What happens after gluten consumption?

Guest

I was wondering how you all react if you inadvertently consume gluten, I mean short-term effects? I know the long-term effects, there's plenty of information available on those, but what happens hours, that night and the following day when a person who is gluten free suddenly gets glutoned?

Oh, and I am new here, but aim to stick around, sorry if this is an oft asked question but I couldn't find any information on it. Also I hope this is the right section to post in.

mchess · Joined: 21 Nov 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Oklahoma

well i think celiacs react differently. For me if I accidently get glutened I get dizzy, extreme pain, very sick and very angry. So angry that I can't control my anger at all. My family has a joke about me getting gluten. But my family is aware of what happens to me so needless to say they are real careful in making sure that accidents don't happen. If i do get gluten they do not stick around very long. i usually have to stay in bed for a couple of days.
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Melissa

Guest · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:49 am Post subject:

I generally get bad pain, bloating and spasms in the stomach within hours which continue for 24-36 hours. Also severe reflux and mucous-like stools for 1-2 days. But I never have the dizziness or nausea type feelings many people describe.

Paul (I wrote the first post in this thread)

tropical · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 10 Location: canada

A timely question for me -- I am so darned careful, for years now, but a couple of weeks ago I tried a different brand of tuna. The ingredients listed were o.k., but I knew within the usual 3 hours that something was amiss. I don't get the nausea and dizziness either. For me it's much gas, cramps, bloating, a lot of pressure in my bowels, many visits to the bathroom and occasional diarrhea. I have to stay at home just in case of diarrhea because it hits totally without warning. Then I bought what I thought was my usual brand of balsamic vinegar a few days later, only to find it was another brand in a similar bottle and had added ingredients that weren't gf. So another few days of discomfort. I have decided not to eat processed foods anymore unless it states that it's gluten free. and I'm going to be very sure to read every label on food I buy. No more taking it for granted. I must pay total attention.
Pat

tobi · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 23

After eating in a local restaurant, I realized at the end of the meal a distant grumbling in my gut and said, "take me home NOW!" Sure enough, I had diarrhea and abdominal pain for about 4 to 6 hours. Very similar to taking the prep for a colonscopy. Overnight I was fine. It made me more cautious, to say the least.

Padams · Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 66 Location: Nebraska

have accidentally ingested gluten I know about 30 minutes after the fact. My stomach cramps so horribly it brings upon tears. I go to the bathrrom for the next 24 hours a lot, let's just say I could sleep in there. The cramps increase over time and my mood changes tons. My family understands, and I hope my college will also.

After about 26 hours, my stomach is okay, with some minor pain and poops. Nothing major.
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Patrick
06/14/05
I love Danna Korn

Guest · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 5:14 am Post subject:

Thanks for your feedback. I was diagnosed "by default" to have CD earlier this year, I mean all the tests were negative, but I had already been gluten-free (of my own decision) for months, hence there is no sure way to tell whether I have CD or not. I am not prepared to digest the gunk just to prove I can't. However reading your responses pretty much sums up my reactions when I inadvertently consume the stuff.

On a side note, and perhaps better left for another thread perhaps, but does anyone have any hints for dealing with those first few hours? I know there's no cure, but I've actually found Atrobel Forte (over the counter in Australia at least) tends to help somewhat with the spasms and pain.

Paul

Yvonne · Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 29

Hi Paul,

I too know quickly when I've ingested gluten - 20 - 30 minutes. Stomach starts rumbling & cramping, swells up like a balloon, get diarrhea (usually chronically constipated). I also get a sore throat and muscle aches in my arms and legs. Usually ok by the next day apart from being a bit tired.

You sound like you still have a little niggling doubt about being gluten intolerant? I know I do - I keep testing it by deliberately eating ordinary bread or something. Stupid I know!!

Yvonne
(South Africa)

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8783 Location: WI, USA

Paul - I have heard that Alka Seltzer Gold (must be Gold as it is GF) can help with the symptoms. I have not tried this...but others have reported good luck with it.

Is this available in the land of Oz?

Yvonne - I went back and forth a number of times during my testing too. I eat gluten for awhile and see how I feel, then I stop. The "test" that really made me realize was eating twizzlers (a candy), that I thought was GF for about 1 month or two. Symptoms started coming back and I thought my gluten theory was out the window...then I double checked the ingredients...2nd ingredient in the list was FLOUR! I unknowingly did my own blind study LOL!! There were other ingestions along the way that proved my theory was correct. But I think we must go thru that inorder for us to really believe it. Particularly those of us that don't have an offical diagnosis.
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Yvonne · Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 29

Thanks Al. Well I've had my answer over and over again. Just need to accept it and get on with it I suppose.

I was in denial and telling myself I was having these almost instantaneous reactions to gluten ingestion just because I haven't had any for 3 months and it would affect anyone the same whether they had CD or not.

Oh well ....... Its not so bad!!

Yvonne
(South Africa)

maria1223 · Guest

I was glutened 3 days ago, yesterday I just could not take it anymore I was bleeding from the rear not hemoroids. I went to the hospital at 10:00pm and was released at 5:30am they found an ovarian cyst on my left overy. just in time as I have 2 1/2 weeks til my wedding. and my honeymoon I'm going to fly to tampa fla. then getting a cruise to mexico for 4 days. Just my luck they have gluten free food, on the ship. Very Happy

I just have to go see my OBGYN before I go to see if what he wants to do. the hospital that I went to I hate it because they don't really tell you all the info that u need to know. I usually go to a good hospital where they don't hold anything back. but they were full that is why I went to the other hospital. I'm glad to hear that alka selter gold can help you. I had the big D for 3 days and it was killing me my Dr. is on vacation & his assoc. told me to take amodium ad & stay on a liquid diet til it was gone that just made it worse. I finally got up enough nerve to eat some rice that made me feel better. I still have pain the hospital gave me Ibuprofen & vicodin. the both of them together kick my butt. I don't like that. My hubby has to stay home from work to take care of me He is a good man but to be with someone for 24 hrs a day is something else & not able to go out is hard to do. we both have our own time seprate 1 x a week.

Guest · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject:

Yvonne, no I accept I have CD, it is not a problem for me as for the first time in my life I feel fine: I sleep, I have energy, I am not bloated, and I now realise going to the toilet six times in a morning isn't 'normal'. However I do alot of travelling and also eat in alot of restaurants - for me dealing with the initial pain and discomfort now is what is important. The long term effects don't concern me as I am happy/content to be gluten-free.

Aklap, thanks for your advice, yeah I had read about the AS Gold on this site somewhere, but am not sure if it's available here, will go check it out today. To tell the truth I'm not even sure if AS full stop is available here, I don't ever recall seeing it, but have never looked for it.

Note to self - go register on this site and stop posting as a guest Smile

Paul

Paul · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 4

Hey, I did it! I registered!! Wasn't that painful afterall. Although the welcome email Mr Admin said "Welcome to Celiac Forums Forums" (with the double 'Forums').

And I looked for Alka Seltzer Gold today, but they don't seem to have it in Australia. The only have regular and a hip 'n happenin' lemon flavour together with a nice MSG ingredient. Why you'd put MSG in a stomach medicine is beyond me, but whatever does it for them I guess Smile

If possible could someone please post the ingredients in AS Gold here? My pharmacist says he might be able to trace it as something else.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8783 Location: WI, USA

Hi Paul...errr...G'Day!! hehehehe

Check this out for the Alka Seltzer Gold ingredients: http://www.alka-seltzer.com/as/as_gold.htm#more

Heat treated sodium bicarbonate 958 mg
Citric acid 832 mg
Alka-Seltzer® Gold contains principally the antacids sodium citrate and potassium citrate.
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Paul · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 4