How long did it take you to feel better?

[freshrainbows77]

was it weeks, months?

[BuddhaBar]

Some symptoms improved after just a couple of weeks. Acid reflux and bloating was the first symptoms to disappear. Other symptoms took longer. Diarrhea and stomach pain was on and off for a few months before it finally disappeared. Some symptoms like mouth ulcers, gum inflammations and mild to moderate sleep issues has improved, but not disappeared and they might never do, but I can manage it. Neurological issues like pins and needles, tingling etc improved with vitamin D and magnesium supplements. Next week I've been gluten free for 8 months and I had partial to subtotal villous atrophy so I wasn't the sickest celiac around and I suspect I had celiac disease for 4 years prior to diagnosis.


 

[Keight]

Like everyone here, it is a personal journey. The pain and bloating were the first to subside. Migraines and hay fever then disappeared by the second week. The horrid exhaustion was lessened by the end of week three. My arthritis has decreased substantially and I noticed that by my sixth week. 

I am still having trouble with lethargy. My moods are a lot more stable and I can tell when I am reaching the end of my energy. My constipation is an ongoing problem, but I guess that is an iron supplement issue. 

My nails are only just now looking and feeling stronger. My hair is still lank. My skin is starting to take on a glow I've never had! 

It feels like FOREVER and each day is one at a time. The younger you are, the quicker you get diagnosed, the healthier you eat etc all contribute to how quickly you restore optimum health. But there ain't no magic pills, alas. 

[Fenrir]

After a month I felt significantly better but it was probably 6-8 months before I was symptom free. 

[SusanM777]

I was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving 2019. I have been gluten free since then. Bloating has improved significantly, but I still have an occasional day long “gurgle” in my stomach (which is one of the symptoms that lead me to see a doctor) and I still have mucus in my stools.  

[cyclinglady]

Time.  It takes time to heal.  Time to really master the gluten free diet.  Try to avoid going out to eat (it is the only time I have ever had a gluten exposure) and focus on real non-processed foods.  Keep a food journal.  You might have other food intolerances.  Lactose intolerance is very common with celiacs.  My lactose intolerance resolved with healing, but not all.  I have issues with Xanthan Gum found in commercial gluten free products and garlic and onions!  Go figure!  

For me, it took about a year to really feel good.  Be patient!  

Edited January 31, 2020 by cyclinglady

[Felix Nuts Tomcat]

For me, full recovery took a year.  Hair regrowth started after that.

[MtnBear]

It took 11 months before I really felt like I was thriving again.  After being sick for so long, I was also dealing with an IBS like complication I guess?  The zyrtec, bentyl medication, along with iron, b-vit, magnesium, and multivitamin and strict gluten free hand washing has me finally at a place where I almost feel normal. If I skip out on meds/vitamins, I start to feel poorly again.  But I’d say the celiac part of me is about healed.  First 3 months were a real struggle.  6 months I certainly felt better but still had issues.  For a time I took 5-HTP trying to improve sleep as I read serotonin is made in the gut.  I no longer need that now.  I really scienced what is made in the gut and if the gut is damaged,  tried to supplement accordingly as needed.  Melatonin low dose 1mg helped too.  Then around 10 mo mark I had a severe gluten reaction from a supposedly restaurant meal.  So I decided not to eat out except for a dedicated bakery and in n out.  I rebounded from that 10 mo event and really recovered faster than usual so I’d say about a year for me after undiagnosed for so long was the golden time.  So sorry for your pain I know it can feel like you won’t get better or there is something wrong but hang in there it actually does eventually get better.  Be kind to yourself.  Take time off work to rest if you can.  Socially adapting sucks too...but in time it’s also a blessing in a way.  I’m still calming down digestively but managing stress helps to keep the sensations in the gut from going beyond.  Now if I manage FODMAPs I feel 90% normal with meds supplements. Best to us all.