Managing Flare Ups - Any tips out there?

Lady_Clarington

I'm reducing my gluten intake and trying to cut it from my diet all together. Now I haven't been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance due to a less than useful doctor of the "if it hurts don't poke it" variety but the symptoms seem to fit from the dreaded internet searches. There's a distinct possibility its not gluten because I am developing intolerances to chemicals left right and centre and generally starting to think I should just shut myself up in a bubble so I'd value any input.

Unfortunately every so often foods slip through the gap especially when I go out for a meal with friends, my partner cooks, I get out of bed at 05:00 make myself toast and THEN wake up, meals I could eat fine last week suddenly get added to the no list....

The bloating / stomach cramps are AWFUL. I spent Saturday morning (Friday night meal with frends) scared to sneeze trapped in the bathroom with only a can of air freshener and Pintrest for company (bad idea - I now have an almighty to do list of crafty joys and a distinct hatred of lavender!!) Today (partner cooked last night) I have a stomach that makes me look as though I could well be 4 months pregnant. My trousers wont do up! My skin hurts its stretched so much.

Does anyone have any coping tips? Or ways they've found help relieve the pressure / symptoms? Should I be trying to flush it out (I already drink a lot of water) or is it best not to bombard an already unhappy stomach?

CorlissaEats

I found that once I had detoxed from all the years of gluten that I am also more sensitive to other things. I think this is probably normal. Gluten intolerance is an inflammation reaction (whereas celiac is an autoimmune response). Once the inflammation goes down it makes sense that you will start to notice the more subtle intolerances that were overshadowed. I've always been scent sensitive but its gotten much worse with gluten out of my diet. I have also discovered that I am lactose intolerant and cannot stomache soy or almonds.

I dont have quite the same symptoms you do, but I have often heard that taking digestive enzymes when you know you have been glutened does help with the severity and length of reaction. They can be found with the vitamins in any drug store. Drinking water/fluids is good. You need to flush the toxin out of your system. Stay away from any soda with "caramel coloring" in it though, and coffee and milk since their proteins are very similar to the makeup of gluten proteins and your body can react to them as well.

There is still no magic pill for gluten symptoms. Hope you feel better soon!

Lady_Clarington

Thanks for your input.
Turns out belly looks 26 weeks pregnant (6.5 months) at its worse as I got compared to a pregnant lass at Pilates last night. Yay(!!!) Fortunately it is slowly retreating and I can at least now wear trousers without them digging in too much.

I'll go to the chemist tonight as see about these "digestive enzymes" to keep in my bathroom for future unplanned events. Is there a brand you recommend? Hopefully we can avoid too many more attacks of the sneaky gluten (its everywhere!)

Can anyone tell me is a flare up from gluten similar to what doctors consider an IBS attack? Would the medications they sell be of any benefit? I was diagnosed with IBS (and ME) about 7 years ago but still believe it was the doctor dismissing me rather than taking me seriously. (He was as useless as a chocolate teapot). Now I wonder whether it could have been the starts of the gluten (or whatever it is that's making me so uncomfortable).

I over think things!