Weeks in and feeling no better

[oli97]

Following my official diagnosis of celiac disease I went gluten free many weeks ago, but I have noticed absolutely no improvement in my health since. 

I still get a plethora of muscle aches and pains almost constantly, I still feel tired, I still get lots of headaches and I still feel very foggy. 

Is this normal? I see health sites suggesting some symptoms go within a few days of the diet while others take a bit longer but I have had no improvement whatsoever. 

Thanks

[SLLRunner]

Welcome, @oli97.

It takes time to heal. Your illness did not happen overnight, therefore neither will your recovery and healing.

That said, could there be any cross-contamination to where you are actually ingesting gluten? This can happen in restaurants, at friend's homes even if they say they cooked you something gluten free, and at home if your household is not 100% gluten free. 

[cyclinglady]

Let me tell you that based on what people post on this forum, it takes MUCH longer to heal.  In theory,  it should just take a few week on a gluten diet to promote villi healing.  Your body is constantly regenerating new cells in your gut on a daily basis.    Why the delay?   First,  it takes a long time to really master the gluten free diet.  So, in the beginning, dietary mistakes are often made which can delay the healing time.  Second,  celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten causing a "flare-up" which can be measured by the level of antibodies in your system.  Antibodies can take weeks, months or years to come down.   Third,  there's the type of damage done to your body to consider (e.g. bone damage, depleted iron levels).  Usually anything neuro takes much longer to heal.

Has your doctor checked you for nutritional deficiencies?  If not, ask.  You might be really low on a vitamin or mineral.   You could be low on digestive enzymes (actually they can not be released in a damaged gut).  So even when eating gluten free foods, your body is not digesting and absorbing the necessary nutrients.  You could help the healing process by taking gluten free supplements and enzymes.   But it is best to see what you are actually deficient in.   Most of these deficiencies resolve with time.

Finally, my parting words of wisdom (as passed on by many of our members), is patience.  I know.  Hard to be patient when you want to feel well, but it will happen.  

Hang in there!