What Do People Mean By "getting Sick" When They Eat Something With Gluten?

[Coolclimates]

I just was diagnosed with celiac disease 3 weeks ago and have been on the diet barely 3 weeks. I keep hearing people saying that if you suddenly eat something with gluten, you will get "very sick." My question is, what do they mean by sick? Do they mean throwing up/stomach issues? Or do they mean flu like symptoms like headaches, body aches, fever? or do they mean something else? Please clarify.

[Korwyn]

Hi cool,

If ten people respond you will probably get 20 answers. That is because it is different for almost everyone though many people share similar but not identical responses. Also the response can change over time.

I now usually experience fatigue, headaches, painful joints (especially my ankles). The onset of the painful joints is new however and was never one of my original symptoms. But I can experience other symptoms occasionally as well. Some of it seems to depend on how I got glutened. That is what type of food it was. But for me the onset is usually very rapid (15 minutes to a couple hours, average probably 45 minutes).

[mommida]

If I ate straight gluten ~ Usually the big "D" in about 15 minutes, or sometimes the lovely projectile vomit.

If it is maybe a little cross contamintion ~ agonizing stomach cramps for about 3 hours, and then the big "D" spread out in about three bouts until my guts are empty.

If gluten goes in is is coming out one orafice or another until it's all gone. Sure there are aches and pains, headaches, and other stuff. Day or two after I feel more tired and notice my hair tends to fall out.

[conniebky]

I get weak and my joints get painful and stiff. I get a headache and stomach cramps. I get tingling in my extremeties.

[luvs2eat]

I'll have horrible lower digestive issues... cramping, BIG D w/in an hour or 2... and will feel very barfy (but I always fight that one!!). The next day I'll be wiped out... foggy and hugging the couch.

[WheatChef]

Abnormal bowel movements for a few days. Terrible bloating and gas. Severe lethargy for 2-3 days. Brain fog for at least a week. Loss in muscle tone. Most likely migraines for a few days. Clogged sinuses for at least a day. Most likely some mild anxiety for a few days.

Normally these don't come on severe, just kind of gradually creep in over the next few hours after getting poisoned.

[chere1020]

Abnormal bowel movements for a few days. Terrible bloating and gas. Severe lethargy for 2-3 days. Brain fog for at least a week. Loss in muscle tone. Most likely migraines for a few days. Clogged sinuses for at least a day. Most likely some mild anxiety for a few days.

Normally these don't come on severe, just kind of gradually creep in over the next few hours after getting poisoned.

It depends on what I get glutened with, one time it was wheat in a chicken broth and that took only 10 minutes before I had indigestion and acid reflux and it just got worse from there. I get really nauseous and if it is a bad case and I keep eating whatever it is that causes the problem I have the big D in a huge way. The last vacation before this one we went home a day early because I had the big D so bad I was dehydrating and so viciously sick I couldnt get out of bed. I was in a bad way that time, but it was before I knew I was gluten intolerant. Now when I get glutened I drop back to fresh only foods and it clears up within 48 hours. It is horrible and you know it when it happens.

[MelissaBe123]

Depending on how much I got, it will either be horrible abdominal pains or the big D. I have never really experienced headaches or pains in my joints.

[Jencat]

Well I got unintentionally glutened about four days ago and it Has been a rough glutening, on and off D and cramping, bloating, nausea, brain fog and fatigue,numbness to my hands and fingers and very irritable just want it to be over.-Jen

[Korwyn]

Well I got unintentionally glutened about four days ago and it Has been a rough glutening, on and off D and cramping, bloating, nausea, brain fog and fatigue,numbness to my hands and fingers and very irritable just want it to be over.-Jen

That's the worst part (mentally) for me now. Waiting for the fog to lift and kicking myself for not being more careful. Hope you feel better soon.

[conniebky]

That's the worst part (mentally) for me now. Waiting for the fog to lift and kicking myself for not being more careful. Hope you feel better soon.

I got glutened this morning. tingly extremitries, headache, stomach troubles, panicky feeling, vertigo and kinda of sad. Seems I get sad when it happens. It's like, "oh no here comes the enemy".....something like that.