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Bonnie Tyler <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Anaphylatic reactions are caused by a massive release of histamine which is
>triggered by IgE antibodies.  IgE antibodies are involved in all true
>allergies but are not involved in Celiac Disease.  Although people with CD
>seem to suffer a higher incidence of allergies than the general population,
>these allergies are not directly caused by CD.  An anaphylactic reaction to
>a gluten containing product would suggest that the patient has a concurrent
>allergy.

During the first three years of my CD, I had "typical" celiac reactions
to gluten.  Rumbly gut, bloating, diarrhea etc.  In 1995  - I had an
anaphylactic response after naively eating at a cafeteria style
restaurant and selecting foods I had safely eaten there before.  The
reaction I had was full blown and it took over 6 weeks for my body to
stabilize.  (Three weeks in the hospital on cortisone injections.  I
also began experiencing lower body convulsions.)  I now carry an
epi-pen (epinephrine injection) and Wal-dryl at all times.  I have had
several lesser reactions - throat swelling - combined with convulsive
activity in my extremities.  Invariably we can trace the culprit back
to some kind of gluten or MSG. A CCK injection for a gall bladder scan
and contrast for an MRI have produced these same reactions.  Waldryl
and Valium injections have contained the convulsions - usually within
an hour or so.

When I first began educating myself about CD (without knowledge of this
list - if it existed back in 1992), I found several references to the
fact that with the complete withdrawal of gluten from the diet one
becomes more and more sensitive to the proteins that cause reactions.
I found references to para-anaphylactic shock responses in some
individuals.  In  particular the book <underline>Good Food, Gluten
Free</underline> by Hilda Cherry Hills makes reference on page 12 to an
Article by L.S. Reed in the New York State Journal of Medicine.  vol.
70 (16), 15.6.  I have not personally read this article - but my
personal experience validates that claim.

I don't know whether this is a gluten "allergy" along with CD or not -
or simply an extreme CD reaction. It doesn't really matter. All I know
is I avoid gluten cross contamination and MSG like the plague.  Eating
and medication taking is far too much like a game of Russian Roulette
for me.  I am very, very careful. In our house we treat gluten as if it
were cyanide.  We have two fridges, two stoves, two sets of dishes,
cookware, etc. and it's working.

What strikes me about all of this is that for the first three years - I
did not respond this way.  I do now.

I don't presume to be an expert on this - I only know the way I
respond.

deni weber

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