Jump to content

  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Symptoms Of Violent Coughing And Congestion-Anyone Else?

Omma

Recommended Posts

Omma Rookie
Omma
Posted

I've been gluten free for about 6 months, not diagnosed but severely sensitive to gluten. My daughter is as well. I have the fatigue, body aches, brain fog and sometimes a stomache ache, but my immediate symptom is violent coughing, chest congestion and an earache, the other things come later. This happens within minutes of eating even the smallest amount of gluten. (Just two days ago i fried a hamburger in someones non-stick pan and I'm still paying for it)the coughing usually last 10-20 minutes, sometimes longer. And it's so bad I almost throw up. The congestion lasts longer and the body aches, fatigue, nausea and fogginess lasts....I'm not sure,about a week. I haven't seen this symptom come up and I'm wondering if I'm the only one? My daughter has the stomach issues, no coughing.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


domesticactivist Collaborator
domesticactivist
Posted

The coughing and congestion sounds more like a histamine (IgE) reaction to me. You could have both kinds of reaction.

Omma Rookie
Omma
Posted
  • Author

The coughing and congestion sounds more like a histamine (IgE) reaction to me. You could have both kinds of reaction.

Hmmmm.....I never thought of that, maybe I'm allergic to...gluten? is that possible? or maybe just wheat? All of the coughing reactions have been to wheat, don't know if I do that with rye or barley. This reaction started after I went gluten-free. I might get up the nerve and try a kernel of barley and see if I cough or not. The last gluten I ate was rye flakes, I thought they were gluten-free, and I felt truly horrible, but I didn't cough. But then that was early on in my gluten-free journey.

Trying to put all the pieces together is difficult and frustrating! I so wish I would have been tested before going gluten free...but then, by what I'm seeing here, that's not always conclusive either.

By the saliva and stool tests I did have, the conclusion is I have Leaky Gut Syndrome, my total salivery SIgA was 8 (normal 25-60)

and the total Intestinal SIgA was 60 (normal 400-800). So, there's an obvious problem, but what caused it? Celiacs? Gluten Intolerance? Maybe it doesn't matter.

One more thing, since going gluten-free I'm loosing weight, not a good thing for me. I've been trying to gain some muscle, but instead getting skinnier and skinnier. Yikes!

domesticactivist Collaborator
domesticactivist
Posted

People can have IgE reactions to wheat or to gluten or other parts of the wheat. Wheat is one of the top 8 allergens recognized in the USA. You can be allergic to wheat but not other gluten-containing grains. However, you can be allergic and ALSO be gluten intolerant and/or celiac. From what you describe, it sounds as though you may have a wheat allergy combined with gluten intolerance. Of course I'm not a dr and haven't met you so this is in no way a diagnosis, but that's where I would start looking into things.

As for the weight loss... what else are you eating? Are you eating plenty of saturated fat, protein, and vegetables? Are you feeling full, or do you feel like you can't eat enough to feel full? Have you actually crossed the threshold into being underweight? Do you have energy?

If you feel fine and are not yet underweight, there is a possibility that you are just on your way to a new equilibrium. I dropped 20 lbs at an alarming rate right away, then stabilized just above the lowest possible normal body weight.

domesticactivist Collaborator
domesticactivist
Posted

Another thought with the weight loss... could you be eating something else that is preventing you from absorbing nutrition from the food you eat? For example, some people trying to bulk up on muscle sometimes eat protein powder shakes or similar foods that are full of highly processed ingredients that can be common problem foods, like soy, eggs, or dairy.

Omma Rookie
Omma
Posted
  • Author

People can have IgE reactions to wheat or to gluten or other parts of the wheat. Wheat is one of the top 8 allergens recognized in the USA. You can be allergic to wheat but not other gluten-containing grains. However, you can be allergic and ALSO be gluten intolerant and/or celiac. From what you describe, it sounds as though you may have a wheat allergy combined with gluten intolerance. Of course I'm not a dr and haven't met you so this is in no way a diagnosis, but that's where I would start looking into things.

As for the weight loss... what else are you eating? Are you eating plenty of saturated fat, protein, and vegetables? Are you feeling full, or do you feel like you can't eat enough to feel full? Have you actually crossed the threshold into being underweight? Do you have energy?

If you feel fine and are not yet underweight, there is a possibility that you are just on your way to a new equilibrium. I dropped 20 lbs at an alarming rate right away, then stabilized just above the lowest possible normal body weight.

I've had adrenal fatigue and low thyroid in the past, so my energy level has been worse, but it still isn't the greatest. When I eat I feel full, but then hungry again in about an hour. I'm eating every two hours at this point, whole foods,lots of protein probably don't eat enough veggies as raw give me a stomache ache and it's hard to eat cooked veggies at work. I'm thinking I should start tracking what I'm eating and maybe that will give me a clue to what's going on.

I've been told I need to gain 10 lbs. of muscle, which I have very little of. I've been working out for a year now and can't seem to gain any muscle or weight. I've lifted weights in the past and had no trouble building muscle. Maybe because I'm older now? I'm 55.

Thanks for the good info!

domesticactivist Collaborator
domesticactivist
Posted

One thing that may help at work is to bring a thermos. We make a lot of soups and stews which are full of high fat meat and lots of well-cooked veggies (ala the GAPS diet). The thermoses we have stay hot for 7 hours, so they work very well. Good luck with your food diary! Sometimes they really can help sort out a problem.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Omma Rookie
Omma
Posted
  • Author

One thing that may help at work is to bring a thermos. We make a lot of soups and stews which are full of high fat meat and lots of well-cooked veggies (ala the GAPS diet). The thermoses we have stay hot for 7 hours, so they work very well. Good luck with your food diary! Sometimes they really can help sort out a problem.

A thermos! Now why didn't I think of that? My mom used to send soup with me to school for my lunch. I'll try that. Thanks!

Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

Years ago I went to the doc because my coughing was so bad I couldn't even sleep. Totally exhausted. He said 'asthma' and I said something like 'No I don't have asthma' and he said "Yes. you do". I though asthma was constricted throat and wheezing which I didn't have.

My asthma treatment is one of the only medications I use despite all my other gluten problems. I usually only need it a few (maybe six to ten) times a year but when I need it I REALLY need it.

Omma Rookie
Omma
Posted
  • Author

Years ago I went to the doc because my coughing was so bad I couldn't even sleep. Totally exhausted. He said 'asthma' and I said something like 'No I don't have asthma' and he said "Yes. you do". I though asthma was constricted throat and wheezing which I didn't have.

My asthma treatment is one of the only medications I use despite all my other gluten problems. I usually only need it a few (maybe six to ten) times a year but when I need it I REALLY need it.

I started to write that I only cough after eating gluten, but sometimes I cough all night long. I'll look into it. Thanks!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,085
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    ThomasA55
    Newest Member
    ThomasA55
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Sigh. I posted this yesterday based on the Safeway website. I went back again today to their website to double check. On the page where they are selling Vanilla Bean flavor, it has a distinct Certified Gluten Free label. Other flavors on the Safeway website didn't have the gluten-free statement. Today I went into the store. None of the flavors I looked at, including Vanilla Bean, have a Gluten Free statement. Is it safe? Who knows. The ingredients are either safe or nearly safe (some have "natural flavor"). There are warnings about "contains milk and soy" but not about wheat - this implies they are safe, but again, who knows. On the other hand, every flavor I checked of their Slow Churn line of ice creams has wheat as an ingredient. 100% not safe.
    • knitty kitty
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Do keep in mind that many of the newly diagnosed have lactose intolerance.  This is because the villi lining the intestinal tract are damaged, and can no longer make the enzyme lactAse which breaks down the milk sugar lactOse.  When the villi grow back (six months to two years), they can again produce the enzyme lactAse, and lactose intolerance is resolved.  However, some people (both those with and without Celiac Disease) are genetically programmed to stop producing lactase as they age.   Do be aware that many processed foods, including ice cream, use Microbial Transglutaminase, a food additive commonly called "meat glue," used to enhance texture and flavor.  This microbial transglutaminase has the same immunogenicity as tissue transglutaminase which the body produces in response to gluten in people with Celiac Disease.  Tissue Transglutaminase (tTg IgA) is measured to diagnose Celiac Disease in blood tests.  Microbial Transglutaminase acts the same as Tissue Transglutaminase, causing increased intestinal permeability and inflammation.   New findings show that microbial transglutaminase may be able to trigger Celiac Disease and other autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.   Microbial Transglutaminase is not required to be listed on ingredients labels as it's considered a processing aid, not an ingredient in the U.S.  Microbial Transglutaminase has been GRAS for many years, but that GRAS standing is being questioned more and more as the immunogenicity of microbial transglutaminase is being discovered. Interesting Reading:  Microbial Transglutaminase Is a Very Frequently Used Food Additive and Is a Potential Inducer of Autoimmune/Neurodegenerative Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537092/
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      There is a 10 year old post in this forum on Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream. The information is somewhat outdated and the thread is closed to further comment, so here is a new one. Edy's And Dreyer's Grand Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - 1.5 Quart is labeled "Gluten Free". This is a different answer than years gone by. I don't know the answer for any other flavor at this moment. On 1 May, 2026, Edy's website says: "As a general rule, the gluten in Edy's and Dreyer's® frozen dessert products is present only in the added bakery products, such as cookies, cake or brownies. We always label the eight major food allergens on our package by their common name. We recommend to always check the label for the most current information before purchasing and/or consuming a product. The exception to this rule is our Slow Churned French Silk frozen dairy dessert, which contains gluten in the natural flavors." https://www.icecream.com/us/en/brands/edys-and-dreyers/faq It seems that Edy's and Dreyer's are more celiac-friendly than they were 10 years ago. Once I found enough information to make today's buying decision, I stopped researching.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      EDG 3 years ago fine, now it shows focal villous blunting,

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      probably not your situation @Mimiof2, but allow me to add one more to @trents list of celiac-mimics: "olmesartan-induced sprue-like enteropathy"  
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      My dad had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.  Fortunately, it was discovered during an exam.  The doctor could feel my dad's heart beating in his stomach/abdomen.  The aneurysm burst when the doctor first touched it in surgery.  Since he was already hooked up to the bypass machine, my dad survived ten more years.  Close call! Triple A's can press on the nerves in the spinal cord causing leg pain.  I'm wondering if bowing the head might have increased the pressure on an aneurysm and then the nerves.   https://gulfcoastsurgeons.com/understanding-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-symptoms-and-causes/ Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as a Claudication https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4040638/
×
×
  • Create New...