Symptoms Now Showing Since Going gluten-free

[Nikki Rediker]

I was diagnosed in February. Since I have changed my diet I have been lethargic, weak, tired all the time and last night had a sever ache in my right leg (like growing pains). I never experienced symptoms (only diagnosed because of family history) but since going gluten-free I feel like now I have symptoms. Is this a stage for newbies or normal? Am I being contaminated and now can feel the effects? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks, Nikki

[4getgluten]

Nikki, Welcome to the board! The only idea I can offer is that now that you are gluten-free, your body is much more sensitive to it. I know when I first started eating gluten-free; I could eat gluten-free products that were manufactured on equipment that was also used for products containing wheat. Cross contamination didn

[ravenwoodglass]

"Am I being contaminated and now can feel the effects?"

There is a good chance this is exactly what is going on. Are you eating out? Have you checked your toiletries? Have you checked your pet food and litters? Are you an Arts and Crafts person and if so have you checked your glues, clays, paints? Are you eating a lot of mainstream food? Many companys do not divulge shared lines. Lays is notorious for CC in their products.

There is a withdrawl aspect to going gluten free also, and if you get CC'd it will prolong the withdrawl. The best way to heal at first is to eat as much naturally gluten free food as you can. Fresh fruit and veggies and meats, fresh potatoes and rice.

One more vital thing with the effect your having is to add a Sublingual B12, this dissolves under the tongue bypassing the digestive system by being absorbed in the mouth by your mucous membranes. Being even a little low can cause fatigue and other nerve related problems and we won't absorb this from our food until healed.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Nikki Rediker]

Thanks so much for the replies! I have been eating out (I travel a lot) but I always wonder if the kitchen has any idea. I'll try the B12 and trying all natural to see if it helps. Thanks! Nikki

[chocolatelover]

Hi Nikki,

I just wanted to add a couple of quick things...this disease is so strange and can really affect people quite differently. I'm sure it was quite a shock to you to be feeling fine, take out the gluten, and now are feeling rotten!

I suspect your body is going through a type of withdrawl and and it will just take some time to get the gluten out of your system. Once that happens, you'll probably notice that there are symptoms that you have never even noticed that have gone away! It's pretty amazing how that happens.

It's definitely possible that you are being cc'd and don't know it, as ravenwoodglass suggested. It's amazing that wheat and gluten can be in so many things that we would never suspect. Shampoo? Soy sauce? Envelope glue? Most of us were completely clueless until we started really researching it. Restauarants can also be tricky...I'm a newbie at this as well, and I've had some good experiences and some nightmares so far. There are some great places to go like Outback, PF Chang's, Carrabas has a gluten free menu, as does Maggiano's, I believe. There are also a great number of resources here--all you have to do is ask!

Feel better!

CL