Newly Diagnosed- How Long Did You Take To Feel Better?

[KristinIrwin]

Okay so I'm newly diagnosed (a few weeks ago). I've only been truly gluten free for just under a month, so I know I am still healing and need to be patient. I'm still having abdominal pain occasionally and my BM definitely aren't normal by any means. I still have weird symptoms (cramps, gas, discomfort) and keep getting worried that something else is going on, even though I've tested negative for basically everything else.

How long did it take for you guys to have your digestive system back to normal? I know one month is not long at all, but I was wondering how long it took you guys to return to normal and if you had bumps in the road like I have.

Thanks!

Kristin

[cyclinglady]

Since I presented only with Hashimoto's and anemia, my abdominal symptoms (evolving from eating gluten like a madwoman between the blood test (mild) to endo (moderate to severe)) went away at seven weeks.  I noticed that I still have problems with harder-to-digest foods (e.g. broccoli), but that will resolve with time.  It may take up to a year for my anemia and thyroid to balance out (wasn't absorbing my thyroid meds properly).  I'm beefing up on supplements, including iron, and concentrating on healing. I still have to avoid those foods that I have been allergic/intolerant  to for many years (e.g. almonds, cow's milk proteins, eggs, garlic and mushrooms).  

 

And yes, I have been glutened twice when eating out, but the set-back has been brief (a few days).  

 

My husband has been gluten-free for 12 years, so it's been a relatively easy transition for me.

[1desperateladysaved]

I am coming from a super-sensitive viewpoint.  Hopefully, you were not as sick for as long.  I had 30 + years of undeniable symptoms.  The hindsight is good.  I felt better after  4 days, but lapsed into 2 or so months of withdrawal symptoms.  At that point I cut out all grains and began another 3 months of withdrawal.    I would focus on doing all you can to improve your health and expect improvement someday. '

 

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

 

Do I know and apply all I should about the gluten free diet?  If no, learn more.

Do I have other problems such as absorption, food digestion problems, or  other diseases that are causing trouble?  You have worked on some of this with your doctors, so you are progressing.  This may need time and much thinking about to determine.

Am I having issues with super-sensitivity, or cross contamination?

 

I didn't really have a clear mind until I :

Cut out sweets

Used natural organic foods

Spent time in the sunshine

Took supplements

Did a rotational diet

Hopefully, you won't need all of these means, but if you do, you know they are out there along with many others if you need them.

 

Don't give up.  You have taken one gluten free step, so now keep walking.  I did have higher highs as I progressed gluten free.  They became more frequent.  Oftentimes my lowest lows were followed by my highest highs.  As long as you keep walking forward, you can expect the tides to turn for you!

 

Get Well soon,

 

Diana

[pricklypear1971]

At least 9 months before bm's approached predictable. A year and a half until I was comfortable they were "new normal".

[KristinIrwin]

Thanks everyone. This disease is just such a bummer!

Did you guys have a lot of absorption and food digestion issues too?

[gatita]

Did you guys have a lot of absorption and food digestion issues too?

 

 

Yep, that's me! Ten months in, I still have occasional squirrelly gut issues, like this morning. But they are short-lived and not really a problem.

 

I felt a LOT better after about 8 months. Now it's only bad when I'm accidentally glutened.

[notme]

everybody is different - i felt better almost immediately, but i felt like 8 wks was noticeable.  i started gaining weight again.  i was overjoyed to have 'cheeks!' again, like when i smiled i could see my cheeks.  i was like a skeleton, though.  at nearly 3 years gluten-free, i feel like i am still healing.  all the time i am having little milestones  (carrying TWO things down the stairs!  driving at NIGHT in the RAIN!  playing KICKBALL! lolz)  i still have trouble right around the time my period comes, lolz, i start thinking uh-oh i got glutened.  but then i check my calendar and eat chocolate haha because it's just Unhappy Unfather's Day

[bololgreen]

I was diagnosed at the end of March.  One week later I noticed an increase in my energy level.  I was underweight...93 lbs and dropping.  Eight weeks out...I was a different person.  I had gained nine pounds and was eating like crazy.  To date, I have gained 12 lbs and still need to put on another five. The doctor and dietician say I'm still recovering but I feel 100% better.