Corn :(

[Chakra2]

I don't want to admit it but corn freaks me out. I get D right away, then 3 days later I get extremely angry. I feel embarrassed to admit this but it is true and really disturbing. This intolerance has been way more difficult for me to deal with than gluten. First, I live in Houston and love Mexican food! Second, I don't get the horrible gut pain like when I eat gluten so gluten is not tempting but corn still is. The D doesn't really bother me (what's a little more in the life of a celiac patient), but the neuro symptoms are truly upsetting. How is it that food can really affect my emotional state so much? And 3 days later? But I've tested it enough to be sure.

Anyone else have an intense corn intolerance? Any kinds of corn you CAN eat? Has anyone been able to eventually add corn back in?

Chakra2

[lucia]

Anyone else have an intense corn intolerance? Any kinds of corn you CAN eat? Has anyone been able to eventually add corn back in?

Chakra2

Me too! I have major issues with corn! And, I was shocked when I discovered this. I too tested it numerous times, because it just didn't seem possible. Corn appears to be responsible for most - if not, all - of my neuropathic pain, i.e. nerve damage in my feet, lower legs, hands, and lower arms. When I don't have corn, this pain goes away almost entirely! I'm hoping it goes away totally once I'm off corn for awhile. I have also identified stages that I go through when I eat corn (just like with gluten!) that includes a period of general crankiness. My reactions last about 3 days (compared to reactions to gluten that last about 5 days).

I had no idea that I had corn-related issues until about a month ago, which was 3 months into being gluten-free. Corn also causes me some GI distress, but not as much as gluten does. I had been eating a lot of corn at that point, because I was using corn chips, polenta, and corn-on-the-cob as a substitute for gluten-based foods. I wasn't happy when I realized my issues were corn-based, until I identified corn as the trigger for my neurological stuff, i.e. the neuropathy, which had been scaring me. Since then, I've been happy to give it up, although I've also had tremendous cravings for it.

The last time I was "corned" was through 2 small prescription pills my doctor gave me. The pills had corn starch in them. My reaction was intense the first day, but smaller the second day, and gone the third day. I think probably the reaction was modified since the pills were so small.

Like with gluten, I believe that I'm experiencing an immune reaction to corn. Why? I don't know. I did find a study online that showed an immune response in mice to a form of genetically modified corn. It made me wonder if I'm reacting the same way? Could I eat corn that hasn't been genetically modified? I'm not even sure how I could test this, if it's possible to trust the "organic" label?

I'm trying not to think about the future, about never being able to eat either gluten OR corn again. Hard to imagine visiting my husband's hometown - Houston! - and not being able to go out for Tex Mex. Seriously, going for Tex Mex is my favorite thing to do in Houston. We go to Chuy's every single time we're there, at least once. Anyway, I feel your pain!

[Colleen.C]

I have the same problem too. Corn is so much more difficult to eliminate than gluten is.

If I get a big dose of corn I will get the same effects as with the gluten but I can tell the difference. I have trouble getting to sleep at nite, get restless legs syndrome, severe cramps in my feet, internal shaking (sounds ridiculous but that is what it feels like). If I'm just getting a very small dose everyday it will build up and get me on the 3rd day with stomach pains and D.

I recently found out that citric acid in New Zealand is made from corn and not even the companies that use it knew. I had to make them find out for me by threatening them LOL. Goodbye tomato sauce! Also beware of acidity regulators.

Giving up all corn is very hard!

[RiceGuy]

I've been able to determine that GMO corn bothers me, but organic, non-GMO corn doesn't (or at least not enough to present severe problems from ordinary portions). But from what I can tell, most corn is GMO. The companies involved (such as Monsanto), and the FDA knew the stuff caused hightened allergic reactions, but of course, that didn't stop them

Organic popcorn is available from a few different places, and I've been able to enjoy that without problems.

This is not to say that you could have organic corn, but I think it is a possibility. If not, you may want to try popping whole sorghum grain. Yep, it pops like popcorn, though much smaller (tastes like popcorn too). It does need to be the right kind though. From what I've read, sorghum is usually dried, and thus won't pop. I'm experimenting with getting moisture back into it so it will pop, and although my first try showed promise, it didn't work nearly as well as I'd hoped. I'll be sure to post about it if I get it to work well enough.

[shayre]

Wow, I'm going to have to try cutting out corn now...one of my few remaining foods. I have been seeing a nuerologist for a year with no answers. I did react to tomato the other day...i think it was tomato. Anyway, my mood just went into the toilet right after lunch. I was a crank, and had noooo patience left in me. It was less the next day, but I was unenthusiastic for sure. I also got VERY, VERY tired right after that lunch. It was the first time that I actually noticed my mood change because of the food...weird!

[lucia]

Wow, I'm going to have to try cutting out corn now...one of my few remaining foods. I have been seeing a nuerologist for a year with no answers. I did react to tomato the other day...i think it was tomato. Anyway, my mood just went into the toilet right after lunch. I was a crank, and had noooo patience left in me. It was less the next day, but I was unenthusiastic for sure. I also got VERY, VERY tired right after that lunch. It was the first time that I actually noticed my mood change because of the food...weird!

Shayre,

When I first began reading these boards, I was horrified at the thought of needing to eliminate lots of foods. I loved to eat so much that I still remember whole meals I've had in years past. I thought I could *never* give up stove-cooked popcorn.

At this point, I'm only eating six foods, at the beginning of an elimination diet. But after an initial period of intense cravings, I don't mind at this point because I feel so much better! You adjust. I swear you do. The hardest part is being in the vicinity of other people who can eat whatever they want. But personally I have adjusted, so that when I'm at home, I don't mind. *Never in a million years* did I think I'd say that. Plus, kale and sweet potatos have started tasting differently, delicious on their own.

And eventually everyone says that we can start adding foods back in. I'll be so grateful then for a meal at Chuy's (I hope, someday).

lucia

[Bennie]

Corn in Europe was always grown to feed animals, not to feed humans... A GI doctor in Seattle actually said that none of us should be eating corn, that is a "junk food."

[T.H.]

Woah, I get the anger thing too! Mine is 24-28 hours later, and I'm just FURIOUS. Like, I wake up and i"m angry before I even do anything! I know what you mean about disturbing - it really upsets me that I can feel anger and there is NO reason, and then to realize that a food is causing it? It's just wacked, yeah?

I found out mine through a food diary at first, and I've tested it a few times, too, and it tracks for me, as well. I tend to get neuro pain, too. My carpal tunnel gets worse, for example. Ugh.

From what I've seen, the doctors don't know why it happens, usually. Most doctors say it doesn't happen at all. That it's all in our heads. And then I have doctors who say: we just don't know, but if you're experiencing it, then it's a valid reaction and we'll listen to what your body is telling you. The latter seem to be in the minority, but they are wonderful when we get them, eh?