Alcohol and Celiac Disease

St Peter's and Bard's actually taste better than the Redbridge but are more expensive. I have a hard time finding gluten free beers since most of them are made in Europe and Canada and are not distributed in the U.S. BevMo has a fairly decent selection of gluten free beers for those of us who love beers. Also, in the Phoenix area, Sun Devil Liquors carries a good selection and has an awesome selection of wines. Their mead and hard cider selection is extensive as well. The store on County Club in Mesa even has a wine cellar.

I agree..I hated Redbridge! I thinks it tastes awful.

There is no such thing as "not very severe" celiacs. You either have it or you don't. And if you have it, even if there are no symptoms, you should abstain from ALL gluten...the long term effects of damaged villi in the small intestine WILL lead to DETRIMENTAL and even LIFE-THREATENING illnesses.

I have been a diagnosed celiac for nearly five years. I have never been able to tolerate alcohol very well; although, ironically, beer never seemed to bother me. More than two glasses of wine has always made me violently ill, and I recently determined I also have an allergy to sulfites (found in most wines). I've found I just can't drink much, so when at a party or out I stick to gluten-free beer, cider or a vodka or tequila drink. I can handle a couple. Maybe limiting is not such a bad thing in the long run.. As for food, it is very hard in the beginning, and you feel like a social outcast. My only child was diagnosed with type I diabetes just eight months before I was diagnosed with celiac. In some ways, we feel the same. My advice to him when dealing with social situations also can be used by celiacs: It isn't about the food, it's about the friends. Don't make your event just about the food. Most of the time, I eat before I go, or bring something I know I can have. Then, just concentrate on having fun with your friends.

As for those dealing with depression, I do not get the usual intestinal symptoms, but I notice if I've accidentally ingested gluten, I am very sad and irritable the next day. Since my diagnosis, eight family members have also tested positive. The symptoms vary wildly among us, but definitely include depression and mood swings, along with angry outbursts. I was very anemic and had unexplained infertility (my son was adopted). Everyone is finding it just isn't worth it. Compliance is key! Good luck to those who are newly diagnosed. Your health will improve greatly, and this will motivate you to adhere to the lifestyle.

My six year old daughter has been diagnosed with celiac, so I have been doing extensive research on the disease. After reading many posts on this blog I feel compelled to urge you all to out the University of Chicago website on Celiac Disease.

The information clearly states that ANY gluten in your diet will trigger the autoimmune response that inflames and damages your small intestine - whether or not you have symptoms. My daughter's gastroenterologist and this website both state that repeated triggering of the autoimmune response could cause it to "turn on" permanently - NOT GOOD.

I am encouraged by the significant response by the food industry to provide more gluten free options (now there is gluten-free Bisquick, for goodness sake) - which, of course is in response to the increasing diagnoses of Celiac, consequently predicting a $1.7 billion industry in 2010.

Everyone, hang in there and please do what is right for your body and your future. That this disease can lead to infertility, Chrone' disease and even, rarely, cancer should be more of an incentive to toe the line on gluten-free - aside from living symptom-free. Our whole family has gone gluten-free in support of my daughter and although it is a huge sacrifice, it will be worth it.

Good luck to you all!!!

If, as you say, you are a diagnosed coeliac, don't even think about eating food containing gluten. Think of all the positives. If you avoid all the processed gluten free food you should be eating a really healthy diet. Coeliacs also have a risk factor 100 times greater of contacting stomach cancer. Read up, educate yourself, get into the kitchen and have a ball.

Sorry to advise you, there is no way you can be over the legal limit after one pint of regular strength cider. I am a Police Officer and a breath technician (I administer the evidentiary tests on impaired drivers) so I know. There are two units of alcohol in a pint which, if consumed quickly and a brief amount of time passes for the alcohol to be absorbed, would put you at 0.02 (20mg alcohol in 100mL of blood). Your ability to operate a motor vehicle may still be impaired but you would not be over the limit.

Either the drink was spiked, or you drank way more than you are stating. When I completed the breath technician course I consumed 13 (thirteen) oz of scotch whiskey in 45 minutes (that is six doubles and one single in less than an hour) and I hit 0.12 (120mg in 100mL). For reference the legal limit in Canada and the US is .08 or 80mg alcohol in 100mL of blood.

Zombie - good name for you - please educate yourself and be aware that the blood test does NOT work unless you are still eating gluten! So go back onto your gluten diet for about 4 - 6 weeks and if you survive, then do the test. Then and only then will you perhaps get the correct results. The only authentic test is a biopsy of the small intestine.

Can someone please answer, is pre-mixed bourbon ok? I am currently getting tested for celiac and just wondering if I would have to change my favorite drink if my tests turn out positive.

James,

I was diagnosed 17 yrs ago (pretty progressive for the 90's). I was very good at keeping to the diet. There are so many gluten free stores, websites and restaurants. Just stick with the basics. rice, corn, salads, meat, potatoes, and hell for breakfast have bacon, eggs and home fries, just hold the toast. You can do this. You must do this. It will not get easier. I've been cheating lately because I have kids and the house is full of bread, cookies and even beer (for my husband). After all this time I need to get back on track and I will because the repercussions of cheating are not worth it. It will get easier to avoid gluten. Do not give up! And look for gluten free section on menus (Friday's has one). good luck

I was diagnosed with celiac three months ago. I still have trouble drinking alcohol because my stomach feels weak and I feel like I have no stomach lining. Has anyone else experienced problems digesting alcohol once they were diagnosed?

I am just starting college and have been diagnosed celiac for a year and a half. From the looks of it even professionals are unsure of whether distilled alcohols are safe for us to drink or not. I think it is important to reiterate that even small amounts of gluten can be devastating to our bodies and I believe it is best to error on the side of caution and avoid questionable drinks.

Well said! If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease even 1/32 of a teaspoon or gluten in any form is detrimental!

Ciroc vodka is made from grapes, so that is safe.

Celiac disease sucks. Distilled vodkas a are fine to ingest (Smirnoff flavors are allowed, I do not know of other flavored vodkas) rums are great, especially Bacardi, most of this brand is gluten free however there are a few exceptions. Original Bacardi and flavored ones are safe. I know that besides those there are some still safe but dangerous for those with celiac or an intolerance to gluten in general. Bards beer sucks don't buy it, waste of money even if you are a beer lover trust me not worth it.

I can relate to DKP's wife & to t-man - unfortunately I have had similar experiences over the years & only recently been diagnosed with celiac (annoyingly, seeing as I had all the symptoms & have been seeing specialists for years).

Sometimes I can drink say 3 glasses of wine and be fine, other times I can become very forceful and seem to have no off switch. In other words I want to keep drinking. During those times I loose all memory. My husband has been verbally abused by me many times (& a couple of times I've slapped him) over the years & I literally have had no memory at all of these times. Most of the time I can have a few glasses of wine and be perfectly fine, but on some occasions my body chemistry is altered by my gluten levels & I react very badly to alcohol. I'm hoping that like t-man, now that I am on a celiac diet this will no longer be an issue.

I am so pleased I have read this. I have been diagnosed for 8 months now and have done loads of research and try really hard but this is the first I have heard of the 'sweeping depression'. I get this just about every time I drink, really bad when I am ill. It never even crossed my mind it was related to celiac.

Well, my Christmas and New Year's has been filled with debilitating pain, a visit to the emergency room where a CAT scan showed I'm fine, just a bit of intestinal blockage, etc.....only problem is I'm still suffering horribly and come to realize this IS THE PROBLEM - I've been complaining more so especially over this last year how I cannot drink even 1 beer and not be severely hungover for days from it (which is just ridiculous!). I attributed it to getting older (43), but now know with my other debilitating abdominal pain that is rearing its ugly head along with all other symptoms especially over these holidays, this has got to be the issue! I'm a health nut, workout, eat right, so couldn't figure out why in the world I was having digestive issues now. All the symptoms point to celiac. I've just now been down for about 5 hours now today (the pain has lightened up at this point, but still there) with another episode after eating a whole grain English muffin with peanut butter. I chanced it as I'm just 'starving' and afraid to eat anything after the episodes I've had over these holidays! I'm getting tested Tuesday and as I've been chowing down on many gluten laden things, I should show a positive! I won't have an issue staying away from it for sure as this abdominal pain along with the other symptoms I've been experiencing over the last few months 'intensified' sure makes for a crappy existence!

Love the info; had been searching for this info for a while. My sincere THANKS!!

I have been celiac for a few days now and it's hitting me hard because everything I ate had gluten in it and now suddenly have to drop it all. It's crazy.

I have been sick for years! I've experienced indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, headaches, rashes, heartburn, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, etc. I was tested for celiac sprue several years ago while having an endoscopy. The biopsy wasn't a scheduled test so I am not sure I was even ingesting gluten at the time. I tested negative. When I changed my doctor a few years later, he recommended that I try going gluten free for two weeks despite my previous negative test. I am just starting to commit to a gluten free diet now....several months later!

I gave up alcohol for several months because it would make me terribly sick and leave me with a horrible hangover. I feel much better without it but just tried the gluten-free beer "Red Bridge" last night. It is a fine substitute and my hubby even agreed to drink it. I stay away from wine because of the sulfites and I don't drink any hard liquor. Overall, I find giving up alcohol is so much more beneficial than having a cocktail.

I am also beginning the process of switching over to gluten free bath products and cosmetics!

I have one idea - learn to enjoy it! I found a new love in "the Captain" (Captain Morgan, that is). I mix it with diet Coke and drink with the my friends at karaoke (and it makes me sound better too!). If I know I'm going to be going to friends houses for cocktail parties or going out to dinner, I bring things I can eat (like gluten free buns so I can eat burgers at our burger joint). I bring my own crackers to parties so I can have cheese and crackers. The beautiful thing about gluten free, is that if you don't search out gluten, you will not have a weight problem. I've dropped 5 pounds in one month without even trying. If I would give up alcohol, I'd lose even more, but one thing at a time. Embrace the good things about being gluten free - you can't change it so make the best of it. Keeping a positive attitude can really help.

Hi,

As a fellow celiac I can state categorically that the "blood" test is not close to the final word re: diagnosis. You must have a biopsy of the small intestine, have the sample dyed per protocol and a pathologist given a heads up (eg. r/o celiac sprue). The technicians in pathology labs seen hundreds of samples and mainly look for cell changes and cancer. I was diagnosed this way 10 years ago and have had the blood test come out negative. This despite numerous biopsies and symptoms to the contrary. Get a good GI DR., have the endoscopy and biopsy done and find the truth!

Divini,

The blood test is a poor indicator for diagnosis. It cannot neccesarily be fooled by ingesting gluten or abstaining from it. A small bowel biopsy, died and read by a competent pathological tech or preferably a pathologist and a blood serum marker workup is the final word on diagnosis.

I was recently diagnosed with celiac sprue and while I have had to shift over to gluten-free beers, the distilled spirits and wines have had no deleterious effects on my body. Greenes gluten-free beers from Belgium are probably the best of all the gluten-free beers I have tried. Otherwise, I enjoy all distilled spirits. I will admit, I look for the highest number of distillations for the spirits I buy.