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Glutened...but By What?


K8ling

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K8ling Enthusiast

Ok guys, I am thoroughly confused. Last night I had a major Gluten reaction- severe cramping, D and nausea- and I had barely eaten all day. My son brought home RSV and I caught it IMMEDIATELY (Toddlers just LOVE to share!) so I have been down sick for about 4 days. Yesterday I had gluten-free chicken potato soup that my husband made from scratch, and toast, some gluten-free crackers...and Tylenol PM. That's it.

So I am a little confused. My food choices have been limited to soup, crackers and ginger ale for the past 4 days.

I am also 6 weeks pregnant...is it possible that my body just freaked out?


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kareng Grand Master

K8 have you talked to an OB yet?

Are you drinking lots and lots of water or Gatorade or Koolaid? You could be dehydrated.

Take care of yourself and that gluten-free bun in the oven.

K8ling Enthusiast

Water, I called my OB and just got a call back from my normal doctor who can't treat me with really anything antibiotic wise, because they are worried about the risk of miscarriage. I guess it is possible I am dehydrated, I just felt like it was a gluten reaction. I dunno maybe it's not. Being pregnant is very weird LOL.

I am being put on a nebulizer, inhalers and nasal spray and my husband is watching me to see if I get hypoxic.

tarnalberry Community Regular

especially the first few weeks of pregnancy, you can't really say if it's gluten or hormones. hormones can cause all of those things - and it can be all the worse if you haven't eaten much. try to get some more food, and keep an eye on the cramping. some is normal, but if there's too much, you may want to check in with your doc to make sure your hormone levels are such that they can maintain a pregnancy. (sometimes, they can help with that, depending on the exact issue.)

K8ling Enthusiast

especially the first few weeks of pregnancy, you can't really say if it's gluten or hormones. hormones can cause all of those things - and it can be all the worse if you haven't eaten much. try to get some more food, and keep an eye on the cramping. some is normal, but if there's too much, you may want to check in with your doc to make sure your hormone levels are such that they can maintain a pregnancy. (sometimes, they can help with that, depending on the exact issue.)

Thanks, I've been getting blood tests every week to monitor my HCG levels. I tend to lose babies between 6 and 11 weeks so we are in the danger zone right now. I did call the OB and he's pretty sure it wasn't the baby. My normal doctor just called in some breathing stuff and told me to take it as easy as I can.

I'm not sure WHATS going on but I DO know I feel awful.

Thank you ALL for the input, I am really worried.

tarnalberry Community Regular

Thanks, I've been getting blood tests every week to monitor my HCG levels. I tend to lose babies between 6 and 11 weeks so we are in the danger zone right now. I did call the OB and he's pretty sure it wasn't the baby. My normal doctor just called in some breathing stuff and told me to take it as easy as I can.

I'm not sure WHATS going on but I DO know I feel awful.

Thank you ALL for the input, I am really worried.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think low progesterone levels can also prevent you from carrying a baby to term, and they can supplement progesterone. Is this the same OB you've been seeing for the repeated miscarriages?

T.H. Community Regular

Oh goodness! Here is wishing the baby lots of good, healthy vibes.

If gluten is the culprit...might be good to chuck the gluten-free crackers and toast for a bit and stick with carbs like unprocessed stuff like whole grains, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Almost all gluten free food has a little gluten in it (below 20ppm) but perhaps during your pregnancy you are more sensitive to it? Or, if that's all you're eating, it could be that the low amounts of gluten are building up so you're ending up with over 20ppm. The gingerale can be an issue with gluten cc, too.

You can make a little gluten-free ginger tea by getting a 2 inch peeled piece of ginger, boil it in 4 cups of water for 15-20 min. and strain it. And a little sweetener added to it, fruit juice or honey. It might calm your stomach, and it would be more gluten free than the soda, yeah?

Also, the soup...did your hubby do it completely from scratch with a raw chicken, making his own broth, or did he use a pre-made chicken broth or bouillion? Or a flavor packet? If he used those but didn't get gluten free versions, maybe that was it. My kids have been glutened from all of those before.

The tylenol I suppose could be a problem, but I would think that would be more a morning sickness issue, not so much the D and cramping.

EDIT:

And I just came across this on the celiac.com site after I responded to you:

xanthan sensitivity

Essentially, talking about having a xanthan gum sensitivity and how it can make it hard to distinguish form glutening. It can cause gut problems, the big D, cramping - it might be worth looking at, especially because it almost definitely would be in the crackers and toast.


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shopgirl Contributor

There was a Tylenol recall announced this week but I don't know if the pills could actually make someone sick. I think there was a cleaning issue at the plant.

Seems like a long shot but just throwing it out there.

cassP Contributor

what's RSV???

and i know Docs say Tylenol is safe... but i would try not to take anything.

i hope u feel better!!!!

K8ling Enthusiast

Guys, I feel terrible TERRIBLE. I had to take Tylenol or I couldn't function. Really.

Thank you for all the input! I called my OB this morning and she said that it may have been hormonal since that's how my body responds to hormone rushes- GI upset.

The soup was TOTALLY made from scratch. Organic chicken, no fillers, no broth, etc. no stock. Fresh chicken, carrots, celery, onions, and potatos. So good that we are making MORE tonight! It really seems to help!

I did put up the crackers and toast. I had a banana today and some bacon (I dunno, the baby liked it LOL) and am pushing fluids. Thank you for all the help guys!! Really!!

RSV is a common upper respiratory virus that little kids get during spring and winter. Highly contagious and dangerous to pregnant women and newborns or people with asthma (I have asthma and the baby LOL). My son is much better as is my husband... I just keep getting worse!! :(

Googles Community Regular

I don't have any suggestions to add. But I wanted to say that I hope you are feeling better soon.

AZGirl Rookie

No Advice; but am praying that you and the baby make a very speedy recovery.

Luddie Newbie

Guys, I feel terrible TERRIBLE. I had to take Tylenol or I couldn't function. Really.

Thank you for all the input! I called my OB this morning and she said that it may have been hormonal since that's how my body responds to hormone rushes- GI upset.

The soup was TOTALLY made from scratch. Organic chicken, no fillers, no broth, etc. no stock. Fresh chicken, carrots, celery, onions, and potatos. So good that we are making MORE tonight! It really seems to help!

I did put up the crackers and toast. I had a banana today and some bacon (I dunno, the baby liked it LOL) and am pushing fluids. Thank you for all the help guys!! Really!!

RSV is a common upper respiratory virus that little kids get during spring and winter. Highly contagious and dangerous to pregnant women and newborns or people with asthma (I have asthma and the baby LOL). My son is much better as is my husband... I just keep getting worse!! :(

I, too, wish you all the best. Sounds like the old chicken soup is helping! I've found an anti-viral that has helped protect me from my grandkid's "starting school" colds, etc. It's an Elderberry based tonic called Sambucus. Tastes good too and it's gluten-free. The one I have is from Nature's Way.

I agree with putting away the crackers, toast and any other flours right now.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star

I just wanted to say I hope you are feeling better soon! I have asthma too and get upper respiratory illnesses pretty easily, so I can imagine how miserable you are. Nothing's worse than the feeling of not being able to breath AND having to run back and forth to the bathroom. I drink lots of gatorade (I buy the powder canisters and mix in up a gallon at a time) and also those Emergen-C powder vitamin packets you mix with water to boost the immune system--check with you OBGYN of course to make sure the vitamin is safe for the baby.

jerseyangel Proficient

Thinking about you, K8, and hope all is well :)

CarolinaKip Community Regular

Ok guys, I am thoroughly confused. Last night I had a major Gluten reaction- severe cramping, D and nausea- and I had barely eaten all day. My son brought home RSV and I caught it IMMEDIATELY (Toddlers just LOVE to share!) so I have been down sick for about 4 days. Yesterday I had gluten-free chicken potato soup that my husband made from scratch, and toast, some gluten-free crackers...and Tylenol PM. That's it.

So I am a little confused. My food choices have been limited to soup, crackers and ginger ale for the past 4 days.

I am also 6 weeks pregnant...is it possible that my body just freaked out?

Good thoughts your way for yo and baby!

K8ling Enthusiast

Hey guys! I checked with my doctor today and she is actually referring m to an ENT because my ears just aren't clearing. I have been sick every month since August with a sinus infection or an ear infection. I am on a prenatal vitamin and the OBGYN told me to take Sudafed (which surprised me but I guess they're worried about my eardrums bursting from the pressure) to relieve pressure. Right now, since I AM pregnant, basically it's just try the hardest I can to avoid ALL gluten and take the best care of myself I can. Unfortunately, the high school kids I am teaching are little germ factories (surprising, I know LOL) so LOADS of purell.

Thanks for all the help! I REALLY appreciate it!!

jerseyangel Proficient

Have you ever tried a neti-pot? I find it very helpful with my sinuses--you just use warm salt water so no fear for the baby.

K8ling Enthusiast

Have you ever tried a neti-pot? I find it very helpful with my sinuses--you just use warm salt water so no fear for the baby.

Yes, unfortunately my ears don't drain properly, and I end u with ear infections. They're considering putting tubes in :(

lynnelise Apprentice

Hope you feel better soon! I know my doctor told me Sudaphed was okay when I was preggo but that was 16 yrs ago. At any rate I did fine with it!

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