Recently Glutened And Couldn't Believe I Used To Feel This Way All Of The Time.

[Sarah8793]

I 've been gluten free for about 6 months now and have slowly been forgetting how bad I used to feel. I was recently glutened and couldn't believe how terrible (mentally) I felt. I instantly recognized it as how I grew up feeling but now it seemed so much worse because I had lived without this. When I get gluten I get this funky sort of paranoid feeling and I don't feel good being in my own skin. When I was younger I chalked it up to insecurity. Since going gluten free I am gaining confidence! It is so amazing that food can affect us so much. Just wanted to share for those that suffer from a mental standpoint.

[prinsessa]

I know! I didn't know that all my anxiety could be caused by gluten. Most of it is gone as long as I stay gluten free. I used to sit up nights worrying about one thing I said earlier that day. It was very strange. I can't believe I used to live like that all the time. I was really stressed out. Now when people say "oh I'm so sorry you can't eat (whatever kind of food)" I actually don't feel bad for myself at all (well maybe a tiny bit). I'm just so glad that I figured out what was wrong with me. I don't really miss food that used to make me feel so sick.

[Nantzie]

Same here. It's not wanting to feel like that that most keeps me on the straight and narrow with gluten-free. I can handle the GI symptoms of getting glutened. I can even handle the pain and mobility issues. But I can't handle that dark cloud that settles over my mind.

I'm blown away too that I was able to live that way for so many years. It's definitely worse because I feel like I'm living totally free, and then get hit by a bus. For all that time before I was just used to getting dragged by the bus all the time. I have found that once I realize that I've been glutened, it makes it better because I can step outside of it. Before, I thought that those were MY thoughts. But now I realize that they aren't.

Nancy

[simmadownnow]

I've glutened in a minor way from time to time and I can tell the difference but nothing like thanksgiving when I glutened in a MAJOR way. I was sick (like I used to be) for almost three days. At the time I thought it was worth it . pfft..Won't be doing that again!

And like you, I can't believe I used to feel like that all the time. I wasted 3 or 4 years trying to find out what's wrong with me and it took a casual friend to tell me about a program she heard on public radio about celiac disease. I don't have celiac disease but I'm certainly allergic to gluten because I went off it immediately and felt better immediately.

[jerseyangel]

I didn't know that all my anxiety could be caused by gluten. Most of it is gone as long as I stay gluten free. I used to sit up nights worrying about one thing I said earlier that day. It was very strange. I can't believe I used to live like that all the time.

I used to do this, too. I didn't realize, at the time, that it wasn't normal --I had been that way for so long.

[Sinenox]

This happened to me recently as well. I had my first attack and I could not imagine that I used to be in that much pain all of the time. It was downright scary. I just wanted to sympathize. The worst part for me is that I it seems so much worse now, and I'm always tempted to think that maybe just keeping up that constant low tolerance was a better idea, since now when I get sick it's like Kryptonite to me. I practically can't function. I worry that one day I may be won over to the idea of just having everything and not being as debilitated when I eat it at all.

[Sarah8793]

since now when I get sick it's like Kryptonite to me. I practically can't function. I worry that one day I may be won over to the idea of just having everything and not being as debilitated when I eat it at all.

Kryptonite is good way to explain it. That is exactly how it seems. I know what you mean about how it seems worse now when you are glutened. I had thoughts similar to yours this last time, except that I was deteriorating rapidly right before going off gluten and I know that for me I would end up with nerve damage or worse if I continued. My blood sugar levels were out of whack. Interestingly, I had my kids tested and they have been gluten and casein free for about 3 months now. They didn't have any digestive symptoms before but now since they are more sensitive, they get digestive symptoms upon being glutened or getting casein. Naturally, at first, I think what have I done to them. But then I quickly come back to the reality that ignoring their intolerances would only put them in the same boat as me when they became adults.

I know! I didn't know that all my anxiety could be caused by gluten. Most of it is gone as long as I stay gluten free.

Yes, me too. Everyone thougt I just needed to find relaxation techniques or medication. Thankfully I never went the med route and now I have no anxiety whatsoever. It really is amazing.

I can handle the GI symptoms of getting glutened. I can even handle the pain and mobility issues. But I can't handle that dark cloud that settles over my mind.

Yes, this is how I feel. I don't get debilitating digestive symptoms, but they are uncomfortable. They don't compare in any way to the mental symptoms. I think the mental is a very big motivator to stay gluten free.

[maribeth]

I too feel so much better mentally and physically since going gluten-free about 6 weeks or so ago. I had a spell where I was very emotional but I think that was caused by stress at work and I just had to tell myself to slow down and speak up instead of keeping it inside and letting it explode. I'm sleeping a little better and have more energy and don't let things bother me like they used to. I think I have a bit more nself esteem now also. I speak up for myself now. Beth.

[sunshinen]

I used to do this, too. I didn't realize, at the time, that it wasn't normal --I had been that way for so long.

Exactly!

[jlinc]

Josh.