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Subject:
From:
Hilary Shughart <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Hilary Shughart <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 28 Jul 2004 07:55:14 -0500
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<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Although I only received a small number of replies to my query regarding remedies for gluten-induced behavioral reactions, it was very nice to receive confirmation that adults are aware of this aspect of the gluten reaction. As adults they can even admit that while they are "under the influence" they are just angry and unreasonable and unpleasant, but once the reaction has passed they are fully aware that the problem lay within. They have learned to avoid being around other people when this happens. Some manage to sleep it off. Parents of children with these reactions are looking for answers.

Here is a listing of some specific products people use:
Benadryl
Bach's Rescue Remedy; other single flower remedies: check the index of flower essences at the health store.
Ground clove for mild depression (sprinkle in tea or food; too much can constipate)
Chai tea (spices calm gas, stomach: cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger. Also good on rice pudding, smoothies, etc.).
Chamomile or Peppermint or Fennel tea.
Meditation and visualization techniques.
"Eat ice cream" (self-medication? dairy and gluten have similar opioid reactions for many).
Pomegranate juice: www.pomwonderful.com 
St. John's Wort (for severe panic attacks)
Codeine phosphate - calms stomach and nerves
Aromatherapy

The following list was forwarded from a previous post, though more focused on the digestive disturbance than an aggressive behavioral reaction:

"needed a quick fix to make
it through a major interview today.

I got several responses:
Charcoal (sucks the toxin right out of the intestines)
Pomegranate juice
Papaya enzyme
Natural flavor Metamucil several glasses in a few hours
Veratrum album
Jarrow gentle fiber
Podophyllum Peltatum

I drank about 6 glasses of Metamucil, took Veratrum album, charcoal and
papaya enzyme and it helped. It gets me much better for about 2-3 hours
and then the symptoms come back. It clears the brain for little while,
and stops the cramping and diarrhea altogether.  I still was tired but
not as bad as usual.
It's a true quick fix."

I also recall a conversation with the doctor regarding a sedative nasal spray and/or injection (sometimes a tranquilizer gun would seem to be in order!), and that is something to follow up on, as this is a matter of occasional but severe reactions. This person has been on a restricted diet their entire life and is scrupulously gluten free - however, at times a product turns out to be contaminated, or a restaurant venture goes awry - this is not intentional consumption of gluten (with this type of reaction that might be considered criminal! And, quite frankly, I do think this might be a true disability). It highlights the importance of the recent observation posted regarding a distinction between "not made with gluten ingredients" and "gluten free", as some Celiacs can eat a loaf of gluten bread and not notice any reaction, while others react very seriously to minuscule parts per million contamination. For those who doubt that a tiny molecule can be a catalyst for a full blown reaction, I like to share the story about my sons: one was allergic to milk, the other did not show obvious signs, so, if they took a bath together, the small amount of milk residue in the mouth of the one would get into the bath water and give the other full-blown hives. What might the parts per million (or billion) have been? how much milk residue is in a mouth after a while, and then dilute that with a tubful of water...seems to be even less than the gluten in the crumbs of bread, yet, there was the reaction, plain for all to see.
Thanks again to all who responded.

*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*

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