Recently Gluten Free, But Sick Again!

[Jacky]

I got sick the end of January, diagnosed and went gluten free the end of March, so I've been extremely lucky. However, it seems like all I do is battle hidden gluten or cross contamination issues.

Last Thursday my symptoms returned after being pretty normal for a while. I have been sick ever since with no let up. I figured out that the Glenlivet I had been drinking lately contains caramel coloring, which is derived from wheat in Europe, so has probably been the culprit. I figured this out on Monday, this week. As the week has progressed I have become increasingly strict about what I eat; eating only whole foods or certified gluten free foods, e.g. Glutino pretzels, Blue Bunny yogurt, rice, potatos, Rice Chex, milk; all week. However, the symptoms are not subsiding. This morning I went dairy free to see if that helps.

I do have a sore on the inside of my mouth that has been coming and going over the last 4 weeks. I thought I had bitten the inside of my mouth and injured it that way, but it will resolve and then return. It's a clear blister on the inside of my mouth.

I don't eat any probiotic stuff.

Not to be too indelicate, but a couple weeks ago I got a yeast infection(yes, I'm female and normally don't get those at all.

I know that's TMI, but I don't want to leave anything unusual out...

I'm in the midwest and I do NOT have a celiac doctor. I moved around to 3 different doctors before I finally figured out what was going on...positive blood work; anti-endomysial enzyme titer, etc, all extremely high but a negative biopsy, rash all over my legs which resolved as soon as I went gluten free. Yes, I got told I don't have celiac disease on the basis of the biopsy alone.

Please help me! I don't know what's going on, what to do and I'm getting tired and tired of poopin again!

[ravenwoodglass]

You could be one of the celiacs who don't tolerate distilled gluten. Your reaction to the scotch is more likely IMHO due to a reaction to that than to the coloring. Distilled grains have the same effect on me as a slice of wheat bread would including a DH breakout although there are many of us who consume them with no issue.

Another possibility is you have developed a sensitivity to soy. I mention that because of the Glutino pretzels. I ate those a lot along with Ener-g crackers and was convinced for a while that I was getting CC'd by them even though the facilities are gluten free. It took me quite a while to figure that one out so I thought I would mention it. I now eat Wylde pretzels which are gluten and soy free and have no issues with them.

Can't tell you for sure that those are the reason behind your issues but figured it was worth mentioning.

I hope you get this figured out and are feeling better soon.

[Jacky]

You could be one of the celiacs who don't tolerate distilled gluten. Your reaction to the scotch is more likely IMHO due to a reaction to that than to the coloring. Distilled grains have the same effect on me as a slice of wheat bread would including a DH breakout although there are many of us who consume them with no issue.

Another possibility is you have developed a sensitivity to soy. I mention that because of the Glutino pretzels. I ate those a lot along with Ener-g crackers and was convinced for a while that I was getting CC'd by them even though the facilities are gluten free. It took me quite a while to figure that one out so I thought I would mention it. I now eat Wylde pretzels which are gluten and soy free and have no issues with them.

Can't tell you for sure that those are the reason behind your issues but figured it was worth mentioning.

I hope you get this figured out and are feeling better soon.

What does IMHO mean?

[ravenwoodglass]

What does IMHO mean?

IMHO = in my humble opinion