Jump to content

  • 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

Wheat Withdrawal Headache?

Mayflowers

Recommended Posts

Mayflowers Contributor
Mayflowers
Posted

Hi,

My sister decided to give up wheat and she has had a headache that's lasting days with associated neck pain. The pain is on the top of her head and over one eye. Has anyone had symptoms like this when giving up wheat? I only had cravings and some irritability.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

Yes that is possible to have a withdrawal headache. If she has a fever, headache worsens or does not go away, or is sensitive to light she should seek medical attention at an emergency room.

L.

PS I just noticed you said it has been days she should seek medical advice.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

I used to get headaches like this all the time. I went to many many doctors and finally a chiropractor got rid of them. He said they are liver headache. Since your liver processes toxins sometimes it gets overloaded. It would make sense if we are eating things that we can't tolerate. My headaches went away completely after going gluten-free. Now, when I'm glutened I get one about a day after and it lasts for about 24 hours.

When I went gluten-free it took me a few weeks to feel better. Hopefully they will stop when all the wheat gets out of her system.

  • 1 month later...
lurven71 Newbie
lurven71
Posted

When I went off gluten I got "nail in my brain" headaches for a few weeks. I still occasionally get them (maybe once a month) but the longer I am gluten free the less they happen.

Sweetfudge Community Regular
Sweetfudge
Posted

My cousin has a wheat allergy and says she puts up with the allergy symptoms because the withdrawal from wheat was driving her batty!

Guest ~jules~
Guest ~jules~
Posted

Yep, I have had a stiff neck and not a constant headache but an occassional one. My eyes almost always hurt, or are blurry. Weird things are happening to me too, hang in there.

mle-ii Explorer
mle-ii
Posted

Here's another possible reason why one might get wheat withdrawal headaches. Take away a pain medication (opoids from gluten) and pain blocked by this effect might show up.

Ok, I've heard of Peptides before, but being curious I looked it up on wikipedia.

Open Original Shared Link

While reading it I came across this bit of info:

Opioid peptides, now that sounds interesting what is that?

Open Original Shared Link

Wow, no wonder it's so hard for some folks to give up breads and dairy. Since a lot of us have issues with gluten, lets take a look at one.

Open Original Shared Link

Wow.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 10 months later...
lilpup Newbie
lilpup
Posted

I'm am currently withdrawing from wheat and gluten. Today is my fifth day on a gluten-free diet and I've had nausea and a headache on and off (mostly on, though) for the past several days. The headache feels a lot like what you've described your sister having--pain all over the top of my head and then sometimes centering around my eye too. On the bright side, I've had no cravings. Good luck to your sister!

  • 1 year later...
cancundiver Newbie
cancundiver
Posted

I know this post is ancient news but it came up at the top of the search engines so I had to revive it.

I've been having anxiety attacks and gerd for years...... I've been to doctors and specialists and none can find anything wrong. It's only though research and boards like this I've found the answer to the problem. Diet related! Why don't doctor's suggest things like this? They just like giving you pills and sending you on your way.

Anyways, I've been off gluten for 10 days (and I am a serious bread, pizza, pasta addict) and I have been getting all the same symptoms described here. Headaches, blurry vision in the morning, sore eyes...something is definitely happening in my system and I'm sure its for the good. No Nexium required for the first time in YEARS!!

I just can't wait to get over that hump and feel better.

Thanks to all of you who have made the answers easier to find.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
I know this post is ancient news but it came up at the top of the search engines so I had to revive it.

I've been having anxiety attacks and gerd for years...... I've been to doctors and specialists and none can find anything wrong. It's only though research and boards like this I've found the answer to the problem. Diet related! Why don't doctor's suggest things like this? They just like giving you pills and sending you on your way.

Anyways, I've been off gluten for 10 days (and I am a serious bread, pizza, pasta addict) and I have been getting all the same symptoms described here. Headaches, blurry vision in the morning, sore eyes...something is definitely happening in my system and I'm sure its for the good. No Nexium required for the first time in YEARS!!

I just can't wait to get over that hump and feel better.

Thanks to all of you who have made the answers easier to find.

Welcome to the board. Isn't it great when that knawing pain in the gut goes away? Without a pill!!!!!!! :)

I am sure you will continue to improve although it is a bit of an adjustment in the beginning. Ask any questions you need and feel free to vent. I hope your soon over the hump and feeling great.

One thing though, if the headaches and blurry vision become more severe or continue after what seems like most of the withdrawl is over be sure to check things out.

  • 2 years later...
gina921 Newbie
gina921
Posted

Today is day 3 of my gluten free life and I had a "spell" this evening. Fuzziness around my left eye and now a headache from temporal over the top of my head, down my neck. It's dull, achy. Anyone have thoughts about this? Withdrawal symptoms? The eye thing went away after I took a bite of gluten pita bread. I was lightheaded twice today as well...

hnybny91 Rookie
hnybny91
Posted

This thread had been a real eye opener for me. I have had a headache since Sunday. I thought maybe it was soy. Every day it gets better but it is still there. On Saturday I decided to give up dairy since my stomach hurt after my morning coffee. The headache I am experiencing is probably casein withdrawl! OMG. Guess dairy will be off my list permantely now.

  • 1 year later...
dgartland68 Newbie
dgartland68
Posted

I am 5 days in and have had a blinding headache exactly as you described until about 2 hours ago. I wake up and feel ok, then after an hour or so terrible for the rest of the day. My friends on FB who are gluten free are encouraging me to drink lots of water and keep telling me that it will pass. :D

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I am 5 days in and have had a blinding headache exactly as you described until about 2 hours ago. I wake up and feel ok, then after an hour or so terrible for the rest of the day. My friends on FB who are gluten free are encouraging me to drink lots of water and keep telling me that it will pass. :D

Get some dark Chocolate. I ate Dove. It is supposed to help the same part of your brain that wheat affects. Not sure if it's true, but it seemed to help me. Make sure you are eating, too.

  • 8 months later...
Alexandra345 Newbie
Alexandra345
Posted

After realizing that a component of Type2 diabetes was due to progressive deterioration of L-cells in the intestine, I read Dr. William Davis' Wheatbelly, and I decided to try to eat wheat-free. He voices some very scary claims against wheat. Eating wheat-free has had very positive effects on my Type2 fasting blood sugars, instantly lowering them at least 10 pts, and no, not due to reduced carbs as I have found quite acceptable rice cakes, breads and crackers. The only dietary change I have made is to eliminate wheat.

I am writing though because eating wheat-free caused me to have a nearly disabling foggy, migrainey headache for over 3 weeks, worse it seemed the more stringently I ate wheat-free, meaning avoiding anything without the label gluten free (mayonnaise, salad dressings, hummus, etc). One afternoon recently I decided I needed to throw caution to the wind, gave in to the office table of holiday goodies, and ate a single Whitman's chocolate nut cluster. Instantly my headache was gone and for 3 days now it has not returned. I have not eaten anymore chocolate and have continued to avoid wheat. I have researched the presence of opioids in chocolate and found that opioids are in many foods, but the studies I have discovered re chocolate do not indicate dramatic withdrawal nor mood improvements from abstaining nor eating. Dr. Davis contributes our societal need for wheat and dairy to their opioids, among other things.

I am writing to share my headache story and confusion and also to ask if anyone has any scholarly references re food addiction, withdrawal and control of food-addictive behavior, as I am still seeking a late afternoon-early evening fix of "opioids" (a decades-long snackathon) in any form other than wheat.

Jcrosk Newbie
Jcrosk
Posted

Get some dark Chocolate. I ate Dove. It is supposed to help the same part of your brain that wheat affects. Not sure if it's true, but it seemed to help me. Make sure you are eating, too.

Has anyone else had luck with dark chocolate? I get these headaches often and can last up to two days. It affects my vision, tight neck, and the nail in the head would be an accurate description. Even traces of gluten can trigger the nail in the head.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I thought the chocolate helped. Also, Excederin or Target generic ( says gluten-free on label). Excederin is aspirin, Tylenol and caffiene.

Jcrosk Newbie
Jcrosk
Posted

My Doctor won't give me anything for the headaches so I find myself combining Tylenol and Advil to get through the pain with limited success. I'll give the chocolate a try.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,877
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Ruth Margaret
    Newest Member
    Ruth Margaret
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      Fermented foods, Kefir, Kombucha?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I have read fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, Kefir, Kombucha are great for gut health besides probiotics. However I have searched and read about ones that were tested (Kefir, Kombucha) and there is no clear one that is very helpful. Has anyone take Kefir, Kombucha and noticed a difference in gut health? I read one is lactose free but when tested was high in lactose so I would probably try a non dairy one. Thanks
    • SamAlvi
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By SamAlvi · Posted

      Thanks again for the detailed explanation. Just to clarify, I actually did have my initial tests done while I was still consuming gluten. I stopped eating gluten only after those tests were completed, and it has now been about 70 days since I went gluten-free. I understand the limitations around diagnosing NCGS and the importance of antibody testing and biopsy for celiac disease. Unfortunately, where I live, access to comprehensive testing (including total IgA and endoscopy with biopsy) is limited, which makes things more complicated. Your explanation about small-bowel damage, nutrient absorption, and iron-deficiency anemia still aligns closely with my history, and it’s been very helpful in understanding what may be going on. I don't wanna get Endoscopy and I can't start eating Gluten again because it's hurt really with severe diarrhea.  I appreciate you taking the time to share such detailed and informative guidance. Thank you so much for this detailed and thoughtful response. I really appreciate you pointing out the relationship between anemia and antibody patterns, and how the high DGP IgG still supports celiac disease in my case. A gluten challenge isn’t something I feel safe attempting due to how severe my reactions were, so your suggestion about genetic testing makes a lot of sense. I’ll look into whether HLA testing is available where I live and discuss it with my doctor. I also appreciate you mentioning gastrointestinal beriberi and thiamine deficiency. This isn’t something any of my doctors have discussed with me, and given my symptoms and nutritional history, it’s definitely worth raising with them. I’ll also ask about correcting deficiencies more comprehensively, including B vitamins alongside iron. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and taking the time to help. I’ll update the forum as I make progress.
    • knitty kitty
      Son's legs shaking

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Blood tests for thiamine are unreliable.  The nutrients from your food get absorbed into the bloodstream and travel around the body.  So, a steak dinner can falsely raise thiamine blood levels in the following days.  Besides, thiamine is utilized inside cells where stores of thiamine are impossible to measure. A better test to ask for is the Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test.  But even that test has been questioned as to accuracy.  It is expensive and takes time to do.   Because of the discrepancies with thiamine tests and urgency with correcting thiamine deficiency, the World Health Organization recommends giving thiamine for several weeks and looking for health improvement.  Thiamine is water soluble, safe and nontoxic even in high doses.   Many doctors are not given sufficient education in nutrition and deficiency symptoms, and may not be familiar with how often they occur in Celiac disease.  B12 and Vitamin D can be stored for as long as a year in the liver, so not having deficiencies in these two vitamins is not a good indicator of the status of the other seven water soluble B vitamins.  It is possible to have deficiency symptoms BEFORE there's changes in the blood levels.   Ask your doctor about Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine that is better absorbed than Thiamine Mononitrate.  Thiamine Mononitrate is used in many vitamins because it is shelf-stable, a form of thiamine that won't break down sitting around on a store shelf.  This form is difficult for the body to turn into a usable form.  Only thirty percent is absorbed in the intestine, and less is actually used.   Thiamine interacts with all of the other B vitamins, so they should all be supplemented together.  Magnesium is needed to make life sustaining enzymes with thiamine, so a magnesium supplement should be added if magnesium levels are low.   Thiamine is water soluble, safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  There's no harm in trying.
    • lizzie42
      Son's legs shaking

      By lizzie42 · Posted

      Neither of them were anemic 6 months after the Celiac diagnosis. His other vitamin levels (d, B12) were never low. My daughters levels were normal after the first 6 months. Is the thiamine test just called thiamine? 
    • knitty kitty
      Son's legs shaking

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Yes, I do think they need a Thiamine supplement at least. Especially since they eat red meat only occasionally. Most fruits and vegetables are not good sources of Thiamine.  Legumes (beans) do contain thiamine.  Fruits and veggies do have some of the other B vitamins, but thiamine B 1 and  Cobalamine B12 are mostly found in meats.  Meat, especially organ meats like liver, are the best sources of Thiamine, B12, and the six other B vitamins and important minerals like iron.   Thiamine has antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Thiamine is important to our immune systems.  We need more thiamine when we're physically ill or injured, when we're under stress emotionally, and when we exercise, especially outside in hot weather.  We need thiamine and other B vitamins like Niacin B 3 to keep our gastrointestinal tract healthy.  We can't store thiamine for very long.  We can get low in thiamine within three days.  Symptoms can appear suddenly when a high carbohydrate diet is consumed.  (Rice and beans are high in carbohydrates.)  A twenty percent increase in dietary thiamine causes an eighty percent increase in brain function, so symptoms can wax and wane depending on what one eats.  The earliest symptoms like fatigue and anxiety are easily contributed to other things or life events and dismissed.   Correcting nutritional deficiencies needs to be done quickly, especially in children, so their growth isn't stunted.  Nutritional deficiencies can affect intelligence.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause short stature and poor bone formation.   Is your son taking anything for the anemia?  Is the anemia caused by B12 or iron deficiency?  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.