Gluten Intolerance After Illness?

[april-s]

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

[shadowicewolf]

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]

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]

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