- Joined
- Jul 13, 2015
- Messages
- 6,781
- Reaction score
- 9,969
- Points
- 499
- Location
- Florida
- Resorts Owned
- Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
I have been away from TUG for awhile to to a health scare. I decided to share so others can understand how important it is to take food allergies seriously not only for themselves if necessary but for others they might be serving.
I went away to a health retreat that told me they can handle my gluten intolerance. I get very sick when I eat gluten. The retreat told me they have a special menu and have had others prior.
Within two days I was glutenized. I knew within two minutes. My head started hurting, I got dizzy and my stomach started bloating and hurting. The chef came out and told me my meal was free of gluten. He started listing what was in my meal and one of the ingredients he used had gluten in it. Initially insisted it was gluten free but went to the kitchen looked at he ingredient list and saw wheat was in it. I was sick in my room 2 days.
I should have left but the CEO told me it would never happen again. Fast forward a few weeks and I get very sick again, this time with heart palpitations that just continued. I know gluten was in my food again as I had all the other symptoms too. I never got glutenized twice in such a short time. Usually it can be years apart. I left immediately, went to my doctor and a cardiologist. My initial blood test wasn’t good and I had to go for many heart tests.
My doctor thought all of my symptoms were due to the ingestion of gluten but didn’t want to take any chances so all the testing continued. She instructed me not to eat out, and make sure I prepare all my food for a few months.
After two weeks my blood was back to normal, and now a month later the heart tests came back good.
I have gotten sick before in restaurants, friends homes, relative gatherings, etc. Most times including at this retreat I was told “ we didn’t realize you were so sensitive”, which shows a lack of education towards food allergies.
There are many food allergies people have, some cam be deadly. If you know someone who has one, please take it seriously and if you can’t accommodate them, offer them to bring their own food. If you have an allergy take it seriously. I usually do but didn’t this time and it was frightening.
I went away to a health retreat that told me they can handle my gluten intolerance. I get very sick when I eat gluten. The retreat told me they have a special menu and have had others prior.
Within two days I was glutenized. I knew within two minutes. My head started hurting, I got dizzy and my stomach started bloating and hurting. The chef came out and told me my meal was free of gluten. He started listing what was in my meal and one of the ingredients he used had gluten in it. Initially insisted it was gluten free but went to the kitchen looked at he ingredient list and saw wheat was in it. I was sick in my room 2 days.
I should have left but the CEO told me it would never happen again. Fast forward a few weeks and I get very sick again, this time with heart palpitations that just continued. I know gluten was in my food again as I had all the other symptoms too. I never got glutenized twice in such a short time. Usually it can be years apart. I left immediately, went to my doctor and a cardiologist. My initial blood test wasn’t good and I had to go for many heart tests.
My doctor thought all of my symptoms were due to the ingestion of gluten but didn’t want to take any chances so all the testing continued. She instructed me not to eat out, and make sure I prepare all my food for a few months.
After two weeks my blood was back to normal, and now a month later the heart tests came back good.
I have gotten sick before in restaurants, friends homes, relative gatherings, etc. Most times including at this retreat I was told “ we didn’t realize you were so sensitive”, which shows a lack of education towards food allergies.
There are many food allergies people have, some cam be deadly. If you know someone who has one, please take it seriously and if you can’t accommodate them, offer them to bring their own food. If you have an allergy take it seriously. I usually do but didn’t this time and it was frightening.