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Gluten Withdrawal?

Newly Diagnosed

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Newly Diagnosed Apprentice
Newly Diagnosed
Posted

Hi, I am new to the site.  I was just diagnosed at the end of December and started the gluten free diet a few days ago.  I did not have any symptoms while I was eating gluten (I was diagnosed because my doctor decided to run a routine blood test and added the celiac panel because I have had Graves disease) but the second day I was gluten free I started a horrible headache and I have been feeling sick ever since.  I even threw up this morning.  Is this typical and if so how long does it usually last? 

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bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

Hi and welcome.

Unfortunately gluten withdrawal is very real and it sounds like that's what's going on with you. Headaches, mood swings. insatiable hunger, and a general uneasy feeling as if something bad were going to happen any minute now, are all symptoms of withdrawal.

For some folks it lasts a week or two. Some folks have it for a month or more, but here's hoping yours leaves quickly.

Since you're new at this, go on over to the Newbie 101 thread pinned to the top of the coping section here and you'll earn a lot about our disease, the diet, and avoiding cross-contamination. Then come on back and ask as many questions as come to mind. We're here to help. :)

AmberJ Rookie
AmberJ
Posted
1 hour ago, bartfull said:

Hi and welcome.

Unfortunately gluten withdrawal is very real and it sounds like that's what's going on with you. Headaches, mood swings. insatiable hunger, and a general uneasy feeling as if something bad were going to happen any minute now, are all symptoms of withdrawal.

For some folks it lasts a week or two. Some folks have it for a month or more, but here's hoping yours leaves quickly.

Since you're new at this, go on over to the Newbie 101 thread pinned to the top of the coping section here and you'll earn a lot about our disease, the diet, and avoiding cross-contamination. Then come on back and ask as many questions as come to mind. We're here to help. :)

He's right. I had withdrawals for a couple days like you're describing. And then a little irritability off n on for a few weeks. But it DOES gets better! In no time you'll be feeling much better! Keep in mind to be gentle with yourself, as your body is addicted to a substance that, in essence, has the capability of shortening your lifespan by 20 or more years. I thought of mine as a drug addiction withdrawal (full disclosure: not an addict, but a cousin is and withdrawals are hard!), and once I started thinking of it that way, I was able to take it easier. I drank broth and lots of extra water, and got extra sleep. It helped me. Here's hoping you're feeling fantastic soon!

celiac sharon Apprentice
celiac sharon
Posted

I didn't, but I wonder?  Are you going really low carb in an effort to be gluten free?  Going gluten free caused none of that with me, but going low carb does. Just something to think about. See if a nice big bowl of rice makes you feel better. When I try to go low carb I get very fatigued and flu like. I read that people with thyroid disorders, which we both do, can go moderate carb but shouldn't go very low carb. Food for thought?  Feel better!

Newly Diagnosed Apprentice
Newly Diagnosed
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for all the replies.  I did check out the Newbie section and it is very helpful.  I am not going low carb, I couldn't handle doing both at once, but I will keep my eye on how many carbs I am eating to be sure I am not accidentally getting too low.  Hopefully once my body adjusts I will feel better...  I was eating way more gluten than I realized. 

anyana Apprentice
anyana
Posted

I had all of those symptoms a few weeks ago after I was diagnosed.  It was a hellish week, but luckily for me only lasted about 6-7 days (I also got a wicked cold at the same time - no fair).  Now I'm just trying to patiently wait for celiac symptoms to start going away!

Funny story, my sweet husband asked yesterday what was going on with his stomach - it was hurting, etc - turns out he was accidentally going through gluten withdrawal because we'd been off work for a week, and he was eating all of my gluten-free cooking and showing solidarity with me! Ha!

 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
8 hours ago, celiac sharon said:

I didn't, but I wonder?  Are you going really low carb in an effort to be gluten free?  Going gluten free caused none of that with me, but going low carb does. Just something to think about. See if a nice big bowl of rice makes you feel better. When I try to go low carb I get very fatigued and flu like. I read that people with thyroid disorders, which we both do, can go moderate carb but shouldn't go very low carb. Food for thought?  Feel better!

I have been on a low carb high fat diet for two years now.  I have Hashi's and my blood glucose levels have almost normalized.  I say almost, because if I cheat my glucose levels will spike.  My doctor is happy, my thyroid is happy, I am happy.  I do not need to take diabetic meds.    While I do cheat on my low carb high fat diet, I NEVER cheat on my gluten-free diet.  It is true that it takes about three weeks for your body to adjust to a low carb high fat diet.  The key is to consume enough fat so that you can avoid feeling fatigued.  

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