I'm New- Help- Dizzy, Brain Fog Vision Disturbances?

[That GF Girl]

I am so discouraged! Been gluten-free for 2 mos now. I just wanted to try the diet since I had not been feeling well for years. My blood tests showed I had sensitivities to wheat 5 yrs ago, recently showed nothing. Had a scope done and showed nothing. I am anemic with horrible ferritin deficiencies that did improve after only one month on the diet. I was thankful. I am trying to repair my gut juicing and getting nutirents that way too. Here's the deal. I go gluten-free and after 3 days felt much better. Not the exhaustion (still tired) and brain fog lifted to more manageable.

I also watched sugar intake as well, and I am not as diligent with that now. (It's easy I hear to say - well, can't have gluten but I can have ____ even though it's still junk food/sugar.) Slowly I feel like I have regressed. I can't think as clearly, brain fog back, and almost feel like my vision is not what it should be. Had dr check HBAIC and other blood sugar as it felt like almost a blood sugar issue, but that was fine. I don't have high/low blood pressure problems and am realllly fed up! I have spent so much money on trying to get well.

My dr had said that I had some fluid in my ears, but didn't think that was too much of an issue. I am unable to get into an ear, nose specialist until next month to check out vertigo or something like that. Could the increase in the sugar do it? Also, I still eat dairy, but manily yougert, some ice cream- I have been getting my hands in that now that it's warmer.... How do I know if I should give up the dairy either? I am new on thyroid medication and this has the T4 and T4 included in it- it's a compound prescription. I have been on that about one month, no chg in my symptoms. Appreciate some feed back!

[GlutenFreeManna]

Yes, you should watch you sugar and carbs more carefully. See the thread about carbs making people feel lousy. Also I have seen a few people on here say they have a problem with cane sugar. Hopefully they will be along soon to tell you what their symptoms are. I often have symptoms of hypoglycemia if I overdo it on the carbs. But if I eat mainly protein and veggies I don't have those issues as much. Also, another thing to check is whether your thyroid meds are gluten free.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Forgot, here's a link to that thread I was talking about above:

[tmbarke]

Hi GFG

Welcome

When my doctor told me to go on the gluten-free diet and that when I get glutened it attacks my thyroid....I did some heavy research.

First it was hot flashes and racing heartbeat that I could here and feel.

Out of concern for the heart racing.....I stumbled across a site that helps you determine any food allergies...or reactions.

Take your pulse....eat some cheese or drink some milk....10 min later take your pulse again....if it jumps up...that means your body is fighting to digest it quickly and you're having a reaction.

It works with soy and any other individual food you eat.

After about 30 min, your pulse should resume back to what it was before the first taste.

I check mine every 10 min for 30-45 min. That happens to me with Dairy....normal pulse is about 88 - but can spike to 120 in 10 min.

I also started the Specific Carb Diet and got rid of most of my bloating and heavy fog.

I hardly eat any bread products anymore - maybe once a month and don't really miss it.

The SCD has also cleared up the vision fog too - or strain or blurriness or lazy eye.

I eat grilled chicken with tomato and onion wrapped in a romaine lettuce leaf and add a thin strip of ranch yogurt dressing for my work lunches and it's perfect. Keeps me focused.

The SCD will dwindle down your sluggishness too.

Drink water or tea - and stay with the veggies - some fruits and protiens for a while and see how you feel.

I do like a glass of wine at nite so that is the extremes of my carbs at this point....not deprived.

I also take 2000ui of VitD for the mental issues...and B-Complex with a multivitamin every day to replenish what my autoimmune system has altered.

AND......I take papaya enzymes after I eat a meal with more carbs - it really eliminates the bloat.

I'm gluten-free since Oct 2009 and I'm still learning all this stuff. But take it seriously - it's your health for life.

[tmbarke]

Here's the links

why....Open Original Shared Link

Recipes....Open Original Shared Link

before you know it - you'll be feeling better

[sandsurfgirl]

You are still in the withdrawal phase and it's normal to go through that. Think about a tiny army of construction workers working round the clock to heal damage all over your body. That takes a ton of energy and you are detoxing from all the gluten.

Also, the celiac doc I went to said people with autoimmune disorders have problems with dehydration and electrolytes. I had electrolye imbalance for months and I still have to manage it well or I get dizzy.

People give me a hard time about this, but for me the best treatment has been a daily serving of Gatorade. I tried natural electrolytes and spent about $100 trying different brands. Every one of them made me very sick. I tried a natural recipe. Made me sick. I drink a small bottle of Gatorade every morning and I keep it in check. If I miss it, I get dizzy.

I also watch my water intake all day long and make sure I get enough. If I slack off I get dizzy and it takes time to recover.

I was the one who posted about starchy carbs making me feel lousy. However, for your emotional well being you might not be ready to cut way down on them. YOu have to balance your sanity with your diet. Try cutting them down a bit at a time. Maybe add egg whites to your breakfast and make it half a piece of toast. Then cut down to a quarter piece of toast and add some fruit. That's what I did and it made the transition easier. I still want them sometimes though. I had toast this morning with my favorite gluten free bread.

When the brain fog hits, just take it easy and rest.

Make sure you aren't getting glutened anywhere. What about beauty products? I did NOT start recovering until I changed my beauty products. The shampoo runs into your mouth and soaps and lotions go from hands to mouth and onto your food. There are TONS of threads about this you can search for on here.

Hang in there! You are new. It took me almost 6 months to have ONE symptom free day and now 7 months in I feel great. I did start getting better right away, but it was very slow and tiny improvements daily. I still have bowel issues, but they are way better. I still have reflux and take protonix. But in general my health has improved to 95% if what it was 7 months ago.

[RoseTapper]

I think you're doing everything right, but you need to understand that it can a long time before your thyroid works right on new meds. It took over a year for my thyroid to decide to behave, and I also take the kind with T4. From what I've read, as the thyroid is dying, it comes back to life in spurts. This throws off the body as the thyroid meds are then adjusted upward and downward. I had real problems with brain fog, fatigue, sore throat, and memory for well over a year....and even after being on the meds for three years now, I have to adjust the meds from time to time when my symptoms return. You're dealing with a lot of issues right now, so I know it's difficult to pinpoint what is causing the symptoms to come and go. If you continue to eat gluten-free and pay attention to how your thyroid meds are affecting you, you may pull out of this difficult period in the next few months.

[That GF Girl]

Thanks for the information everyone-

I just dont seem to have tons of patience now, after feeling such a difference in the beginning and feeling like crap now again. Maybe the Gatorade might help with the dizzy issue. Is there sugar in that? I will have to cut back on the carbs maybe, I have had gluten-free crackers as snacks each day, and have prob a total of 1-1/12/ slices gluten-free bread each week. I love to bake and was dissapointed when I thought that I may have to cut out the sugar to some extent too. A question about the shampoo, I many times wash my hair over the sink- if doesn't run in your eyes or mouth, is that the issue on the gluten- or is it that it is absorbed thru the scalp? How can I tell when I have been glutoned or if I am just in a detox mode? My stomach issues have cleared up a lot, once a while I will get runny stools, but have chalked that up to all the vitamins I take or the natural juicing. It seems so hard to figure out.

You are still in the withdrawal phase and it's normal to go through that. Think about a tiny army of construction workers working round the clock to heal damage all over your body. That takes a ton of energy and you are detoxing from all the gluten.

Also, the celiac doc I went to said people with autoimmune disorders have problems with dehydration and electrolytes. I had electrolye imbalance for months and I still have to manage it well or I get dizzy.

People give me a hard time about this, but for me the best treatment has been a daily serving of Gatorade. I tried natural electrolytes and spent about $100 trying different brands. Every one of them made me very sick. I tried a natural recipe. Made me sick. I drink a small bottle of Gatorade every morning and I keep it in check. If I miss it, I get dizzy.

I also watch my water intake all day long and make sure I get enough. If I slack off I get dizzy and it takes time to recover.

I was the one who posted about starchy carbs making me feel lousy. However, for your emotional well being you might not be ready to cut way down on them. YOu have to balance your sanity with your diet. Try cutting them down a bit at a time. Maybe add egg whites to your breakfast and make it half a piece of toast. Then cut down to a quarter piece of toast and add some fruit. That's what I did and it made the transition easier. I still want them sometimes though. I had toast this morning with my favorite gluten free bread.

When the brain fog hits, just take it easy and rest.

Make sure you aren't getting glutened anywhere. What about beauty products? I did NOT start recovering until I changed my beauty products. The shampoo runs into your mouth and soaps and lotions go from hands to mouth and onto your food. There are TONS of threads about this you can search for on here.

Hang in there! You are new. It took me almost 6 months to have ONE symptom free day and now 7 months in I feel great. I did start getting better right away, but it was very slow and tiny improvements daily. I still have bowel issues, but they are way better. I still have reflux and take protonix. But in general my health has improved to 95% if what it was 7 months ago.

[tmbarke]

I forgot to address your water behind the ear......

My doctor told me to take a decongestant to help that drain....try that first before you see a doctor.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Thanks for the information everyone-

I just dont seem to have tons of patience now, after feeling such a difference in the beginning and feeling like crap now again. Maybe the Gatorade might help with the dizzy issue. Is there sugar in that? I will have to cut back on the carbs maybe, I have had gluten-free crackers as snacks each day, and have prob a total of 1-1/12/ slices gluten-free bread each week. I love to bake and was dissapointed when I thought that I may have to cut out the sugar to some extent too. A question about the shampoo, I many times wash my hair over the sink- if doesn't run in your eyes or mouth, is that the issue on the gluten- or is it that it is absorbed thru the scalp? How can I tell when I have been glutoned or if I am just in a detox mode? My stomach issues have cleared up a lot, once a while I will get runny stools, but have chalked that up to all the vitamins I take or the natural juicing. It seems so hard to figure out.

About the shampoo--if you have really short hair and have no scalp issues it may not be a problem. However I have often woken up to a piece of hair in my mouth or had it blow in there on a windy day. Do you shampoo your hair with gloves on or do you wash your hands really well with non-gluten containing soap when you are done? If you wash your hair and then prepare food or eat something with your hands or put your hands in your mouth for any reason you risk glutening yourself (depending on how sensitive you are of course). I also notice my scalp is worse if the shampoo has gluten. My skin breaks out from lotions with wheat germ in them too. Other people have posted here that they have no skin reactions to gluten. So it may or may not be a problem for you, but I think it's something that's worth looking into if you still feel bad a few months from now and you are sure there is no gluten in your food or meds.

[sandsurfgirl]

The carbs thing is tricky though because you do not want to eat too little carbs and go into ketosis. I do find corn easier to digest oddly enough since so many have trouble with it. Fresh corn or frozen or even gluten free corn flakes. Funny huh? Plan rice I do better with than stuff made of rice.

I eat lots of fruits and veg, although it tends to be more fruit. I try to keep it balanced.

[vbecton]

Hi gluten-free girl! I had very intense low blood sugar problems before going gluten free 2 months ago. Now, the only time I have issues with blood sugar is when I've been glutened (cuz I'm still learning ) or when I've had too many carbs. For me, too many is 1 slice of Udi's bread. SERIOUSLY! A half a slice is good, but a quarter slice is better...and only about 2 x per week. My body hates processed carbs with a passion and will let me know by sending my blood sugar down. In fact, before going gluten-free I couldn't really eat fruit without my blood sugar crashing, but now that I'm doing the specific carbohydrate diet I can eat as much fruit as I want with ZERO problems. That's a miracle for me. I increased my protein & fat comsumption considerably. Look up the specific carb diet, or the paleo diet and see if that might work for you. Blood sugar problems alone can make me feel spacey, lost, irritable, confused, headaches, nauseous, etc... I would love to be able to drink gatorade, but I can only handle naturally occuring sugar now (like fruit), because believe you me, I love me some gatorade! But, I did find a good electrolyte pak called Trace Minerals Electrolyte Stamina Power Pack. They are gluten free, 2.5g sugar, Vegan and yummy.

Hope this helps! Good luck! I had carb withdrawals for about 2 weeks. Felt like a mack truck ran over me, but now I'm doing better, just tired, but that's a low ferritin issue