Strange Sensations... Anyone Else Experienced This?

[Kim27]

So today makes 3 weeks gluten-free for me. I felt like I was doing fine with the gluten-free diet. I seem to have an okay handle on it and have so far had no *knock on wood* desperate cravings for any of the old food and that I know of, I have not consumed any gluten. It really doesn't bother me to not be able to eat that old stuff... HOWEVER, for the past few days I have been extremely bothered by some new bodily sensations and wonder if anyone else out there had these same experiences and/or how to cope/get rid of them???!!!

For the past few days I have been feeling this what I can only somewhat accurately describe as a "gnawing", "empty" feeling in my upper abdomen and chest area. It occurs often after I have eaten, I know that I am not hungry but it's a feeling that makes me want EAT MORE! I almost feel the gnawing/empty feeling might be something that feels like low/high blood sugar, but really have no idea. Could this be related to my food changes? Is there anyway to get rid of this feeling? How do I cope? Did this happen to any of you after switching your diet? It's an ExtreMELY uncomfortable feeling!! & would appreciate any input.

Thanks

[tarnalberry]

If you're eating meals that have a lot of carbs in them, and don't have a decent amount of fat AND protein, yes, it could be blood sugar levels. If you eat a well balanced meal (something on the order of 25% protein, 25% fat, 50% carbs), do you still feel this way?

[sandiz]

I usually feel that way after I am recovering from a glutening. To me it is a signal that the healing process in working. Just wish the weight would start to come off more.

[Kim27]

If you're eating meals that have a lot of carbs in them, and don't have a decent amount of fat AND protein, yes, it could be blood sugar levels. If you eat a well balanced meal (something on the order of 25% protein, 25% fat, 50% carbs), do you still feel this way?

I guess I'll have to start paying more attention to the portion percentages of my meals b/c I'm really not sure! I don't feel like I eat a lot of junk... I tend to eat some meat, a lot of fruit, veggies, yogurt, some rice, some potatoes, I have a bought a couple gluten-free replacement products, like Glutino pretzel sticks and their Vanilla Creme cookies, but I don't eat those everyday. I'm definitely going to have to start paying more attention, so I can see if it's certain stuff making me feel more that way or just food in general...

[Kim27]

I usually feel that way after I am recovering from a glutening. To me it is a signal that the healing process in working. Just wish the weight would start to come off more.

I really hope it's not from a glutening b/c I think I'm not consuming any! I would have no idea where it was coming from. Let's just hope it's my body adjusting/healing. Maybe I'll just have to wait it out and see if it gets better.

[kayo]

I had this same gnawing, grumbling, can't get enough food even though I've just eaten feeling and it turned out to be a soy intolerance. After I went gluten-free I was consuming more foods that contain soy (like gluten-free crackers, or bagels, pizza doughs) so this feeling was intensified. I was already an avid soy milk (ice cream, tofu, etc) consumer so I'm sure my soy intake was pretty large. Once I went soy free those feelings went away. So did that low blood sugar feelings.

[Looking for answers]

Yes, I had that for years. In my case it was gastritis, and it set in right after eating and it made me want to eat more as well. After a while it radiated to my back and became very troublesome. In case you don't know, gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. I took black licorice root for it and it would always calm it down, but I didn't get rid of it until I was on a good multi-vitamin mix (liquid, others were too harsh), cut out most processed foods, and stopped eating nuts, diary, and soy. Those were other sources of food intolerances for me. Today, I rarely get this feeling, and if I do, (I call it the "kicked it the gut" feeling), I know I ate something I shouldn't have.

[Kim27]

Yes, I had that for years. In my case it was gastritis, and it set in right after eating and it made me want to eat more as well. After a while it radiated to my back and became very troublesome. In case you don't know, gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. I took black licorice root for it and it would always calm it down, but I didn't get rid of it until I was on a good multi-vitamin mix (liquid, others were too harsh), cut out most processed foods, and stopped eating nuts, diary, and soy. Those were other sources of food intolerances for me. Today, I rarely get this feeling, and if I do, (I call it the "kicked it the gut" feeling), I know I ate something I shouldn't have.

I just recently had my EGD and the dr told me that my esophagus and stomach both looked completely normal, with no problems... No... I don't know anything about gastritis, do you think this inflammation from gastritis would've been seen during the EGD? They apparently inspected my esophagus and stomach before getting to my intestines because the report says they both look normal and fine. ?? I wonder if this type of problem would be seen that way?

[Looking for answers]

I just recently had my EGD and the dr told me that my esophagus and stomach both looked completely normal, with no problems... No... I don't know anything about gastritis, do you think this inflammation from gastritis would've been seen during the EGD? They apparently inspected my esophagus and stomach before getting to my intestines because the report says they both look normal and fine. ?? I wonder if this type of problem would be seen that way?

If they examined your stomach then yes. Were you having the same trouble prior to the examination? I had a endoscopy done and they reported gastritis back to me.

[Kim27]

If they examined your stomach then yes. Were you having the same trouble prior to the examination? I had a endoscopy done and they reported gastritis back to me.

No it wasn't doing it before... just the past week or so. An incredibly uncomfortable feeling that I want to go away!! I thought I would ask around on here for ideas... but of course it could be from a number of things so who knows what to do! So far I've gotten possibly too many carbs, glutening, soy intolerance, inflammation, so frustrating. I felt okay the first couple weeks, this just started recently.

[sa1937]

I just recently had my EGD and the dr told me that my esophagus and stomach both looked completely normal, with no problems... No... I don't know anything about gastritis, do you think this inflammation from gastritis would've been seen during the EGD? They apparently inspected my esophagus and stomach before getting to my intestines because the report says they both look normal and fine. ?? I wonder if this type of problem would be seen that way?

My dr. diagnosed me with both gastritis and duodenitis during my EGD so yes, it can be seen. My esophagus was normal. He did biopsies in both my stomach and duodenum, which were positive for celiac. He also tested for H. pylori which, thankfully, turned out to be negative.

Did they print out colored pictures for you to take home? My photos show the exact areas of my esophagus, stomach and duodenum where they were taken. The inflammation does show up on them.

[masterjen]

So today makes 3 weeks gluten-free for me. I felt like I was doing fine with the gluten-free diet. I seem to have an okay handle on it and have so far had no *knock on wood* desperate cravings for any of the old food and that I know of, I have not consumed any gluten. It really doesn't bother me to not be able to eat that old stuff... HOWEVER, for the past few days I have been extremely bothered by some new bodily sensations and wonder if anyone else out there had these same experiences and/or how to cope/get rid of them???!!!

For the past few days I have been feeling this what I can only somewhat accurately describe as a "gnawing", "empty" feeling in my upper abdomen and chest area. It occurs often after I have eaten, I know that I am not hungry but it's a feeling that makes me want EAT MORE! I almost feel the gnawing/empty feeling might be something that feels like low/high blood sugar, but really have no idea. Could this be related to my food changes? Is there anyway to get rid of this feeling? How do I cope? Did this happen to any of you after switching your diet? It's an ExtreMELY uncomfortable feeling!! & would appreciate any input.

Thanks

Hi - I know the feeling you're referring to all too well. I think the sensation, at least for me, has been a combination of things: 1. not giving my body the foods it is used to having, and therefore it is saying "hey, where's the other type of food you used to put in here" (ie. a withdrawal-type of symptom) and 2. not eating enough protein. Through a lot of 'mind-over-matter' I tried to ignore the post-eating hunger pangs, or if I couldn't I would have something to drink that had a little bit of sweetness to it. Keeping busy also helps: focusing on a chore or going for a drive or walk often helps.