods that were very safe. Grilled chicken, the garlic sauce was most likely butter and garlic, tortilla chis most likely corn, and broccoli was surely OK and probably only had butter on it. I can't believe that it has done this much damage but do not have any other explanation Just know I am in lots of pain still and have a very unhappy tummy.

[luvs2eat]

I think your mistake is in your "most likely" observation about the food. The garlic sauce may have seemed "most likely" to be garlic and butter, but unless you ASK... you don't know if flour was used to thicken it. Same for the tortilla chips and anything else you ate. If you don't ask the servers specific questions... "most likely" will most likely get you every time!

[Peace41]

Firstly I want to say to u, I am so sorry u have been through that. And know that rush to the ER, been to our hospital more times in these past few months, than I have been in years. They don't mind me having to go continually because they know what I am living with is difficult.

What I have just read and learnt, that once u start a gluten-free diet, then it is for life, because once u stop eating gluten then the enzymes that the body needs to digest gluten are no longer present as the body no longer requires them. Could that have a part in ur problems? I am not really up on that. Doesn't tortillas have gluten in them?

I am sorry that u have to wait to see the specialist, and u r having a lot of pain. I also know about eating at different places and then it makes me have to go to bed, it can be so awful, that my body shuts down because it has difficulty in processing it. And the bowel and stomach pain, its just really awful and the stomach spasms dreadful. Sorry for the pain killers not working, hope u get better soon.

Peace 4 1

I know...silly mistake to eat there but 1) I am not diagnosed Celiac....just with alot of Allergies at this point. I have eliminated gluten for at least 5 months or so now and have been following the rules fairly well, although I eat out alot and then run a cross contamination risk.

Two nights ago after working out with a friend she asked if I wanted to go to Applebees. I said sure and figured there would have to be some sort of plain grilled chicken or baked potato etc... that i could find to eat there.

I ended up ordering the garic herb weight watchers grilled chicken with the potatoes it comes with and broccoli. Also, had plain tortilla chips as a appetizer.

I seemed to be fine that night (ate at 8 PM), but by the next day at lunch time I was very sick. I got the same left sided, under ribcage pain that I had been having for quite some time. It is a horrible pain that doesn't go away. Nexium doesn't help, two doses of TUMS from 11-3, and I was still in a great deal of pain on my left side. I had alot of belching and indigestion as well. Of course I was at work so I left and drove around a bit hoping that it would dissipate - it didn't.

I ended up at the ER for testing...and some meds that did not work at all. They gave me a GI cocktail (Mylanta, donnatol, lidocaine), and a shot of Bentyl (I told them I do not have IBS). They also took blood and did abdominal xrays. Everything came back fine, yet the meds they gave me didn't touch the pain. They sent me home with a prescription for Miralax and vicodin and said follow up with a gastro (my appointment isn't until May 18th!).

Do you think the Applebees definitely had wheat in it? It seemed like I ordered foods that were very safe. Grilled chicken, the garlic sauce was most likely butter and garlic, tortilla chis most likely corn, and broccoli was surely OK and probably only had butter on it. I can't believe that it has done this much damage but do not have any other explanation Just know I am in lots of pain still and have a very unhappy tummy.

[jststric]

I am like you...not Celiac but lots of other intolerances/allergies. I have done well enough at Applebee's but as others have said, you have to be careful. Not all tortilla chips are 100% corn. Many brands also have wheat in them. Grilled chicken can, and often is, dusted a bit with flour to have it brown. Just ask KFC! I stick with vinagarette dressings and have them put on the side. I am a pain in the butt at places and ask tons of questions and simply tell them you have allergies and need things to be grilled dry, etc. I'm sorry you got so sick and have to wait SO LONG for a doc appt!! Best wishes!

[lovegrov]

ANYTHING with a sauce is an automatic red flag. As others have said, you have to ask.

And Applebees is one of the worst places for us. Generally uncooperative. Take your money elsewhere.

richard

[kayo]

Sorry to hear you're feeling so badly.

I've had to get over my shyness and tell the server I have food allergies. Then I ask how something is prepared. It gets easier the more you do it and I find most servers and restaurants to be accommodating.

The trouble with places like Applebee's is they're essentially fast food. Many of their food items come prepared and or frozen. The wait staff is typically young and not educated about allergies. If you're stuck having to eat at such a place (like when one is traveling) ask to talk to the manager and then tell him/her about your allergies. If they are uncooperative - leave. It's not worth getting sick.

Some rules to live by: Avoid all sauces. They usually contain wheat flour to thicken them. Seasonings and marinades can have gluten in them too. Avoid anything fried as well as it could have been fried with items that have breading.

Also, check your TUMS. I believe some flavors contain gluten. Gas-x chewables do too. I learned the hard way on both of those!

The Gas-x gel caps are gluten free.

Hang in there!

[Juliebove]

People have posted before that the chicken has wheat in it. I do not think there is anything there that is safe in terms of being gluten free.

[mamaw]

I agree Applebees is not celiac friendly. The grilled chicken is flash frozen & the ice glaze has gluten. The garlic sauce definately is not gluten-free.

Most sport / bar type eateries are not celiac friendly. a few that are are Longhorn Steakhouse, outback, Carrarbas, chili's Texas Roashouse. Most of these places will cook a steak on a piece of foil with no seasoning. Any time you eat out there is risk. I alway say "You can get sick eating at Grandma's House"

You also may becoming more sensitive to wheat products & your body is throwing you a red flag....

[ravenwoodglass]

If you are still in pain you could try liquid name brand Pepto Bismal. It works for me very well and very quickly. As another poster stated not all Tums are gluten free so please do call them about any of their products before you take them.

[lynnelise]

Applebee's is a terrible place for gluten free dining. The manager at my local Applebee's said the ground beef is the ONLY fresh option available. All the meats are glazed and/or marinated in gluten, the potatoes are subject to cross contamination from the butter and sour cream. Basically nothing is safe there. As I don't find an unseasoned hunk of ground beef with no sides a desireable dinner out I avoid the place. I'm sorry you had to go through that and are in so much pain! In the future I'd call the restaurant and ask before hand.

[kareng]

I emailed them a few months ago & they basically said that they would not even be able to try to accomadate people with special food needs. I don't think the foods that good anyway, so no loss for me.

[jenngolightly]

I stick with vinagarette dressings and have them put on the side.

I thought vinagarette was fine until I went to Cheesecake Factory. The waitress was smart enough to tell me that they put soy sauce in theirs! Soy sauce often = wheat. Wow was I surprised. Even if you think you've got a safe food, ALWAYS double check.

[SLB5757]

I think your mistake is in your "most likely" observation about the food. The garlic sauce may have seemed "most likely" to be garlic and butter, but unless you ASK... you don't know if flour was used to thicken it. Same for the tortilla chips and anything else you ate. If you don't ask the servers specific questions... "most likely" will most likely get you every time!

I know my "most likely"'s have gotten me in trouble, but sometimes I feel like I must risk it. To be quite honest I am told my issue is a wheat/rye/barley/oats allergy not "intolerance". They also told me I have an allergy to corn, soy, potato, tomato, beans, lots of nuts, celery, carrot, most fruits...etc. SO...I chose to eliminate gluten grains and still eat the rest of the supposed allergies I tested positive for. I don't see how one could eliminate all foods.

I think I may just start to be ultra careful about the gluten status of foods when I am out, stick to foods I cook, and possibly eliminate corn as well for a while. Maybe that is causing some discomfort since it was listed as an allergen.

Thanks for your comments!!

[SLB5757]

Sorry to hear you're feeling so badly.

I've had to get over my shyness and tell the server I have food allergies. Then I ask how something is prepared. It gets easier the more you do it and I find most servers and restaurants to be accommodating.

The trouble with places like Applebee's is they're essentially fast food. Many of their food items come prepared and or frozen. The wait staff is typically young and not educated about allergies. If you're stuck having to eat at such a place (like when one is traveling) ask to talk to the manager and then tell him/her about your allergies. If they are uncooperative - leave. It's not worth getting sick.

Some rules to live by: Avoid all sauces. They usually contain wheat flour to thicken them. Seasonings and marinades can have gluten in them too. Avoid anything fried as well as it could have been fried with items that have breading.

Also, check your TUMS. I believe some flavors contain gluten. Gas-x chewables do too. I learned the hard way on both of those!

The Gas-x gel caps are gluten free.

Hang in there!

I would have never thought to check my TUMS...I certainly will now. Thank you!! I always get the plain white TUMS and sometimes the TUMS ultra...always in original flavor. But I will check. I eat out too much bc of a hectic schedule, and I need to become much better at cooking or bringing my food everywhere. I eat at least 1-2 meals out daily right now. Maybe this is why I am still having so many pain episodes.

[SLB5757]

I am like you...not Celiac but lots of other intolerances/allergies. I have done well enough at Applebee's but as others have said, you have to be careful. Not all tortilla chips are 100% corn. Many brands also have wheat in them. Grilled chicken can, and often is, dusted a bit with flour to have it brown. Just ask KFC! I stick with vinagarette dressings and have them put on the side. I am a pain in the butt at places and ask tons of questions and simply tell them you have allergies and need things to be grilled dry, etc. I'm sorry you got so sick and have to wait SO LONG for a doc appt!! Best wishes!

Yes...the multiple allergies are a pain in the behind. I feel like every day is a battle trying to figure out what and when I will be able to eat next!

[wildwood]

Your GI appointment is pretty far off. Have you called their office to find out if they have a cancellation list you can be placed on?