Gluten withdrawals/legs welling/bloating

[MonaDan]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm a recently diagnosed ceoliac. I'm 25 (female), and I've been free from gluten and dairy for 4 days and yesterday the pains from withdrawal hit me - aching joints, sharp pains, foggy mind, etc. Yet yesterday night my stomach felt good and unbloated for the first time in so long. Today, however, I've woken with a tender lower stomach and swollen legs that have increased as the day progressed - swollen legs having been a nightmare for me throughout this entire time. My hands are also prone to swelling and I get bad water retention. My upper stomach isn't TOO bad. I'm still feeling constipated, too, which isn't helping. How long do these withdrawals last? Does anyone know how to overcome them or at least ease them? Especially the leg swelling - I work on my feet all day so it's hard. Did anyone else suffer from the leg swelling?

I feel really lost and confused because no doctor has given me any guidance other than "don't eat gluten and dairy". 

Please help! I feel so out of control and low! 

[cyclinglady]

Welcome to then forum, Mona!

No swelling for me but I can encourage you to read our Newbie 101 section under "Coping".  Learning how to be gluten free takes time.  Withdrawal affects some of us, but not all.  Remember this is an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten (unlike MS or lupus where the trigger is unknown).  But when triggered the autoimmune response (aka "flare up") can last for days, weeks or months.  So, please give yourself time. 

Try to rest and put up your feet after work.  Hopefully, others here will have good tips for your specific complaint -- swelling.

Read through the forum.  Ask questions.  We are here to help.  Like you, my GI just gave me a list of gluten-free restaurants.  Really!  

Take care!  You will get better!  

[GFinDC]

Hi Mona,

I had leg swelling or rather mostly ankle swelling for a long time.  It turned out to be a reaction to soy causing most of it for me.  Maybe with a side of high blood pressure too.  Welcome to the forum!