Jump to content

  • You are not alone. Join Celiac.com for trusted gluten-free answers and forum support.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Brain Fog

Irishjoe

Recommended Posts

Papa-Hen Rookie
Papa-Hen
Posted

Joe & the rest,

I'm brand new here and writing for the first time.

Brain fog, Chronic Fatigue, forgetful,

"Tired, cranky, irritable, and miserable...and sometimes I enjoy it". :)

In retrospect, my worst days were Pancake Saturdays with the kids...Imagine that!

...did I mention forgetful?

Over the past 10+ years, I have done well losing weight on low-carb diets, and even better at gaining it back when I sought to go back to a "normal" diet. I am one of the souls that can lose up to 6lb of water weight the 1st day. Silly, me, I didn't believe enough in what I was doing, and allowed myself a little of a friends B-day cake...Several years later, and I was back & beyond my previous high weight.

Now down 45 lb from 260 since quitting bread/cakes/etc. in November. Recently read "Dangerous Grains" and came to learn it's gluten sensitivity, and that barley, rye, and others also have gluten. Since then, much more gluten free. The weight just comes off without even thinking about it. No struggle!

I also now know that I'm only one donut away from going back.

(Thank God it wasn't alcohol that I was so addicted to--I would have been a real mess.)

Last time, I got down to 185. I'm more than 1/2 way there.

The weird thing is that I am now to the point where I prefer fruits & fresh veggies to a huge pile of mashed potatoes! Considering similar claims elsewhere at this site, I'm optimistic that I'm really on to something.

I'm also scared as I had a very rough 2+ weeks that I hope are now over as of this afternoon.

Was it just anxiety causing everything, including the stomach aches, or could it have been my body releasing many toxins that had accumulated over my lifetime?

Most on this board indicate that they get much better right away, so this does not seem to be the norm.

Has anyone else had to go through hell to get to heaven?

I look forward to hearing from you and being part of this group.

Thanks,

- Henry

  • 5 years later...
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Februaryrich Rookie
Februaryrich
Posted

I also can't make eye contacts with people, for some reason my eyes just go WOOHOO and I can't focus on prints when I read. It goes away after a while on the diet!

Twinklestars Contributor
Twinklestars
Posted

I will be so glad when I don't turn around in circles in my kitchen anymore, trying to remember which cupboard something is in! :lol:

Ollie's Mom Apprentice
Ollie's Mom
Posted

I've been wondering about that no eye contact thing a little more. I wonder if there's any connection to that same behavior in autism (which I know may have some connection with celiac and other food problems)? Like maybe people with celiac and people with autism have a problem with the same area of the brain. I know they say that with autism they can become overstimulated and withdraw. I wonder if it's the same process?

I have diagnosed myself with Asperger's (sounds strange, maybe, but I was too old to have been screened for it when I was going through school, and diagnosing adults with autism is difficult because adults have had time to develop coping mechanisms). Anyway, my family and husband all agree I am a Asperger's "poster adult"

(I also self diagnosed my gluten issues... aren't doctors useful? *sigh*)

When I get glutened, my inability to look people in the eye gets much, much worse. I can't talk properly (like someone else here mentioned, it's like I lose control of my tongue). I stutter. My sensory issues (noise, smells, lights, the feeling of the material of my clothing) gets so much worse. The last time I was glutened, I almost ran screaming out of a public washroom because someone turned on an air hand dryer, and the noise was too much for me to handle.

Basically, when I get glutened, I tell my husband that I feel much more "autistic" than when I haven't been glutened. I makes me wonder how I survived before I went gluten free, because I felt that "autistic" all the time before (I do remember how hard it was... but thankfully that is almost completely behind me, unless I get glutened, of course).

So yes, I am convinced there's a link in some cases to autism and gluten / other food intolerances.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

I have diagnosed myself with Asperger's (sounds strange, maybe, but I was too old to have been screened for it when I was going through school, and diagnosing adults with autism is difficult because adults have had time to develop coping mechanisms). Anyway, my family and husband all agree I am a Asperger's "poster adult"

(I also self diagnosed my gluten issues... aren't doctors useful? *sigh*)

When I get glutened, my inability to look people in the eye gets much, much worse. I can't talk properly (like someone else here mentioned, it's like I lose control of my tongue). I stutter. My sensory issues (noise, smells, lights, the feeling of the material of my clothing) gets so much worse. The last time I was glutened, I almost ran screaming out of a public washroom because someone turned on an air hand dryer, and the noise was too much for me to handle.

Basically, when I get glutened, I tell my husband that I feel much more "autistic" than when I haven't been glutened. I makes me wonder how I survived before I went gluten free, because I felt that "autistic" all the time before (I do remember how hard it was... but thankfully that is almost completely behind me, unless I get glutened, of course).

So yes, I am convinced there's a link in some cases to autism and gluten / other food intolerances.

Wow. Makes ME wonder. I get the hairdryer thing. My doctors call it "overstimulated adrenals" in my case - supposedly temporary from corticosteroids and gee - gluten and salicylates. I couldn't take a shower because that involved feeling something on my skin and hearing the water run. I can't imagine feeling that all the time. Kudos to you for figuring it out and learning to manage the situation.

cougie23 Explorer
cougie23
Posted

I will be so glad when I don't turn around in circles in my kitchen anymore, trying to remember which cupboard something is in! :lol:

Yeah..me too!!! I thought the eye contact thing was just a QUIRK on my part!!! WEIRD...chalk another bizzarre symptom up to CELIACS...and people just thought I was CRAZY!!! LOL :lol:

I HATE forgetting what your talking about in mid conversation...or not remembering pin #'s...Or intructions involving more than 3 things!!! not to mention the "clasic" why am I in this room?! OR this is another "classic" having someone looking you in the eye...being really serious..(not being able to look back)... and a second after they finish talking and its YOUR turn...its like ..what??? no clue whatsoever!!!? :blink:

Stuttering too...just out of no where...!!! <_<

This was what it was like last March for me...Its gotten alot better...but I am still acused of being VERY HYPER!!! Among OTHER persistant problems...I tend to TYPE like I THINK!!! LOL :lol::lol::lol::D ........LOL :P

Twinklestars Contributor
Twinklestars
Posted

Wow. Makes ME wonder. I get the hairdryer thing. My doctors call it "overstimulated adrenals" in my case - supposedly temporary from corticosteroids and gee - gluten and salicylates. I couldn't take a shower because that involved feeling something on my skin and hearing the water run. I can't imagine feeling that all the time. Kudos to you for figuring it out and learning to manage the situation.

And your post just made me go wow PP. One of my children is extremely sensitive to noise. I had just put it down to her being 3, but she gets hysterical if she has to have a shower (but a bath is fine), she bursts into tears if a game get noisy etc. I'll watch her a bit more closely I think. Obviously if I'm diagnosed I'll get all my kids tested, but will be more watchful in the meantime.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


bodhizatfa Newbie
bodhizatfa
Posted

Gluten intolerance affected me in a lot of ways including my brain activity. When my sensitivity was triggered 3 and a half years ago I developped some OCD...something I hadn't experienced before. My mind wouldn't shut-down, I was stressed to the max, I had anxiety, I had racing thoughts to the point where my wife thought I was loosing my marbles. She patiently listened to me while I explained what was going on in my head and reassured me that it was only the OCD talking. I really thought I was going crazy. The brain fog...wow....concentration was null. It got so bad that I started to get really embarassed, because I knew that things were not normal. It took a great deal of effort just to function every day. I did my research and I went on a gluten free diet nine months ago and it all went away. All of my other symptoms went away too. I am so grateful to have found the answer. My symptoms come back to life when I get any gluten in my diet....intentional or not. Even the smallest traces now affect me. Gotta be careful..:)

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

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



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. RMJ
      - RMJ replied to Ginger38's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      Ginger38, that sounds very difficult. Each dietary restriction makes it harder to figure out what to eat. Before my celiac diagnosis I already watched out for my cholesterol level and migraine triggers, but those are much easier than diabetes restrictions. One “bad” meal isn’t that much of a problem for cholesterol levels, and my migraines only happened if I ...
    2. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Ginger38's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      Reading the original post on this thread made me think of "How To Eat An Elephant". The key point is that a whole, big problem can seem insurmountable but if you break it into bite-sized pieces it is much easier to accomplish. Here is the google description. It's not bad: If you're facing a daunting goal, you can use these steps to "eat your elephant...
    3. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      I don't know the answer to your question any better than a google search, but I am sure someone else will step up and answer. I am popping up to recommend that you keep a careful diary (in case you weren't already). Try to catalog what you are eating and experiencing. Bring a copy to your next visit (and if you have access to the Dr, also send a copy...
    4. Xravith
      - Xravith posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      After few months going gluten free, I decided to reintroduce gluten in my diet so I can do a proper diagnosis for Celiac disease. During the gluten free period I felt incredibly good. I stopped having hypoglycemia symptoms, I gained some muscle (Still, I am considerably underweight) and my anxiety totally disappeared. I felt totally like a new person...
    5. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to cristiana's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      3

      Low iron/high normal haemoglobin

      V. interesting. It might well explain the tiredness, and the increased headaches, then. I'm trying to get my TTG numbers down a bit by avoiding eating out. Hopefully then if I've healed more I guess I will be able to absorb more iron. Will find out at the next blood test in the autumn. Thanks so much for your help.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,179
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Nancy sirois
    Newest Member
    Nancy sirois
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • RMJ
      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      By RMJ · Posted

      Ginger38, that sounds very difficult.  Each dietary restriction makes it harder to figure out what to eat. Before my celiac diagnosis I already watched out for my cholesterol level and migraine triggers, but those are much easier than diabetes restrictions. One “bad” meal isn’t that much of a problem for cholesterol levels, and my migraines only happened if I consistently ate the triggers. After many years I’ve figured out how to bake gluten free but I think many recipes have more starch which wouldn’t work for diabetes. If you go with the elephant eating analogy, I think the first portion to work on would be the diabetes, since the immediate consequences of not being careful (passing out from low blood sugar, or diabetic coma from high blood sugar) are so severe. The next portion would be celiac. The serious consequences aren’t as immediate, but if you have celiac disease, I think of eating gluten like a booster shot - revving up the immune system, but to attack yourself leading to long term damage. It sounds like you are experiencing this damage now. I did a google search on “gluten free food for diabetics” and a number of sites with advice came up.  If your insurance will cover it and you can find one, a registered dietician who knows about both diabetes and celiac disease might help you figure out what to eat safely. Hopefully my post will both scare and encourage you, as requested, with a big dose of compassion because this sounds very difficult and you are clearly suffering.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Reading the original post on this thread made me think of "How To Eat An Elephant". The key point is that a whole, big problem can seem insurmountable but if you break it into bite-sized pieces it is much easier to accomplish. Here is the google description. It's not bad: If you're facing a daunting goal, you can use these steps to "eat your elephant": Identify the Elephant: Clearly define the large project or goal that feels overwhelming. Break it Down: Divide the major task into smaller "bite-sized" pieces. If a piece still feels too big, break it down further. Prioritize: Decide which "bite" to take first based on necessity or impact. Focus on the Now: Instead of worrying about the whole animal, focus only on the single step you are taking right now. Maintain Consistency: Progress comes from taking the "next right step" every day until the task is complete. Celebrate Small Wins If I understood Ginger38's post correctly, you are facing the prospect of a gluten challenge, but you are already eating gluten on an intermittent basis. It also sounds like many of the symptoms you attribute to gluten consumption are in full expression. Step back and take a deep breath. Get a notebook and start a gluten-related diary. Don't try to make it perfect; just record what you can about food intake and what you experience as you go along. Talk to your Dr's office (nurse, Dr, whomever) about the challenge. The most rigorous challenge is for someone who has already gone truly gluten free but now needs a clear diagnosis. Someone who is already eating gluten should not need as much "challenge". Even at that, google describes an example challenge as 1-2 slice of bread or 1/2 cup of pasta a day. If that describes your existing diet you are already there. For the moment, try to focus on getting past the challenge and test. Once you have the results, start planning accordingly.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I don't know the answer to your question any better than a google search, but I am sure someone else will step up and answer. I am popping up to recommend that you keep a careful diary (in case you weren't already). Try to catalog what you are eating and experiencing. Bring a copy to your next visit (and if you have access to the Dr, also send a copy a couple days in advance). Don't assume that they will read it. They might, but they also might be under tremendous time pressure and not get to it. Two other suggestions: if your healthcare provider has a web portal, sign on and search for "gluten challenge". They may have a standard page and Dr assumed you would find it on your own. If that doesn't work, call the Dr's office and ask the office for their official advice. You probably wouldn't need to speak to the Dr directly. There should be some nurse or staff member who could answer that
    • Xravith
      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      By Xravith · Posted

      After few months going gluten free, I decided to reintroduce gluten in my diet so I can do a proper diagnosis for Celiac disease. During the gluten free period I felt incredibly good. I stopped having hypoglycemia symptoms, I gained some muscle (Still, I am considerably underweight) and my anxiety totally disappeared. I felt totally like a new person. Now, I almost reached the second week of gluten challenge and all my symptoms are progressively coming back. The first days I was ok, just a bit of acid reflux I could control with medicines. However, after the first week I started to feel real stomach pain and tiredness, my face is growing acne and sometimes (specially when I walk) i feel painful migraines.  I am afraid If I am eating too much gluten or not enough, the "4 slices of bread" indication confuses me. I am actually eating 20 g of bread, 3 biscuits and 40 g of croissant each day. My doctor was not very specific when he gave me the medical order for the gluten challenge, so I invented my own daily gluten menu. Do you have any suggestions? 4 weeks will be enough to do the blood test with my current gluten intake?  Thank you
    • cristiana
      Low iron/high normal haemoglobin

      By cristiana · Posted

      V. interesting. It might well explain the tiredness, and the increased headaches, then.   I'm trying to get my TTG numbers down a bit by avoiding eating out.  Hopefully then if I've healed more I guess I will be able to absorb more iron.  Will find out at the next blood test in the autumn. Thanks so much for your help.  
×
×
  • Create New...