Jump to content

  • 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):

Effects Of Celiac On The Brain

masterjen

By masterjen
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

masterjen Explorer
masterjen
Posted

Hi,

I've noticed that since the symptoms of celiac started and during this early phase of going gluten-free, my thinking and thought processes are slower, I have trouble concentrating and staying focused on a task I'm doing (even if it is something I really like to do), and I have also noticed some memory difficulties. My head frequently has a mild-to-moderate sense of pressure in the temples and across the forehead. Are these symptoms there because gluten can actually affect the brain in celiacs, or is it the celiac disease itself that is affecting the brain? Are these "brain issues" something I can expect to eventually get better, or do they persist?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mtndog Collaborator
Mtndog
Posted

Hi- I think that you'll find that many people here had what we call "brain fog" like you mention. I put my keys in the refrigerator, forgot to turn my grades in (I'm a teacher at a college and gave them to the students but forgot to give them to the college- got in trouble!).

Gluten can have PROFOUND neuroligical effects on everything from mood to movement. After you have been gluten-free for awhile, it should get much, much better.

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

. After you have been gluten-free for awhile, it should get much, much better.

much much!

Fozzie Newbie
Fozzie
Posted

I too have experienced the "fogg" for years but was unaware of what it was. It makes me very hesitant to drive or make important decisions. I can't wait for this to improve!

irish daveyboy Community Regular
irish daveyboy
Posted

Hi,

I've noticed that since the symptoms of celiac started and during this early phase of going gluten-free, my thinking and thought processes are slower, I have trouble concentrating and staying focused on a task I'm doing (even if it is something I really like to do), and I have also noticed some memory difficulties. My head frequently has a mild-to-moderate sense of pressure in the temples and across the forehead. Are these symptoms there because gluten can actually affect the brain in celiacs, or is it the celiac disease itself that is affecting the brain? Are these "brain issues" something I can expect to eventually get better, or do they persist?

These are a few things you could read through.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Best Regards,

David

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

I got brain fog AFTER going gluten free but it went away after a couple of weeks. My worst neuro symptom was anxiety attacks for no reason. They went away after 2 days gluten free and I had been plagued by them for several months.

WheatChef Apprentice
WheatChef
Posted

When exactly did you start gluten free?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


masterjen Explorer
masterjen
Posted
  • Author

When exactly did you start gluten free?

I went gluten-free about 5 weeks ago. And, like sandsurfgirl, this "brain fog" has been particularly noticeable since going gluten-free (and, now that I think about, probably it really has been ONLY since I've been gluten-free).

WheatChef Apprentice
WheatChef
Posted

What did you replace the gluten calories with? Going gluten free is normally a pretty big change in the beginning and it's easy to reintroduce foods that you were subconsciously avoiding before. I'd think that 5 weeks would be an awfully long time to experience strong withdrawal symptoms but my knowledge of this is still quite limited in scope. Are you sure that you're getting enough calories and proper levels/ratios of nutrients now that you've changed up your diet?

masterjen Explorer
masterjen
Posted
  • Author

What did you replace the gluten calories with? Going gluten free is normally a pretty big change in the beginning and it's easy to reintroduce foods that you were subconsciously avoiding before. I'd think that 5 weeks would be an awfully long time to experience strong withdrawal symptoms but my knowledge of this is still quite limited in scope. Are you sure that you're getting enough calories and proper levels/ratios of nutrients now that you've changed up your diet?

My calorie intake is a bit less than what it used to be, mainly because I used to work-out a lot (I currently cannot work-out as much yet because of muscle weakness and aggravation of headaches). I've reduced my calorie intake only to more-or-less match what I would have burned off had I been working out. My carb intake is a bit less than what it used to be, but my fruit and veggie intake is higher.

masterjen Explorer
masterjen
Posted
  • Author

These are a few things you could read through.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Best Regards,

David

Thanks for the interesting - and helpful - articles!

masterjen Explorer
masterjen
Posted
  • Author

I got brain fog AFTER going gluten free but it went away after a couple of weeks. My worst neuro symptom was anxiety attacks for no reason. They went away after 2 days gluten free and I had been plagued by them for several months.

Did you end up attributing your brain fog to withdrawal-type symptoms?

WheatChef Apprentice
WheatChef
Posted

If you increased your intake of many different vegetables you might be experiencing an allergy related to one of them that could contribute to those migraines you've mentioned. Try keeping a journal of your intake an symptoms and cycle out consumption of different genera of vegetables.

juppygirl Newbie
juppygirl
Posted

I have had a bad week for brain fog - today i just wanted to come home again and I was only in work 10 minutes!! I am also looking forward to being on holiday from tomorrow and going away so I hope it will calm down a bit :huh:

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. Scott Adams
      0

      This Common Blood Pressure Drug Can Mimic Celiac Disease Symptoms

    2. Russ H
      - Russ H replied to nancydrewandtheceliacclue's topic in Super Sensitive People
      8

      Celiac flare years after diagnosis

      Bread has about 8 g of protein per 100 g, so a piece of bread weighing 125 mg contains 10 mg of gluten. Bread has a density of about 0.25 g/ml, so 0.5 ml of bread contains 10 mg of gluten - i.e. a bread ball 1 cm in diameter. I think it would be unlikely to ingest this much from throwing bread out for the birds.
    3. trents
      - trents replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      356

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Sciatica came to mind for me as well. You might want to get some imaging done on your C-spine.
    4. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      356

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Maybe this is sciatica? When mine acts up a little, I switch my wallet from one back pocket to the other. this isn't a substitute for more serious medical help, but for me it's a bandaid.
    5. HectorConvector
      - HectorConvector replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      356

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      OK so I just learned something completely new about this for the first time in years, that is REALLY WEIRD. One of my nerves that likes to "burn" or whatever is doing it every time I bow my head! I mean it is completely repeatable. Literally every time. Once my head goes beyond a certain angle *boom*. Nerve goes mental (lower right leg pain). What the...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,061
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Zuke
    Newest Member
    Zuke
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Russ H
      Celiac flare years after diagnosis

      By Russ H · Posted

      Bread has about 8 g of protein per 100 g, so a piece of bread weighing 125 mg contains 10 mg of gluten. Bread has a density of about 0.25 g/ml, so 0.5 ml of bread contains 10 mg of gluten - i.e. a bread ball 1 cm in diameter. I think it would be unlikely to ingest this much from throwing bread out for the birds.  
    • trents
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By trents · Posted

      Sciatica came to mind for me as well. You might want to get some imaging done on your C-spine.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Maybe this is sciatica? When mine acts up a little, I switch my wallet from one back pocket to the other. this isn't a substitute for more serious medical help, but for me it's a bandaid.
    • HectorConvector
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By HectorConvector · Posted

      OK so I just learned something completely new about this for the first time in years, that is REALLY WEIRD. One of my nerves that likes to "burn" or whatever is doing it every time I bow my head! I mean it is completely repeatable. Literally every time. Once my head goes beyond a certain angle *boom*. Nerve goes mental (lower right leg pain). What the hell. I've never seen a direct trigger such as this before that I can recall. The pain was the usual type I get from this problem - I suspect somehow the head movement was interrupting descending inhibition processes, causing the pain to leak through somehow.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Zaalouk moroccan eggplant salad

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I've only made this a couple of times but it's really easy and I love the flavor. If you can, use all of the ingredients to get the full palette of flavors. I use fresh or canned tomatoes and I don't worry about peeling them. If you don't have harissa, there are replacement recipes online. If you don't have the greens, I suggest adding a little chopped baby spinach or celery leaves to add a dash of green color to this red dish. Best eaten in first couple days because flavor tends to fade. Leftovers are still good, but not as vibrant. Ingredients 2 medium eggplants, partially peeled and cut into cubes (original recipe says 1 in, but I prefer 1/2 to 3/4 in) 2 tomatoes, peeled and crushed 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons spicy harissa (I use Mina brand) 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional) Salt to taste Preparation     • Heat olive oil in skillet or pot over medium heat. Add all ingredients and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook on low heat for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.       • Serve warm or cold as a side or with bread for dipping. Enjoy! Original recipe is here, if you want to see photos: mina.co/blogs/recipes/zaalouk-moroccan-eggplant-salad  
×
×
  • Create New...