Period-making Things Worse?

[Guest adamssa]

Hi all,

I know this might sound weird, but is it the case for anyone? I've been trying to get some kind of gluten sensitivity and candida under control since my gallbladder (was removed, surgery HUGE mistake) died in October. (Have been gluten-free since I sometime in March, I think.) Also major sinus problems. But, anyways lately things seemed to finally be improving a little, until a two week ago when sunddenly everything just majorly worsened out of the blue. Foods that should be harmless are making me dizzy after eating, to the point that I can't even read and can barely keep my eyes open. Even rice cakes, a staple. I know it's not a matter of glutening myself, because I'm pretty sure I don't have celiac, things are just better for me gluten free. The only explanation I can think of is that it started getting worse a week or so before my period, and now seem to be improving a little now that it's ending.

I really hope that's it, because if not I don't know what else to do. I've cut out gluten and sugar and dairy and I've been taking all these supplements as advised by an alternative practitioner. Any thoughts? I try to avoid self-pity, but I am so majorly frustrated and having trouble coping because things have been bad 4 so long and now they get worse. I've stopped talking to my friends about it because I don't want them to think am a hypochrondiac, and some in my family think I choose to dwell instead of getting on w/life....

Thanks,

Sara

[lorka150]

hi sara - this isn't really a response to the period portion, but about the rest.

after gluten-free/casein-free i felt better for about a month, then went down. i, too, was dizzy (SO dizzy!) after eating anything, et cetera... it sounds like you. i was sick often, and couldn't pin point.

i ended up figuring about ten things i could safely eat, and stuck to those four about five months. it was boring, but i felt better - i couldn't even use salt or pepper. about three months ago, i could finally use some spices, and now, i switch up one meal a day. alas, the dizziness hasn't come back (except a few glutenings), and it's a lot better.

it was irritating, having such a small palette (especially because i LOVE to bake and cook... so i did it, smelled it, then passed it along ).

but it helped.

[BRUMI1968]

Before I got dx'd, I would be more susceptible to bloating (intestinal, I mean) during or just before my period. I haven't noticed it since. My period is more serious now - I think my hormones are adjusting out.

[rogue]

Before I was even diagnosed with celiac disease I noticed that my symptoms would always get worse around my period. I still don't entirely understand why. My doctor suggested birth control pills, which totally worked. So if you're not on the pill, I suggest giving it a try.

[Guest adamssa]

hi again,

lorka, what were the 10 foods you found you could eat?

Things have gotten a little better since I first posted, but am definitely still having major dizziness issues with carbs. I am actually rethinking my certainty about not having celiac after having a reaction from communion, and I've noticed that the times when things have gotten worse were times when cross contamination was a possibility

[lorka150]

hi again,

lorka, what were the 10 foods you found you could eat?

Things have gotten a little better since I first posted, but am definitely still having major dizziness issues with carbs. I am actually rethinking my certainty about not having celiac after having a reaction from communion, and I've noticed that the times when things have gotten worse were times when cross contamination was a possibility

at the beginning, i could stomach jello/homemade gelatin, most veggies boiled without any seasonings, nut butters, egg whites boiled, tofu pudding, coffee (no one could believe it!). after a bit, i could eat raw veggies and sometimes tuna. this was hard for me because i was a vegetarian, but had to think outside the box for a bit. later on, berries, and citrus fruit. almond milk and herbal tea, too. and soda, but only diet because the sugar killed me.

[hez]

I can only speak from my experience. I do not/did not have dizzy spells. I always had "d". I notice around my menstrual cycle I still get loose bowels or even "d". For the longest time I kept thinking I had been glutened. After talking to girlfriends and my doc I think the weird bowel stuff is hormonal. So maybe some of the systems are made worse from the fluctuation of hormones. Just a thought. Hope you feel better soon.

Hez

[Guest adamssa]

thanks, guys.

lorka, i know what you say about the veggies and nut butters is true, and now i'll give the egg whites and tofu pudding a try too. also, i've found coffee ok/helpful even too! i think it's the caffeine.

Sara