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

Headaches When First Going Gluten Free?

weekendwarrior

Recommended Posts

weekendwarrior Apprentice
weekendwarrior
Posted

Hi everyone!

I've been eating a fully gluten free diet for the past week - and yesterday (the 7 day mark), I ended up getting a headache from mid afternoon until evening.

I thought nothing of it until I got the exact same headache today. I read some sites that this could be a "wheat withdrawal?"

I was curious if anyone else dealt with this when starting out, or if this is (bad pun alert) all in my head?

Thanks guys!!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


emma6 Enthusiast
emma6
Posted

yes i had a constant headache for the first two weeks along with dizzyness, fatigue, nausea it was really intense, i constantly felt like the room was spinnig even when i was lying down but it slowly got better :)

i went back to the doctor i was seeing because it was so bad she wouldn't believe me and said it was impossible to have withdrawls from gluten and i just wasn't eating enough. even though i was eating every hour and more than ever. it was definetely withdrawls i had the exact same reaction six months earlier when i had tried to go gluten free for a few days.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Yep, lots of us have gone through gluten withdrawal. Headaches are one symptom reported, also stark raving, 24/7 starvation like you could eat a mountain of food & do & 20 min. later you're starving again, irritability to downright meanness, aches & pains..... & many others so if you get off with just headaches then you're not doing so bad. Please understand, I am not making light of your headaches AT ALL and I really hope they don't last too long for you.

I can hear you asking how long? Everyone is an individual so we have differing symptoms & time frames for getting through it. Most people, I would say, get off at about 2 weeks although some take longer. I was about 2 months.

weekendwarrior Apprentice
weekendwarrior
Posted
  • Author

Well that explains a LOT!!

I've been hungry around the clock for the past few days! These headaches are the tension ones that run from the back of your neck, around the top of your head and into your eyes - it's not fun at all, but at least I know it's a temporary thing. 

I've increased my water and am trying to eat "filling" things (protein, etc) - I'm hoping things start to align and I feel back to normal.

 

 

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

It will/can help if you sort of turn your meals upside down. In this, I mean, eat for breakfast something like you would eat for dinner. In the morning, eat protein & fat & plenty of it. Have fatty steak for breakfast along with fruit & whatever else. For snacks during the day, things like apple slices or bananas with peanut butter. For now, don't worry about how much you eat. Your body is trying to heal & absorb nutrients so don't hold back. Don't worry about weight or anything. EAT, just EAT. I was so bad, I would finish breakfast & I swear, within 10 minutes I was starving again. I would literally vacuum with one hand while eating an apple slathered with peanut butter with the other hand.

Whenever you eat protein make sure to have some fat with it. It will help but you still will be hungry a LOT until it finally all levels off. Nuts are a great snack, having protein & fat all in one shot. 

  • 1 month later...
hewitt Rookie
hewitt
Posted

My daughter has been gluten free now for 18 months. She gets a migraine at least once a month. Her dr. gave her Imitrex however it doesnt seem to help her. Her headaches last for 4 to 5 days every time. When she visited her gastro specialist she mentioned her headaches and the specialist  said  headaches werent Celiac related. I find this hard to believe as everything Ive read says otherwise! 

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
7 minutes ago, hewitt said:

My daughter has been gluten free now for 18 months. She gets a migraine at least once a month. Her dr. gave her Imitrex however it doesnt seem to help her. Her headaches last for 4 to 5 days every time. When she visited her gastro specialist she mentioned her headaches and the specialist  said  headaches werent Celiac related. I find this hard to believe as everything Ive read says otherwise! 

Some headaches are Celiac related.  But, if they are, they should go away on a gluten-free diet.  They might return if you eat gluten.

It is very possible to have migraines that have nothing to do with Celiac.  I don't know her age, but, for me, I got some that were  hormone related.  They can be related to certain foods.  You might want to read some reputable info about migraines (not people with names like "migraine Mommy" or people who call them selves doctors but are not MDs.)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
2 hours ago, hewitt said:

My daughter has been gluten free now for 18 months. She gets a migraine at least once a month. Her dr. gave her Imitrex however it doesnt seem to help her. Her headaches last for 4 to 5 days every time. When she visited her gastro specialist she mentioned her headaches and the specialist  said  headaches werent Celiac related. I find this hard to believe as everything Ive read says otherwise! 

I am assuming her GI orders follow-up celiac antibodies testing since her initial diagnosis?  

tessa25 Rising Star
tessa25
Posted
3 hours ago, hewitt said:

My daughter has been gluten free now for 18 months. She gets a migraine at least once a month. Her dr. gave her Imitrex however it doesnt seem to help her. Her headaches last for 4 to 5 days every time. When she visited her gastro specialist she mentioned her headaches and the specialist  said  headaches werent Celiac related. I find this hard to believe as everything Ive read says otherwise! 

Migraines can possibly be a sign of magnesium deficiency amongst other things. Once I started taking magnesium my migraines immediately stopped happening. I never got tested for it, just gave it a try. This was before celiac. Maybe her new diet has less magnesium or some other nutrient she needs.

 

  • 2 months later...
hewitt Rookie
hewitt
Posted

Thanks for the advice. Yes my daughter had a follow up appointment with her gastro specialist . She goes every 6 months at first and then once a year after that. She is currently taking a magnesium suppliment so hopefully that will help with her migraines. Its definately a learning experience and a long road!

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 xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in ...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Low iron and vitamin d

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also ...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

      This article is a few of years old, but my still be helpful.
    5. trents
      - trents commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      14

      Can You Really Trust Gluten-Free Menus? What Every Celiac Needs to Know Before Eating Out

      This is likely dependent on the sensitivity of the individual celiac.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,242
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Maya Baum
    Newest Member
    Maya Baum
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in foods. I encourage everyone here who is affected by celiac or gluten sensitivity to read the announcement and submit their own suggestions — real lived experience matters and can influence policy changes that benefit the whole community.
    • Scott Adams
      Low iron and vitamin d

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also commonly reported in celiac kids and can be related to slow healing, reflux, motility, or even low iron itself. It sounds like the supplements are clearly helping, which is reassuring, and ongoing monitoring with her doctor can help determine when (or if) doses can be reduced as absorption improves. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. This article has more info:    
    • Scott Adams
      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those with whole foods can help you feel more “normal” without triggering symptoms. Subscription boxes can be hit or miss, so checking labels carefully and using them as an occasional supplement—rather than a staple—often works best.
    • Scott Adams
      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This article is a few of years old, but my still be helpful.  
    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
×
×
  • 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.