Damn Gluten!

I have been glutened.

Man, I've been feeling bad. As I tend to do, I am plowing through but I don't wish to.

Being glutened is like getting the flu. It takes 2 weeks for me to feel good again. I did this to myself. I knew better. 

Last Thursday, Rick wanted a Jersey Mike's Big Kahuna sub/hoagie. 

He ordered it, and I went to pick it up since I was out and about, and it was on my way home.  

When I got home, I saw that mine was not a bowl but on bread. I said I can't eat this. He said they told him this was gluten-free bread. When I held my sandwich, I saw that it was gf because it was dry and falling apart. 

But cross-cantamination is a real issue. 

Rick said, "Oh, I asked, and they promised it does not touch the other bread surfaces or use the same knife. " 

Well, it was great that he asked them, but I know better. They lie. 

I doubted eating it, but then Rick began apologizing, and I felt bad.

I ate half of it with the lousy bread and then took out the insides.

Within an hour or 2 I felt it. I knew. Damn it. The diarrhea, the vomiting and oh, the stomach pain. I haven't been sleeping due to this. I want to scream. I know you can't eat what "they" call gluten-free in a restaurant - ever. I've done it twice - got sick both times in 20 yrs. So no more. 

If I do ever cheat, it will be something far better than Jersey Mike's!

Rick's birthday is Tuesday(19), and I have a lot to do.

He wanted lasagna. He wanted apple pie.

I made both on Monday. 

I'm going to wrap myself in a blanket and crawl onto the sofa.

I'm taking a couple of days off, probably from here.

Here is what happens if you get glutened. 

I know you didn't ask, but sometimes folks really don't understand Celiac Disease. May happens to be Celiac Awareness Month. 

Trust me, I get all of this and severe swelling in my limbs, face, and abdomen. Fun times.

When you have celiac disease and consume gluten, your immune system triggers an autoimmune response that attacks the lining of your small intestine. This damages the villi (tiny, nutrient-absorbing projections) and causes systemic inflammation, potentially leading to gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain. 

Immediate Immune Response

Within hours (typically 2 to 4 hours) of ingestion, your body mounts an acute attack. The reaction intensity varies greatly from person to person, but common acute symptoms include: 

• Nausea and severe vomiting
• Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
• Fatigue and extreme lethargy 

Delayed and Systemic Symptoms

Even if your gastrointestinal symptoms subside quickly, the immune reaction often causes widespread inflammation. Delayed effects can last for days or weeks and can manifest as: 

• Neurological: Severe "brain fog," migraines, and mood changes.
• Dermatological: A painful, itchy blistering rash calledp0 dermatitis herpetiformis.
• Musculoskeletal: Joint and muscle pain. 

Internal Damage (Asymptomatic Reactions)

Crucially, you can have "silent" celiac disease. If you ingest gluten but feel no outward symptoms, your small intestine is still being damaged. Repeated exposures prevent the villi from healing, leading to long-term issues like nutrient deficiencies (e.g., anemia), osteoporosis, and fertility issues. 

What to Do If You Get Glutened

There is no medication or quick cure to instantly remove gluten from your body. Recovery requires a focus on supportive care and hydration: 

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids to replace losses from vomiting and diarrhea.
• Eat Bland Foods: Stick to small, frequent meals of easily digestible, gluten-free items like broths, bananas, rice, and plain chicken.
• Rest: Allow your immune system time to calm down.
• Monitor Symptoms: Reach out to a doctor if you experience signs of severe dehydration, uncontrollable vomiting, or high fever.