Jump to content

  • 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

What Helps With Energy Level?

GEF

By GEF
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted

I'm in the midst of more testing, which means that I'm not gluten-free yet. Believe, every passing day I detest gluten more and can't wait to ban it from my life. But I'm dealing with an energy level that is so unbearably low and I don't know what could help. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Gretchen

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Exercise? Sleep? Hormone blood tests? I don't know... if it were me, I'd probably just say "I'll keep sleeping 'til the tests are over", but I blew a summer that way, so maybe not the best of advice. ;-)

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author
I'd probably just say "I'll keep sleeping 'til the tests are over"

Hahahahahaa! That's what I feel like doing!

Guest Lindam
Guest Lindam
Posted

I just went to a new Internist who specializes in Celiac and IBS. What she said to me is that "our" bodies have a hard time digesting B vitamins, which help out the energy level. So she is recommending that I go for the B-12 shots. I am not looking forward to that, but I can't stand feeling so tired, either.

Has anyone else heard of this treatment? I am very curious to know.

Linda

dkmb Newbie
dkmb
Posted

I too have unbearable fatigue at times, although I am at this point gluten-free, just not healed yet.

At work I break my day up into shorter breaks. I also have taken some of my sick leave an hour or more at a time. Last week was a killer for me and I ended up taking 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours sick leave 3 days and came in on one day for only half my shift.

I go to bed as early as I can and get up later than usual. Those vitamin B shots sound worth looking into.

DK

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author
Those vitamin B shots sound worth looking into.

I agree! I'm going to ask my doctor about those. Although I'm not much of a shot person, I'd gladly take them if it helped!

Mysteriously, I have energy and no cloud-head today... I'm running through all the things in my mind that could have caused that! :lol: I wonder if this is what people feel like normally?

Dk... I need just as much rest as you do. I live close enough to the office, so sometimes I'll take my lunch and get some sleep in. It's wonderful that your job is so flexible with your hours!

Gretchen

Guest Lindam
Guest Lindam
Posted

I did get B-12 shots after I had mono, and I knew back then it did some real good. I wish I lived close enough to go home a take a happy nap. Please if you guys do talk to your doctor, I am very curious as to what they say.

Linda :D

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author
Please if you guys do talk to your doctor, I am very curious as to what they say.

Absolutely!

I have to wait until 10/8, but I'm going there with a list!! :lol:

ryebaby0 Enthusiast
ryebaby0
Posted

Things that could make you extra tired (like life doesn't do that, anyway!) A b12 deficiency, anemia, or an underactive thyroid! Are you taking a multi? Keep in mind that if you are celiac, you aren't absorbing a lot of what you are eating..... Hang in there....

dkmb Newbie
dkmb
Posted

I had forgotten, but one woman I work with who was ill, returned to work on a gradual basis. Her doctor actually wrote out a prescription for the amount of hours she could work each week for about 2 to 3 weeks.

DK

YankeeDB Contributor
YankeeDB
Posted

Before I was diagnosed, I was hitting the caffeine quite a bit. Might be short term solution to get you through it. Not the best solution, I know.

brehm48 Newbie
brehm48
Posted

I definitely agree with the b vitamin thing. We suffer from lack of absorption so we have to ingest a lot higher levels of vitamins to hope that we absorb some.

If you don't want to get shots, there are some really good vitamins out there. They are made by Alacer Corp. The vitamins also come in powder form, which is a lot easier to digest. There is a web site on the box www.alacercorp.com. I get them at the local co-op market. I have not contacted the company to verify that they are gluten-free but I've never had a reaction to them.

The vitamins are called Emer'gen-C the base of them is actually Vitamin-C which also helps with lack of energy. They are bonded to trace minerals making them non-acidic. I know I can't handle all the acid in regular vit-C. The majority of them contain very high levels of B Vitamins. After I drink a couple of these I actually feel energy. I use to drink caffeine when I was tired, but these actually give you more energy than caffeine. Just an idea

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author

Thank you, Rebecca! I visited their website and will see if I can get them today. They have a list of retailers on their site, and a few of them are local. I know this is bad, but I usually eat the Flintstone's chewables... regular multi's are awfully strong and give me nausea.

If it weren't for celiac, I probably wouldn't be drinking coffee.

Oh... also on the Alacer website (on the faq's tab), they say that all of their vitamins are gluten-free! Yeah!

What's a good flavor?? They all look good.

Gretchen

hthorvald Rookie
hthorvald
Posted

I've been gluten free for 4 months now and my energy level is low. I keep hoping that it'll improve. I took b-12 shots before my diagnosis, but it didn't help. I might try again, though. My headaches are killer, but could be my body trying to adjust to no glutens. Quite a confusing time. So what's a cloud-head or cloud headache?

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

that's true! I sorta assumed you were taking plenty of viatmins. the B's definitely help, though I've been fine with oral and not needed to go with shots (best to take them with food, of course)

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author

I got a couple of boxes during lunch to try out... the raspberry & tropical fruit flavors. They were majorly on sale at the Vitamin Shoppe... like 40% off! I added a packet of the raspberry vitamin packet to my iced tea.. and it was good!!! I'm feeling pretty good today anyway, but I'm definitely going to try them out on my "down" days too to see if they help.

In regards to cloud-head, I believe it to be like a mental-exhaustion... where you feel in la-la land and have trouble concentrating, fatigued and listless or giddy.. it feels as if your head is in the clouds. I'm sure if a doctor heard me describe those symptoms, they'd say it was depression... I guess you can say it sort of feels like that. I'm not prone to headaches, but could be experiencing some gluten and/or caffeine withdrawals?

Gretchen

brehm48 Newbie
brehm48
Posted

Hey Gretchen,

I'm glad you got some vitamins. I think they will help a lot. I ussually take two to four packets everyday. The extra vitamin-C helps ward off colds, and the vitamins help me have energy. Most of the flavors are good it just depends on what you like. I don't really like that mixed berry one with Calcium but I still use it cause it's the only flavor with a lot of calcium. I don't know if you noticed but they all have a little bit different vitamins in them. There is one that has Glucosamine & Chondroitin, these are really good for your joints. I know that I read on one of these forums that some celiacs have joint problems. Also there is one that has MSM which is suppost to help with energy. Here is a very interesting article on this web site about the benefits of MSM.

Open Original Shared Link

:blink: About the cloudy head thing, I know what that feels like. I read in an article that the blood veins in your brain actually swell(ie bloating and swelling, leaky gut syndrome) up when you eat gluten and that is what causes ADD and Cloudy head. If I remember were I read the article I will post it.

Isn't it wonderful to have a day full of energy! If I had one majic wish it would be energy. :P

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Honestly, I think the cloudy-headedness is the opiate effect of the gluten when it hits the brain. It's just like high doses of codeine, which is also an opiate.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      9

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician? Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies? Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia? Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      9

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      @JudyLou, I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too! And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis! Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health. You're correct. dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Mark Conway's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Have I got coeliac disease

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest...
    4. trents
      - trents replied to Mark Conway's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Have I got coeliac disease

      @Mark Conway, here is an article outlining the various tests that can be used to diagnose celiac disease. By far, the most popular one ordered by physicians is the tTG-IGA. But almost all of these tests are known by different names so the terminology will vary from place to place and lab to lab. The article gives common variant names for each test. In...
    5. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      9

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty! My feet aren’t dry or ashy and I don’t have a rash that gets scaly. It’s like very itchy/burning vesicles that are symmetrical - on both arms, both legs, etc. They actually feel better in direct sunlight as long as it isn’t really hot or I’m not exercising outside, but gets worse if I sweat (especially if the area is covere...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,153
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jenn18
    Newest Member
    Jenn18
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @JudyLou,  I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too!  And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis!   Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health.   You're correct.  dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form where clothing puts pressure on the skin. Elastic waist bands, bulky seams on clothing, watch bands, hats.  Rolled up sleeves or my purse hanging on my arm would make me break out on the insides of my elbows.  I have had a blister on my finger where my pen rested as I write.  Foods high in Iodine can cause an outbreak and exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. You've been on the gluten free diet for a long time.  Our gluten free diet can be low in vitamins and minerals, especially if processed gluten free foods are consumed.  Those aren't fortified with vitamins like gluten containing products are.  Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, medicine, or vitamins? Niacin deficiency is connected to anemia.  Anemia can cause false negatives on tTg IgA tests.  A person can be on that borderline where symptoms wax and wane for years, surviving, but not thriving.  We have a higher metabolic need for more nutrients when we're sick or emotionally stressed which can deplete the small amount of vitamins we can store in our bodies and symptoms reappear.   Exposure to gluten (and casein in those sensitive to it) can cause an increased immune response and inflammation for months afterwards. The immune cells that make tTg IgA antibodies which are triggered today are going to live for about two years. During that time, inflammation is heightened.  Those immune cells only replicate when triggered.  If those immune cells don't get triggered again for about two years, they die without leaving any descendents programmed to trigger on gluten and casein.  The immune system forgets gluten and casein need to be attacked.  The Celiac genes turn off.  This is remission.    Some people in remission report being able to consume gluten again without consequence.   However, another triggering event can turn the Celiac genes on again.   Celiac genes are turned on by a triggering event (physical or emotional stress).  There's some evidence that thiamine insufficiency contributes to the turning on of autoimmune genes.  There is an increased biological need for thiamine when we are physically or emotionally stressed.  Thiamine cannot be stored for more than twenty-one days and may be depleted in as little as three during physical and emotional stresses. Mitochondria without sufficient thiamine become damaged and don't function properly.  This gets relayed to the genes and autoimmune disease genes turn on.  Thiamine and other B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed to replace the dysfunctional mitochondria and repair the damage to the body.   I recommend getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  More than just Vitamin D and B12.  A gluten challenge would definitely be a stressor capable of precipitating further vitamin deficiencies and health consequences.   Best wishes!    
    • trents
      Have I got coeliac disease

      By trents · Posted

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest you look for another physician who is more up to date in this area and is willing to work with you to get an accurate diagnosis. If, in fact, you do not have celiac disease but you know that gluten causes you problems, you might have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test available yet for NCGS. Celiac must first be ruled out. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small bowel. NCGS we is not autoimmune and we know less about it's true nature. But we do know it is considerably more common than celiac disease.
    • trents
      Have I got coeliac disease

      By trents · Posted

      @Mark Conway, here is an article outlining the various tests that can be used to diagnose celiac disease. By far, the most popular one ordered by physicians is the tTG-IGA. But almost all of these tests are known by different names so the terminology will vary from place to place and lab to lab. The article gives common variant names for each test.  In addition to IGA tests there are IGG tests which are particularly useful in the case of IGA deficiency.  
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty! My feet aren’t dry or ashy and I don’t have a rash that gets scaly. It’s like very itchy/burning vesicles that are symmetrical - on both arms, both legs, etc. They actually feel better in direct sunlight as long as it isn’t really hot or I’m not exercising outside, but gets worse if I sweat (especially if the area is covered up). It’s not usually on the outside of my elbows and knees which seems more typical of dermatitis herpetiformis (unless it spreads there). It tends to first hit the inside of those areas. Interestingly, twice the rash broke out soon after eating an unhealthy meal and having an alcoholic drink (I only drink a few times a year, no more alcohol content than a glass of wine).  So I wonder if there is a connection. I’m halfway considering doing a gluten challenge for a few months to see what happens, knowing I can stop if I have any symptoms, and asking for a full celiac disease panel at the end. I really appreciate your thoughts! 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.