Gluten Withdrawal Symptoms

[Guest Addicted2Gluten]

I was gluten free for about 2 years and for the past 3 months I have been on a "gluten challenge." Now, I am going back onto the gluten free diet and am experiencing a lot of odd symptoms. I'm not sure if I had these the first time when I went gluten free. For instance, I have been off gluten for about 3/4 days and have had Insomnia, not much of an appetite, very achy and feeling hot and cold like I have the flu, headaches, and I've even been shaking. Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms? Or any other symptoms when going gluten free?

[KaitiUSA]

When I first went gluten free I did have similar problems. I think it is because your body is adjusting to the change and trying to heal itself. For me it went away after a few weeks and then my symptoms slowly but surely started to disappear

[minibabe]

I had the exact same thing, but I was experiencing the pain in my abdomen. When I stopped eating that Malt O Meal cereal, a week ago, I was in pain for several days after that and I was eating things that where 100% gluten-free. I was eating things that only said gluten-free on the package. I thougth that it was really weird, but I am glad that I am not the only one that experienced this. I really hope that you feel better, I did after like 4 or 5 days. Dont worry there is an end!

[Guest Addicted2Gluten]

Thanks for your replies. I have been experiencing leg cramps too, but this may be a result of vitamin deficiencies.

Also, I found this in Wikipedia (online encyclopedia - www.answers.com), that I thought may be of interest:

"Beginning the diet can be difficult but not impossible. One of the biggest obstacles parents face is that individuals needing gluten-free, casein-free (Gluten-free Casein-free) diets often crave these foods much the same as an addict. In fact, parents often report withdrawal symptoms when gluten and casein are eliminated that are similar to addicts experiencing withdrawal from narcotic drugs."

[gf4life]

Now, I've read that before in regards to Autistic kids, but I supposed it could also be applied to gluten intolerant people. I have a nephew who is Autistic and he throws fits if he can't have pizza, mac n' cheese, or buttered toast daily! They do not have him on a Gluten-free Casein-free diet, but he could really benefit from it.

I also felt like I had the flu for a while after going gluten-free after my gluten challenge. I was sicker on the gluten challenge than I had been before going gluten-free the first time, and the effects of it lasted a lot longer. My body just likes being gluten-free, and it was not happy with me for eating gluten again!!

God bless,

Mariann

[cdford]

I had them, but not as badly as my daughter. It was like dealing with a drug addict or an alchoholic with her. The endocrinologist said it is a normal reaction and that the body really has sort of become addicted to the sensation and reaction to gluten and has to adjust. The amount of time may vary. Stick with it. Let me assure you, the long term benefits are worth any short term problems. You might want to do like some smokers have to and keep appropriate snacks handy to keep your mind distracted. We used carrot sticks and gluten-free pretzels and such around here and it worked well.

[rmmadden]

I think gluten withdrawal is real. Your body gets used to living a certain way and then all -of-a-sudden things have changed. It took me about 2-months after going gluten-free that I finally started to feel somewhat better and I'm still not 100% (3-1/2 now months gluten-free). Also, I think it takes time to get used to eating some new foods that you never ate before. I ready somewhere on this message forum where the person asked how many had eaten Quinoa before being diagnosed? I certainly never did.

All you can do is to try and be gluten-free and let time hopefully heal your intestine's. Best of luck!

Cleveland Bob

[Guest BellyTimber]

Nuts are great! (Some say, be wary of natural fat content, invisible moulds - I say, I need to keep it simple, nuts are great!)

Can you get hold of "Bombay mix", poppadums, prawn crackers ...

I am astonished at the report of a gluten challenge after 2 years gluten-free, you had synptoms on going gluten-free again but don't describe your experience of the challenge after such a length of time - have I understood correct - anyone else been through a similar scenario - this is what has been urged on me but I have been advised against it - any infringement puts me in agony ...

best wishes

Michael

[Guest eatinglotsofsushi]

I've read some of the posts that refer to symptoms of post-diagnosis gluten withdrawal and they're allaying some of my fears since I have a heart condition (2 heart attacks, quintuple bypass, etc.) at 57. I have been gluten-free for 2 weeks and my appetite is depressed, I am tired all the time and, as others have mentioned, feel almost 'flue-like'. If any of you have coronary artery disease, you know how these symptoms get your attention.

I'd be interested to know if there are any other 'cardiac kids' on the board that can share some of their gluten withdrawal experiences with me. I appreciate the support and information that you all share on this board.