Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Gluten Withdrawal?

sweethome

By sweethome
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

sweethome Newbie
sweethome
Posted

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to this. I was diagnosed with coeliac disease (blood test and biopsy) just over a month ago and tomorrow I will have been gluten free for 4 weeks.

I'm having some trouble though. Although I do feel some improvement in my gastro symptoms (definitely less bloating and discomfort) I am really struggling with fatigue, dizziness/lightheadedness, and tired, aching muscles. It almost feels like I have a virus or the flu, although I don't think I do as no cold symptoms or sore throat or anything.

I felt fine the first fortnight of being gluten free, but weeks 2-4 have been really hard. Could this be from removing gluten from my diet. So far I haven't been eating any 'substitute' items, e.g. I've not had any gluten free bread, etc. I've just been eating things that are naturally gluten free.

I didn't expect to feel worse rather than better and I'm just hoping this is a phase. Anyone experienced anything similar? The dizziness/lightheadedness in particular is becoming really upsetting to me. :-(

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Healing from any illness or damage takes extra sleep and calories.  Are you eating enough?  Sometimes, people make a drastic change when removing gluten from their  diet and are missing important nutrients or fiber.  

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I had this.  Big headache and big faigue... and big crankiness.  LOL It lasted about a week or so.  Hang in there.

I also experienced increased autoimmune flare-ups for a while.  I would feel flui-ish, get achey muscles, increased hair loss, mouth sores, and joint pain.  That settled down after about 6 months (for me).

I agree with Kareng that you should also make sure your calories aen't going to low.  Make sure you are replacing gluten-free items with other good foods. Whole foods if you can manage it.

Best wishes. I hope you feel better soon.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

I had big time gluten withdrawal! Some people get off lucky & don't go through it but plenty of us get to experience it. Looks like you're one of us who doesn't get off lightly. The good news is that it usually doesn't last more than a month -- less for most people. Mine lasted about 2 months. Everyone is different.

Hang in there. 

notme Experienced
notme
Posted

yeah, withdrawal is a thing - some people get it, some don't.  it feels like the flu (mine lasted 2 weeks) so, i just treated it as such:  nap when you can,(many, many naps!)  lots of fluids, etc, i think i took some tylenol for head/body aches.  it should go away soon, or your days should start getting progressively better.  hang in there :)

sweethome Newbie
sweethome
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all so much for your input. My mum thinks I may not be eating enough now that I've eliminated gluten. I've got a 3 year old so busy most of the day working and running around after him, so that may not be helping. I'm not getting much time to just rest even though I'm feeling off. I'm hopeful this will pass soon but it's reassuring to hear that others went through similar in the early weeks.

I've been so so tempted to eat some bread to see if I miraculously feel better, but know that would just be stupid and I've got to keep going. I was walking upstairs today and my knees just felt like I was 100 years old (I'm 33). Ah well, onwards...! :-) Thanks again!

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Just keep going forward girl, keep going forward. This will end. But don't be surprised if you get another withdrawal symptom which is stark raving starving hungry, hungry, hungry 24 hours a day. It was part of the withdrawal for me as well as many others. If that happens just go with the flow & eat your fool head off. That too will pass. LOL!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Hang in there. It will be getting better soon.

@squirmingitch I had that crazy hunger too. I ate so much, but I remember losing weight at the same time.  I enjoyed that!  LOL

BoJo Newbie
BoJo
Posted

Week four was the worst for me. I was grouchy and mean for several days. I was not fit to be around. That was years ago and I still shudder when I think of how I acted. 

sweethome Newbie
sweethome
Posted
  • Author

Well I think I can safely say it must have been withdrawal. I'm nearly 6 weeks in now and feeling okay. The dizziness lasted about a week, but I didn't get sick or come down with a bug or cold or anything, so I'm positive it was down to my changing diet. I have started to eat a little more as well so maybe that it also helping.

I'm noticing too that I feel a lot less bloated. If I have a big meal and feel really full, it's a strangely different - more comfortable - feeling of being full. It's hard to describe I guess. I *am* noticing that I'm REALLY hungry a lot of the time now!

It's amazing how much cutting something out of your diet can have so much effect...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      It's completely understandable to struggle with the gluten challenge, especially when it impacts your health and studies so significantly. Your experience of feeling dramatically better without gluten is a powerful clue, whether it points to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It's very wise of you and your doctor to pause the challenge until...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to emzie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Stomach hurts with movement

      It's smart that you're seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow. While it's possible this is a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction to gluten, the fact that the pain is movement-dependent and localized with tenderness is important for your specialist to hear. It could indeed be significant inflammation, but it's also worth ruling out other overlapping...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      17

      My only proof

      What exactly are you taking from doterra?
    4. Xravith
      - Xravith posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      Hello, I'm back with a second post. The first time I wrote, I mentioned the possibility that my symptoms were related to gluten. I did a genetic test in which I resulted to have the predisposition, but the results of my blood test were all negative without IgA deficiency. My doctor suggested that it was necessary to do a biopsy to rule out Celiac Disease...
    5. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      17

      My only proof

      Doterra is a life saver and yes I feel like im waiting because Im getting yes you are celiac, no your not celiac. Im so FRUSTRATED, exhausted and tired of explaining to medical why I feel this way.Im stressed because my body isn't feeling well.Yes I am and no it's not just a food allergy as downplayed with doctors Ive seen.I even went to the " celiac specialist...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,459
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jackir
    Newest Member
    Jackir
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's completely understandable to struggle with the gluten challenge, especially when it impacts your health and studies so significantly. Your experience of feeling dramatically better without gluten is a powerful clue, whether it points to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It's very wise of you and your doctor to pause the challenge until your holidays, prioritizing your immediate well-being and exams. To answer your questions, yes, it is possible for blood tests to be negative initially and become positive later as the disease progresses, which is why the biopsy remains the gold standard. Many, many people find the gluten challenge incredibly difficult due to the return of debilitating symptoms, so you are certainly not alone in that struggle. Wishing you the best for your exams and for obtaining clearer answers when you're able to proceed.
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's smart that you're seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow. While it's possible this is a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction to gluten, the fact that the pain is movement-dependent and localized with tenderness is important for your specialist to hear. It could indeed be significant inflammation, but it's also worth ruling out other overlapping issues that can affect those with celiac disease. Is it possible you got some gluten in your diet somehow? This could be a possible trigger. Hopefully, tomorrow's appointment will provide clearer answers and a path to relief so you can get back to your lectures and enjoy your weekend. Wishing you all the best for the consultation.
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      What exactly are you taking from doterra? 
    • Xravith
      Challenges eating gluten before biopsy

      By Xravith · Posted

      Hello, I'm back with a second post. The first time I wrote, I mentioned the possibility that my symptoms were related to gluten. I did a genetic test in which I resulted to have the predisposition, but the results of my blood test were all negative without IgA deficiency. My doctor suggested that it was necessary to do a biopsy to rule out Celiac Disease. However, he said, because of my family history and my symptoms were strongly related to gluten, it was very possible that my Celiac Disease is developing and my antibodies may become positive in the future.  I tried to continue the gluten challenge for the biopsy, around 2-3 g of gluten per day, but it was enough to make me feel worse each passing day. I started developing anemia and other mild nutritional deficiencies, and it was really affecting my daily life. I'm a student and exams are coming up, so my doctor suggests me to strictly remove gluten until I feel better so I could study without problems until I could do the gluten challenge when I come back home for holidays. Since going gluten free, I feel like a completely different person. My mind is clearer, I have no stomach pain during the day, and even my nails improved within just two weeks. It could also be Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, but of course I’ll need the biopsy to know for sure. I was wondering, has anyone else had negative blood tests at first and later tested positive? And has anyone struggled with the gluten challenge because of symptoms?
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Doterra is a life saver and yes I feel like im waiting because Im getting yes you are celiac, no your not celiac. Im so FRUSTRATED, exhausted and tired of explaining to medical why I feel this way.Im stressed because my body isn't feeling well.Yes I am and no it's not just a food allergy as downplayed with doctors Ive seen.I even went to the " celiac  specialist " Dr Fernandez-Becker who down played my ailments and stated im not and then yes I am I even had one her " care team" ask my why do you want that diagnosis. UNMMMMM. I don't want it, its been my life confirmed in 1994.Menopause intensified extra sensitivity and medical has down played my sibo, ibs, CELIAC, now im having skin and eye issues. I thought help was available but its been a complete medical disaster. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.