Have I Been Glutened?! And What To Do!

[lvpriest]

Hey everyone,

First off, thank you so so much for your incredibly supportive and insightful responses to my last post (being frustrated!) I've come back from the brink of disappointment to know I know my body better than any one else, and gluten is simply not my friend.

So I have been gluten free now for 2 weeks, and been properly trying to for the last week. Everythign has been going really well - been making my own lunches, uber careful when out...until Sunday morning.

Boy and I had the following for brekkie:

- Coffee (black filter for me, brought from starbucks)

- 2 eggs, pan fried with smoked slamon and pepper (mine fried in oil, his in butter - I'm avoiding dairy too)

- Cherry tomatoes

- A piece of gluten free toast with a drizzle of olive oil

- Grape juice diluted with water

I felt ok immediately after. About an hour later, I was out and felt really light headed, light limbed, all over the place. Then came nausea and all the time complete brain fog. Bought a lemonade to try and settle my nausea, and ate an apple.

Then about 2 hours later (still feeling foggy and out of it) I came over really really hot.

It's now well over 24 hours since that breakfast and I am feeling awful! Ulcer on my tongue, stomach so incredibly round and bloated, no appetite, feeling nauserous, headache, stabbing pain in abdomen, really fatigued, tired, running nose...have I been glutened??!?! Maybe some cc with the toaster (really need to sort this out!)

I read that the glutened 'effect' can be worse if you're accidentally glutened when you've been cutting out, rather than if you gluten yourself when you're still actively eating it - in which cas you feel rubbish generally all the time!

If I have been glutened please, any advice on how I can feel better?! I am leaving for a 2 week holiday in 3 days and I don't want it to be ruined!

Thanks so much!

LP

[MommyStina]

Everyone seems to be a little different, but it sounds like gluten could be the culprit. I also react within an hour of accidentally ingesting something, and the reactions do get progressively worse and stronger each time it happens. The pain, cramping, nausea, and fog hit me pretty hard too, so much so that I now have a prescription for an antinausea/antiemetic on hand for when I DO get glutened.

As far as how to feel better, everyone has something a little different. I am a big proponent of exercise, because it will help your body metabolize things faster. I go for a run or take to dog for a looooong walk. Eat pretty bland for a while (easy on grease,avoid dairy.... I stick to rice, fruit and veggies lightly steamed...raw gets me when I have had a reaction).

I also drink herbal tea and drink LOTS of water. This all seems to help.

Hope you are feeling better sooon!

[heatherjane]

Have you thoroughly cleaned your kitchen and/or made yourself a desingated area for your gluten-free dishes, cookware, appliances, etc?

If you are sharing a toaster that could definitely be the culprit. Toasters are nearly impossible to clean entirely. You need a separate one for your gluten free items.

Also, make sure you are using separate utensils for condiments, and replace any scratched cookware that may have prepared gluten-coontaining foods.

[MommyStina]

Everyone seems to be a little different, but it sounds like gluten could be the culprit. I also react within an hour of accidentally ingesting something, and the reactions do get progressively worse and stronger each time it happens. The pain, cramping, nausea, and fog hit me pretty hard too, so much so that I now have a prescription for an antinausea/antiemetic on hand for when I DO get glutened.

As far as how to feel better, everyone has something a little different. I am a big proponent of exercise, because it will help your body metabolize things faster. I go for a run or take to dog for a looooong walk. Eat pretty bland for a while (easy on grease,avoid dairy.... I stick to rice, fruit and veggies lightly steamed...raw gets me when I have had a reaction).

I also drink herbal tea and drink LOTS of water. This all seems to help.

Hope you are feeling better sooon!

ooops! I realized I only half addressed your questions....cookware can cause CC as can a shared toaster. We switched to a toaster oven and the tray is dedicated gluten-free. New pots and pans(if your current ones are nonstick or really scratched up) would be a great investment if possible.

[cassP]

i dont know about the dizziness- cause to me, it sounds like you had a pretty good breakfast- with protein.

but i do know about stabbing abdominal pains- which i ALSO get with too much fructose- (ie: grape juice, apples).

AND- if i drink too much coffee without a good protein meal- the acid will make me nauseaus.

but the dizziness??? maybe you were CC... ??

[ravenwoodglass]

If you haven't gotten a new toaster, yep IMHO you got glutened. When your feeling up to it go out and get a new toaster and do take the advice about things like pans and a new cutting board also.