Newly Gluten Free

[bjb]

Hi everyone my name is Brittani I am new to this site. I was diagnosed with Celiac about 5 or 6 years ago I was like 16 at the time. Idecided that I didnt seem to have any symptoms or issues (more like iv had them so long I didnt really realize i had them) so I didnt really need to follow a gluten free diet. Well for the last year I have been having reacurring ear infections so I would go to the walk in clinic and get an antibiotic, finally the Dr. said I needed to go see a specialist so I did. The specialist couldnt find any ear infection or problems with my ears in general. He did however find signs of allergys so we discussed them and I told him I had been diagnosed with Celiac but didnt follow the diet. So he told me I really needed to start following it because its probably the root to all my issues...

 

So I finally gathered togeather all my determination and threw out all foods in my house containing gluten and dairy (my husband is not thrilled but very supportive). I have been gluten and lactose free for a little over 24 hours and to be honest I feel worse! My stomach is gurgeling, I have diarrhea, and a headache. Is this normal for the beginning and how long does it usually take to get felling better?

[shadowicewolf]

Yes, it is normal. Your body is going through a with drawl period from both of those items. It will take a while for it to adjust.

 

Recovery time on the diet varies from person to person. Some feel better within a few weeks, others a few months.

[1desperateladysaved]

Hi Brittani,

I hope your ear will stay pain free soon.

Diana

[Takala]

Avoid processed foods as much as possible, and eat fresh, whole foods cooked from scratch as much as possible.  You also may be intolerant to oats as a small percentage of celiacs are.  Other common cross reactions are dairy (see that you are already avoiding that for now) and soy proteins such as soy flours. 

 

You can't undo years of celiac damage in 24 hours.  It is an auto immune disease and damaged tissues will take time to heal from the assault of the antibodies you've made to your own tissues -  IF you stay really gluten free. 

[howlnmad]

Glad that you finally made the decision to take the jump. It's also good that your husband is supportive. It will be hard for both of you but definately worth it. One of the first things that you need to do is get rid of or segregate all of your plastic storage containers. Get yourself glass dishes. Stainless steel cookware is also important. Anything that scratches will become your enemy.

Your husband will make mistakes. Be lenient with him. My first big mistake happened not long after my wife took the plunge (she has celiac, not me). I had been out hunting all day. The day turned out well and I came home excited. She had spent the entire day making a big pot of spaghetti sauce and when I got home it was simmering on the stove. Without thinking, I grabbed a piece of "poison bread" and dipped it in the sauce. I had just ruined that entire pot. Mistakes will happen. Good luck.

[Brandiwine]

Glad that you finally made the decision to take the jump. It's also good that your husband is supportive. It will be hard for both of you but definately worth it. One of the first things that you need to do is get rid of or segregate all of your plastic storage containers. Get yourself glass dishes. Stainless steel cookware is also important. Anything that scratches will become your enemy.

Your husband will make mistakes. Be lenient with him. My first big mistake happened not long after my wife took the plunge (she has celiac, not me). I had been out hunting all day. The day turned out well and I came home excited. She had spent

Hi everyone my name is Brittani I am new to this site. I was diagnosed with Celiac about 5 or 6 years ago I was like 16 at the time. Idecided that I didnt seem to have any symptoms or issues (more like iv had them so long I didnt really realize i had them) so I didnt really need to follow a gluten free diet. Well for the last year I have been having reacurring ear infections so I would go to the walk in clinic and get an antibiotic, finally the Dr. said I needed to go see a specialist so I did. The specialist couldnt find any ear infection or problems with my ears in general. He did however find signs of allergys so we discussed them and I told him I had been diagnosed with Celiac but didnt follow the diet. So he told me I really needed to start following it because its probably the root to all my issues...

 

So I finally gathered togeather all my determination and threw out all foods in my house containing gluten and dairy (my husband is not thrilled but very supportive). I have been gluten and lactose free for a little over 24 hours and to be honest I feel worse! My stomach is gurgeling, I have diarrhea, and a headache. Is this normal for the beginning and how long does it usually take to get felling better?

I too am new to the gluten free diet and my best suggestion is to research research research! This website has help a lot, hearing others experiences. From what I understand it takes 6-8 weeks to really start seeing results, I felt some better after the first week but this last week (week number 5) has been hard I've been going through what I think is gluten with drawl or maybe detox but I've had headaches been super tired and emotional. Just hang in there and know it will get better, it gets darkest before dawn!

[GottaSki]

Welcome!

Not only do I no longer get recurring ear infections - my hearing in my once nearly deaf problematic ear has improved since about a year or so gluten-free. It tested recently at only 20% loss - at celiac dx it was 75-80% loss of hearing.

I did have one nasty ear infection a few months ago but it resolved without antibiotic - in my 30s I found that my ear infections reaolved in about the same time frame with or without antibiotic. However, I did go to the doctor and got a Rx just in case the ear became worse....thankfully I didn't have to use them.

Make sure you read the "newbie 101" thread and let us know if you have any more ?s

[Sunny FL]

My name is Lisa and I'm new to this site.  I was diagnosed with Celiac 1 week ago.  Needless to say, this has been a living hell!  I have been have digestive issues for 20 plus years and now finally have an answer.  We are weeding out all wheat in the house with my 10 years old being the "Drill Sargent"!  I feel like crap, have no energy, can't think straight, running to the bathroom 24 hours a day, and no sleep.  PLEASE tell me this will get better!!!

 

I feel fine when I eat, but when the food moves through my small bowl, the pain is a 8 or 9!!  It is just unreal.  I get the pain under control and then it's off to bed where I get up 10 times an hour to go to the bathroom.  Is it just me?

 

Any help or understanding would be greatly appreciated!!

[Brandiwine]

I know exactly where your coming from. The pain is probably from damage, still to simple food for a little bit, fruit, veggies, baked potato.... Stay hydrated drink even if your not thirsty. Drink ginger tea with fresh ginger root, lemon and honey, the ginger helps to heal, and helps with upset tummy issues. Rest as much as possible, be super careful not to get any gluten the longer you go without it the faster you'll get better and it will! Every one is very supportive on here so keep coming back! Hope it passes quickly for you!!

[NotMollyRingwald]

I'm new here too and still figuring this all out, too...so I just wanted to offer up a supportive ((HUG)).  I hope you feel better soon!! And like Brandiwine said, read read read.  This website is so helpful, and the people in the forum are amazing.  Hang in there, it WILL get better!!

[GFinDC]

My name is Lisa and I'm new to this site.  I was diagnosed with Celiac 1 week ago.  Needless to say, this has been a living hell!  I have been have digestive issues for 20 plus years and now finally have an answer.  We are weeding out all wheat in the house with my 10 years old being the "Drill Sargent"!  I feel like crap, have no energy, can't think straight, running to the bathroom 24 hours a day, and no sleep.  PLEASE tell me this will get better!!!

 

I feel fine when I eat, but when the food moves through my small bowl, the pain is a 8 or 9!!  It is just unreal.  I get the pain under control and then it's off to bed where I get up 10 times an hour to go to the bathroom.  Is it just me?

 

Any help or understanding would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Hi SunnyFL (Lisa),

 

Do you have a lot of bloating / gas in your gut after eating?  If your gut is inflamed and irritated, blowing it up like a balloon can make it painful.  Bacteria in our guts makes gas and that causes bloating.  If you can reduce that it may help.  Bacteria in our gut feed on the foods we eat.  If we eat a lot of carbs and sugars they have a great old time and make lots of gas.  This is a bigger problem when starting out on the gluten-free diet.  Cutting out sugar and carbs can help.  Also taking probiotics and digestive enzymes can help.  After a while your gut heals and the bacteria tend to stabilize.  But during the healing process it can be tricky.

 

Some starting the gluten-free diet tips for the first 6 months:

Get tested before starting the gluten-free diet.

Get your vitamin/mineral levels tested also.

Don't eat in restaurants

Eat only whole foods not processed foods.

Eat only food you cook yourself, think simple foods, not gourmet meals.

Take probiotics.

Take gluten-free vitamins.

Take digestive enzymes.

Avoid dairy.

Avoid sugars and starchy foods.

Avoid alcohol.

Helpful threads:

FAQ Celiac com

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/forum-7/announcement-3-frequently-asked-questions-about-celiac-disease/

Newbie Info 101

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/