Help - Really Sick Today

[marycubs]

Hi all -

I was diagnosed a month ago and have been trying to be gluten-free - I know that I've had alittle gluten here and there - in small amounts - I'm not 100% yet. However, I had a taco bell hard shell (corn) taco last night and am sicker today then I think I've ever been with celiac disease. I knew it could have cross contamination, but I thought it wouldn't be too bad. (yes, I'm a fool)

From reading other peoples posts I always felt lucky that while I had real digestive problems over the last few years I was still able to function. I had ongoing abdominal discomfort, fatigue, bloating, depression and mild diarrhea in the past. Today the pain from my breastbone to my lower region is much worse then I've had in the past and I'm really nauseous, dizzy and have 'extreme' diarrhea. I don't think I can even take any meds - as my nausea is so bad I'll throw it up.

Could this attack be so bad because my body was getting used to being gluten-free; and is reacting more strongly to the gluten than in the past ? Did this happen to any of you who were 'mild' celiac disease and then went gluten-free ??

Thanks - any tips you can give me would be appreciated. I know there are probably posts in the archive - but don't feel up to looking around. I feel awful !!

Mary

[jmengert]

Yes, my symptoms got a lot worse after being glutened when I went gluten-free. That's why it's *so* important to stay gluten-free (although with this illness, slip ups are bound to occur with CC and such). Fast food restaurants are probably the worst for cross contamination issues. I've been gluten-free for six months, and I avoid eating out, as my intestines are not fully healed. I would stick to whole, natural foods (plain meats, veggies, fruits, etc.) that you know are gluten-free at this point to give your body a chance to essentially detox from all the gluten you've ingested over the years to give your body a chance to heal.

Good luck--this forum has helped me *so* much, and everyone here is very supportive. I have similar symptoms to you when I've been glutened, so I feel your pain, and I hope you begin to feel better very soon.

[uclangel422]

I believe that taco bell adds wheat to their taco meat to thicken it up, i think i remember reading that somwhere.

Also, I have been gluten-free for almost 2 months now and it does seem that now even a small bit of gluten can cause a large reaction, much worse than when i first started. Probably has to do with the villi healing itself and then healthy tissue gets more susceptible to the proteins, or something like that.

Anyway, hang in there, keep trying to stay 100% gluten-free and these current symptoms will pass with time.

[Guest gfinnebraska]

The meat and the shells both have gluten. I use to make the same mistake. I never knew why I was SO sick after eating tacos.

Yes, most people on this board will tell you that their reaction is much worse after being gluten-free for a while. I never really got that sick before going gluten-free, but now, since being gluten-free, I have a severe reaction to a crumb!! NOT fun.

Like it was said above, you need to be more careful now than ever. Restaurants are hard. After some experience you will know where to eat and which places to avoid. It just takes time.

Good luck on your road to health!!

[KaitiUSA]

Some people will get worse reactions the longer they are gluten free but that is not the case for everyone. I know I was not to sensitive to gluten at first but now the slightest bit gives me a horrible 2 week reaction.

For some people it can take days to feel better on the gluten-free diet...for others it may take months for symptoms to go away.

Hang in there it will get better..just stick with the diet 100%

[marycubs]

thanks for the information - I guess this reaction will kick me into taking this seriously and trying to stay 100% gluten-free.

I agree - this board has been a great help to me - thanks !

Mary

[Guest nini]

I think that currently the only safe thing at Taco Bell is the refried beans and the condiments. But who wants that???

Yes Taco Bell's taco meat has gluten added to it. Their taco shells also have it. The tostada shells are deep fried in the same oil with gluten stuff so pretty much it's ALL contaminated. I avoid Taco Bell like the plague.

[marycubs]

Nini -

Today I feel like I have the plague !!

I won't forget this 'learning experience' for a looonnng time !

[Guest nini]

I'm so sorry Mary. I hope you feel better soon.

Rest and drink some water or some soothing tea.

[cai]

Hi,

I'm new. I was sort of pseudo-gluten-free for about month, and then went completely off all (tricky & hidden) manifestations of gluten three weeks ago.

I'm really sick too. I'm almost non-functional. I'm finding that while at first anything potentially contaminated or with a touch of gluten made me sicker than I'd ever been, now I've had to give up all milk products too and even totally safe Gluten-free Casein-free foods can make my tummy hurt. It's almost as though the more "off" gluten I am, the MORE SENSITIVE my stomach becomes and the more exaggerated my symptoms are. I went 'paleolithic' two days ago (nothing that needs to be touched by man to be edible), and now I'm contemplating a diet of water.

I wonder, is this common when people go off gluten? that they get worse before they get better? I'm so miserable I don't know what to do. Actually, all I've done for weeks is complain and sleep.

I need hope.

Cai

[cai]

oops , sorry - I only read the original posting before I posted myself... didn't see all the others

Cai

[Guest gliX]

If you're ever unsure about an item, call the company up and probably in less than a few minutes they'll tell you which of their products are gluten-free. A lot of this information is available on the internet..

Here's Taco Bell's gluten-free Info:

Open Original Shared Link

[Guest nini]

hmmm , they do have a few more items for us then. Last time I called, the cust. service rep basically told me the only safe thing was the condiments!!! LOL! I still miss being able to stop and get tacos

[Emme999]

I actually sent Taco Bell email to find out if any of their stuff is gluten-free. Someone called me a couple of days later to tell me that only two menu items don't contain wheat: Pintos & cheese, and Bean Tostadas - but they also mentioned that they use the same frying stuff for everything and that their is a "risk" of cross-contamination.

I think they should have used the word "certainty" instead of "risk"

Anyway, my Taco Bell days are over.

We're better off without 'em anyway (At least that's what I keep tellin' myself!)

Hope you feel better soon,

- Michelle

[jknnej]

You poor thing! We all know what it's like-believe me, I've been battling nausea for months, and not just when I get glutened.

Ask your dr. for a prescription of phenegran or zofran, something to stop you from throwing up. It REALLY helps when you're in a pinch-I don't recommend taking it regularly, but if you can't keep anything down, I'd take it b/c you need your nutrients.

Hope you feel better soon,

Jennifer

[marycubs]

Hi - Just thought I'd give an update - it's a few days later and I feel much better..the really bad symptoms lasted for 2 days.

I'll be more careful...thanks for all of your help.

[dperk]

I've been gluten-free for 3 months now. It does seem like I've gotton more sensitive to not only gluten, but so many other foods. I can't do dairy, sugar, soy, potatoes - and even rice and corn bother me now. I can't even eat all the yummy gluten-free foods everyone talks about. I have gone back to eating meat - it's the only protein left. And lots of veggies, nuts and cooked apples. Every time I think I've got my diet settled, something else bothers my stomach and I lose one more food to eat. If a water diet would make me gain the weight back, I would do it. Does this ever end?