Someone Please Set Me Straight!

[haleym]

Hello!

Ive been feeling great now, but have had hip flexor pain and wierd menstrual (sp?) cramps that mimic the abdominal pain I once had before finding out I am gluten intolerant. I find myself constantly focusing on the little twinges and getting panicky and thinking... OK... what the heck? I must have really been tuned into my body before changing my diet and now that I have these little random pains I find myself panicking a little.

Anyone have any strategies for calming the mind and realizing that not EVERY pain and ache has to do with gluten? Maybe its because I was used to GI symptoms for so long that it is actually WEIRD to feel normal for me and I subconsciously look for something pain-wise to focus on?

Does anyone identify with this?

Thanks!

[MySuicidalTurtle]

It took me awhile to get used to my new, healthy body. There are gluten symptoms, dairy ones, normal belly ache pains, menstrual aches, etc. The best thing is to calm down and just think of what it could be. You'll get used to the difference between being glutened and having a normal tummy pain but not before having to deal with all the anxiety! Good luck!

[gf-soph]

Hi

I can definitely identify with you - before going gluten-free if I felt a pain in my abdomen it almost always meant I was about to experience some very bad pain in a couple of minutes, and needed to run to the bathroom. After going gluten-free it took me a while to adjust to the fact that a similar pain wouldn't cause the same problems. I also think that I got so stressed when I felt the pain that it contributed to the problem. Over time I have become a lot better at noticing pains without panicking about needing to run to the bathroom, and they almost always subside without further problems. I usually just take a minute to say to myself that it is probaly nothing to worry about, take a few deep breaths, and get on with it.

I think that when you get used to being in pain it can become difficult to tell normal pain from abnormal. Hopefully you can adjust over time to tell the difference.