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

Am I Going Crazy?

singswtharmony

Recommended Posts

singswtharmony Newbie
singswtharmony
Posted

Hello everyone --

I'm a new poster here, and I have a question.

I'm going into my third week on the gluten-free diet, and I've noticed that I seem to be having MORE problems now than when I was eating gluten! I feel healthier (mentally) for eating better, but physically I'm getting a lot of indigestion and gas now that I'm gluten-free.

Even though I think I'm losing weight, I can't tell because I'm so bloated all of the time. I know it's not a lactose problem, because I've had a glass of milk everyday pretty much my whole life, and have never had adverse reactions from it, and still don't when I drink it independently (i.e. for breakfast).

I'm severely anemic (the secondary symptom my doctor used to diagnose me with), but I don't think it has anything to do with that.

Is this just a transitional period? Will it get any better, or did/does anyone else experience this? I just think it's strange that it seems to be worse NOW than when I was eating my heart out with breads and pastas!

Thanks! :)

Caitlin

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


darlindeb25 Collaborator
darlindeb25
Posted
;) give your body time caitlin--it needs time to get to feeling better--the poisons are still leaving your body--some people feel great in only 3 weeks, some it takes much longer--just keep your chin up and stay gluten-free--its the best thing for you--deb
mda10 Newbie
mda10
Posted

Hi, I've been gluten-free for 6 weeks now and the first 2-3 weeks I felt like I was having withdrawal symptoms like a heroine addict (not that I'd know). A rheumatologist I know said that celiacs often get worse before they get better in the initial weeks gluten-free.

On the throat closings... I experience this now too. I dont think it's asthma. I think it's inflammation from the autoimmune process, as I used to get throat sores every 3 weeks for years now. Anti-histamine or benadryl helps a little. Recently, I notice the correlation with this and my intestinal burning at the duodenum.

Also, I'm getting major muscle spasms-- in my eyelids and in the duodenum (I can feel rapid twitching in my gut). My doctor says it's gas, but I dont think so.

Anyone else have these symptoms? Does it really take 6 months to feel better?

I only eat rice. Water. And a multi-vitamin. Nothing else.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I'd like to also ask - if you've taken gluten OUT of your diet, what have you put IN it? Are you eating more vegetables? More fiber? More fruit? More whole grains? More beans? Take a look at what, in your diet, may be contributing to the problem, even if it's not due to an intolerance or sensitivity. (BTW, lactose intolerance can come on without notice... it's worth checking on. Try taking Lactaid and see if it helps?)

kvogt Rookie
kvogt
Posted

Another thing you should be aware of is that you can add to your miseries by adding exotic foods to your diet. How may people ate quinoa, millet, sorghum, teff, tapioca flour, etc. and a bunch of other exotic non-grains before going gluten-free?

People will tell you this food and that food are gluten-free, which they are, but not necessarily good for you now. Any new food, whether your immune system tolerates it or not, can prove difficult to digest. With your digestive tract already damaged, you are likely going to aggravate it by dumping in a lot of foods your stomach is unaccustomed to eating.

Don't let your desire to maintain normalcy send you out trying every kind of substitute food which contain these exotics. Try to find a new state of normal - normal for you. And normal for you doesn't have to be normal for everyone else.

  • 4 weeks later...
newby Newbie
newby
Posted

Hey,

You DO have symptoms of dairy allergies and eating dairy daily makes them a lot less strong. Take out all dairy and caesin (a hidden ingredient in a lot of foods like soy products), and see if it goes away. Don't write it off just because you've had dairy all your life :)

Get tested for Lactose and Caesin allergies through blood work. Get tested for the top 100 food allergies if you can.

When getting my food allergy results back, I was extremely taken back that I am allergic to all dairy, gluten, etc. etc.

Good luck :)

rmmadden Contributor
rmmadden
Posted

I've been gluten-free for the past 11-weeks and for the first 8 of those weeks I felt as though my symptoms were worse, too. I really wasn't feeling any better and It can be frustrating. The past 3-weeks I have been felling better but not still not perfect/normal. I still have symptoms only they aren't as severe. I've also been able to take small amounts of dairy back into my diet which before was impossible. The healing takes time any everyone is different. Hang in there.

Best of Luck!

Cleveland Bob :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kvogt Rookie
kvogt
Posted

My experience is after going gluten-free my gut healed enough to allow me to absorb other foods that bother me.

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I felt so much better going gluten-free. It took a while for me to get back to normal and I still get some minor symptoms sometimes but going gluten-free was the best thing that I ever did for myself. Give it time I'm sure you will start feeling so much better when your body goes through the healing process. If it doesn't you may want to consider an allergy or food intolerance test to see if there is something else also affecting you. Hope you get feeling better soon :D

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. nanny marley
      - nanny marley replied to nanny marley's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      3

      Manitol and mri

      Brilliant thankyou for the information I will contact them tomorrow, I was just concerned because I'm already in a bowel flare too , and I didn't want to take anything that would cause me more issues , especially with the way sweeteners make be feel I've had a really bad throat from this type of stuff before , and it upsets my digestive system too and I have...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to RDLiberty's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Toothpaste question.

      There is no scientific evidence to suggest that hydrated silica or its relative, silicon dioxide, triggers a celiac-specific immune response or causes intestinal damage in individuals with the condition. The concern you likely encountered online is a common misconception. Here’s the key distinction: the protein in gluten (gliadin) is what causes the autoimmune r...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Theresa2407's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Probiotics

      There is no single "best" probiotic brand universally recommended for celiac disease. The goal of a probiotic in this context is to help support the gut microbiome, which can be disrupted by the damage caused by gluten exposure. The most important factor is not the brand name, but ensuring the product is certified gluten-free, as some probiotics use wheat...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Celiac attack confusion and anxiety

      What you are describing, while terrifying and severe, is an experience that others in the celiac community have reported during a powerful reaction. The systemic inflammation triggered by gluten exposure in someone with celiac disease can absolutely extend far beyond the digestive tract, creating a cascade of symptoms that feel like your entire body is in...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to nanny marley's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      3

      Manitol and mri

      The substance you're likely thinking of is "mannitol," which is a sugar alcohol, and it is indeed used as a sweetener in some "sugar-free" products. However, for an MRI, the drink is almost certainly "Mannite," which is a brand name for a laxative preparation used to cleanse the bowel before the scan. Its primary purpose is not to sweeten but to create a...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,789
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    klholt
    Newest Member
    klholt
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • nanny marley
      Manitol and mri

      By nanny marley · Posted

      Brilliant thankyou for the information I will contact them tomorrow, I was just concerned because I'm already in a bowel flare too , and I didn't want to take anything that would cause me more issues , especially with the way sweeteners make be feel I've had a really bad throat from this type of stuff before , and it upsets my digestive system too and I have a wedding in a week 😳
    • Scott Adams
      Toothpaste question.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      There is no scientific evidence to suggest that hydrated silica or its relative, silicon dioxide, triggers a celiac-specific immune response or causes intestinal damage in individuals with the condition. The concern you likely encountered online is a common misconception. Here’s the key distinction: the protein in gluten (gliadin) is what causes the autoimmune reaction in celiac disease. Hydrated silica and silicon dioxide are minerals, chemically inert compounds of silicon and oxygen, and are completely unrelated to gluten proteins. They are widely used as abrasives in toothpaste and anti-caking agents in food powders because they are stable and non-reactive. While any individual can have a unique sensitivity to any substance, there is no mechanism by which these silica compounds would mimic gluten or exacerbate celiac disease. Your diligence in using a certified gluten-free toothpaste is the correct and most important step, as it eliminates the risk of cross-contamination with wheat-derived ingredients like starch. Based on current scientific understanding, the hydrated silica in your toothpaste is not an issue for your celiac management.
    • Scott Adams
      Probiotics

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      There is no single "best" probiotic brand universally recommended for celiac disease. The goal of a probiotic in this context is to help support the gut microbiome, which can be disrupted by the damage caused by gluten exposure. The most important factor is not the brand name, but ensuring the product is certified gluten-free, as some probiotics use wheat-derived starches or are produced in facilities that handle gluten, posing a cross-contamination risk. Furthermore, the specific strains of bacteria can matter; some research suggests strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium may be beneficial, but individual responses vary greatly. Because the supplement industry is not tightly regulated, choosing a reputable brand that undergoes third-party testing for purity and potency is key. 
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac attack confusion and anxiety

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you are describing, while terrifying and severe, is an experience that others in the celiac community have reported during a powerful reaction. The systemic inflammation triggered by gluten exposure in someone with celiac disease can absolutely extend far beyond the digestive tract, creating a cascade of symptoms that feel like your entire body is in revolt. The severe pain, neuropathy, muscle and jaw tension, and intense anxiety and confusion are all potential manifestations of this body-wide inflammatory and autoimmune response. It's a well-documented phenomenon that a celiac attack can provoke a significant neurological and psychological component, including "brain fog," disorientation, and panic-level anxiety. While your first step should always be to meticulously re-check all foods, medications, and even cross-contamination sources, it's also possible that a previously safe product has changed its formula or that you encountered a hidden source. 
    • Scott Adams
      Manitol and mri

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      The substance you're likely thinking of is "mannitol," which is a sugar alcohol, and it is indeed used as a sweetener in some "sugar-free" products. However, for an MRI, the drink is almost certainly "Mannite," which is a brand name for a laxative preparation used to cleanse the bowel before the scan. Its primary purpose is not to sweeten but to create a clear image by distending the bowel and stimulating a bowel movement. While the names sound similar, the function and formulation are very different from a small-quantity sweetener. That said, your concern is valid and should be addressed with your healthcare team. The most important step you can take is to call the MRI department or your referring doctor directly. Explain your specific reaction to sweeteners in detail—mentioning the throat and ear sensations is crucial as it could indicate a more significant sensitivity. They can confirm the exact drink they use, check its full ingredient list for you, and determine if an alternative prep is available or if pre-medication is recommended to ensure your safety and comfort during the procedure.
×
×
  • 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.