Increased Symptoms After Gf Diet

[Bette]

I have decided to try the gluten-free diet (without having the biopsy done). Just sick and tired of being sick and tired!! Anyways, it will only be one week today and some of my symptoms have worsened.

My chronic constipation has now changed to D.!!, My joint swelling has flared up, the joint pain has increased, and my brain fog and fatigue up and down throughout the day. I woke up this morning with a huge canker sore in my mouth.

What gives?? Did anybody feel worse when starting out? Does it get better, and how long???

Thanks

[Carriefaith]

As your body adjusts, it may get worse before it gets better. I wouldn't expect to see drastic results until at least one month into the diet.

[jknnej]

My symptoms of intense stomach pain and bloating got better, but I started getting all sorts of OTHER symptoms you described, like brain fog, tremors, nausea. I NEVER had these before going gluten-free. I really don't get it.

I've been gluten-free for almost 6 months now. I think I am presenting symptoms of another condition related to celiac disease and the docs just haven't figured it out yet.

[KaitiUSA]

It's a little too early to tell. I was gluten free for 3 months before I had a big change and then a few more months to get back to normal. Your body is probably adjusting to the diet right now so give it some time. Feel better soon

[Peaches503]

I felt the same way after I went gluten-free. I noticed that I actually felt generally worse, with worse symptoms after going gluten-free. It's been almost 2 months for me, and I'm just starting to notice changes, so hang in there! We're here for support.

-Peaches

[Emme999]

I've only been gluten-free for a little over a week and my symptoms got worse too for a little while, but after the first week things calmed down a lot. I'm not saying that I feel exceptional, but better.

Doesn't it take a while to feel better because your intestinal tract needs time to heal so that you can start absorbing nutrients?

My doctor called me the other day to tell me my biopsy results and after I told him that I'd started the gluten-free diet he said, "Oh, so you are probably feeling better already!" I was like... "Umm.. No." I was really surprised tht he said that. Maybe he's just an overly optimistic kind of guy

I'm not expecting any miraculous changes - because I've never shown any real GI symptoms (well, until the gluten challenge - then I spent a little more time reading magazines in the bathroom ). But, do emotional problems heal slower or faster?

Nobody really knows, do they?

*sigh*

[glutorama]

I think there are several reasons one can feel worse after starting gluten-free Diet:

(1) bacterial overgrowth is fairly common at first. A probiotic is advised for most people, although some MDs like antibiotics for this.

(2) you may still be taking gluten in ways you don't realize (vanilla, med's, spelt etc)

(3) you're not getting enough nutrients. are you replacing the gluten foods with healthier foods and with essential fatty acids?

[Emme999]

  (3)  you're not getting enough nutrients.  are you replacing the gluten foods with healthier foods and with essential fatty acids?

Do you mean to tell me this bag of gluten-free cookies isn't providing all of my essential vitamins??

[Bette]

Do you mean to tell me this bag of gluten-free cookies isn't providing all of my essential vitamins?? blink.gif

Ha Ha - Bean you are too funny, at least I am laughing as I run to the bathroom

Thank you for everybodies support!!!!!!

3) you're not getting enough nutrients. are you replacing the gluten foods with healthier foods and with essential fatty acids?

I quit gulten and dairy at the same time, and basically red meat was already a big no no for me, it always seemed to flare up my endometriosis, and because of the endo, I was pretty big on supplementing and eating a lot of essential fatty acids,by eating fish and taking fish oil supplements and adding flax.

I do have one medicine that I take that I have not been able to confirm if it is gluten free (I hadn't seen it on any list so far but I just got the manufacturers number and was going to call on monday). So not sure if that could be it.

I have heard mention of the probiotics before but wasn't sure, I thought maybe that was dairy????

I think I just need to be more patient, it sounds like it takes from 1-3 to start feeling any improvement. I just wasn't expecting to feel worse off the bat!!!!

[Bette]

ooops, I meant to say 1-3 months, I hit the ole add reply to fast

[Beth Hanna]

Brother diagnosed with celiac disease 8 weeks ago. Also is Diabetic--lots of problems controlling blood sugar levels.

Also still having major battles with D and vomitting. Hard to get much nutrition when it all comes right back out!! (Just out of hospital with feeding tubes.)

Help.

Anyone out there?

[tarnalberry]

A couple things to consinder:

* You could have caught a bug - going gluten-free certainly won't prevent that. :-D

* As noted, you might not be getting enough nutrients - particualrly if you're relying on packaged products.

* You've got an additional food sensitivity that is coming to light because you're consuming more of that item now. (Dairy?)

* Cross-contamination if you don't have a gluten-free house or if you eat out.

Just a couple thoughts... it's tough to make much of a conclusion given that it's only been a week.

[KaitiUSA]

Brother diagnosed with celiac disease 8 weeks ago. Also is Diabetic--lots of problems controlling blood sugar levels.

Also still having major battles with D and vomitting. Hard to get much nutrition when it all comes right back out!! (Just out of hospital with feeding tubes.)

Help.

Anyone out there?

When you are new to the diet it's more likely to get gluten into you accidentally because it takes some time to learn how much gluten can be hidden in. He may be getting gluten in him through things he thinks are gluten free. He may be getting cross contamination problems as well. There are alot of ways gluten could be getting into him.

Another thing to consider is when there is damage alot of celiacs have a problem with milk at first until their intestines heal. I had a problem my whole life on and off with milk and after I went gluten free I have no problem.

He should maybe keep a food journal...which may help if he doesn't feel good after anything in particular. Try to keep things in him that are light on the stomach...one of my main symptoms was nausea so I know how hard it is to eat when your not feeling well.

When there is damage that keeps your body from absorbing the nutrients properly which can cause all sorts of symptoms. A liquid vitamin may be good for him to try out because of the way it absorbs to your body. Other things that may help are enzymes and probiotics. These things may help your body fight and give your immune system a bit of a boost.