Ok, I Feel Like I Must Be Crazy!

[Ridgewalker]

Ok, this is actually about me for the first time, not my kids. So if this post needs to be moved, go for it.

About 3 weeks ago, I went gluten-free. This is why:

- Diarrhea virtually every day for at least 4 or 5 months (before that, I bounced between diarrhea and constipation for years)

- Bloated stomach for at least 4 or 5 months

- Frequent edema in hands, face, and legs/feet

- Pain in neck and joints, development of bursitis in right knee

- Increasing infections- pneumonia, ear infections, chronic sinus infection

- Increasing dental problems, despite all efforts

- Fatigue... fatigue... fatigue

- My mom has full blown Celiac; my son is gluten-intolerant at the least

After a mere 3 days on a gluten-free diet, I had the first normal BM in months. I don't ever remember feeling so wide awake in my life! I have more energy, too, which is a different thing altogether. I seem to see things clearer, and just, I don't know how else to say it... I feel awake! Also, my belly shrunk about 3 inches overnight. I can also now wear my wedding ring again, which I hadn't been able to do for months.

I plan on doing a gluten challenge, maybe in a couple more weeks? Don't know.

But now-- For the past 24 hours, my body has gone a bit haywire! Yesterday I was having diarrhea on and off all day, my belly blew back up, hands and feet swelled back up, and furthermore... I've been grouchy and having hot flashes. It got down to about 50 degrees here last night (bizarre since it was up over 100 a couple weeks ago) and my husband went to turn the heat on... I practically shrieked at him like he was trying to kill me. Usually it is the exact opposite- I turn the heat up, he turns it back down.

My stomach has been hurting and gassy. I'm exhausted from not sleeping much last night.

And the wierdest, most random thing... This morning, my taste buds apparently are still asleep. I can barely taste anything. That has never happened to me before, and I have no idea what this is all about.

Ok, so that's what's going on. Feeling somewhat better this morning, compared to yesterday. Any insight or comments are welcome.

-Sarah

[hathor]

You might have been accidentally glutened. There could be hidden gluten in something you ate or drank (did you check everything? I found out that two teas I liked had gluten -- all the labels said was "natural flavors"), a medicine, a personal care product. There could still be gluten on something in your kitchen or a product you bought was cross-contaminated.

However, I find the timing interesting. I had a major diarrheal blowout after 3 weeks gluten free (and I react to gluten the reverse way). It was as if my body was trying to purge itself of the bits of poison that had been adhering to my insides. After that, things died down and I was much better. (Complete intestinal normality took some months, though.) A number of times since then, I've seen other people on this list report the same experience. It seems to come after roughly 3 weeks.

Even absent the "3 week curse" many seem to report that their first couple months on the diet can be rocky. I think it takes a body time to learn how to function properly. Since you seemed to have such a positive response to the diet, I think you are on the right track. I don't know that you want to challenge yourself with gluten. What I did was to do Enterolab testing, which confirmed for me that I was on the right track.

I hope you get feeling better soon.

[glutenfreegirls]

I had recurrent symptoms on and off for the first few months after going gluten free. I always racked my brain trying to figure out what had gluten in it, but I think it was just my body healing. It was not a straight line of improvement, but a bumpy road with an overall upward trend.

I would say hang in there and wait.

I, too, wouldn't be anxious to do a challenge. You will probably get glutened accidently at some point, and then you'll know.

Good luck,

Nancy

[bfarnsworth0709]

If something says "natural flavors" are we not supposed to eat it?

What are the other "hidden" terms to look for?

Thanks,

Bobbi (this might explain a lot!!!!)

[ShayBraMom]

Sounds to me toop very much like Glutening! If it was that bad for you I wonder how bad it must be for the kids to be glutened! I hope you feel better soon!!!!

Ok, this is actually about me for the first time, not my kids. So if this post needs to be moved, go for it.

About 3 weeks ago, I went gluten-free. This is why:

- Diarrhea virtually every day for at least 4 or 5 months (before that, I bounced between diarrhea and constipation for years)

- Bloated stomach for at least 4 or 5 months

- Frequent edema in hands, face, and legs/feet

- Pain in neck and joints, development of bursitis in right knee

- Increasing infections- pneumonia, ear infections, chronic sinus infection

- Increasing dental problems, despite all efforts

- Fatigue... fatigue... fatigue

- My mom has full blown Celiac; my son is gluten-intolerant at the least

After a mere 3 days on a gluten-free diet, I had the first normal BM in months. I don't ever remember feeling so wide awake in my life! I have more energy, too, which is a different thing altogether. I seem to see things clearer, and just, I don't know how else to say it... I feel awake! Also, my belly shrunk about 3 inches overnight. I can also now wear my wedding ring again, which I hadn't been able to do for months.

I plan on doing a gluten challenge, maybe in a couple more weeks? Don't know.

But now-- For the past 24 hours, my body has gone a bit haywire! Yesterday I was having diarrhea on and off all day, my belly blew back up, hands and feet swelled back up, and furthermore... I've been grouchy and having hot flashes. It got down to about 50 degrees here last night (bizarre since it was up over 100 a couple weeks ago) and my husband went to turn the heat on... I practically shrieked at him like he was trying to kill me. Usually it is the exact opposite- I turn the heat up, he turns it back down.

My stomach has been hurting and gassy. I'm exhausted from not sleeping much last night.

And the wierdest, most random thing... This morning, my taste buds apparently are still asleep. I can barely taste anything. That has never happened to me before, and I have no idea what this is all about.

Ok, so that's what's going on. Feeling somewhat better this morning, compared to yesterday. Any insight or comments are welcome.

-Sarah

[hathor]

If something says "natural flavors" are we not supposed to eat it?

What are the other "hidden" terms to look for?

Thanks,

Bobbi (this might explain a lot!!!!)

"Natural flavors" may be OK, but might not be. Unfortunately, we need to check. I had thought that the sort of flavoring tea would take wouldn't entail gluten; well, I was wrong.

Here is a list of forbidden ingredients. At the bottom of the page is a list of ingredients where you have to check.

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-24107351359.82

If only the labeling requirements included gluten ... that would save us a lot of trouble and unnecessary pain.

I do have to memorize this list or keep it with me when I shop ...