Gluten Withdrawal Symptoms?

[Nestor]

I just found out that I may have celiac disease, and a confirmation is pending. I started a gluten-free diet four days ago and since then I am feeling so bad. The fatigue that I have for years is a lot worse, I got headaches, and want to eat all the time. I feel dizzy and foggy.

The good thing is that my heart was skipping beats very frequently before the diet, but as soon as I started gluten-free my heart has improved. Also I do not get too much gas as before.

Has anybody experienced these symptoms? I found that doctors are totally lost about this topic.

Thank you for your comments.

Nestor

[ravenwoodglass]

Welcome. It is not uncommon to have the first couple of weeks be quite up and down. The constant hunger is not unusual. Give it stuff like fresh fruit and veggies, plain rice, fresh meats. Don't go overboard on the specialty gluten free treats at first. Give your body some time to heal. Your body has likely been deprived of nutrients for a while. When the offending agent is gone the body can say kinda like 'Of boy we get to 'eat' again' gimme more. Something that may help with the energy and fogginess is a sublingual (will dissolve under the tongue) B12 supplement. Do have your GP also check other vitamin and mineral levels as we are often low in quite a few.

There is a bit to learn about being gluten free, you have come to a great place for knowledge and support. I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Silver Bullet]

On 3/31/2009 at 8:00 PM, Nestor said:

I just found out that I may have celiac disease, and a confirmation is pending. I started a gluten-free diet four days ago and since then I am feeling so bad. The fatigue that I have for years is a lot worse, I got headaches, and want to eat all the time. I feel dizzy and foggy.

 

The good thing is that my heart was skipping beats very frequently before the diet, but as soon as I started gluten-free my heart has improved. Also I do not get too much gas as before.

 

Has anybody experienced these symptoms? I found that doctors are totally lost about this topic.

 

Thank you for your comments.

 

Nestor

I have zero energy. And headaches

 

[moleface]

Yeah, this happened to me too. I got disagnosed with iritis and my blood test showed antibodies associated with autoimmune diseases, on top of a year straight of severe gastro issues and swollen hands. I only found out about celiac disease once I abruptly lost the enamel on several of my front teeth and googled the symptoms.

Once I'd been gluten free for a couple days, I got far worse. I actually had no idea that gluten "withdrawal" even existed, and I only found out about this syndrome once I did additional research to find out why my condition worsened. This clinched it for me, though I haven't been able to convince any doctors or family members that I'm not a fad dieting hypochondriac. I handled the entire gluten detox myself, since I didn't have medical insurance at the time.

I went down to 130lbs at 6 foot 1, developed explosive black diarrhea, started passing  vitamin supplements whole, and my face went completely white. If I remember correctly, it took about two weeks before my system started to stabilize.

My first year gluten free was the worst. One mistake would send me back to square one, though I never did experience "withdrawal" again.