Brain Fog

[Kody]

This is killing me. I don't know how to explain it. I can't think. My head hurts, even when it doesn't hurt, it feels like my brain is dead and I can't use it fully. I feel like it just shuts down on me. Like I said, I can't think.

Today got in my car and forgot to grab the keys, then I went to the store and on my way out I walked to the wrong car and couldn't remember where my car was, because I couldn't think at all. Then I took the wrong turn twice. Brain fog.

Then on my way home I forgot to stop at the post office. Also, talking to a friend today I forgot the todays date twice. It was very embarrasing. I couldn't think at all.

The sad part? I've been this way my whole life. I started this diet a week ago or so but I must have glutened myself, because just when I was starting to feel a little better I suddenly feel normal again, that is, like hell. Constipation has never left me.

Is anyone else like this? Do you say stupid things do stupid things because of brain fog? do you forget what day it is etc?

Also, how am I supposed to go two years gluten-free? I just don't see how its possible anymore. Does my ketchup have gluten in it as well? Honestly, I've been checking the ingredients but it isn't easy when you have a two-page list of 'possibly-glutened' ingredients.

This sickness is making me not care about anything. I'll just continue living life at the minimum until I die. Sorry about the rant, I'm feeling a little emo right now, but does anyone else get this brain fog crap or is it just me??

[Corkdarrr]

This is killing me. I don't know how to explain it. I can't think. My head hurts, even when it doesn't hurt, it feels like my brain is dead and I can't use it fully. I feel like it just shuts down on me. Like I said, I can't think.

Today got in my car and forgot to grab the keys, then I went to the store and on my way out I walked to the wrong car and couldn't remember where my car was, because I couldn't think at all. Then I took the wrong turn twice. Brain fog.

Then on my way home I forgot to stop at the post office. Also, talking to a friend today I forgot the todays date twice. It was very embarrasing. I couldn't think at all.

The sad part? I've been this way my whole life. I started this diet a week ago or so but I must have glutened myself, because just when I was starting to feel a little better I suddenly feel normal again, that is, like hell. Constipation has never left me.

Is anyone else like this? Do you say stupid things do stupid things because of brain fog? do you forget what day it is etc?

Also, how am I supposed to go two years gluten-free? I just don't see how its possible anymore. Does my ketchup have gluten in it as well? Honestly, I've been checking the ingredients but it isn't easy when you have a two-page list of 'possibly-glutened' ingredients.

This sickness is making me not care about anything. I'll just continue living life at the minimum until I die. Sorry about the rant, I'm feeling a little emo right now, but does anyone else get this brain fog crap or is it just me??

Hang in there, hang in there, hang in there! It WILL get better.

(And you WILL get sick of hearing that.)

I still have very noticable brain fog. What scares me is when I'm driving...'cuz I completely zone out. that's just not safe! I am constantly making little stupid errors due to brain fog. Forgetting entire conversations. It's VERY frustrating. And most everyone on this board can relate. It will get better, but everyone's healing time is different.

Try some magnesium for the constipation. I was taking 250mg daily just for good health, and last week I doubled it - my system is moving now!

As per the ingredients...it takes a LOT of research. And it's very frustrating. Because all of us newbies are used to grabbing things to eat whenever and wherever. It's a huge lifestyle change. And it's also a huge pain in the ass to spend 30 minutes googling random things on the internet before I can even go to the grocery store.

But after a while you start building a base of knowledge. You know which brands are okay, and you have a better idea of what to look for. (Talk about brand loyalty!) Kraft and Unilever are the two brands I can think of offhand that are "safe" in that they will always list if there is a gluten containing ingredient.

Lucky for me I love both Thai and Mexican food, which are for the most part gluten-free. My new favorite quick-and-easy are the Thai Noodle Bowls (thai kitchen). They clearly state gluten free right on the package.

I have gone casein free in the last week, and I feel like I'm back at square one, so I can especially relate with you right now. But I know that if I can live gluten-free, that I will learn how to be CF as well. And given time it will become like second nature. But in the meantime, it really sucks.

Just hang in there! And rant all you want. That's what we're here for.

-Courtney

[lindalee]

Cody, Are you sleeping well? Maybe if you get a little more rest it will help. Try to just eat simple plain food right now so you don't have to worry about the ingredients. Fruits and veggies and meat and yogurt with fruit (blueberries and strawberries) easy stuff. Smoothies are easy also.

I think I gluttened yesterday- ate a hamburger from the freezer that had something on it- I think....yes I have brain fog. You're not alone.

Gonna go fix a smoothie. Take care.

[Guest melannen]

I can definitely relate.

All this weekend I've had horrible brain fog! I'll forget what I'm talking about mid sentence, people have to tell me things several times because it just didn't quite compute. I say things w/out thinking (sometimes very stupid, others very offensive). It sucks!!

But it does get better. I know it doesn't seem like it yet, but just give it time. After awhile eating gluten-free will become second nature to you. It gets easier, I promise

[Kody]

Hang in there, hang in there, hang in there! It WILL get better.

(And you WILL get sick of hearing that.)

I still have very noticable brain fog. What scares me is when I'm driving...'cuz I completely zone out. that's just not safe! I am constantly making little stupid errors due to brain fog. Forgetting entire conversations. It's VERY frustrating. And most everyone on this board can relate. It will get better, but everyone's healing time is different.

Try some magnesium for the constipation. I was taking 250mg daily just for good health, and last week I doubled it - my system is moving now!

As per the ingredients...it takes a LOT of research. And it's very frustrating. Because all of us newbies are used to grabbing things to eat whenever and wherever. It's a huge lifestyle change. And it's also a huge pain in the ass to spend 30 minutes googling random things on the internet before I can even go to the grocery store.

But after a while you start building a base of knowledge. You know which brands are okay, and you have a better idea of what to look for. (Talk about brand loyalty!) Kraft and Unilever are the two brands I can think of offhand that are "safe" in that they will always list if there is a gluten containing ingredient.

Lucky for me I love both Thai and Mexican food, which are for the most part gluten-free. My new favorite quick-and-easy are the Thai Noodle Bowls (thai kitchen). They clearly state gluten free right on the package.

I have gone casein free in the last week, and I feel like I'm back at square one, so I can especially relate with you right now. But I know that if I can live gluten-free, that I will learn how to be CF as well. And given time it will become like second nature. But in the meantime, it really sucks.

Just hang in there! And rant all you want. That's what we're here for.

-Courtney

what mexican food is safe? don't tortillas have gluten in them?

also, are there any recommended mexican restaurants for celiacs you guys know of?

and lastly, doesn't the brain fog completely go away when you go gluten-free? Like, after a while shouldn't you be normal? Everyone says they're on this diet and they feel better, but they still have brain fog and stuff?

thanks for the support guys. sorry for being so negative.

[Guest melannen]

and lastly, doesn't the brain fog completely go away when you go gluten-free? Like, after a while shouldn't you be normal? Everyone says they're on this diet and they feel better, but they still have brain fog and stuff?

thanks for the support guys. sorry for being so negative.

The brain fog does go away. I was glutened thursday night, which is why I've got it right now. I'm not quite back on my feet yet...

Don't be sorry for being negative! We all need to rant sometimes! It's ok and perfectly normal

[Kody]

The brain fog does go away. I was glutened thursday night, which is why I've got it right now. I'm not quite back on my feet yet...

Don't be sorry for being negative! We all need to rant sometimes! It's ok and perfectly normal

Ahh that makes me feel so much better knowing that. Thank you!

... I can't wait ...

edit: I just realized how sarcastic this post seemed. I didn't mean any sarcasm, this is as sincere as it gets. promise.

[Guest Kathy Ann]

I'm right there with you too, Cody. I've had brain fog, or whatever you want to call it, all my life too. And I suspect I'm way older than you are! We're going to get better. We just have some damage repair to do. But those brain synapses will reconnect one of these days and we will be new people!! I have great respect and confidence in this miraculous human body God created!

[Guest melannen]

Ahh that makes me feel so much better knowing that. Thank you!

... I can't wait ...

edit: I just realized how sarcastic this post seemed. I didn't mean any sarcasm, this is as sincere as it gets. promise.

I didn't detect any sarcasm, no worries.

and you're welcome

[Corkdarrr]

what mexican food is safe? don't tortillas have gluten in them?

also, are there any recommended mexican restaurants for celiacs you guys know of?

and lastly, doesn't the brain fog completely go away when you go gluten-free? Like, after a while shouldn't you be normal? Everyone says they're on this diet and they feel better, but they still have brain fog and stuff?

thanks for the support guys. sorry for being so negative.

Cody,

You can get a naked burrito at Qdoba or Chipotle - they both have good websites that clearly list what is and isn't gluten-free. They list their meats as being gluten-free with a cross of CC. I ate at Qdoba last time I was home like four times in one week and had no problem. Gratned, any time you eat out it will be risky. Moe's is NOT gluten-free if you have those in your area. They use a chicken broth in almost everything that contains gluten.

I love to make mexican at home - taco seasoning (i think Ortega or old El Paso, but double check) is gluten-free, and the rest is just meat, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes. There's a lot of gluten-free salsa (Newman's own has a ton of gluten-free products and a very clear list online), and then corn chips or corn shells for the tacos.

A good friend of mine has been celiac for a long time, and she's found several restaurants in her area that take care of her quite well. She just makes sure to order her meal w/o the tortilla and stays away from sauces. I'm not that brave yet!

As for lingering brain fog...it seems to be one of my last symptoms to go away after a glutening. And since I'm still new at this...grr. I also suspect it is linked to my devastating casein intolerance.

-Courtney