Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    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):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Gluten Intolerance After Illness?

april-s

Recommended Posts

april-s Newbie
april-s
Posted

Hi! I am new here and was hoping to share my story.

About a year ago I have a short, 24-hour type illness: severe stomach cramping, vomitting, diarrhea. It went away pretty quickly, but after that I began to have problems that have persisted up until today.

- about 4 incidents (over the course of the past year) of similar, but not nearly as severe, stomach cramps that were immediately relieved with a bowel movement (was woken up in the middle of the night by this)

- these incidents were usually followed by constipation for a few days

- rosacea on my cheeks that has become quite a self-conscious problem!

- what I think is some sort of minor sinus problem (I can feel a little fluid in my ears, can't sleep on my back because I won't be able to breath)

- depression and anxiety. I've always had issues, but these have gotten quite worse over the last year, especially the anxiety

- lately I've had a lot of gas and bloating, tummy rumbling, chest pains (probably gas related)

I will probably go to the doctor soon, but about a week ago I started eliminating gluten and noticed I have more energy, a drastic reduction in gas/tummy rumblings, and I have had no new 'eruptions' on my face (and I'm pretty sure it is clearing up!!!).

But today I ate some vegan chocolate cake and I started feeling 'funny'. I felt a little dizzy, short of breath, then my eyes started itching, I had a sneezing fit, I felt super tired, and had some chest pains. Could this be a reaction to the wheat flour in the cake?! Or I am just inducing these problems because I 'think' I have a gluten intolerance?! Also, what are the chances that the illness I had triggered all of these problems (and that they are related)?!

Any help/advice/experience would be greatly appreciated :-) As I said, I will be going to the doctor's soon, but I thought I would try here first so I could talk to people who have maybe gone through something similar!

Thanks,

April

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Well, keep this in mind, if you want an "official" dx then you'll have to be on it for quite some time.

At any rate, mine got really bad after a bad case of the flu followed by (a week later no less) allergic reaction to an antibiotic. So it can happen.

Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

For many, Celiac Disease is triggered by some sort of stress on the body. It can be an illness, an emotional event, or even a pregnancy. I had ZERO symptoms before the birth of my second child. 5 years later, HE was diagnosed with celiac disease. I tested positive as well. All my symptoms went away when I started the diet.

Try to get tested BEFORE you try the diet. The first test is a blood screen. Once you start the diet, all the tests will be negative.

If you don't need an "official" diagnosis then go ahead and try the diet. Give it time - don't give up after a week. Try it for 3 months and see if you feel better.

Cara

april-s Newbie
april-s
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I am definitely going to stick with it. I've been keeping a food journal and notes about how I feel. I will also take pictures of my skin to document any difference.

All the best,

April

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,893
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Sgp
    Newest Member
    Sgp
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
    • trents
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By trents · Posted

      You state in an earlier post that you don't have celiac disease. Here in this post you state you will "be doing another test". What will this test be looking for? What kind of celiac disease testing have you had done? If you have used a Entero Labs it sounds like you have had stool testing done for celiac disease which is not widely accepted as a valid celiac disease diagnostic testing method. Have you had blood antibody testing for celiac disease done and do you realize that for antibody testing to be valid you must have been eating generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks/months? 
    • Gigi2025
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Gigi2025 · Posted

      No, I've not been diagnosed as celiac.  Despite Entero Labs being relocated to Switzerland/Greece, I'll be doing another test. After eating wheat products in Greece for 4 weeks, there wasn't any reaction.  However, avoiding it here in the states.   Thanks everyone for your responses.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.