Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

How Long Til Things Are Back To Normal?

eko413

Recommended Posts

eko413 Newbie
eko413
Posted

Hi everyone, I'm so glad I found this forum...

I'm 23 years old and I was just diagnosed the week before Thanksgiving. Being right before the holidays, the timing wasn't ideal, but I was actually really excited to FINALLY know what was wrong with me. I was super-optimistic about going gluten free and have been very careful about sticking to my diet. I had a couple slip-ups early on, but I've learned from them and I've even ditched my beloved Aveeno lotion and switched shampoos. I've been dairy free for about a week, and I started taking a probiotic right after the new year.

My symptoms are daily D and brain fog. Since going gluten free I have had 2 days were I felt better. Do you think I'm still getting gluten from somewhere? Or could I have other intolerances I just haven't discovered yet? Or am I just being impatient? I get discouraged when I read about people who felt better right away...but then again we all heal differently. Did it take anyone else months to feel better?

Thanks for listening. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't know any other celiacs...it's so good to be able to talk about this with people who "get it."

-Erin

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


AndrewNYC Explorer
AndrewNYC
Posted

Brain fog: 4-6 months to clear.

Stomach problems: depends on your level of determination. You are well advised to eat a totally natural diet, no processed foods, and to start at a very basic level and go from there. Start with plain cooked brown rice for two days. If stomach is okay then add plain chicken for two days. If stomach is still okay then add potato...

Hi everyone, I'm so glad I found this forum...

I'm 23 years old and I was just diagnosed the week before Thanksgiving. Being right before the holidays, the timing wasn't ideal, but I was actually really excited to FINALLY know what was wrong with me. I was super-optimistic about going gluten free and have been very careful about sticking to my diet. I had a couple slip-ups early on, but I've learned from them and I've even ditched my beloved Aveeno lotion and switched shampoos. I've been dairy free for about a week, and I started taking a probiotic right after the new year.

My symptoms are daily D and brain fog. Since going gluten free I have had 2 days were I felt better. Do you think I'm still getting gluten from somewhere? Or could I have other intolerances I just haven't discovered yet? Or am I just being impatient? I get discouraged when I read about people who felt better right away...but then again we all heal differently. Did it take anyone else months to feel better?

Thanks for listening. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't know any other celiacs...it's so good to be able to talk about this with people who "get it."

-Erin

flowerchild Newbie
flowerchild
Posted

Erin,

Best of luck to you! Wish I'd found out in my 20's. After many years of supposed "IBS", it took probably 3 months before the D resolved itself. Don't worry - good times are ahead. Now I never ever get D unless I've been glutened - then the cramping etc. comes back with a vengeance. It's good to stay off dairy for awhile til you're healed - and wholesome foods are always good. I found I had trouble eating raw vegetables at first, but after cooking them for a few months I love my salads now. Just treat yourself as though you're recovering from a long and serious illness and give it time.

Be sure to check your soy sauce, salad dressings, OTC and presription pills, and lipstick - those are common culprits. I've learned to stay away from marinated meats and prepared soups and salads unless someone can positively identify the ingredients for me. Even those chicken chunks you put on your salad sometimes contain soy sauce and other forms of gluten. Read anything that comes out of a freezer bag - even something as innocent as frozen carrots - ya just never know.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

I think it might be the dairy. It takes awhile for dairy to get out of your system so 2 weeks free of it might mean you need a bit more time. With intestinal damage like we all have dairy is tough. Look for hidden dairy in things too and just get off dairy entirely. I would avoid soy too. It's not fun, but your body needs healing. When you are healed, then you can try it in moderation.

eko413 Newbie
eko413
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all the encouraging feedback. I'll stay off the dairy a little longer and try cutting out soy too. It's tricky--dairy and soy pop up in all kinds of unexpected things. It's really tough being in grad school and missing out on group lunches, happy hours, etc. Plus I'm so anxious to snap out of the fogginess so I can concentrate on finishing my thesis!

Thanks again for the support!

gabby Enthusiast
gabby
Posted

Be sure to throw out your old lipsticks, chapsticks, lipglosses and anything else that you put on your lips before going gluten free. If you are anything like me, then you probably used to routinely eat a sandwich or donut or pizza, then just pull out your lipstick/gloss/chapstick and reapply without even thinking about it....and thus getting little itty bits of gluten all over them.

Also, be sure to buy a new toothbrush and toothpaste and any other thing that routinely goes into your mouth (if you have braces or retainers be sure to buy new cleaning brushes too).

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Good luck! I was diagnosed during grad school .... it is tough to juggle it all.

If you weren't already tested, you may want to talk to your doctor about vitamin/mineral deficiencies that are common among people with Celiac (especially when you are undiagnosed/just starting the diet) because of malabsorption.

Immodium can help cut down on some of your symptoms. Hang in there!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


rahga Newbie
rahga
Posted

Thanks for all the encouraging feedback. I'll stay off the dairy a little longer and try cutting out soy too. It's tricky--dairy and soy pop up in all kinds of unexpected things. It's really tough being in grad school and missing out on group lunches, happy hours, etc. Plus I'm so anxious to snap out of the fogginess so I can concentrate on finishing my thesis!

Thanks again for the support!

I was diagnosed this past fall as well and have been gluten free since Thanksgiving. I had a few days of incredible energy and clarity, but that faded and around the start of the year began to go down hill big time and it has pretty much been daily G & D ever since. The lesson for me has been that I need to go back to square one and proceed verrry carefully. I wasn't being careful enough on (what I assumed were) minor issues and am paying for it now. Fortunately the brain fog is mostly gone. I, too, am in grad school, and going gluten free enabled me to burst through on some deadlines. But if I am going to finish the degree I need to be very conservative regarding my diet.

I don't know if that helps... I thought you might appreciate knowing you are not the only one.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to emzie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Stomach hurts with movement

      Hi @emzie and welcome to the forum. Perhaps could be residual inflammation and bloating that is causing sensitivity in that area. I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2013 and I remember some years ago my sister telling me around that time that she had a lady in her church, also a coeliac, who had real pain when she turned her torso in a certain...
    2. emzie
      - emzie posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Stomach hurts with movement

      Hi! One of the usual symptoms I have with a gluten flare up has deviated a bit and I thought I'd search for advice/opinions here. Also to see if anyone goes through similar stuff. Monday all of a sudden I got really bad pain in my stomach (centre, right under the chest, where the duodenum would be located). I ended up having to throw up for 2 hours, my body...
    3. Flash1970
      - Flash1970 replied to Ginger38's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      3

      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      Hi. So sorry to hear about your shingles. There is a lidocaine cream that you can get at Walmart that will help numb the pain. That's what I used for mine. It can't be put near your eyes or in your ears. I hope your doctor gave you valacyclovir which is an antiviral. It does lessen the symptoms. If it is in your eyes, see an ophthalmologist. They have...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      NCA Tennessee/Vanderbilt – Parents & Caregivers of Children with Celiac Virtual Meeting

      until
      Exciting news for parents and caregivers of children with celiac disease. NCA Tennessee has partnered with our friends at Vanderbilt Celiac Center to create a peer-to-peer support group geared towards helping you connect with other...
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      NCA Tennessee/Vanderbilt – Parents & Caregivers of Children with Celiac Virtual Meeting

      until
      Exciting news for parents and caregivers of children with celiac disease. NCA Tennessee has partnered with our friends at Vanderbilt Celiac Center to create a peer-to-peer support group geared towards helping you connect with other...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,453
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    mmckinley
    Newest Member
    mmckinley
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @emzie and welcome to the forum. Perhaps could be residual inflammation and bloating that is causing sensitivity in that area.  I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2013 and I remember some years ago my sister telling me around that time that she had a lady in her church, also a coeliac, who  had real pain when she turned her torso in a certain direction whilst doing exercises, but otherwise was responding well to the gluten-free diet. As far as I know is still the picture of health. I often end up with pain in various parts of my gut if I eat too much rich food or certain types of fibre (for some reasons walnuts make my gut hurt, and rice cakes!) and and as a rule, the pain usually hangs around for a number of days, maybe up to a week.   When I bend over or turn, I can feel it.  I think this is actually due to my other diagnosis of IBS, for years I thought I had a rumbling appendix but I think it must have just been IBS.  Reading the experiences of other sufferers, it seems quite typical.  Sensitized gut, build up of gas - it stands to reason that the extra pressure of turning can increase the pain. When I am glutened I get a burning, gnawing pain in my stomach on and off for some days - it isn't constant, but it can take up a few hours of the day.  I believe this to be gastritis, but it seems to hurt irrespective of movement.   Anyway, you are doing the right thing to seek a professional opinion, though, so do let us know how you get on.   Meanwhile, might I suggest you drink peppermint tea, or try slices of fresh ginger in hot water? A lot of IBS sufferers say the former is very helpful in relieving cramps, etc, and the latter is very soothing on the stomach. Cristiana
    • emzie
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By emzie · Posted

      Hi! One of the usual symptoms I have with a gluten flare up has deviated a bit and I thought I'd search for advice/opinions here. Also to see if anyone goes through similar stuff. Monday all of a sudden I got really bad pain in my stomach (centre, right under the chest, where the duodenum would be located). I ended up having to throw up for 2 hours, my body was trying to get rid of something from all sides and it was just horrible. Since then I havent been nauseous anymore at all, but the pain has stayed and it always worsens the moment i start moving. The more I move the more it hurts, and when i rest longer it seems to dissapear (no movement). I've had this before, but years ago I think around when I first got diagnosed with coeliac, where each time I moved, my stomach would hurt, to the point where I went to the ER because doctors got freaked out. That only lasted 1 night though, and Now it's already wednesday, so 3 days since then, but the pain persists and remains leveled. it doesn't get crazy intense, but it's still uncomfortable to the point I cant really go out because Im afraid itll turn into a giant flare up again. I couldn't think of where I could possibly have been glutened at this bad of a level and why it hasn't passed yet. I went to the GP, and as long as I have no fever and the pain isnt insane then its fine which I havent had yet. Tomorrow im also seeing a gastroenterologist specialized in IBS and coeliac for the first time finally in years, but I thought I'd ask on here anyway because it still hasnt dissapeared. It also hurts when someone presses on it. Maybe it's just really inflamed/irritated. I'm just frustrated because I'm missing out on my uni lectures and I do a sports bachelor, so I can't get behind on stuff & next to that i'm also going to go to the beach with my boyfriend's family this weekend: ( 
    • Flash1970
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Flash1970 · Posted

      Hi. So sorry to hear about your shingles. There is a lidocaine cream that you can get at Walmart that will help numb the pain.  That's what I used for mine. It can't be put near your eyes or in your ears. I hope your doctor gave you valacyclovir which is an antiviral.  It does lessen the symptoms. If it is in your eyes,  see an ophthalmologist.  They have an antiviral eye drop that can be prescribed.  Shingles in the eye could cause blindness.  I was unsure whether you have celiac or not.  If you do,  follow the diet.  I believe that extra stress on your body does affect everything. Shingles can recur. If you start getting the warning signs of nerves tingling,  see the dr and start taking the valacyclovir to prevent a breakout. If I sound technical,  I am a retired pharmacist. 
    • Scott Adams
      celiac disease and braces

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You are right to be proactive, as research does indicate that individuals with celiac disease can have a higher predisposition to enamel defects, cavities, and periodontal issues, even with excellent oral hygiene. While many people with celiac successfully undergo orthodontic treatment without complication, your caution is valid. It may be beneficial to seek a consultation with an orthodontist who is familiar with managing patients with autoimmune conditions or who is willing to collaborate with your daughter's gastroenterologist or a periodontist. They can perform a thorough assessment of her current oral health, discuss your specific concerns about recession and decay, and create a tailored hygiene plan. This second opinion could provide a clearer risk-benefit analysis, helping you decide if addressing the cosmetic concern of the lower teeth is worth the potential risks for your daughter, especially if they are not currently affecting function or her confidence. 
    • Scott Adams
      Fiber Supplement

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is an older article, but still helpful:  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.