Jump to content
  • 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

Tell Me About Gluten Withdrawal


danaf617

Recommended Posts

danaf617 Explorer

Is there such a thing? <_<

I have been gluten-free for 3 or 4 days. I have had a nasty, nasty headache each evening. I rarely ever get headaches. :( I've also been feeling a little nauseous.

Is this typical?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Erica1451 Newbie

Is there such a thing? <_<

I have been gluten-free for 3 or 4 days. I have had a nasty, nasty headache each evening. I rarely ever get headaches. :( I've also been feeling a little nauseous.

Is this typical?

Yes! I felt the same way for the first week or so when I went gluten free. You'll start feeling better soon!

lucia Enthusiast

I had some really extreme symptoms, including headaches, when I went off gluten that lasted just under a week.

danaf617 Explorer

Boo on those headaches! Just reminds me to be thankful that I don't get them often!

I'm so glad to hear that you dealt with it for a week or under. I was afraid of how long this would last.

I thought it was strange that I had the nausea because that hasn't been one of my symptoms these past 7 months. I hope that doesn't stick around too long. Yuck!

I don't really feel better yet. Haven't had any soft of D bm's yet this week though. 2 normal bm's over the last 2 days. :)

And yesterday morning and this morning were the first 2 days in 7 months that I didn't wake up with instant rolling gas pains. I still have the all-day dull pain/pressure/cramping still though.

adab8ca Enthusiast

i have been gluten free for 3 weeks and until today, every single day I felt like i was getting the worst flu ever.

hopefully i am over the worst of it, this STINKS!!! However, my research shows it can be typical to feel worse before you feel better. My dietician said it could take a year to feel better...

  • 2 weeks later...
ClevelandGuy Rookie

i have been gluten free for 3 weeks and until today, every single day I felt like i was getting the worst flu ever.

hopefully i am over the worst of it, this STINKS!!! However, my research shows it can be typical to feel worse before you feel better. My dietician said it could take a year to feel better...

Today marks my gluten-free 3-week mark too. In all that time I had only one day where I felt a bit better, but apart from that, I still feel like crap. It does stink, but you're not alone.

IngridBeth Apprentice

I got bad headaches too, for a few days during the first week of gluten free life! I had other weird symptoms too, it has been up and down. Today is an "up" day (it's week three now) and I hope there are more of these ahead. But I know I am a believer in gluten withdrawal now! Also I have had a few major intestinal attacks, not sure that is withdrawal per se but maybe just things trying to heal and get back to a "normal" that hasn't actually been there in years...? Good luck...at least you are on your way!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



SueQueBlue Newbie

i have been gluten free for 3 weeks and until today, every single day I felt like i was getting the worst flu ever.

hopefully i am over the worst of it, this STINKS!!! However, my research shows it can be typical to feel worse before you feel better. My dietician said it could take a year to feel better...

Seriously-a year? I know that there isn't an "insta-fix", but dang, a whole year? I want to feel better now. I've done this gut-ache thing too long as it is, I want to get better!

missceliac2010 Apprentice

I didn't get the headache, but I got the nausea. In fact, I posted a question about it on this site wondering what the heck was wrong with me! Mine went away after about 2 days.

Good luck to you!!

Is there such a thing? <_<

I have been gluten-free for 3 or 4 days. I have had a nasty, nasty headache each evening. I rarely ever get headaches. :( I've also been feeling a little nauseous.

Is this typical?

sandsurfgirl Collaborator

I'm going on 8 months gluten free and feel better than I have in years and years, if ever.

But... I did have lots of withdrawal symptoms. I did get better a little bit all the time but it was about 5 months before I really felt good. I felt results right away, but 5 months til I was pretty much symptom free.

If you use the search function on here and read old threads about withdrawals there is a ton of info for you.

Your body will go through some wacky phases. Around 5 weeks into the diet I couldn't eat anything without getting sick. Then it passed.

Make sure you aren't getting glutened by soaps and shampoos etc. Shampoo runs into your mouth in the shower. Soap and lotions stay on your hands and get in your mouth. Made a huge difference when I made that change.

danaf617 Explorer

thanks again for all of the replies.

My headaches and nausea only lasted 4 or 5 days. I am around 2.5 weeks gluten-free now and have noticed my BMs calming down a bit and my energy has picked up a little. But I still have a stomach ache 24/7. If I wake up at 2am for some reason, I have terrible pains. Luckily I sleep through it most of the time.

I am going dairy free this weekend, after I grocery shop this afternoon.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,912
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    westman3d
    Newest Member
    westman3d
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.