How Sensitive Are You To Gluten?

[Guest BERNESES]

I'm curious because I'm starting to think I'm one of those super-sensitive Celiac's and wonder who else sio with me on this one. I for example, can't drink vodka made from grains even though the theory is that it's fine for most Celiac's because the gluten has been distilled out. I got sick from Milk Bone dog treats (no- I didn't eat them fed them to dogs and WASHED my hands frequently. Just wondering how sensitive people are. Thanks so much, Beverly

[KaitiUSA]

I am very sensitive to the smallest bit however I can tolerate distilled products.

[Carriefaith]

I am very sensitive to small amounts of gluten, even to the point where I don't even know what I ate that made me sick, I just know I was glutened. I've never actually tried distilled grain products, so I don't know how I react to them.

[luvs2eat]

I seem to be becoming more sensitive as I remain gluten-free. But it really takes a clear glutinizing for me to feel unwell.

[mstrain]

I have no symptoms whatsoever. Don't know if I am being glutened (by accident) or not.

[skbird]

I haven't tried distilled grains, though I may have had some vinegar that fits this category. I have weird vinegar reactions, sometimes it's not good sometimes no problem. I think I was getting sick this summer because my husband feeds the cat treats that had gluten in them, while lying on the bed. After I asked if he could either not do this, or get up, change his shirt and wash his hands after, I haven't seemed to have gotten glutened again. It seemed impossible I would get it this way but before he would lie in bed, the cat would sit on his chest and get fed treats. Then he'd wipe his hands on the blanket or the cat (petting him) or whatever. I of course love the cat and kiss him a lot... so I think this was the culprit. Whatever you call it, that's ridiculously sensitive.

Though I guess I haven't gotten sick from smelling it yet...

By the way, I don't know if it was posted here but there is a theory that people who are gluten-intolerant (genes, antibodies) but not Celiac may be even more sensitive to gluten as it affects different parts of their system, not just their gut. Also that gluten-sensitive people are more likely to react to oats than Celiacs. I don't know if this is true but an interesting hypothesis. I am not Celiac, but definitely react to gluten.

Stephanie

[Guest BERNESES]

Stephanie- Now that's REALLY interesting as I was never diagnosed with celiac disease (LONNNGGG story) but I am clearly gluten intolerant and it seems as time goes on, it's getting worse and I'm more sensitive to the minutest amounts. Maybe I need to do some more research as I don't undestand the difference between having Celiac's and gluten intolerance. I would assume the intestinal damage is the same, but if I'm wrong please tell me. I feel like s$*t today (past three days) and I'm pretty sure it's from eating Garden of Eatin nacho tortilla chips (which are no longer guaranteed gluten-free because of the machinery) and I'm starting to feel like I'm insane Beverly

[Guest Viola]

I'm also very sensitive ... it takes very little to affect me.

I think that you should keep in mind though, that many people are either allergic, or alcohol sensitive. It's actually very common that people feel ill, get rashes and even the hateful D word. So ... it may not be gluten related with the drink.

[elonwy]

My sensetivity is still adjusting to me being gluten-free, But I'm clearly more sensetive than I was.

vodka, whiskey, etc used to give me a horrible head-cold like sensation, runny nose, sneezing stuffy head, and I have no idea if thats a gluten reaction or not. I've stopped drinking those, and i'm fine with tequila and rum, so I'm pretty sure it was a grain alcohol thing.

Elonwy

[nikki-uk]

After 11 months gluten-free my husband has found he can't tolerate vodka (or any gluten-free alcohols)very well.

I think it is an 'alcohol' thing as opposed to him reacting to the vodka.

My theory is that now his villi are starting to heal alot more is being absorbed than he was used to,but it does make his guts ache!

[Guest BERNESES]

I was just using the alcohol as an example. I have no problem with gluten free beer/vodka. Maybe I could have used a better example like distilled vinegar.

[hez]

I am still healing and not fully recovered since my diagnosis. I have started to notice that I seem to be sensitive. Licked food off of my finger and felt as if I had been glutened. The only culprit was lotion on my hands!

[happygirl]

I don't have a problem with distilled grains but I am extremely sensitive. I will know while at the dinner table (or wherever I'm eating) if I've been contaminated, etc.....the symptoms come on within 30 min and then just progress....

[burdee]

I also checked very sensitive, but I don't have problems with distilled vinegar. However wine (and maybe any other alcohol) really bothers me now. I went undiagnosed (MISDIAGNOSED) for so many years (about 50!) and developed other intolerances (dairy, soy, and most artificial sweetners). I thought that Splenda was okay, but after drinking wine more regularly, I began to react to Splenda. I cut out the splenda and felt better, but after I had a dairy reaction, I returned to wine with dinner occasionally to cope with those terrible pains of eating anything. Eventually I realized the wine did more harm that good, because I felt worse, rather than better gut pain wise. Perhaps it aggravated leaky gut syndrome which may set me up for more allergies/intolerances. Anyway I'm off any alcohol for awhile. I recently read newly diagnosed celiacs should avoid alcohol 3-6 months while they heal. Why didn't I see that 16 months ago??!!!

BURDEE

[Rachel--24]

Stephanie,

Thats pretty interesting stuff. I was wondering why I'm so sensitive....I thought maybe its because I just started out. I have those intolerance genes so maybe it does cause extreme sensitivity. Also my symptoms come on strong but they are never in my gut. I don't feel anything in my gut but a couple days later I start dropping the pounds. Sometimes I look pregnant but I rarely get cramps and even more rare is the dreaded "d". Well...I was hpoing the sensitivity would lessen as I get better.

Oh yeah...as far as the alcohol..I can't have any

For some reason I get burning sensations throughout my body...this was before I went gluten-free so that could be why. I never noticed anything with champagne though...I did experience symptoms from drinking wine. I havent tried anything since going gluten-free...had bad reaction from vanilla extracts and saurkraut. Are those considered distilled?

[drewsant]

I have only gotten sick when I've obviously eaten gluten, when I tried to eat a hamburger with the bun, I got sick the next day. About a month or 2 later, I ate a burrito that had a flour shell, and got sick next day. I seem to get over it w/in about 4 days if I immediately go back to gluten-free diet, then I'm fine. I don't pay attention to shampoos , soaps, or my dog's food or anything, so I don't think I'm hyper-sensitive to it which is good I guess.

[tammy]

Gee, I'm sorry to hear that any of you have symptoms at all. Both my husband and I are gluten-free! Funny neither of us knew we were gluten sensitive when we met. Anyway, I seem to be okay with distilled vodka and vinegars. But I can not have a single piece of gluten touch my plate otherwise I will have a mild wheeze for many hours and then it changes my stool for at least 5 days! Although the other day I tried a gluten-free soy spray and wheezed! I haven't had a problem with soy before, maybe it was the amino acids in the product?????

DOG BISCUITS: I can relate to the dog biscuit scenario because I had to start using rubber gloves when handling both dog food and dog biscuits. However I never gave myself the opportunity to have a reaction. BTW, there are now wheat-free dog foods and dog biscuits!!!!!!!!!

My husand doesn't seem to have any reaction to alcohol or vinegars. However, he will feel lousy when contaminated through other means.

[bmorrow]

I seem to have become more sensitive since being on the gluten-free diet. I bloat and my stomach starts hurting within 15 minutes after I consume gluten. The severe symptons last for approximately six hours and then I have diarrhea for several days. Most of the time this happens after eating in a restaurant. Sometimes I also have a problem with vodka. I try to drink only rum or wine.

[Guest gliX]

I have absolutely no symptoms, and had none before going on the diet. I could probably eat an entire pizza and feel fine. But, I still have the disease and have to keep strictly to the diet.

[skoki-mom]

I have no symptoms and never had. I was only dx (conclusively) less than a week ago. My sister has celiac disease so I got screened, scoped and I have it too. I could eat anything and feel fine, but I am going to do my best to keep to the diet my body demands.