Wheat/gluten allergy

[msbaggypants]

I've been climbing the carb ladder again, after 6 weeks of clean eating. I am finding that I get itchy little bumps on my neck and chin that come and go right after I eat something starchy. My ears will get hot and red, and itch, too. I ate probably 1/2 c pasta last week and had bloating. I've been watching for about 2 weeks, and even a small high fiber spelt cracker will do this within 1-2 minutes.

Anyone had this happen to them?

TIA.

[lcoldtimer]

Hi Angela,I have been low carging for 9 years and I find if I do not balance wheat carbs with protein and veggies ,I will right away blow up with water weight

[msbaggypants]

This isn't water weight. It's like a balloon in my stomach, then I belch. It is uncomfortable for about an hour, or more. In fact, I have lost weight after I upped my carbs.

[nonstickpam107]

Ah, the very same symptoms I had...and was then diagnosed (um...well, not until I had a small bowel biopsy...the 'newer' Celiac tests didn't run positive on me, cuz I couldn't eat enough gluten to take the test properly) with Celiac Sprue.

One CAN live without any gluten. I had a lot of fun adding back fruit into my diet (and I can eat steel cut oats if they are milled in a mill without any gluten products).

Pam

[msbaggypants]

Thanks Pam.

Your guess is more to the celiac/gluten than the wheat allergy?

I don't have problems with sensitivity in my intestines, so to say. Mostly in my stomach.

After doing Atkins and finally getting the hang of it, I really don't have any urge to eat gluten products. I enjoy my flax and coconut flour, but tried the wheat products so I can eat what my family eats. It might be a good thing to cut most if not all of the wheat because DH and 10yo son have Aspergers, and sometimes autistics have food allergies/sensitivies.

SOOO much to learn!

[nonstickpam107]

I have Hyper IgE Syndrome, which is about the most allergic a person can be. So, allergies are not to be taken lightly. Stomach reaction and breaking out in rashes are a pretty good sign you're allergic to it, and that you'll increase your sensitivity to wheat if you keep eating it.

Celiac is autoimmune...but I didn't get a clue I had it until I started lowcarbing and tried to eat wheat/gluten again. At first it was dx'd as allergy...I increased sensitivity by continuing to try and eat it.

Good for you for remaining committed to your WOE.

Pam

[Criosa]

Pam,

You seem to know a lot about allergies and intolerances - maybe you could help me a little. I'm sensitive to a lot of foods, mostly wheat, corn and peanuts. I don't get intestinal problems very often (except with sugar alcohols, and polydextrose!) What I get is stomach aches, and joint pain. My mom has been diagnoised with celiac disease, so I took a blood test to see if I could have it. It came back okay. Since I don't have intestinal problems, I didn't see how a small bowel biobsy would do any good. Anyway, I have given up gluten, and feel much better. Do you think I have Celiac, and why does the doctor just want to write it off? He just said if those foods affect me like that, just avoid them. Good advice though I guess. It bothers my mom though that I don't get a proper diagnoses.

[nonstickpam107]

I know a lot about allergies cuz I have Hyper IgE.

Doc had the best advice...if it bothers you, avoid them, because that's what you'd have to do if you had Celiac anyway. Celiac is most terrible for the person who won't/can't/doesn't want to avoid wheat/gluten and for the person who has herpetiformis. I think my Celiac doesn't 'show' if I eat no gluten. I'm always amazed at how many Rx's contain gluten! And OTC meds/supps.

Pam

[MsKimber]

Hi Pam! It sounds to me like you could have a Gluten Intolerance or Sensitivity rather than Celiac. I was just diagnosed gluten sensitive and still trying to make sense of it all. The internet has lots of great information.

[nonstickpam107]

MsKimber, no, I have: Celiac, Hyper IgE (there's a sensitivity to everything right there), Hashimoto's, Sjogren's. Took Xolair injections for the IgE, but it didn't work well...but having Celiac is not all that bad...at least it keeps me on the 'straight and narrow LC path' lol.

Pam

[mommeto3boyz]

Pam if you have any advice throw it at me. I took the blood test and my doctor said it came back positive. He asked me if I wanted to do the biopy but didn't really see the need for it since i have a family history of celiacs. Plus all my symptoms disappear when i do low carb and avoid all the "products" and i feel like a new person all around attitude temperment and no more mad dashes to the bathroom 10 minutes after i eat. I guess i had the outlook of well the proof is in the puddin . I know it works when i eliminate gluten . So why have a biopsy to tell me what i already know. Plus now that i am lowcarbing again it would mess it up and i am not about to start eating gluten again and feeling like crapola.
Basically i just am looking for some tips on combining low carb ( dr orders) and gluten free

thanks so much

[nonstickpam107]

Leigh, if the blood test was positive, then you have Celiac most likely. Just avoid all gluten. (not an easy thing to do, but lowcarbing makes it easier). Let me find the gluten site I've used (with lots of lists of what has gluten, including medications):

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/nav...?webtag=celiac

This is one of the best (if not THE best) forums for those with Celiac.

Pam

[mommeto3boyz]

Thank you pam it is a great website i scoured it all night for info.