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

Blurred Vision / Dizzy

KLTerry

Recommended Posts

KLTerry Apprentice
KLTerry
Posted

I've only been gluten free for less than a month. But I'm having new problems. I've been getting dizzy . . . like a feeling like I'm overly medicated (even though I'm not on anything). I kind of feel blurred vision or like I'm out of my body and things are going around me so slowly . . . like I can't concentrate or remember things. This cannot be normal. Anybody have any suggestions on what I'm experiencing? I'm afraid to call the doctor, 'cause it seems like I'm there at least once a month.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


red345 Apprentice
red345
Posted

Hi, KL. If you haven't had glucose testing done, I would think about that just so you may rule out diabetes. Anything having to do with blurry vision, you always want to rule out Diabetes in such a case, especially w/ the acknowledgement that Celiac Sprue and Diabetes share the same pathway (Blatently clear for me, at least). If these attacks are occuring within a two hour window of high carb snacks or meals, that would come as a key signal.

jmengert Enthusiast
jmengert
Posted

KLTerry--a very similar thing happens to me, but I don't get blurry vision (and I understand the fear of calling the doctor too much, too--I feel like they think I'm a hypochondriac).

I've been gluten-free for three months now, and I started having sporadic dizzy spells about a month or so into the gluten-free diet. Now, I'm noticing that the last 2 weeks, almost every time after dinner (why just dinner and not lunch or breakfast?) I get really dizzy--it's like the room is literally spinning.

I would love to know if anyone else has suggestions or similar symptoms, as it's really scary. I hate dizziness because it impedes my functioning so much.

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

I wrote a post on this a couple of weeks ago. I went gluten-free Jan. 1. about a week later I was getting dizzy, light-headed, and my vision was weird. It's gotten better but I still get dizzy when I eat.

I have asked both my GI doc AND regular practitioner. They took all kinds of tests. I don't have diabetes, no thyriod problem, nothing abnormal, no anemia, no hypoglycemia, etc.

This just must be a side-effect of gluten-free diet. Our bodies are de-toxing. Also, my body started to ache in places where it shouldn't ache..like my ribs were tender, my side hurt, my whole back was in pain for no apparent reason. That's gotten better, too, but I still have sore spots all over my body.

This sounds like fibromyalgia symptoms but I think it's weird that I never had them before this diet...coincidence? Or is fibro popping up now?

Don't know but you're not alone. I would still see the doctor to rule out the things they tested me for.

and don't worry too much..I was freaking out for about a week but it's gotten much better. It's still odd and I still would like to find out what's going on, but i'll give it a little more time on the diet before I go crazy asking docs to figure it out. The rest of me feels fine.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. My memory is shot, too. I can't remember my students' names, or what I was about to say. Can't find certain words. I NEVER had this problem before.

The way you described it was EXACTLY how I feel but couldn't put into words.

Why is this happening to us when we go gluten-free? Others on this board say they have those symptoms when they EAT gluten, not stay clear of it!

Why are our reactions the opposite???

red345 Apprentice
red345
Posted

Jk, that EXACT description is what I had been experiencing periodically over the past couple of years on rare occasions (About once a month for a couple of days). That's why I eventually decided to get tested for Celiac. All of the tests, including endoscopy, were normal, however.

I'm a Type 1 diabetic that has an insulin pump. The symptoms had gone away for a long time, but a couple of months ago they came back over a 24 hour period-pain in certain "Spots" in the abdomen, nausea, general fatigue, confusion/inability to concentrate, irregular heartbeats, and a rash on the stomach were all observed, all due to an infection that had developed at the site of my pump infusion that I had left in for a day too long (The pump system leaves a tiny catheter under the skin that you inject into the stomach region that delivers the insulin from the pump).

Just to be sure, I had a Protein Electrophoresis test done, as well as the CBC, but everything was normal. Later on, I convinced my physician to put me on an anti fungal, knowing that Candida or any of the other fungal strains can thrive in the presence of any type of catheter left under the skin. Within ten days, I didn't have any "Spinning" or "Dizzy spells," and the nausea was gone a day or two later. The concentration was the last thing to come back, but all of the improvements occured over a ten day period, so the medication was pretty effective. I'm not a fan of any type of prescription medication so I wasn't too happy about taking the drug, but I knew I had to with the type of rash that had broken out.

I started to think about it and realized that all of these "Spells" in the past had been occuring in the presence of one of these minor skin infections that would occassionally form after leaving an infusion set under the skin for too long. I have a blood/fungal culture scheduled in about two weeks with my doctor, so it'll be interesting to see what comes of that. This is exactly why I've been fairly aggressive about highlighting the possibilities of Mycology here. I've been through it.

Maggie1956 Rookie
Maggie1956
Posted

I get blurred vision, dizziness, plus I find it hard to concentrate. It happens often, and I haven't found a real pattern to it yet. I'm thinking it may mean that I've accidently glutened myself.

I've been tested for diabetes and hyperglycemia a couple of years ago. Both were negative.

sfortney Newbie
sfortney
Posted

I had a similar experience yesterday afternoon. I hadn't felt well all day and then I became lightheaded and weak as I was walking down the hall after school. My vision became blurred and I had a very sore, cramping sensation just below my navel. It didn't last more than a couple of minutes, but I was very frightened. I considered calling my father inlaw to come and pick my son and me up from school. I don't recall ever having a spell like that before. I have been gluten free for almost a month. Very strange. Today I just have a really bad headache and some tenderness just below my navel. :huh:

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

I still am having eyesight issues and lightheadedness, plus I've had a headache for the past two weeks. Thank GOD for Imitrex. I'm still sore in places. I think I may have fibromyalgia..what else could explain all of this when I don't have diabetes or thyroid issues? they tested my blood for a million things; cortisol levels or whatever that is, hormones, etc. Everything came back fine. I take B vitamins, multivitamins. I have normal amounts of energy; in fact, energy wise I am fine.

But still with these weird symptoms. I need to do the food allergy test as well. I've eliminated most of the common allergens from my diet but still have tiny amounts of soy and I do use eggs in recipes.

Maybe one day someone will figure this out....

  • 12 years later...
KL14 Newbie
KL14
Posted

I have had this exact same problem, especially after dinner. I feel like I can barely move. I'm dizzy, I get weird spots in my vision, and I feel like I need to sleep for days. I have been gluten free for about a month now and I feel like I'm getting worse and not better. How do you function when you can barely focus?

 I keep thinking that I have been glutened but I have only eaten certified gluten-free product all week and I feel worse. I want to call the doctor but, I feel like a hypochondriac. I also live in the residence halls at college so its impossible for me to cook my own food. any suggestions on ways to feel better?

 

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
29 minutes ago, KL14 said:

I have had this exact same problem, especially after dinner. I feel like I can barely move. I'm dizzy, I get weird spots in my vision, and I feel like I need to sleep for days. I have been gluten free for about a month now and I feel like I'm getting worse and not better. How do you function when you can barely focus?

 I keep thinking that I have been glutened but I have only eaten certified gluten-free product all week and I feel worse. I want to call the doctor but, I feel like a hypochondriac. I also live in the residence halls at college so its impossible for me to cook my own food. any suggestions on ways to feel better?

 

So...you have celiac but have only been gluten-free or a month?  Or you just decidead to try gluten-free and see what happened?  If you don't have Celiac, you should probably see a doctor.  gluten-free isn't the cure for everything.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,549
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Blough
    Newest Member
    Blough
    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

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.