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Mad Engineer

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Mad Engineer Newbie
Mad Engineer
Posted

I've been gluten-free for about 3 weeks now and just want to share my story.

I've always have signs of gluten sensitivity but did not know much about it until I stopped eating wheat. I was ignorant until it basically punched me in the face and knocked me on my butt. I've had on an off issues with fatigue, mental fog, lack of concentration, and sleep issues. I've always thought that it was sleep apnea (mistaking fatigue with sleepiness). 

What prompted me to stop eating wheat is when I went to visit family and went out to a lunch that 100% made from wheat and as soon as I got home, I was so tired I could not move for a few hours. (and I knew I had plenty of sleep the night be before because I've started using cpap and have an electronic device that tracks my sleep) Later on, I ate some of the leftovers and starting feeling like crap again. I decided to stop eating wheat and started researching. Which brings me to discover the "amazing" worldof gluten free. :wacko:  It took so long to realize wheat and gluten was the cause of my issue is that I just didn't eat much wheat related foods normally.

 

Anyway... I'm 3 weeks in and definitely have more energy and sleep much better... however, the mental fog has not lifted and I'm now dealing with something that is totally new to me: depression. I've never been a very emotional person  and have to say that I've lived a very charmed life...absolutely nothing in my life to be depressed about.. but the last 2 weeks has been pretty debilitating.  I'm aware that this happens because of gluten withdrawal, but it still sucks! how long does can it last? should I be slowly reducing me gluten intake instead of cutting it out cold turkey?

 

ps.. I don't think I have celicacs...I've had no digestive issues, stable weight, and only minor gas that would be considered normal among my guy friends. never had the blood test for celiacs but tested normal in vitamins and minerals in my blood test.

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notme Experienced
notme
Posted

you are probably having withdrawals - i don't think it makes much difference whether you stop eating gluten little by little or all at once.  at one point you are going to be eating none at all, and then withdrawals would begin.  i felt better in a few weeks - one day i was still feeling like i had the (withdrawal) flu - still achy and listless, night sweats, etc - then i woke up the next day and it was gone.  if you have already done 3 weeks, you should be close to this point (but everybody's different)  :)

 

that being said:  have you been checked for any other conditions that may be causing your health problems.  you said your vitamin levels were good, so that's good :)  some other health issues respond well to the gluten free diet and you may benefit by pinpointing them.  (thyroid comes to mind - and they can further adjust with medication, for example)  when we suspected i had celiac, my doc ran a bunch of other tests to rule out anything else it might be/or a combination of several things (turns out 'just' celiac lolz)  

 

good luck!

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

Yep, it's withdrawal. It should be over soon.

Mad Engineer Newbie
Mad Engineer
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the reply. I hope it goes away soon! I've always thought people that have depression should just "suck it up", go work out and now I know how they feel!

I've also done blood work for thyroid and testosterone and they all worked out normal.

I've just ordered the test kit from Entero labs. I know their testing is somewhat controversial but I'm mainly using it as a physiological confirmation and a tool to help me to see if there are other foods I should avoid. I know elimination diet is the best way, but a few hundred bucks is worth it for me so I don't have to stop eating eggs and dairy for a few weeks to see if it makes me feel better.

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

Just my opinion, but shortcuts don't cut it. When you are new to the diet you may find yourself reacting to lots of different foods for no good reason. My advice would be to stick to a very limited diet for a couple or few weeks just to get your immune system to settle down. Two or three weeks goes by pretty quickly. If you stick to just plain cooked meat, rice, and veggies, plus fruit for dessert, not only will you heal quicker, but even a non-gluten intolorant person would start to feel better. Then you could add say, eggs. Wait a week and then add dairy back. After that you can try anything else you've been missing. It isn't that hard and it might just save you from weeks and months of wondering what ELSE you're reacting to.

Mad Engineer Newbie
Mad Engineer
Posted
  • Author

Thanks. Are reactions to other foods, say, dairy and eggs the same as gluten? Specifically the fatigue and mental fog. I haven't found much info on this... Most of the reaction to milk and eggs that I read about digestive related?

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

I get fatigue and fogginess with other foods I am intolerant to.  I also get it really bad when I withdraw offending foods.

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Mad Engineer Newbie
Mad Engineer
Posted
  • Author

well hallelujah my male PMS is finally over! Still not thinking clearly but I'm glad that I'm no longer wanting to crawl into a hole every day. 

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm going to eat clean just to be safe. I did get my test kit so we'll see what results I get.

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