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Gluten Withdrawal Symptoms

Anto

By Anto
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Anto Newbie
Anto
Posted

HI.... I decided to start a gluten free diet about 9 days ago following over 2 years trying to figure out what my daily debilitating symptoms could be. My symptoms were mainly neurological, feeling imbalanced especially when standing, lightheadedness, huge anxiety, brain fog and confusion, sore muscles especially neck and lately started getting gastric symptoms as well. Been to an endless number of doctors and done all tests possible which came back normal. Doctors boiled it down to stress and always prescribed anti-anxiety medication which did not work. Recently can across articles online which pointed out that gluten sensitivity could manifest itself in neurological symptoms therefore I decided to try a gluten free diet to see how it goes. Immediately the sensation of feeling off balance and light headed subsided and the anxiety and gastric symptoms improved big time. However, I have this lingering headache, more like a heavy head feeling that's been on for a few day. Has anyone experienced this and could it be due to gluten withdrawal ?

 

Thanks !

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Many members have reported gluten withdrawal symptoms.  Another possibility it that the learning curve for celiac disease is very, very steep.  You might be getting hidden exposures to gluten.  My advice is to eat unprocessed gluten free foods and do NOT eat any food that is NOT prepared by you (or you oversee) until you feel well.  Keep researching and learn more about avoiding gluten and how cross contamination can be a problem too.  

kanucme2019 Apprentice
kanucme2019
Posted

I too have just started the gluten free diet about 5 days ago after been diagnosed with possible wheat sensitivity.  All my test came back that I did not have celiac, H pylori or ulcers.  Since I started the diet, I have been suffering with mild headaches, weakness like you get when your sugar is low, and just plain tired.  However, all my stomach and intestinal problems have vanished which I am very grateful.  I figured it just withdrawal symptoms that you get from any diet you go on and hopefully once my body adjust it will stop.   

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    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

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    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
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      By knitty kitty · Posted

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    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
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