Confused....dairy? Honey?

[Free-CountryGirl]

I've been gluten-free since 11/21/10 Not very long, but I have been trying to get the hang of it. Problem is, I have been getting sick suddenly (this past weekend and yesterday) and I really can't understand why. For example, my mom made me a chocolate gluten-free cake. She put in soooo much effort to make sure gluten in NO WAY contaminated it, yet I still got violently ill. Of course, I had also gone out to Bonefish Grill with my family that night right before the cake, and even though i ordered from a gluten free menu and I told the waiter to inform the chef's of my allergy, but who knows?

Then yesterday for dinner since it was just myself, I made little pizzas on gluten free bread, making sure that the sauce and cheese was gluten free, and that I wased my hands and utensils. I also had a slice of gluten-free bread with honey and a glass of milk, and the nextt hing I know I feel aawful! All of my symptoms from eating gluten. But i know I didn't! Does anyone else have problems with eating honey?? or sugar? I know dairy problem are prevelant at first with celiacs, but I have eaten cheese plenty of times in the past 2 weeks with no problems. In fact, I think I even had milk with gluten free cereal. Of course, my body may be reacting just not in a noticable way...but still, I am just so so confused.

I'm pretty sure I have a candida yeast problem, could this be the cause of my pains??

Thanks so much everyone!!

[starrytrekchic]

You're probably not healed enough to digest the gluten-free substitutes. They can be hard on the digestive system (as can large amounts of dairy.) I'd skip all the heavily processed stuff and go with a simple, easy to digest diet for a while, until your intestines have a chance to start healing.

[Free-CountryGirl]

ahh, that's a good point, thank you

[Free-CountryGirl]

Also I was wondering... I neevr officially got tested for Celiac because my Dr just dismissed anything I said about it relating to my symptoms, so I decided to go gluten free myself and see if i felt better, which I did. Because I don't have an official diagnoses, could a candida problem have the same effects?? I feel like I am at least gluten sensitive, since when I ate pecans made in a wheat factory (by accident) I became extremely ill, but is it possible that I am wrong?? My instincts tell me no....but...?

[FooGirlsMom]

I had a systemic Candida problem about 15 years ago. One of the best ways to tell (for women) is if you have trouble with recurrent yeast & bladder infections. If you do have a Candida problem, it's important to go on gluten free, dairy free, & SUGAR free diet. That might even include fruits except limes and lemons if your problem was as extreme as mine. It took about 3 months to clear the bulk of my symtoms and then it didn't seem to be a problem adding back in some fruits etc.

I have a lot of trouble (still) tolerating gluten-free sub mixes. I don't know if it's the starches, or the gums, or the "what" (insert whatever). It's probably what Starrytrekchic said...not healed up enough.

One of the problems, I found, with the mixes is that I wasn't able to determine my secondary food intolerances over and above the gluten. Since getting 'simple' with the food, I discovered an intolerance to dairy, soy & corn. I feel sooooo much better getting off the corn. There is corn flour & starches in a lot of mixes.

Hope that helps a little,

FooGirlsMom

[Free-CountryGirl]

thank you so so much Foogirlsmom! Very helpful

[cassP]

everytime ive gone off gluten in the past, and for real this last july-> it's always taken me roughly 3-4 weeks to normalize- there were times in that first month i would feel GREAT- and there were many times where i felt like ANYTHING would give me a gluten symptom.. even just plain old water.

once you get into month 2 or 3- you can start judging your reactions to different foods, in my experience.

also- if you have an intolerance to lactose- cheese may not bother you like a glass of milk will.

also- you may identify additional intolerances later that you'll want to avoid. for me: it's high fructose foods, excess lactose, and corn.

good luck

[Pac]

Did your mom clean the owen before baking the gluten-free cake? I had similar problems after going gluten-free and it took me over a year to find the culprit - cross-contamination. I am very sensitive and many things that would never even cross my mind as possible trouble-makers will make me sick. Eating food baked in "glutened" owen is a big no-no for me and maybe even for people less sensitive than me.

Other food intolerances, candida or simply eating more proccessed food than your stomach can handle are other options you should look into. Good luck!

[Kay DH]

If gluten makes you ill, and you feel better off gluten, then that is the best proof you have celiac, gluten sensitivity, or allergy. You can have secondary problems such as yeast or other inflammation. You can check your symptoms when you get ill relative to candida or celiac. I went completely gluten-free in January. I thought I was gluten-free for a couple of months before, but didn't realize where the nasty compound molecule was lurking. Once I went completely gluten-free I became more sensitive to gluten. I have reacted to labeled gluten-free foods (processed in a plant that processes wheat), cutting boards, scratched teflon pans, etc. Some brands of baking powder have gluten, some turkeys are injected with gluten-containing broth, and it is an additive in many foods while hidden as "hydrolyzed vegetable protein" or other manifestations. So, a gluten-free diet is a bit challenging but gets easier through time. My doctors also dismissed me as having celiac, but unfortunately most doctors know almost nothing about celiac or gluten sensitivity. My health is great as long as I avoid gluten. Best wishes on your health quest.

[Fire Fairy]

Hi, I was just "diagnosed" November 2nd so I know exactly were you are. My Doctor didn't run the tests he just told me that for a long time he has suspected this was my problem. I'm glad he finally told me. He told me to go on the diet for a month and see how I felt. I feel a whole lot better. Better than I have in years. Regarding lactose, about a week ago two mornings in a row I had to race to the bathroom after eating my morning Corn Chex with milk. I had not had the problem any of the previous mornings but after two days in a row I decided to drop milk for awhile. I'm drinking a pro-biotic store bought fruit smoothie and that is not causing a problem but I've read some celiacs with lactose issues can cope with yogurt and cheeses. Also I wanted to share with you that I have battled Yeast most of my adult life and I'm glad to know this diet will help with that as well. I sympathize with you it can be a truly awful problem.