I had my first 'restaurant' experience tonight since starting the gluten-free diet 5 days ago. It did not turn out so well. Earlier today was the best day so far - I felt great! My appetite has been slowly returning the past 2 days, I haven't had to take Tylenol before bed the past few nights, I woke up at 8:30am this morning bright eyed and bushy taled WITHOUT my alarm going off - and normally I can't roll out of bed until noon, I'm so fatigued. It's been great.
But then I stopped at my Dad's house and they were on their way out the door to celebrate a belated birthday dinner for my 20-year old baby brother. They invited me to go with them to a Japanese restaurant, and I tried to decline. I was getting in my truck to leave when my Dad came over and talked me into it, saying they would find something for me to eat there. I figured they cooked the food right in front of you so it shouldn't be too hard to get plain chicken or fish and plain rice.
The language barrier made things worse. They didn't quite understand when I told them my dilemma and asked questions about ingredients. They DID give me a bowl of plain rice from the kitchen, which was great, and they DID cook my meat plain, but they didn't wash the grille off before cooking my meat. It was still cross-contaminated with all the soy sauce and tariyaki sauce, both of which have gluten.
I felt it just about immediately. I knew something was wrong when I put the first bite in my mouth and could taste the Teriyaki. I didn't want to offend the cook, and figured I could deal with the consequences.
Well, I guess it was trial and error, a lesson learned, and confirmation of what my GI had told me over the phone. I remember now why I had a really bad relationship with food only a short week ago. I've been feeling so great, I almost forgot what it was like.
So because of that I'm bloated, gassy, have a terrible headache, feel heavy all over, and just 'don't feel good'. Again. Just like last week before I started the GF diet. My appetite completely left me . . . right when I was starting to get it back - if I ever had it to begin with. I can't really remember having much of an appetite other than in bootcamp when my body was literally starving from my first initial Crohn's Disease flare and everything would pass straight through me, and when I was on Prednisone last year for another severe Crohn's flare.
And here I was getting all excited. . .
How long does it take to feel good again after an episode like this?
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Comments: 20
I don't know, but I do wish you well!
Yikes, that cross-contaimination is going to be the hardest.
Guess we know what is working and what isn't
I highly recommend that you take digestive enzymes when you eat on this diet.
So even a trace amount of gluten wont bother you. We did this diet for two years due to my daughter's autism. The enzymes helped so much with it , now she can have some gluten as long as she has an enzyme and no longer has the syptoms you described. Mega Zyme by Enzymatic is a great brand. They make a slightly stronger one that addresses wheat and dairy issues as well.
Thanks, Joanna!! Last year I was at the mall with my husband and stepkids, had a piece of pizza and had severe heartburn I could barely walk. There wasn't a drugstore in the mall, so I went to the vitamin store and asked what they had to help - and they gave me a digestive enzyme. Would you believe it took care of the heartburn pretty darn quick?
I would never have guessed it would work for this too. I'll get it and keep it in my purse. Thanks!!
I just ordered the Mega Zyme on Amazon. I'll see if that's strong enough and then follow up with my doctor about it - after I try it first, lol, just in case he's not one of those doctors that likes supplements.
I wrote an article digestive enzymes:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/109289/digestive_enzymes_why_everyone_should.html?cat=68
Hey hun...
I am sorry to hear you had a flare up, but since last time we chatted it seems like you are getting more fine tuned about what is causing what with your health.
I actually am wondering if I might need a gluten free diet actually due to the fact I seem to have some of the symptoms you have mentioned hwen I eat food... Good luck though hun.
The more research they do on the Gluten intolerance, the more they are finding out that it is not that rare. It went from 1 in 5000 people, to 1 in 133 people, to 1 in 30 - to some experts think even 1 in 10 people would benefit by cutting out Gluten! It wouldn't hurt to try it, Felicia, but do the research if you do so you know the hidden sources of Gluten as well.
I am glad you and Nic enjoyed it
Hmmmm....sure don't know, but good luck with the diet!!!
cross contamination is a problem for me too. I would imagine that really won't be able to eat out much anymore. I can't.
I don't even know what to say...
I have been eating a gluten free diet for years now and I feel so much better. Before finding out I am gluten intolerant, even water gave me heartburn. I spent so much time in the bathroom that I felt like my insides were coming out. It was awful. Good luck on your new diet and remember that with time and experience it will get a lot better. There are resteraunts that have gluten free menus and they are usually very helpful when you ask questions.
sounds like you have to always be on alert when you eat out.... I'm glad you are finding some things that help though
I am glad you are more in tune now and are aware to what causes the problems. You are empowered and can change your life and are on your way. What a wonderful feeling for you. That enzyme that Joanna is something I'm going to try due to my dairy intolerance. I've tried everything they sell at grocery stores and nothing helps.
Yeah it does sound like you will have to be careful when eating out. The enzymes sound like a great idea too. Wow, I hope you work this out so you can enjoy eating out once in a while.
I don't know how long it takes but I will be praying for a speedy recovery!
I don't know, but I know in my own experience with the IC diet (which can be very limited) that grocery shopping absolutely depresses me, and that there is only one completely "safe" restaurant in our area, and one "mostly safe" one. Most restaurants use a lot of pre-packaged things, or cook on grills that can, as you say, have contaminants, etc.
Right now I'm making lunch for my husband and son. Literally NOTHING I am cooking is something I can eat. I will have to make myself ANOTHER lunch later, or maybe just skip entirely. Frequently I literally live on bread (preservative free, etc.) and water because I'm too tired to cook five or six times a day. Three or four (my son expects his breakfast cooked even if he doesn't get up in time for it with everyone else) is enough already...
To be on a diet so strict like that would be murder to most. Kudos to you if you can pull it off! :)