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

Two Weeks Later!


OzGirl

Recommended Posts

OzGirl Rookie

Hi everyone,

Well two weeks ago, I took the plunge and have gone gluten free following suggestions (from here) that it was well worth the try. I immediately started feeling better. The headaches, feeling of swelling around my face, the IBS symptoms, feelings of anxiety etc, all seemed to be disappearing. I had people commenting that i wasn't as dark around the eyes, I started sleeping better of a night, and I have had heaps more energy. I have been really vigilent in what I've been eating, keeping it really basic so I knew for a fact that there wasnt any gluten. Now, two weeks later, Im starting to feel really revolting again. I'm tired and feeling really headache-y. I don't know if there is something else that I'm eating, that is doing this as well? Once you eliminate foods, can other intolerances surface? I have not been diagnosed Coeliac ( waiting on results of gene tests but assume that I wont be, because my symptoms aren't anywhere near as bad as I read on here). I am definitely sticking to the gluten-free diet. I know it was making me feel better, but I don't understand what I am experiencing now. Any thoughts, comments, advise would be appreciated...Thanks!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



jknnej Collaborator

Yes, other food intolerances do often emerge as you go gluten free.

In addition, we are "supposed" to taper off gluten gradually, which I didn't know a year and a half ago. Because of this, I suffered gluten withdrawl pretty bad, which can mimic all the symptoms you had before going gluten free.

If you don't start feeling better soon, see your dr. Or try eliminating some of the other possible food allergens: dairy, soy, corn, etc. I know it will feel very restrictive, and it is, but it's worth it if it helps you diagnose which foods you can tolerate.

Finally, if it isn't a food intolerance, and there's nothing the dr's find wrong physically, it can also be anxiety, which I suffered after going gluten free and after being on this board for almost two years, I am convinced is a symptom of gluten withdrawl. I never thought I had anxiety because I never felt anxious, but as soon as I started anxiety meds, it all cleared up. I suffered from headaches, dizziness, nausea, sleep issues, muscle aches, hearing my own heartbeat, fatigue, you name it. Apparently it was ALL linked to anxiety because as soon as I started the meds it all disappeared. I had been convinced there was something terribly wrong with me and after seeing the dr so many times I guess he figured out I wasn't really sick, I just FELT sick. And again, I had no stress and anxiety at all. Weird.....

OzGirl Rookie

I'm confused! Does that mean I should start eating a little gluten to avoid gluten withdrawal? Should I start eliminating other things as well, and where do I start? How long is a reasonable amount of time to assume it is "gluten withdrawal", and when do symptoms of "gluten withdrawal" start to ease? Sorry to ask so many questions :unsure: Thanks.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
I'm confused! Does that mean I should start eating a little gluten to avoid gluten withdrawal? Should I start eliminating other things as well, and where do I start? How long is a reasonable amount of time to assume it is "gluten withdrawal", and when do symptoms of "gluten withdrawal" start to ease? Sorry to ask so many questions :unsure: Thanks.

No do not reintroduce it. You are through the withdrawl period. Many of us see a lot of ups and downs at first and many times it is part of the healing process and many other times it can be linked to 'hidden' glutens in toiletries, makeup, hair products, cross contamination in the kitchen, or even kissing someone who has just had a sandwich or a beer. Even something as innocent as playing with playdoh or spackling a wall can introduce enough gluten to make us symptomatic. Also as your body gets used to not being poisoned everyday many of us find we are more sensitive to CC and hidden glutens. This is not a bad thing, it shows us that the body is recognizing this poison and is screaming 'what are you doing'. There are a lot of ups and downs and for many it can take at least a couple months before things are doing well all the time.

One thing you may want to eliminate right away though is dairy products. The villi that are damaged by gluten are the same villi that allow us to digest milk protein. Many need to eliminate dairy for 6 months or so and then reintroduce it in small amounts.

Keeping a food diary can be helpful, just remember that intolerances are usually delayed reactions so if you suspect another intolerance remove the suspect food for a couple of weeks and then reintroduce it in 'pure' form. For example if you wondered about rice you would cut out all rice products for 2 weeks then have boiled rice with no sauces or flavoring at least 3 times a day for a week and watch for a reaction. You also don't want to overuse a single food. I made myself sensitive to nightshades by overeating them (read at almost every meal) when I was first diagnosed with celiac. It wasn't long till I started reacting to them. I cut them out totally and now I can have a potato or a tomato a couple times a week with no problems.

It can seem a long haul at first but things will get better.

jknnej Collaborator

I think the withdrawl period lasts a lot longer than two weeks. I think the worst of it may be in the first few weeks, but I think it can last a significant amount of time. I know that after I went gluten free, an entire list of problems cropped up that I'd never had before. I think that because I changed my diet so drastically after 29 years of eating wheat and gluten, it significantly impacted my health, and not all for the better.

Although my stomach aches are gone (that's all I really suffered from pre diagnosis), the other problems I have now from going gluten free are also an issue. Thankfully, most of the symptoms are treated with the anti-depressant, but still, I'd rather not have to use medicine if I can help it. Still, after a year and a half, I tried going off the anti-depressants, and all of my symptoms reappeared.

daffadilly Apprentice

be sure to take a B12 everyday.

jknne, a complete blood work up would be a good idea, you might have some deficiencies. Be sure you get a copy of the test, do not just take what they say over the phone etc.

up-late Rookie

I'm getting the same things too.

I'm on my third week, the headaches have stopped but now I'm exhausted and have a bit of an upset stomach, joint and muscle pain, puffed up like a baloon and I'm not tollerating any food real well right now. Not as bad as before but not good either.

I did a detox diet a few years ago and got so sick on it I had to quit, I couldn't get out of bed, I hope it doesn't get that bad.

How long will it take till I start feeling better?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,151
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    max it
    Newest Member
    max it
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • N00dnutt
      Hi @terrymouse Generally, after a Celiac Seriology Blood Test, if something anomalous shows up, the follow-up will be a Gastroscope. Your Endocrinonogist will be looking to see if you still have (Villi). Villi are Tenticles/Hairs that are prevalent throughout the small intestine; their function is to extract nutrients, vitamins and water. The absense of Villi will typically result in watery bowl movements, other telltale signs being, lethargy, feeling cold, always hungry (valuable nutrients are being bypassed). I was diagnosed 12 years ago. One other thing associated with an AutoImmune Disease, they generally have a companion, in my case I have Hypothyroidism, other may have Hyperthyroidism (Hashimoto's). Others may get Eczema, or some other skin disorder, usually due to not getting the proper nutrition your body needs.   HTH Mark.  
    • jeriM
      Thank you Knitty Kitty,   I have all the information for the nutritionist sitting in front of me, but I've procrastinated.   Between you and Scott - I'll contact him tomorrow and get started on a better me.   Thank you both for all the support and information.    
    • knitty kitty
      Hi, @jeriM, I can attest to Celiac and eye problems being connected!  There's a higher rate of Sjogren's Syndrome in Celiac people than in those without celiac disease.  Sjogren's Syndrome causes dry eyes and can even lead to dry mouth which can alter taste and smell.  Have your doctor check for Sjogren's.  Correct low Vitamin D, which regulates the immune system.  Talk to your nutritionist about including in your diet plenty of Omega Three's. Omega Three's help keep our eyes moist and lubricated.  You know how oil floats on water, same thing with our eyes!  Fun fact:  Our eyes are derived from the same sort of tissues as our digestive tract in a developing fetus. Oh, check your thyroid function, too.  Hashimoto's thyroiditis frequently occurs with Sjogren's. Autoimmune diseases tend to cluster in celiac disease.  I also have Diabetes type two.   Discuss with your nutritionist the benefits of a low histamine diet.  A low histamine diet can help reduce inflammation and gets those inflammation markers down.  I like the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, a Paleo diet that promotes intestinal health. Best wishes!  Keep us posted on your progress!
    • jeriM
      Ah, Scott,    Ha ha!  Thats almost a reasonable assumption given the prices during the shortage.  However, our eggs?  We always gave them away to friends and seniors we know, so no mansion here.  Now we have to buy eggs like everyone else.   The house we found, we loved so much that it made it worth it for us to give up the chickens.  A hard decision.   
    • Scott Adams
      Claritin is an allergy medication which can help with allergy symptoms, but may not be helpful with gluten exposure.
×
×
  • Create New...