So Sick, I Don't Know If I Can Make It

[dennymel]

Fellow Celiacs,

I have been recently diagnosed with gluten sensitivity on Enterolab. Today, I have no idea what I did, but I am so fatigued, exhausted, head ache and can barely think. I wonder, is it only the gluten, can it get this bad overnight? No bathroom issues, but muscle, joint, face aches and pure exhaustion. I don't know how I keep a fast paced job when I really just want to lay down. anyone have these symptoms this bad? How long do they last if I mistakenly glutened myself? Arrrgggghhhh.....

[CarlaB]

Were you feeling better on the gluten-free diet? Or did this come on suddenly after a possible glutening?

I got somewhat better, but only my digestive symptoms improved. The rest of them did not get better and I just found out (finally) last week that they're from Lyme Disease .... so you CAN have gluten intolerance AND something else going on.

[super-sally888]

Hi,

Is this all of a sudden to feel this bad?

Maybe you got a virus or a flu coming on..... unless this is how you normally react to gluten.

Have you had your thyroid checked? Your symptoms could be from that - though not usual for it to happen all of a sudden.

Or could you be pregnant? (sorry, I don't know if you are man or woman from your name).

Sally

[dennymel]

Hi,

Is this all of a sudden to feel this bad?

Maybe you got a virus or a flu coming on..... unless this is how you normally react to gluten.

Have you had your thyroid checked? Your symptoms could be from that - though not usual for it to happen all of a sudden.

Or could you be pregnant? (sorry, I don't know if you are man or woman from your name).

Sally

Hi Sally,

I am a woman, not pregnant. I've had my thyroid checked several times and it appears normal. I am getting over a cold and do have my "." right now. maybe that's it. The symptoms are a little better today, after I slept 10 hours straight. I have been feeling better on a gluten free diet and don't know what I might have eaten over the weekend. Maybe eating out is just too hard to monitor. Do you eat out a lot?

Denise

[CarlaB]

Eating out is always risky ... to lower the risk, I only eat at places that have a gluten-free menu because they're better prepared to handle contamination issues.

Here's an example. My son worked at a tea shop that serves lunch food. The salads seemed gluten-free .... however, only because he works there, I know that they make the salads at the same station as the sandwiches since they use many of the same ingredients for both. He said there was NO WAY I could get a gluten-free salad there even though they appeared to be gluten-free on the menu.

So, just ordering something that looks safe isn't good enough ... it may still be contaminated because of the way it's prepared. Sometimes people even get glutened at restaurants that have a gluten-free menu. It's just a risk we take eating out.

[celiacgirls]

I am one of those who has been glutened at a restaurant with a gluten-free menu. More than once. If you've been eating out and are having a reaction, it more than likely comes from the restaurant.

My reactions have become much more severe since I went gluten-free or maybe I am just more aware of feeling depressed and tired than before so it seems worse. I do have a slight stomach ache at the time of glutening sometimes but my main symptoms are brain fog, fatigue, and irritablity. Luckily, I am a stay at home mom, so I can just lay down if I really need to. I can only imagine what it would be like having to function at a high level at work.

For me, it gradually gets better but the last time it took 2 1/2 weeks. It's enough to make me dread eating in a restaurant. I never thought I would be one of those people who is afraid to eat in restaurants but it happened. On the bright side, it is worth it to feel good. I hope you get better soon.

[GFBetsy]

Hi Sally,

I am a woman, not pregnant. I've had my thyroid checked several times and it appears normal. I am getting over a cold and do have my "." right now. maybe that's it. The symptoms are a little better today, after I slept 10 hours straight. I have been feeling better on a gluten free diet and don't know what I might have eaten over the weekend. Maybe eating out is just too hard to monitor. Do you eat out a lot?

Denise

My guess would be the flu. Aches and a cough are both flu symptoms, and it is that time of year.