Question for those with wheat allergies

  • Thread starter Thread starter dea4
  • Start date Start date
D

dea4

Guest
What kind of symptoms do you get caused by wheat? How soon after you eat wheat do you get the symptoms? I've been told I have a wheat allergy but have not had any symptoms other than breathing difficulty which can happen anytime and even when I have not had any wheat for many hours. The dr I saw is thinking that the wheat is causing the breathing problems but from what I have read a reaction occurs minutes to hours after eating wheat. I avoided wheat for 2 weeks and still had the problem. And yes, I checked ingredients well.
 
Wheat is in so many things that it's very hard to avoid in regular food. With a wheat allergy, you do your groceries in special stores. There are many lists out on the web with all the different names for wheat containing substances.
Same with all the symptoms you can have. The best way to really find out if avoiding wheat and gluten will help you, is to absolutely avoid anything with wheat in it. Google it.

Good luck.
 
I didn't eat any wheat containing products so unless wheat is in meat, cheese, cottage cheese, fruit, fresh vegetables, nuts or the non wheat flours I bought and made food from then I pretty much avoided it.
 
What kind of doctor did you see? Were you tested for a wheat allergy? Other breathing issues?
 
I've seen an MD and a Naturopath type dr. The breathing issues I have had for years and started right before I was diagnosed with hashimoto's, a thyroid disorder. Once my thyroid levels were more stable the breathing problem was better or non existant, then every so often it would show up again and generally my thyroid levels were off. I haven't noticed any connection to wheat when this happens and I don't eat a lot of wheat products or processed fooRAB. The naturopath said that it could be a wheat allergy. I usually have a tightness in my throat associated with it and it can be worse when turning my head or looking down or up indicating to me it is still thyroid related causing swelling to the inside.
But, I thought I would get opinions on here as to what people experience with a wheat allergy, just in case it could be related to wheat.
 
I've known now for 3 years I have an allergy to wheat, along with other gluten-containing fooRAB. I went on an elimination diet and was really strict with it for 2 months. I had some bread because it was really the only thing around and had a horrible reaction. It started maybe an hour after eating the bread where I felt like I couldn't breathe and it was almost like a panic attack, but worse. I probably should've gone to the hospital but didn't. The next morning I woke up with the most horrible big blue bruises under both arms that hurt so much when I lifted my arms up. I later found out that was my lymph nodes trying to get rid of the allergen. Keep in mind though too that you may have more than just a wheat allergy. Going through the elimination diet, I found out about soy as well, stay away from peanuts and already knew I had sensitivities to milk and corn. I learned too that sometimes allergies don't show up until later in life. So even if it isn't wheat for you, you could have another allergy you just don't know about.
 
Thanks for the info. I really don't think it is wheat. I can eat wheat and have no reaction whatsoever and eat no wheat for weeks and have a horrible time breathing. I really think it is related to my thyroid since my throat feels like it is twisted shut just turning my head. At night at times I can't stand the pillow to put pressure on my throat. I see my dr tomorrow so we will discuss all this.
 
Each person has their own unique reaction to allergies, so no one can tell you what your reaction will be. Wheat swells the cells in my body - arms, joints, feet, brain, everywhere, so that when I am gently bumped, it feels like I've been hit with a hammer. I hurt all over, can't walk up stairs, my brain doesn't work, can't form sentences and it is difficult to comprehend what is said and process incoming information. It took me a year of avoiding wheat for the symptoms to subside so I felt that I was getting back to normal.

Now, if I eat a crurab of bread one day, I wake up the next morning with swollen joints, my knees hurt, and I can barely walk up stairs, and my brain doesn't function well. It can be in the most unexpected items - ketchup, ground beef, soy sauce made from wheat instead of soy. They even coat conveyor belts that carry potato chips and corn chips with flour to keep them from sticking, and then it isn't listed on the package. It's extremely hard to get waitresses not to lay bread on top of my meal. My allergy doctor put me on a rotational diet, which is how I discovered which symptoms were caused by the wheat. I always felt much worse the day after the wheat day. I have multiple, severe allergies, food and inhalant, so teasing out which symptom is caused by which substance is very difficult.

I highly recommend finding a good ENT allergy doctor to help with this.
 
I have a wheat/gluten intolerance. My symptoms were/are sinus related. My chiropractor/naturopath dr one year told me to cut out wheat and see what happened. I laughed and said i'd "monitor" my intake. Yeah right! I started going to a acupuncturist as a last resort and LOVE IT! it has relieved so much pressure, any symptom i might be having at the time. He also advised me to give up wheat/gluten. He said i will never feel better unless i do. He and his family are now wheat/gluten free. I'm about 90%. Potlucks are my downfall. If i bring something i'm ok, but if i'm just sitting around a table talking and watching someone eat a brownie or something i really want.. i eat it and some times pay the price either with increased mucous or running to the bathroom (depending on the amount i cheat)

A good magazine to pick up even if it is just for the testimonials/life stories is called Living Without. You need to try going wheat/gluten free for 3-4 full weeks, no cheating to get an accurate read on your symptoms It is extremely hard, but when you feel better it is worth it.

When i mentioned something to my allergist, he poo poo'd the idea, the ENT is like if it works.. DO IT. You may not have an exact diagnosis.. it is trial and error, journaling all your food intake etc
 
Back
Top