Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Symptoms Changing With Diet Change?

jnclelland

Recommended Posts

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted

So, I don't have any official diagnosis (even Enterolab was negative after 8 months gluten-free; wish I'd done it sooner!), and my main symptom before going gluten-free was rashes. In the year or so I've been gluten-free, I haven't felt particularly sensitive to CC; if anything, it just made my hand break out a bit, and since I seem to have other (still undiagnosed) food intolerances that also do that, I never knew when I got CC'ed.

So about 6 weeks ago, I went on the South Beach diet. This means a LOT less grains than I was eating before, so less "subsitute glutens," and LOTS of vegetables. Overall I'm feeling great on this diet, but after a couple of weeks I suddenly started having D every day around mid-morning. When I finally figured out the culprit, it was the Butterball Turkey Bacon I was having for breakfast every morning! It's supposed to be gluten-free, but I did a search here and learned that some people have had problems with it. And when I cut it out, no more D. At least, not until today, and I suspect that I got CC'ed with gluten - or possibly dairy, who knows? - today.

So, is it normal for a dietary change - even after being gluten-free for a year - to produce such a change in symptoms? I'm still having a hard time believing that gluten is really the culprit, since it never gave me D before. But I can't imagine what else it could be, either...

Jeanne

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted

hi jeanne... i feel like i'm stalking you.

i am not sure if the 'diet' is changing your reaction, but i wanted to say that over time, my symptoms have differed from one reaction to the next. some are constant, some are new. it IS possible that since you have consumed so much less gluten, that your bod is more sensitive, thus triggering the cross contam.

jnclelland Contributor
jnclelland
Posted
  • Author
hi jeanne... i feel like i'm stalking you.

:) I kind of feel the same way! (Like I'm stalking you, I mean.)

i am not sure if the 'diet' is changing your reaction, but i wanted to say that over time, my symptoms have differed from one reaction to the next. some are constant, some are new. it IS possible that since you have consumed so much less gluten, that your bod is more sensitive, thus triggering the cross contam.

-sigh- I just wish that it was easier to figure out WHAT food was causing a certain reaction. All the guesswork is getting to me; just when I think I know what I'm reacting to, my rash flares up even when I'm avoiding whatever I think is causing it. It's really frustrating! Ah well, at least I have a place where I can vent, right?

Jeanne

jabberwife Explorer
jabberwife
Posted

I have similar questions, actually. I have been gluten-free for 2 weeks, and as I'm learning more, I realize I had a few hidden gluten episodes during that time. I was feeling better overall though--less bloating, less gas. But in the past few days it's suddenly changed--I've had D several times, and I know I haven't eaten anything with gluten. (I've eaten at home this whole time). Sunday I started to have problems, but they got really bad that night/Monday morning after I made this pizza (with a gluten-free crust I bought at Whole Foods) that has ranch dressing (gluten-free--I checked), mozzarella cheese, and chicken with buffalo wing sauce (also checked). It was spicy but not nearly as spicy as I usually eat (and have eaten with no problems these past 2 weeks--I'm a spicy food junkie). But I was back and forth to the bathroom 15-20 times Monday, and then every time I'd eat a meal, I'd be back within an hour to the bathroom. I'm ok this morning, but I'm trying to understand what could have caused this. Is it just my body getting used to the idea? Does anyone else have other sensitivities that only showed once they started a gluten-free diet? It doesn't seem to be dairy--there's not a real link to the dairy and how I feel.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

There is a list of controversial items. The things that most people question whether or not it is gluten free. Distilled vinegar and annatto are on that list (they are gluten free), but it took about two years on the gluten free diet for my gut to heal well enough to tolerate those particular items. Keep a food diary, and keep in mind that it may not be gluten that you are having problems with.

My theory on why we start to react more severely to gluten after starting the diet... The immune system was activated after every gluten meal, making the body constantly ill. Then you stop eating the gluten. The immune system is put on hold, resting, and only getting stronger. Then the accidental gluten gets into the body and whammo the full strength of the immune system hits. The body isn't starving anymore and flushes the system to get rid of the toxin. (I think the starving body has to try and hold the nutrients.)

I've taken the idea from snake venom studies.

L.

jabberwife Explorer
jabberwife
Posted

Could be that. Maybe I'll lay off anything that could be triggering any issues. Spicy foods included. :( Also, wondering if it could be that I got into gluten unknowingly last Thur and Fri? Just now attacking me on Sunday? I had bloating, gas and a headache when it happened, but that was it...

queenofhearts Explorer
queenofhearts
Posted

Also, I wouldn't discount the possibility of food poisoning, Jabberwife... maybe the chicken?

Leah

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted
Could be that. Maybe I'll lay off anything that could be triggering any issues. Spicy foods included. :( Also, wondering if it could be that I got into gluten unknowingly last Thur and Fri? Just now attacking me on Sunday? I had bloating, gas and a headache when it happened, but that was it...

i found that after diagnosis, i got extremely sensitive. i loved spicy foods, and could no longer even use black pepper for awhile. vinegar even bothered me (too acidic). i lived on a diet of about nine foods for six months.

jabberwife Explorer
jabberwife
Posted

Good point, Leah...we all are so quick to blame the gluten! It would surprise me though...the chicken was flash-frozen Tyson...but you never know sometimes!

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 Jmartes71's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      1

      Natural remedies

      While it's always important to approach internal use of essential oils with caution and ideally under the guidance of a qualified professional, your experience highlights the potential of complementary approaches when traditional medicine falls short. Many in the community are also interested in the intersection of natural wellness and gluten-free living...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to miguel54b's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Gluten and short-term memory.

      It's interesting how a single, clear moment—like struggling during a game—can suddenly connect all the dots and reveal the hidden impact of gluten exposure. Your experience with short-term memory fog is a very real and documented symptom for many individuals with gluten sensitivity, often occurring alongside the other issues you mentioned like mood disturbances, sl...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Suze046's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Reintroduction of Gluten

      Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS. What you're describing is a very common and frustrating experience when reintroducing gluten after a period of avoidance, and your timeline is perfectly c...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Rejoicephd's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      2

      Draft gluten-free ciders… can they be trusted ?

      Your suspicion is almost certainly correct, and you are wise to be cautious. Draft cider is a very common and often overlooked source of cross-contact because the same tap lines are frequently used for both beer and cider; unless a bar has a dedicated line for gluten-free beverages, which is rare, the cider will run through tubing that has previously contained...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Mykidzz3's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      High Cost of Gluten-Free Foods

      Your post really highlights the financial and emotional struggle so many families face. You are not alone in feeling frustrated by the high cost of gluten-free specialty items and the frustrating waste when your daughter can't tolerate them. A great place to start is by focusing on naturally gluten-free whole foods that are often more affordable and...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,368
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jdhunt
    Newest Member
    Jdhunt
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Natural remedies

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While it's always important to approach internal use of essential oils with caution and ideally under the guidance of a qualified professional, your experience highlights the potential of complementary approaches when traditional medicine falls short. Many in the community are also interested in the intersection of natural wellness and gluten-free living, particularly for managing systemic inflammation and its various symptoms, so sharing your story is valuable. Your observation that it may also be helping with bloating is fascinating, as that could point to an overall reduction in inflammation. Thank you for sharing what is working for you!
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten and short-term memory.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's interesting how a single, clear moment—like struggling during a game—can suddenly connect all the dots and reveal the hidden impact of gluten exposure. Your experience with short-term memory fog is a very real and documented symptom for many individuals with gluten sensitivity, often occurring alongside the other issues you mentioned like mood disturbances, sleep disruption, and digestive irregularity. It's a frustrating and often invisible effect that can make you feel unlike yourself, so that moment of clarity, though born from a tough dominoes match, is actually a powerful piece of self-knowledge. Identifying a specific culprit like that steak strip is a huge win, as it arms you with the information needed to avoid similar pitfalls in the future and protect your cognitive clarity. You are definitely not alone in experiencing this particular set of neurological and physical symptoms; it's a strong reminder of gluten's profound impact on the entire body, not just the digestive system. Supplementation may help you as well.  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. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.      
    • Scott Adams
      Reintroduction of Gluten

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS. What you're describing is a very common and frustrating experience when reintroducing gluten after a period of avoidance, and your timeline is perfectly consistent with a non-celiac gluten sensitivity. While a celiac reaction can be more immediate, a sensitivity reaction is often delayed, sometimes taking several days to manifest as your body's inflammatory response builds up; the fact that your symptoms returned a few days after reintroduction is a strong indicator that gluten is indeed the culprit, not a coincidence. Your doctor's advice to reintroduce it was necessary to confirm the diagnosis, as the initial negative celiac test and subsequent improvement on a gluten-free diet pointed strongly towards sensitivity. Many in this community have gone through this exact same process of elimination and challenging, and it's wise to reintroduce gently as you did. Given your clear reaction, the best course of action is likely to resume a strict gluten-free diet, as managing a sensitivity is the primary way to control those debilitating symptoms and allow your body to heal fully.
    • Scott Adams
      Draft gluten-free ciders… can they be trusted ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your suspicion is almost certainly correct, and you are wise to be cautious. Draft cider is a very common and often overlooked source of cross-contact because the same tap lines are frequently used for both beer and cider; unless a bar has a dedicated line for gluten-free beverages, which is rare, the cider will run through tubing that has previously contained gluten-containing beer, contaminating your drink. The fact that you didn't react at a clean brewery suggests they may have had more meticulous practices or separate lines, but this is the exception, not the rule. Many in the community have had identical experiences, leading them to strictly avoid draft cider and opt for bottled or canned versions, which are poured directly from their sealed container and bypass the contaminated tap system entirely. Switching to bottles or cans is the safest strategy, and your plan to do so is a smart move to protect your health. PS - here are some articles on the topic:    
    • Scott Adams
      High Cost of Gluten-Free Foods

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post really highlights the financial and emotional struggle so many families face. You are not alone in feeling frustrated by the high cost of gluten-free specialty items and the frustrating waste when your daughter can't tolerate them. A great place to start is by focusing on naturally gluten-free whole foods that are often more affordable and less processed, like rice, potatoes, beans, lentils, corn, eggs, and frozen fruits and vegetables—these are nutritional powerhouses that can form the basis of her meals. For the specialty items like bread and pasta, see if your local stores carry smaller, single-serving packages or allow returns if a product causes a reaction, as some companies understand this challenge. Regarding vitamins, that is an excellent next step; please ask her doctor to prescribe a high-quality gluten-free multivitamin, as insurance will often cover prescribed vitamins, making them much more affordable. Finally, connecting with a local celiac support group online can be a treasure trove of location-specific advice for finding the best and most affordable products in your area, saving you both time and money on the trial-and-error process. 
×
×
  • Create New...