Feel Like I've Been Glutened

[squirmingitch]

Sitting here with such heavy brain fog It takes all I have to concentrate on writing this. Sitting still in this chair but feel like I'm reeling around. DH is itching & blistering again.

The story:

I went low sal & everything went amazingly well.That was about April 1st. All my dh was clearing right up. Only had a few places left which hadn't fully healed yet but they had a little scab on them. They weren't itching. I slept for the last 10 days w/o waking in the night itching. Life was getting really good. I had not eaten any Quinoa since going low sal. Then on April 17th, 20th & 22nd I ate Quinoa. Last week I began to get a little itchier, then over the w/e I got a little more itchy & healing places began to get inflamed. I suspected the Quinoa. These are the only things I have added since going low sal --- Quinoa, Chobani yogurt, cheddar cheese from a local dairy where I get my milk. I almost didn't have the Quinoa yesterday morning as I was also starting to feel a little brain fog & had experienced a few sharp quick pains in my abdomen. But I thought to myself: Self, if it's the Quinoa then let's just get it on & find out for sure otherwise you'll never know. I woke in the middle of the night with my scalp, arms & legs burning & itching like mad. Got up this morning itching & have had over the last several days numerous new blisters & old places flaring. My neck is "bumpy" again whereas it had gone down to smooth. I woke with screaming hunger & am back to constant hunger, feeling weak, unsteady gait or feeling like I'm moving even when sitting still, fog brain to the max., & my temper is right on the edge; I could scream at someone in a heartbeat. And I've had short light spurts of that 'heart pounding" feeling.

Okay, so I examine the possibilities --- if I've gotten too much iodine by adding the yogurt or the cheese then that only makes the dh flare but not all this other feeling.

Do i think the Quinoa is cc'd? It's Ancient Harvest Quinoa & I called them after the whole Rabbinical Council thing & am satisfied their Quinoa is not cc'd nor will it be. Further, if their Quinoa was cc'd then almost the entire celiac community would be reacting by now & we would all hear about it. The fact that we haven't had people on this board going crazy b/c of cc of the Quinoa is evidence enough that it is not a problem.

That leaves me with something (I'm almost positive it was) Skylark who was explaining something about your body mistaking another grain for wheat. I can't find the thread --- it wasn't a thread originally about that topic & my mind is too foggy now to find it -- I don't even have a clue where to look for it or what search words to put in. I feel very strongly this is what happened to me with the Quinoa. But given my present state of mind....

I would appreciate your feedback.

[pricklypear1971]

Stop eating quinoa. There are quite a few people who have problems with it. Luckily it isn't a commonly used food so it should be easy to avoid.

[itchy]

Hi squirmingitch

I suppose there is a possibility that your quinoa was contaminated or otherwise caused a reaction, but I suspect not.

After having had several 'relapses' over the past few months, which I blamed on various things, I've come to the conclusion that these relapses are more like caused by internal factors, not by things I ingest. I've readded to my diet all the things I without any new reactions.

Personally, when they happen I examine all my intake to see if there is a problem, but I've become very skeptical about assigning blame to one thing or another.

I'm happy that I'm on an overall improving trend, but remain frustrated that it is so slow with some steps back.

I've just gone through a rapid healing trend, and if it holds my DH will be invisible in a couple of days. But I expect it back.

that's my experience, but we're all different

Best wishes for a speedy return to healing.

[dani nero]

I remember that post, a lady stated that she added her first food back that made her sick, and it was quinoa!

I have not reacted badly for a long time, but I do feel your pain and frustration! I'm really sorry you're not feeling well :-(

I don't think though that you should rule out sals as the culprit though.. When I was reacting to them I was very moody as well! What other symptoms are you experiencing other than the hunger, fog, DH, and mood-swings? Any C or D? Are you swollen?

[squirmingitch]

Prickly, I am not eating anymore Quinoa. Lesson learned! I DO wonder if this may be a temp. thing though & maybe I can have it back somewhere down the road 6, 8 mos. or a year down the road.

itchy, You didn't specify if you have the whole body having been glutened feeling or if it's only the dh flaring. Can you clarify please?

Let's see Dani --- hunger, fatigue, anger/borderline, HEAVY brain fog, dizzy, achy, flu-ish sort of feeling, & some occasional sharp abdominal pains -- short lived each time. No C or D but a couple times I hung close to the bathroom thinking I might have to run to it quickly. Some gas whereas I had been having none. No swelling except for dh skin spots but no belly swelling.

[dani nero]

Prickly, I am not eating anymore Quinoa. Lesson learned! I DO wonder if this may be a temp. thing though & maybe I can have it back somewhere down the road 6, 8 mos. or a year down the road.

itchy, You didn't specify if you have the whole body having been glutened feeling or if it's only the dh flaring. Can you clarify please?

Let's see Dani --- hunger, fatigue, anger/borderline, HEAVY brain fog, dizzy, achy, flu-ish sort of feeling, & some occasional sharp abdominal pains -- short lived each time. No C or D but a couple times I hung close to the bathroom thinking I might have to run to it quickly. Some gas whereas I had been having none. No swelling except for dh skin spots but no belly swelling.

That sounds terrible Squirming! I pray that you'll get well faster, and hopefully you will.. specifically since your body isn't swollen. It's probable that reacting to quinoa isn't the same as reacting to gluten. Get well, rest a lot, and take some time off watching guilty pleasure shows.. Something that is fun but doesn't require any brain-work.. Mine was Judge Judy at some point *blush* >.>

Go on long walk in a very quiet and nature-rich place that contains a lot of eye candy to calm your moodiness, and keep us updated on how you're feeling!

[squirmingitch]

Thank you sweet Dani.

[squirmingitch]

Itchy, I also meant to say that I'm very happy to hear you are on a rapid healing trend. I hope THIS time it sticks!

[pricklypear1971]

I was looking up quinoa/sals (because I was curious) and found this...

Chemical Similarities

Salicylates are very similar in chemical structure to nitrates /nitrites, benzoates, oxalates and sulphates/sulphites, and are a major component of many food colourings and flavourings. I also experience similar reactions to foods containing even traces of these chemicals. So, fresh, unprocessed foods are definitely the way to go.

Open Original Shared Link

She doesn't cite this, but let's take it at face value.

Those are things that are also linked to idiopathic urticaria - meaning they're known to cause skin problems without a disease dx.

Now, quinoa isn't a sal but I just thought I'd toss this info out here, because I found it, and if I didnt post it I'd forget about it.

[squirmingitch]

I was looking up quinoa/sals (because I was curious) and found this...

Chemical Similarities

Salicylates are very similar in chemical structure to nitrates /nitrites, benzoates, oxalates and sulphates/sulphites, and are a major component of many food colourings and flavourings. I also experience similar reactions to foods containing even traces of these chemicals. So, fresh, unprocessed foods are definitely the way to go.

Open Original Shared Link

She doesn't cite this, but let's take it at face value.

Those are things that are also linked to idiopathic urticaria - meaning they're known to cause skin problems without a disease dx.

Now, quinoa isn't a sal but I just thought I'd toss this info out here, because I found it, and if I didnt post it I'd forget about it.

I think I understand what you're saying Prickly. Since Quinoa is not a fresh from the farm food then it draws it into question if I read you right? I can accept that if that's the point & that may account for the dh flare but what about all the other physical/mental happenings?

[pricklypear1971]

I think I understand what you're saying Prickly. Since Quinoa is not a fresh from the farm food then it draws it into question if I read you right? I can accept that if that's the point & that may account for the dh flare but what about all the other physical/mental happenings?

No, that wasn't what I'm getting at (though there may be a link, I really don't know what other class it's in).

I was just posting something about chronic urticaria (which DH seems to have a lot in common with as far as activation) and sals.

I think you just have a problem with quinoa. Plain and simple.

Btw MSG and other sals gave me neuro symptoms when I first went gluten-free - I felt glutened. I think people who have corn, soy issues feel just as bad when exposed to those as when glutened.

Perhaps you can find out if quinoa is in a particular class of foods?

[squirmingitch]

I think I'm really dense today.

Yes, I think I just plain have a problem with Quinoa. Bummer b/c I really like it & can eat it for breakfast & it carries me fine until lunch. But it's off my list. And I haven't done the Amaranth either since first of April & now I'm afraid to try it for a good long while.

I am still following low sal BTW.

I wouldn't (today) have a clue of how to find what class of food Quinoa is in. Not sure I would if I was 100%. Some of you guys surpass me by miles in understanding this stuff.

[pricklypear1971]

The middle of a DH attack is not a time to think.

Goodness.

Sorry!

[mushroom]

I think I'm really dense today.

Yes, I think I just plain have a problem with Quinoa. Bummer b/c I really like it & can eat it for breakfast & it carries me fine until lunch. But it's off my list. And I haven't done the Amaranth either since first of April & now I'm afraid to try it for a good long while.

I am still following low sal BTW.

I wouldn't (today) have a clue of how to find what class of food Quinoa is in. Not sure I would if I was 100%. Some of you guys surpass me by miles in understanding this stuff.

Here ya go:

Quinoa (play /ˈkiːnwɑː/ or /kɨˈnoʊ.ə/, Spanish: quinua, from Quechua: kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a member of the grass family. As a chenopod, quinoa is closely related to species such as beets, spinach, and tumbleweeds.

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Quinoa ia bad news for me, and so are spinach and beets , so chenopods obviously don't agree with me. I have never eaten tumbleweeds, however.

[Lisa]

I have never eaten tumbleweeds, however.

thought everyone ate tumbleweeds in AZ? Pffffff....

[squirmingitch]

Why Shroomie are you saying you've never had the pleasure of eating sauteed tumbleweeds????? They are quite delicious!

Thank you so much for finding that for me. Hmm.... I love both beets & spinach but haven't had either since November???? I never had problems with them then but we know that doesn't mean a thing now.

[pricklypear1971]

thought everyone ate tumbleweeds in AZ? Pffffff....

Not yet....

I think I have a few shooting up in my yard. I'll have to toss them in my spinach tonight. .

[squirmingitch]

With a chaser of beet juice eh?

[pricklypear1971]

With a chaser of beet juice eh?

Nah, I'll pass on that. Although I did find a cocktail recipe using beet juice and vodka....hmmm.....

Got beets???

[squirmingitch]

Actually I do have beets --- in a jar. But not going there yet.

I DO have some Vodka just waiting for me. No sals, no gluten ---- I'm GOOD!

[Lisa]

Actually I do have beets --- in a jar. But not going there yet.

I DO have some Vodka just waiting for me. No sals, no gluten ---- I'm GOOD!

So life is good!

[squirmingitch]

Actually the last couple hours I've been feeling somewhat better. Not as fog brained & the dizzy, off balance stuff is only coming in waves now with breaks in between. I haven't had any new blisters or bumps appear since late afternoon & in general the itching has been much improved. Lots of places have settled down & are not raised anymore. I'm hoping this is going to be a short lived reaction for me. I sure hope so! Tonight in bed will tell the tale as far as the dh goes though. But if it gets bad I can get up & get a shot or two or 3 & go nighty nite.

[mushroom]

With a chaser of beet juice eh?

And on a bed of quinoa OMG, just the thought of it, quel horreur

[dani nero]

How are you feeling today squirming?

[squirmingitch]

How are you feeling today squirming?

Periods of quite weak & shaky. Some dizzy but much better than yesterday. Not nearly as much brain fog. Woke up twice last night itching but it wasn't so bad & got right back to sleep. 1 new blister today & that's all. Lots of general body aches, bones, muscles, joints. Couldn't get enough to eat this morning --- like a bottomless pit. Makes me wonder if there's such a thing as sals withdrawal. But the best part is the unreasoning anger is gone. YAY!