Withdrawl?

[dawnrose008]

Hi everyone,

I have a some questions for anyone out there..I've been gluten-free for about 6 weeks and started out the first week feeling a little bit better, then feeling really tired and generally run-down for the next couple of weeks after that. I've been learning that this may have been a withdrawl period. Also, after about 2 weeks on the gluten-free diet I started getting even more bloated and worsened GI symptoms. Since I've also been reading that these symptoms may have been caused by lactose intolerance, I decided to cut out dairy for a few weeks, and I've been dairy free for about 6 days. My GI symptoms have improved since cutting out dairy, but for the past few days the rest of me has been feeling really terrible, tired, headache, irritable...just generally bad! Could I be going through withdrawl from dairy? is that possible? or could this be an extended withdrawl from gluten? (since at the beginning I may not have been 100% gluten-free) or something else wrong with me? I am totally gluten-free at this point, including toiletries, dishes, etc. Feeling a little bit freaked out....

[mftnchn]

Hi everyone,

I have a some questions for anyone out there..I've been gluten-free for about 6 weeks and started out the first week feeling a little bit better, then feeling really tired and generally run-down for the next couple of weeks after that. I've been learning that this may have been a withdrawl period. Also, after about 2 weeks on the gluten-free diet I started getting even more bloated and worsened GI symptoms. Since I've also been reading that these symptoms may have been caused by lactose intolerance, I decided to cut out dairy for a few weeks, and I've been dairy free for about 6 days. My GI symptoms have improved since cutting out dairy, but for the past few days the rest of me has been feeling really terrible, tired, headache, irritable...just generally bad! Could I be going through withdrawl from dairy? is that possible? or could this be an extended withdrawl from gluten? (since at the beginning I may not have been 100% gluten-free) or something else wrong with me? I am totally gluten-free at this point, including toiletries, dishes, etc. Feeling a little bit freaked out....

Hi, sorry you are not feeling too well. I have had a very similar response; however I cut out dairy at the same time as gluten.

I think it is probably likely that you are going through withdrawal from dairy, since you are just six days free. I'd say hang in there.

I have been worse this past week, with the overwhelming fatigue and more GI symptoms again. Then I discovered my hair products all had wheat in them, and started using gloves and being very careful. I immediately improved and have had 3-4 good days in a row.

Some people have had to remove other foods too for awhile.

How did you know to start the gluten-free diet? Have you had a firm diagnosis or just experimenting?

Perhaps just keep vigilant about being gluten free (as many people here report cross contamination problems) and milk free and wait a bit longer.

Hope you feel better soon.

[dawnrose008]

Thanks for the reply!

I was diagnosed by my gastroenterologist in the beginning of April through positive blood test, endoscopy/biopsy and gene test...I started the diet shortly after that. I was still using my hair products that had wheat in them for a while too, but gave those up about 2 weeks ago. I think that was actually harder than giving up the food, since I loved my hair products! From reading the posts on this site, it seems that it does take a while to get better..thanks.