Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

I Must Apologize

jenngolightly

By jenngolightly
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

jenngolightly Contributor
jenngolightly
Posted

I have always had tough side effects from gluten. I'd writhe in pain and have to stay home for days because I couldn't be 20 feet away from the toilet. Migraines, vomiting, cold sweats, etc.

But the other day it happened. I was in such terrible pain that I had my son take me to the ER. I tried to wait it out, but it kept getting worse and worse. By the time he took me, it felt like I was having contractions!

I used to read posts from some of you who would talk about going to the ER for post-glutening symptoms and I'd always think to myself, "Geesh, suck it up!"

Now I can be so much more sympathetic!

So here's my interesting story...

I ended up getting a CT scan of my abdomen. They needed me to drink about a quart of this liquid "contrast" so they could see what was wrong. Fine. No problem. I'm dying, but I'll drink your liquid contrast.

They bring me this red drink and I drink two sips and throw up. I TOLD them that I don't eat gluten, sugar, dairy, corn, soy, preservatives, artificial stuff, etc. It's been out of my system for so long that my body expelled it as soon as it got to my stomach. It was actually quite funny now that I think back. :-)

I asked to see the ingredients of the drink they gave me. Of course it was fruit punch with the contrast mixed in. Supposedly this contrast stuff is awful tasting. So I told them again about what I do and don't eat. So they bring me some kind of powdered juice drink with no sugar mixed with the contrast in it. The doctor came in to give it to me. By then I was out of my mind in pain and screaming that I don't drink that sh*t and just bring me the g*d d*mn contrast and I'll drink it straight from the bottle!!!! The doctor was furious with me and telling me that it tastes terrible and he's sure I won't drink it. I'm telling him that I threw it up when it was mixed with the juice, so how much worse could it be? He STORMED out of the room. A nurse brought me water with the contrast. Wouldn't you know? It tasted fine.

All ended well. I was given some super-duper laxatives and sent home that night on Oxycontin.

I'm still mad at that doctor for getting angry that I wouldn't drink fruit punch or diet fruit punch, so I'm not tempted to go back to the ER anytime soon. Having food issues is tough and when you're in a confined space like an ER, it's more difficult.

So a big I'M SORRY to all of you who've gone to the ER when you've suffered from gluten poisonings! I'll read your posts with sympathy from now on. :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kwylee Apprentice
kwylee
Posted

So glad you stood up for yourself. Isn't it doctors who are supposed to go by the adage, "First do no harm"????

I had to smile at your story. Would have been great if you would have barfed on his shoes!! Hope you're feeling much better.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

We don't give our patients the contrast with anything BUT water. On occasion when we have a child we may mix it with some kind of punch, but water is usually the only option at my facility. Glad you survived the glutening!

K8ling Enthusiast
K8ling
Posted

Oh my goodness, that's like when I went to the ER for an IV from my morning sickness and he ran a Pregnancy test (not quant, just one to see if I was pregnant!!) and gave me a bunch of tests before even getting me an IV! And then he gave me the wrong anti nausea!! I had told them when I came in that Ineeded an IV and some IV zofran and he totally ignored me. And brought me CRACKERS! After I told him I had Celiac!!

My OB said ER doctors hate to be told what to do, I bet this was the case here too. I hope you never have to go back!!!!!

jenngolightly Contributor
jenngolightly
Posted
  • Author

I've found that most times people are pretty nice about my diet, but I wonder if deep down they don't really believe that you can be THAT resolute about not eating things that you can't tolerate. Especially for medical reasons. As if the doctor was SURE I'd drink fruit punch at that moment because it was medically necessary (thanks Roda for clearing that up for me). It's not that I wouldn't drink it, but I clearly couldn't drink it because I vomited my lunch all over the poor nurse (yes, kwylee - would have been great if the doc had been next to me at that specific time). I should have known to ask what that fake pink stuff was that they were shoving in front of me, but I was in so much pain that I trusted the medical staff. They're always in a hurry with too many patients. I wonder how I could handle it better next time? If I have to go back, that is. I'd rather be prepared - but I hope I never have to go - thanks for the story K8ling! :D

cyberprof Enthusiast
cyberprof
Posted

My OB said ER doctors hate to be told what to do, I bet this was the case here too. I hope you never have to go back!!!!!

Ha ha LOL! My "baby" brother is an ER doc.

  • 1 month later...
hammergirl Newbie
hammergirl
Posted

This is a random comment: but I seriously hope that I can get my body to immediately react to gluten the ways yours did! I would much rather take a momentary vomit rather than dealing with the pain and cramping and serious D!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jenngolightly Contributor
jenngolightly
Posted
  • Author

This is a random comment: but I seriously hope that I can get my body to immediately react to gluten the ways yours did! I would much rather take a momentary vomit rather than dealing with the pain and cramping and serious D!

I'm quite sure I threw up because of the sticky-sweetness of the punch because I don't eat sugar or artificial sweeteners. The mixture was gluten-free. Yes, it would be great if I could immediately vomit from gluten.

It's funny you wrote this now because I was at the grocery store and in the juice isle yesterday for some reason. I saw a jug of Hawaiian punch and I felt distinctly nauseous and had to quickly exit towards the meat department. :-)

WhenDee Rookie
WhenDee
Posted

Oh, lovely. A doctor who knows FAR LESS than he THINKS he knows. Always a delight. ;)

Too bad this kind of doctor is so darned commonplace.

sandrad Newbie
sandrad
Posted

Funny...when i had my ct scan a few years ago the contrast was mixed in water and it tasted fine...now barium is another thing ;p

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      128,203
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Barbara 1981
    Newest Member
    Barbara 1981
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.1k
    • Total Posts
      70.7k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Endoscopy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Given your history of a high TTG (167) that decreased to 16 on a gluten-free diet, along with genetic confirmation of celiac disease, it’s likely the negative biopsy is a false negative due to not eating gluten before the endoscopy. Gluten is necessary to trigger the intestinal damage seen in celiac disease, and avoiding it can lead to healing and a normal biopsy despite ongoing immune activity (reflected in your still-elevated TTG). The inflammation observed during the endoscopy (“diffuse moderately erythematous mucosa”) could be residual damage, mild ongoing inflammation, or another condition like peptic duodenitis, but it’s consistent with celiac disease in context. Continued positive blood markers suggest ongoing gluten exposure, possibly from cross-contamination or hidden sources. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet and follow-up testing are key to managing symptoms and reducing inflammation. Discuss these findings with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and refine your dietary approach. This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):    
    • Scott Adams
      Biopsy results after 1,5 gfd

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Yes, it sounds like great progress, but what was the time frame between the two endoscopies? 
    • Scott Adams
      Help with results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your symptoms—headaches, dizziness, nausea, irregular bowel movements, anemia, and menstrual changes—along with a family history of celiac disease, strongly suggest celiac disease could be the cause. The mild duodenal changes seen in your biopsy are consistent with early or mild celiac disease, though they could also be due to other factors. The improvement in bowel movements after cutting out gluten is a positive sign, but other symptoms like headaches and dizziness may take longer to resolve as your body heals. It’s important to continue a strict gluten-free diet and discuss further testing, such as celiac antibody blood tests or a follow-up biopsy, with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Many people experience a gradual improvement in symptoms over weeks to months, so patience and strict adherence to the diet are key. You’re not alone in this process, and support from celiac communities can be very helpful. This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):    
    • Scott Adams
      For people with celiac disease and corn intolerance from it: Is salt still okay for most people?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      For people with celiac disease and corn intolerance, most salts, including table salt with dextrose, are generally safe in small amounts, as the dextrose is typically highly processed and unlikely to contain problematic corn proteins. However, if you’re highly sensitive, you might consider switching to pure kosher or Himalayan salt, which don’t contain additives. While bringing your own salt to restaurants or avoiding seasoned foods can feel overwhelming, it’s a practical step if you’re concerned. Many people with corn intolerance tolerate trace amounts of dextrose in salt without issues, but individual sensitivity varies. If your current salt isn’t causing symptoms, it’s likely fine to continue using it, especially given your financial constraints and the challenges of managing dietary restrictions. Focus on what works for you and prioritize avoiding larger sources of corn, like cornstarch.
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach pains etc 2 weeks after start of gluten-free diet

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your daughter’s ongoing stomach pains two weeks into a gluten-free diet could be due to her body still healing after months of gluten exposure, as recovery from celiac disease can take time. Her inconsistent eating habits and possible eating disorder behaviors may also delay healing. While she’s now eating gluten-free snacks, her limited intake and emotional withdrawal complicate the process. It’s positive that she’s trying, but recovery may take weeks to months. Addressing her depression and mental health is crucial, as celiac disease can impact mood, and proper nutrition may help. Patience and support are key, but if symptoms persist, consult her doctor to rule out accidental gluten exposure or other issues. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal.  
×
×
  • Create New...