New gluten-free Regieme Making Me Worse!

[Samsam29]

Hi Guys..

Ive had GI Problems for years, Recently been diagnosed with pancreatic insuficiencies whjich means i cant breakdwon food to well so have been put on a gluten free/wheat free diet to help me absorb my food and energy better plus some enzyme replacement therapy..

Oh my goodness though!!

I didnt expecyt this, My stomach hurts soo much since i stopped munching wheat goods a week ago and i have a headache that i cant shift now.. Whats going on!!

Please help

[GFinDC]

You might be having gluten withdrawal reactions from not eating gluten. There is a theory that people crave gluten can affect the brain after it enters the bloodstream. They say the gliaden protein can resemble or act sort of like opiates on the brain, and cause withdrawal symptoms. Least that's what I've read. So that might explain the headaches. I know I can't sleep if I eat dairy, so I do think there could be something to the opiate like connection.

The pain in your stomach could be caused by gas? Do you have a hard time swallowing foods? I have sometimes experienced pain when trying to eat and my stomach was making way too much gas, I couldn't even swallow the food.after the first bites. Eating salty olives seems to help me with that. And taking simethicone, although I have no idea how simethicone works.

[Samsam29]

I have read about these withdrawl symptoms on a lot of different sites and i can only conclude that that is what is occuring. Its very worrying though, I mean i almost feel as if im having an anyphalixiuc reaction to the wheat free food! My throat is al swollen and i fel like i want to be sick. And yes a lot of gas.

The one good thing i can think of is that am i right in saying that this is a good sign that my diet was causing all of my problems??? I mean, the motions (Awful topic i know) have definately improved, my mood swings seems to have calmed down and also my skin is looking a lot better already especially on my hands. Someone told me im glowing, Whatever that m,eans!

I dont struggle to swallow no... Oh whatever next is going to happen.. I hoipe it subsides soon!

[ravenwoodglass]

I have read about these withdrawl symptoms on a lot of different sites and i can only conclude that that is what is occuring. Its very worrying though, I mean i almost feel as if im having an anyphalixiuc reaction to the wheat free food! My throat is al swollen and i fel like i want to be sick. And yes a lot of gas.

The one good thing i can think of is that am i right in saying that this is a good sign that my diet was causing all of my problems??? I mean, the motions (Awful topic i know) have definately improved, my mood swings seems to have calmed down and also my skin is looking a lot better already especially on my hands. Someone told me im glowing, Whatever that m,eans!

I dont struggle to swallow no... Oh whatever next is going to happen.. I hoipe it subsides soon!

Take a look at the gluten free foods you are eating. Many have stuff that we haven't eaten a great deal of before diagnosis. For example for me a real issue was soy and I needed to stop eating many of the specialty gluten free items that I had started with.

[GFinDC]

You might also try going dairy free for a while, and see if that helps. And another thing is to avoid most sugar. Poorly digested foods can cause the bacteria in the gut to get kind of extra happy, and reproduce quickly. So, cutting back most sugar may reduce the amount of bacteria growth. Dairy has lactose sugar in it, which is a problem for people with lactose intolerance, basically an inability to digest the lactose sugar.

You might be reacting to something in the gluten-free foods as was suggested by Ravenwood too. Lots of us start the diet by eating all home cooked foods, made from basic whole foods, not packaged/processed foods. This way you know what is in your diet, and you eliminate a lot of hidden gluten and also preservatives.

The first month or 2 can be quite an adjustment, as your body adapts to the new diet. You might find it helpful to look at some vitamins. Especially if you cut out dairy, you would want to add a calcium supplement, with Vit D.

[Samsam29]

Wow thanks people loasds of top tips there!

not sure how i fel about going lactose free aswell, Il discuss it with my diatician.. Would make my diet pretty restrictive i think, But hey its workth a go..

I'm feeling a lot better now by theway!! much much better, The headchae subsided and my tummy has settled down..

But what have i proved in doing this, i dont know! Ive had the IGe test and it was negative so where do i go now??

[one more mile]

Could your problem be with soy and corn? When I first went gluten-free I added a great deal of corn and Soy and it made me worse in the gut but I was awake and my joint pain went away.