Was I Glutened Or Is This Detox?

[julirama723]

Hey all.

I've been gluten-free for about a week now. So far, it hasn't been hard, as I didn't eat processed foods or a whole lot of "bad" foods before, I've just had to check and double-check things like spices, sauces, dressings, etc. (I eat produce, meats, dairy, nuts, fats.)

For the first few days, I felt absolutely great! More energy, no bloating, no gas, no brain fog, and my mood improved. On day 5, I felt sick--a deep ache in my stomach/intestines, fatigue, and a feeling of impending diarrhea. (I did have a BM, but it was not diarrhea. It was, however, like cookie dough--very sticky and mushy.) On day 6, I still had the deep ache inside, but with headache and nausea and even more fatigue. Today is day 7 and I still have the ache, though I admit, it's not as severe as yesterday. I am still very tired.

I am almost 100% sure I have not eaten gluten-containing foods. (I've been eating fresh fruits and veggies, peanut butter, honey, fresh meats, eggs, some cheese, some beans, etc.) There is still the chance of cross-contamination I suppose, possibly from a cutting board (though to my knowledge, we've never used that cutting board for anything but meat) or possibly a lunch tray at work?

I have been reading a lot of posts on the board and I've been doing lots of reading on celiac disease and gluten-intolerance, and I know that healing and improvement takes time. Weeks, months, years.

My gluten symptoms are NOT the same as the symptoms I've been experiencing. I am trying to figure out if this is "detox," if I've been glutened, if perhaps my intestines are healing, or if it's something totally unrelated.

[ShayFL]

Hi and Welcome!

First, it could be detox, but for many Celiacs and gluten intolerants, cutting the gluten unmasks a dairy sensitivity. For some dairy can be added back in 2 or 3 months later with no problems. For some it takes longer. And for some they can never tolerate dairy again.

For now, you might do well with cutting out ALL dairy including butter and looking for casein in the ingredients lists. Avoid it like you do Wheat, Rye, Barley and Oats and their derivatives.

Hope you feel better soon.

[mftnchn]

I think it could be detox and as the shifts in the diet and healing start occurring, you might experience a dying off of bad bacteria/parasites. YOu also could be experiencing a cleansing of the lining of the intestine. It forms more mucus to protect itself under the onslought of gluten and apparently can get some layers of stuff that don't clear out. You might be cleansing that like as if you did a colon cleanser. Just an idea.