Symptoms Returning After Travelling

[Regameleca]

Hi guys

I recently went home to Canada for Xmas to spend some quality time with my family. I wasn't as careful as i should be,even though my sister also has celiacs; i ate a pizza that had a gluten-free crust but possibly not the toppings, in desperation (my friend was sleeping and wouldn't wake up, and as we were at his house and he had no food other then chips, i ate them in sheer hunger desperation) i ate cheezies that were in the same bag as wheat chips, i ate pho one day that i wasn't sure if it was gluten-free etc. SInce i've returned to the UK all my stomach has been so upset, i've been constipated and i'm not sleeping well. I got a bladder infection as well which i haven't had since going gluten-free. It's really frustrating as i had been feeling so much better before the holiday and everything was clearing up. My question is how long before i heal again? Does anyone have a similar experience? and is it possible it's made me super sensitive to gluten? I feel like things that weren't effecting me before have become a problem! any tips on healing again?

thanks a lot

Becs

[Takala]

Try drinking a LOT of water, going for a walk everyday, even if it is a short one, and eating as much UNPROCESSED food as possible, meaning fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, eggs. Try to avoid processed grain starches in commercially prepared gluten free foods, until you are stable. You can also try brewing fresh or powdered ginger root into tea or putting it in green tea. If you are brave, you can make "chai coffee" with cinnamon, tumeric, ginger and coconut milk put in the coffee cup with a (safe for you) form of sweetener. If you're taking antibiotics, try to replenish the gut bacteria by eating something with probiotic qualities, such as safe yogurt if you can tolerate it. IF you can find safe gluten free spices, homemade curry sauce, with a lot of tumeric and cumin is strangely stomach soothing for some of us.

Also check to see if you are eating anything new or different at home since your trip, that might be not truly gluten free.

Most of us who go anywhere carry a stash of emergency food in a small cooler, backpack, or little soft lunchcase, and now you know why - we assume safe gluten-free food will not be available, even if told otherwise, (and relatives and holidays are the worst ) or if it is, it will still be screwed up. This means that you may have to hit a grocery store or health food store first thing after landing at your travel destination, which means researching in advance on google is a good idea. Sometimes you can find what you need in a regular shop here in the US, it varies from state to state, I've gone into an East Coast deli type store attached to a gas (petrol) station and put together an a la carte meal consisting of hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and nuts - not fancy, but at least safer than having somebody try to serve me something full of gluten, and then acting surprised when I point out that it isn't gluten free at all.

Sometimes the most dreaded words in the English language are "look what I cooked just for you..." (yeah, and you used your old cutting board, colander, and sticky old pan. Gee, thanks)

Becoming more sensitive to gluten is not unusual as time goes on. This will tend to make you more careful and vigilant.

[Metoo]

Hi guys

I recently went home to Canada for Xmas to spend some quality time with my family. I wasn't as careful as i should be,even though my sister also has celiacs; i ate a pizza that had a gluten-free crust but possibly not the toppings, in desperation (my friend was sleeping and wouldn't wake up, and as we were at his house and he had no food other then chips, i ate them in sheer hunger desperation) i ate cheezies that were in the same bag as wheat chips, i ate pho one day that i wasn't sure if it was gluten-free etc. SInce i've returned to the UK all my stomach has been so upset, i've been constipated and i'm not sleeping well. I got a bladder infection as well which i haven't had since going gluten-free. It's really frustrating as i had been feeling so much better before the holiday and everything was clearing up. My question is how long before i heal again? Does anyone have a similar experience? and is it possible it's made me super sensitive to gluten? I feel like things that weren't effecting me before have become a problem! any tips on healing again?

thanks a lot

Becs

If it makes you feel any better, two weeks before Christmas we traveled, and I wound up eating gluten. I seem to react in my skin now. I just got my skin to heel up 1 week ago, and I am still struggling occasionally with my skin breaking back open. Just seeing the skin on my hand I can't imagine what it might be doing to the insides!