Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Withdrawal Wars

ScionTC

Recommended Posts

ScionTC Newbie
ScionTC
Posted

First off, its really nice to meet all of you.

I was diagnosed around the middle of October '09. So far, I've been on the gluten-free diet 3 different times, and failed twice, due to accidents. My last accident was, of course, over the holidays, probably December 26th or 27th. This time I'm determined to succeed, and I've been gluten-free ever since, but the withdrawal symptoms are destroying me! In the last week, I've been having a lot of head aches, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, some eye and temple pressure (almost a passing out sensation), some assorted flu-like symptoms, insomnia, and a few day bout with the big D. Minus the D and insomnia, these are all new symptoms for me (longest I've been gluten-free so far!) While still on gluten, I mainly suffered with chills/shakes, severe stomach cramps, fatigue, and constipation.

I have also cut out soy and lactose to be on the safe side, but I know for a fact lactose cramps me up really badly. My questions are: 1.) Are these symptoms at all typical of withdrawal? 2.) How long have some of you experienced withdrawals? College just started back up (thankfully I commute, makes eating easier), but these symptoms are really destroying my ability to focus in class and on homework/studying, which is really the last thing I need at the beginning of a fresh semester. I welcome everyone's input!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

First off, its really nice to meet all of you.

I was diagnosed around the middle of October '09. So far, I've been on the gluten-free diet 3 different times, and failed twice, due to accidents. My last accident was, of course, over the holidays, probably December 26th or 27th. This time I'm determined to succeed, and I've been gluten-free ever since, but the withdrawal symptoms are destroying me! In the last week, I've been having a lot of head aches, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, some eye and temple pressure (almost a passing out sensation), some assorted flu-like symptoms, insomnia, and a few day bout with the big D. Minus the D and insomnia, these are all new symptoms for me (longest I've been gluten-free so far!) While still on gluten, I mainly suffered with chills/shakes, severe stomach cramps, fatigue, and constipation.

I have also cut out soy and lactose to be on the safe side, but I know for a fact lactose cramps me up really badly. My questions are: 1.) Are these symptoms at all typical of withdrawal? 2.) How long have some of you experienced withdrawals? College just started back up (thankfully I commute, makes eating easier), but these symptoms are really destroying my ability to focus in class and on homework/studying, which is really the last thing I need at the beginning of a fresh semester. I welcome everyone's input!

I could be wrong but the symptoms I bolded are the symptoms I get from a glutening. Is there any chance you may have been glutened? Gluten can be sneaky, are you eating many processed foods? Have you eliminated gluten from your toiletries and checked all your meds? Are you doing baking with gluten flours for others? Have you replaced your toaster, scratched pans, wooden cutting boards and spoons etc.?

I did go through withdrawl but it was in the week or so after I quit gluten and the symptoms were increased anxiety, depression and irritability. Everyone is different but the withdrawl does not usually include D, that is more commonly caused by accidental injestion.

bluebonnet Explorer
bluebonnet
Posted

i am 12 days into gluten free while still waiting for labs to come back and i am feeling some of the symptoms you are. yesterday seemed particularly difficult and i thought maybe i accidentally ate gluten because i was feeling anxious and a little irritable the whole day. i got bloated and my joints were hurting pretty bad too. i still haven't slept good so i'm hoping that continuing on will benefit me there soon!!! no doubt i'm feeling better but i too am curious if this is "withdrawl" or accidental glutening. sorry i can't offer advice but can tell you, you aren't alone! hope you get to feeling better!

ScionTC Newbie
ScionTC
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the replies. The only non-whole food I'm consuming is Heinz Ketchup (I'm the only user of it, no cross contamination). Everything else is fresh fruits, veggies, lentils and unprocessed meats. I do take Centrum Liquid Multi-vitamin, which is supposed to be gluten-free, and take regular tums for calcium. I drink nothing but water, use a variety of Tom's toothpaste, use dial hand soap and prell shampoo. I was using listerine, but for some reason after using it I was getting shortness of breath, so I've been away from that for two days now.

mindwiped Rookie
mindwiped
Posted

Thanks for the replies. The only non-whole food I'm consuming is Heinz Ketchup (I'm the only user of it, no cross contamination). Everything else is fresh fruits, veggies, lentils and unprocessed meats. I do take Centrum Liquid Multi-vitamin, which is supposed to be gluten-free, and take regular tums for calcium. I drink nothing but water, use a variety of Tom's toothpaste, use dial hand soap and prell shampoo. I was using listerine, but for some reason after using it I was getting shortness of breath, so I've been away from that for two days now.

Check your Tums...there was one type we'd had in the house that had wheat in it. I hope it's not the type you're taking.

ScionTC Newbie
ScionTC
Posted
  • Author

Check your Tums...there was one type we'd had in the house that had wheat in it. I hope it's not the type you're taking.

Ah, you probably mean the smoothie or whatever type. Nah I don't take those, and according to their website, the rest of their products are gluten-free.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

You might just have a stomache virus. Not everything is due to celiac. The flu symptoms, headache, achiness and D are pretty much standard for a stomache virus. If you are sure you haven't had gluten, then I would just keep hydrated and you're probably contagious if you are feverish so stay home a few days.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ScionTC Newbie
ScionTC
Posted
  • Author

You might just have a stomache virus. Not everything is due to celiac. The flu symptoms, headache, achiness and D are pretty much standard for a stomache virus. If you are sure you haven't had gluten, then I would just keep hydrated and you're probably contagious if you are feverish so stay home a few days.

I really hope you're right! Thanks for the support everyone :)

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

I really hope you're right! Thanks for the support everyone :)

One of the most frustrating things about this disease for me is that the symptoms mimic so many other things. The attacks that I had prediagnosis that sent me to the E.R. always seemed like a heart attack. Scary!

My kids have had so many stomache viruses over the years I feel like a stomache virus expert. :) You sound like you are so careful and strict so it just doesn't make sense that you got glutened.

  • 3 weeks later...
muchmalignedminx Newbie
muchmalignedminx
Posted

Hi...I was diagnosed last friday the 5th feb 2010. I started being gluten free straight after my visit to the doctor (biopsy positive for villious atrophy) From late evening I started with a general feeling of being 'not quite right', increased thirst, feeling as if I couldnt think straight, found it difficult to find the right word when in a conversation...became withdrawn, craved something sweet to eat, tearful and irrational. These symptoms increased over the weekend. I devoloped abdo pains and couldnt sleep. Sunday night I'd had enough and went to my local a & e but was sent home when I explained about my diagnosis and symptoms. Told it would get worse before it got better and to hang in there! not helpful really. Its tuesday now and I feel a little more clear headed and most of the other symptoms have faded away. Still very tired and pale but Im feeling confident it will get better over time. Knowledge is power really I guess and you've done the right thing by looking at forums like this...it does make a difference. Fingers crossed you feel better soon.

Raleigh333 Newbie
Raleigh333
Posted

Hi...I was diagnosed last friday the 5th feb 2010. I started being gluten free straight after my visit to the doctor (biopsy positive for villious atrophy) From late evening I started with a general feeling of being 'not quite right', increased thirst, feeling as if I couldnt think straight, found it difficult to find the right word when in a conversation...became withdrawn, craved something sweet to eat, tearful and irrational. These symptoms increased over the weekend. I devoloped abdo pains and couldnt sleep. Sunday night I'd had enough and went to my local a & e but was sent home when I explained about my diagnosis and symptoms. Told it would get worse before it got better and to hang in there! not helpful really. Its tuesday now and I feel a little more clear headed and most of the other symptoms have faded away. Still very tired and pale but Im feeling confident it will get better over time. Knowledge is power really I guess and you've done the right thing by looking at forums like this...it does make a difference. Fingers crossed you feel better soon.

Hello. I was also officially diagnosed via endoscopy Feb 5 2010. Started gluten free Jan 13 2010 after the doc's office calling about the positive serology. It's rough but I was mentally prepared since I thought this was a possibility for the past few years. Wish I would've been more persistent in following up. Also not sleeping well at all this week...slight migraines by the end of the school day, dizzy, and some heartburn which has steadily increased over the past year. Irritability i'm blaming on the stress this is bringing on with explaining this to coworkers and shopping and cooking for myself. I don't think symptoms are going to completely go away until the intestines can heal and the antibodies get out of our system...but I don't know for sure. Bloating/loose stools etc have cleared up...now i see what normal is again...couldn't tell with gradual changes over the years. These forums are comforting! Good luck

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,006
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Cmartin
    Newest Member
    Cmartin
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.1k
    • Total Posts
      71.4k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      NEW - 7 year old daughter diagnosed but 'not officially' - negligence from NHS

      By trents · Posted

      Essentially all of our UK forum participants who are in the process of a celiac disease diagnosis report that after their blood antibody testing is done, they have to wait many months to get the endoscopy/biopsy for confirmation. My impression is that the UK/European health care models do great at addressing routine healthcare needs but poorly at specialty healthcare needs.
    • Scott Adams
      NEW - 7 year old daughter diagnosed but 'not officially' - negligence from NHS

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I think both systems have merits and faults, but in my opinion no citizen of any country should be denied health care, and it should be a basic human right, no matter your income.
    • Monkeyvat
      NEW - 7 year old daughter diagnosed but 'not officially' - negligence from NHS

      By Monkeyvat · Posted

      I want to stand up for the NHS! Yes, it has its issues, but after moving from the U.S. a few years ago, it’s been a real eye-opener to see just how much better the NHS is compared to the American healthcare system. For example, I can call my GP in the morning and often get an appointment that same day. Healthcare is provided to all UK residents, free at the point of use, no matter your income or job status. That’s a massive relief. In the U.S., people regularly go bankrupt because of medical bills—it’s one of the leading causes of financial ruin. Here, that just doesn’t happen. Plus, the UK consistently reports lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancy compared to the U.S. No system is perfect, but the NHS deserves recognition for what it does right—and that’s a lot.  
    • Russ H
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By Russ H · Posted

      I developed a heart arrhythmia and on several occasions had to wear a 24 hour Holter monitor. Among other things, I had premature atrial complexes (PACs) and occasional AFib. I was very fit at the time, running and cycling. This completely disappeared following my diagnosis and following a strict gluten free diet. I haven't had a single episode since, in 4 years.
    • trents
      Newly diagnosed with non celiac gluten sensitivity

      By trents · Posted

      Testing for celiac disease, whether blood antibody testing or biopsy procedure, will likely be invalidated when the gluten consumption has been discontinued ahead of the testing or the procedure for more than a couple of weeks or so. For the person with celiac disease, the consumption of gluten results in the production of specific antibodies that can be detected in the blood because the immune system is attacking the gluten as it comes in contact with the small bowel lining. The blood testing is designed to detect these antibodies. Over time, the inflammation wears down the villi that line the small bowel. The biopsy is designed to spot this damage to the lining. When gluten consumption is discontinued, these processes cease. Antibodies begin to disappear from the blood and the villi begins to rebuild. Many people begin to experiment with the gluten free diet before they seek testing and their doctors often neglect to check for this before ordering blood tests and biopsies.  If you want to be sure that you don't have celiac disease, you would need to endure a "gluten challenge" for a period of weeks. This would consist of resuming gluten consumption in the amount of at least 10g daily (the equivalent of about 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and then get retested or re-biopsied. But regardless of whether you have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) the antidote is the same: total abstinence from gluten for life.
×
×
  • Create New...