Foot Pain

[Mamato2boys]

Here's an odd one !

My DH is in sales and is therefore on his feet all day. For at least two years he's had a lot of pain in the arch, more one foot than the other (I can't remember which). I was really beginning to think he had plantar fasciitis or something. He's not one to complain unless something's really up (he hardly said anything when he had appendicitis). So he started doing the gluten-free diet about two weeks ago or so, when we got the results of my son's EnteroLab tests back. The other day he commented that his foot pain was almost totally gone ! Nothing about his job has changed. He felt so much better he was able to take the arch supports out. I'm not sure which of us is more surprised by this - him or me ! Anyone ever hear of a connection like this ??

[Lisa]

I do know that one of the many symptoms of Celiac is loss of padding on the butt and feet. That's me. When I am on my feet all day, my legs ache like crazy.

[shayesmom]

Here's an odd one !

My DH is in sales and is therefore on his feet all day. For at least two years he's had a lot of pain in the arch, more one foot than the other (I can't remember which). I was really beginning to think he had plantar fasciitis or something. He's not one to complain unless something's really up (he hardly said anything when he had appendicitis). So he started doing the gluten-free diet about two weeks ago or so, when we got the results of my son's EnteroLab tests back. The other day he commented that his foot pain was almost totally gone ! Nothing about his job has changed. He felt so much better he was able to take the arch supports out. I'm not sure which of us is more surprised by this - him or me ! Anyone ever hear of a connection like this ??

As a matter of fact....I had excruciating foot pain after Shaye was born. It got to the point where I thought I had multiple stress fractures in both feet. The pain in my arches was terrible and lasted for over a year. I went up and down stairs like an old woman...especially in the early morning. I thought at first that it could be from the extra baby weight, then from being on my feet so much, etc.. After going gluten-free, I haven't had any more pain in my feet at all. It just went away. Strange.

I had suspected that the connection was dietary but it's still surprising to hear of someone else having the same symptoms and results once going on diet. My sister has been complaining of similar problems. But she refuses to look into gluten as the problem and more to the point...refuses to acknowledge that minimal amounts of gluten are bad. The health food store lady told her spelt was okay and well tolerated by Celiacs so she's going with that information no matter what she sees us dealing with and what I say. Oh well. It's very difficult to tell someone how bad they are feeling on gluten if they aren't completely gluten-free for at least a few weeks. You just don't know until you KNOW. Know what I mean?

So how is Josh liking the gluten-free lifestyle now that he's seeing so many improvements? lol!

[Mamato2boys]

As a matter of fact....I had excruciating foot pain after Shaye was born. It got to the point where I thought I had multiple stress fractures in both feet. The pain in my arches was terrible and lasted for over a year. I went up and down stairs like an old woman...especially in the early morning. I thought at first that it could be from the extra baby weight, then from being on my feet so much, etc.. After going gluten-free, I haven't had any more pain in my feet at all. It just went away. Strange.

I had suspected that the connection was dietary but it's still surprising to hear of someone else having the same symptoms and results once going on diet. My sister has been complaining of similar problems. But she refuses to look into gluten as the problem and more to the point...refuses to acknowledge that minimal amounts of gluten are bad. The health food store lady told her spelt was okay and well tolerated by Celiacs so she's going with that information no matter what she sees us dealing with and what I say. Oh well. It's very difficult to tell someone how bad they are feeling on gluten if they aren't completely gluten-free for at least a few weeks. You just don't know until you KNOW. Know what I mean?

So how is Josh liking the gluten-free lifestyle now that he's seeing so many improvements? lol!

That's so weird !!

The funny thing is, my left foot started bothering me recently - and I've never had foot problems before. It'll be interesting to see if that goes away with the diet. I've been totally gluten free since Sunday. Probably doesn't sound like much of an accomplishment, but I am a die-hard gluten/carb junkie. As a matter of fact, I think I'm even going into withdrawals a bit because I'm having really bad cravings for brownies or chocolate cake - something rich, flour-filled, and chocolate anyway, lol. Josh, however, is LOVING the gluten-free lifestyle - seriously ! He feels so much better and has said "it's just not worth going back." Even his face looked less bloated just a couple days after beginning the diet. He's still doing dairy and I'd prefer that he not, but baby steps have to be taken.

[shayesmom]

That's so weird !!

The funny thing is, my left foot started bothering me recently - and I've never had foot problems before. It'll be interesting to see if that goes away with the diet. I've been totally gluten free since Sunday. Probably doesn't sound like much of an accomplishment, but I am a die-hard gluten/carb junkie. As a matter of fact, I think I'm even going into withdrawals a bit because I'm having really bad cravings for brownies or chocolate cake - something rich, flour-filled, and chocolate anyway, lol. Josh, however, is LOVING the gluten-free lifestyle - seriously ! He feels so much better and has said "it's just not worth going back." Even his face looked less bloated just a couple days after beginning the diet. He's still doing dairy and I'd prefer that he not, but baby steps have to be taken.

Going completely gluten-free is a major accomplishment, no matter how long you've been doing it. It's especially difficult those first few weeks due to withdrawal issues and food cravings.

For brownies and chocolate cake....get The Gluten-free Pantry's mixes. I highly recommend the Danielle's Decadent Chocolate Cake mix. Add applesauce in lieu of eggs, canola oil instead of butter or margarine and then add about 1/4 cup of Enjoy Life chocolate chips. OMG is it good! lol!! I make mini-cupcakes out of it (and use Cherrybrook Farms Chocolate Frosting or make my own with some Spectrum, vanilla and Enjoy Life Chocolate chips). It seems to last a lot longer that way.

It's so funny that Josh is now so gung-ho on this. It is so hard to explain to people just how good you can feel when gluten-free. There are so many odd little symptoms that appear to be unrelated and yet completely resolve with the diet. I felt 10 years younger in the space of a month or two. I was gluten-light for about a year before making that final switch. It was shocking to see the difference as I thought I was feeling pretty well just being gluten-light. And strangely enough....I've found that gluten-free recipes seem to taste better when you have to make substitutions for other allergens such as dairy and eggs. Probably because gluten-free flours absorb more liquid than regular and so your results are better by adding rice milks and applesauce.

I really can relate to his comment that "it's just not worth going back". Once you start feeling better, it truly isn't worth cheating. It's almost like opting to get the flu. No thanks. lol!! And hey! I bet he has a whole new perspective on the gluten-free nutcase you've been talking to on-line!

Glad that he's feeling better. And I hope it begins helping you as well. I sent Jaime some recipes yesterday so I'll be sending them along to you as well. Look for a PM!

[Mamato2boys]

It's especially difficult those first few weeks due to withdrawal issues and food cravings.

Yes - I'm going through that right now. Not fun. It's amazing to me that your body can crave the very thing you're most sensitive to ! Breastfeeding seems to bring it out even worse for some reason - I remember going through the same thing when I was nursing Ryan.

For brownies and chocolate cake....get The Gluten-free Pantry's mixes. I highly recommend the Danielle's Decadent Chocolate Cake mix. Add applesauce in lieu of eggs, canola oil instead of butter or margarine and then add about 1/4 cup of Enjoy Life chocolate chips. OMG is it good! lol!! I make mini-cupcakes out of it (and use Cherrybrook Farms Chocolate Frosting or make my own with some Spectrum, vanilla and Enjoy Life Chocolate chips). It seems to last a lot longer that way.

I may have to order the chocolate chips - I can't seem to find them anywhere !! On an interesting and surprising note - I went to Smith's grocery store yesterday to pick up some hamburger to put in with our Tinkyada pasta & Paul Newman sauce. I went down the baking products aisle to see if I could find some dairy free/gluten free chocolate chips. Much to my surprise - they had an entire gluten free section !! They had a lot of the Red Mill line and a few others. It was definitely set up specifically for the gluten-free consumer too because it was separated from the rest of the baking products. They also have started selling Rice Dream, but they didn't have any gluten-free rice milk.

It's so funny that Josh is now so gung-ho on this. It is so hard to explain to people just how good you can feel when gluten-free. There are so many odd little symptoms that appear to be unrelated and yet completely resolve with the diet. I felt 10 years younger in the space of a month or two. I was gluten-light for about a year before making that final switch. It was shocking to see the difference as I thought I was feeling pretty well just being gluten-light. And strangely enough....I've found that gluten-free recipes seem to taste better when you have to make substitutions for other allergens such as dairy and eggs. Probably because gluten-free flours absorb more liquid than regular and so your results are better by adding rice milks and applesauce.

Like I've told you before, he's the LAST person I figured would be so into this. I fully expected him to give it a half-assed try for a couple days, decide he didn't like it or it wasn't working, and either start sneaking stuff, or just blatantly stop doing it. I mentioned to him last night that he really should discontinue doing dairy (at least for a little while), and he got pretty defensive about that, so I'll just leave that one alone for now. I did explain to him the theory behind why he should stop doing it (the immune response it triggers). Hopefully that'll sink in somewhere and he'll decide to give it a shot at a later time, lol.

It's almost like opting to get the flu. No thanks. lol!! And hey! I bet he has a whole new perspective on the gluten-free nutcase you've been talking to on-line!

LOL !!

Yes, I'm starting to see a difference in how I feel too. I feel much less bloated. It's hard to tell if I'm having more energy since I'm getting up several times a night to nurse Aiden.

For the record, he never said you were a nutcase, lol. I'm sure he did wonder to himself though, especially when I forked out over $400 for the EnteroLab testing ! I bet if I asked him now he'd say it was a pretty good investment, lol.

[shayesmom]

Like I've told you before, he's the LAST person I figured would be so into this. I fully expected him to give it a half-assed try for a couple days, decide he didn't like it or it wasn't working, and either start sneaking stuff, or just blatantly stop doing it. I mentioned to him last night that he really should discontinue doing dairy (at least for a little while), and he got pretty defensive about that, so I'll just leave that one alone for now. I did explain to him the theory behind why he should stop doing it (the immune response it triggers). Hopefully that'll sink in somewhere and he'll decide to give it a shot at a later time, lol.

LOL !!

Yes, I'm starting to see a difference in how I feel too. I feel much less bloated. It's hard to tell if I'm having more energy since I'm getting up several times a night to nurse Aiden.

For the record, he never said you were a nutcase, lol. I'm sure he did wonder to himself though, especially when I forked out over $400 for the EnteroLab testing ! I bet if I asked him now he'd say it was a pretty good investment, lol.

Okay. So it was only Jaime's dh that thought I was a nutcase.

The best part of all of this is that at least you have some kind of evidence as to what the real problem is...not only with Ryan but with all of you. So $400 isn't too bad of an investment.

As for dairy....let him get the gluten-free diet down. Once all those pieces fall into place and he sees the difference, it becomes much easier to cut out other foods to see if that will help even more. It's all about learning to let go of what we think we desire and crave. Once you do, the rest falls into place quite well.

[lonewolf]

I used to have problems with plantar fasciitis - suffered on and off for years. It all went away when I went wheat-free, mostly gluten-free, about 10 years ago. My SIL has had troubles too and thought it was the extra weight she was carrying. She had a gastric band put on and can't eat bread anymore. Within 2 weeks, her foot pain was gone and she wasn't even totally gluten-free! She had only lost 5-6 pounds, so it wasn't the weight reduction. But trying to convince her that there's a connection has been impossible. She's still on a low-carb diet, so not much wheat anyway, and has no pain.

[celiacgirls]

Interesting. I never made a connection to being gluten free but until this summer, I have always had to wear arch supports in my shoes. Even in summer, I never wore sandals because my feet would hurt too much if I didn't wear my tennis shoes with the arch supports. Now for some reason, I can wear sandals and flip flops or even go barefoot all the time. Yet another advantage to being gluten-free!

[Mamato2boys]

Isn't it weird ?? I don't know how the heck the two are connected - DH hasn't lost enough weight (if any at all), for his pain to be strictly weight-related.

[angel-jd1]

Here's an odd one !

My DH is in sales and is therefore on his feet all day. For at least two years he's had a lot of pain in the arch, more one foot than the other (I can't remember which). I was really beginning to think he had plantar fasciitis or something. He's not one to complain unless something's really up (he hardly said anything when he had appendicitis). So he started doing the gluten-free diet about two weeks ago or so, when we got the results of my son's EnteroLab tests back. The other day he commented that his foot pain was almost totally gone ! Nothing about his job has changed. He felt so much better he was able to take the arch supports out. I'm not sure which of us is more surprised by this - him or me ! Anyone ever hear of a connection like this ??

Same thing happened with me. I would have terrible heel pain. Once I went gluten free it disappeared. I definately believe there is a connection.

-Jessica

[lurven71]

I had the same experience:)

[kelliac]

Also have plantar fascitis (spelling?) in the right foot, mostly. On and off for years. Much less since going gluten free but still suffer every so often. Learned from a massage therapist that celiac/gluten intol causes problems with connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons and the foot arch ends up troublesome with most celiacs sooner or later. Another massage therapist who does reflexology says that when it is in the center of the right foot it indicates liver problems. Center of the left foot means spleen and stomach problems. Higher towards the toes means lungs, etc. They say to picture the bottom of the feet as if looking at a body. Toes being the head and heels being the feet. Pretty interesting.

[shayesmom]

Also have plantar fascitis (spelling?) in the right foot, mostly. On and off for years. Much less since going gluten free but still suffer every so often. Learned from a massage therapist that celiac/gluten intol causes problems with connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons and the foot arch ends up troublesome with most celiacs sooner or later. Another massage therapist who does reflexology says that when it is in the center of the right foot it indicates liver problems. Center of the left foot means spleen and stomach problems. Higher towards the toes means lungs, etc. They say to picture the bottom of the feet as if looking at a body. Toes being the head and heels being the feet. Pretty interesting.

Actually, the center of the left and right foot can also mean problems with the colon as well or even kidneys. Foot reflexology is pretty specific and definitely works. It's also interesting to know that massage therapists are not permitted to give foot massages to pregnant women because they could potentially trigger miscarriage.

There are some pretty interesting interactive foot and hand reflexology charts on-line. I also like the tongue charts out there as well as they will also give a good indication as to what's going on in the body. Eastern medicine is too cool at times once you start looking at how it works. Here's the foot chart for anyone that's interested in knowing what their issues may have been. Open Original Shared Link