Problems Transitioning To A Wheat-Free Diet?

[monochrome]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the boards-- good to find such a busy place!

So, I recently tested positive for a wheat/gluten sensitivity. I've had lots of stomach issues in the past, lactose intolerance, etc, and it's oddly comforting to know that there's some reason for these digestive problems.

My trouble with wheat seems to certainly be there, but it's light--occasionally I won't have any problems. I can drink light beer every now and then, a sandwich here and there. I feel lucky I don't have a really severe intolerance.

Recently, I've decided to go completely gluten free in efforts to be healthier and save my guts from any damage. I've cut my gluten down probably 95%. I'm in week 2 of this but I've been having some pretty consistent diarrhea since I began my proactive gluten-free regiment.

Is it possible that I might actually NEED some wheat/gluten, although I test positive for intolerance? Those of you who have adjusted your diet, did you go through a bad transition phase like this?

I'm sort of at a loss. Things should be much healthier for me the way I'm eating now but my digestion is in bad shape.

Any comments would be most appreciated.

[mushroom]

Hi, and welcome to the board.

I know some people believe in "working into" a gluten free diet, but I believe it is best just to zap the gluten all at once. What could be happening to you (and it happens to lots of people) is that with less gluten you are making fewer antibodies to gluten, but then suddenly your body takes a big hit of gluten, and the antibodies charge into action (thought we got rid of this stuff ) and you have a much more severe reaction. Most people when they go gluten free find that they react worse to gluten than they did previously if they get accidentally glutened. That 5% you're still consuming is what's slamming you, I would think.

[ravenwoodglass]

I agree completely with Mushroom. This is also a real good indication that you need to be seriously gluten free not 95%. Your body is trying really hard to tell you something IMHO you should listen to it.

[GFinDC]

Welcome to the site!

Since you are new I just want to be sure you understand that it is not just wheat we need to avoid, but also rye and barley, and oats are a problem for some of us. If you are celiac or gluten intolerant, you should be totally 100% gluten free. A little bit is not ok. Celiac is an auto-immune disease, which means your bodie's immune system attacks your tissues when the immune response is triggered. Basically your body is trying hard to kill you. In celiac the primary attack is generally in the intestine, but damage can happen in other organs also, and does. So, it is nothing to play around with, and needs to be taken seriously.

You know that your body is reacting to a change in diet. It is not unusual for people to have an adjustment period after going gluten-free. But nobody needs to eat gluten. It is not an essential nutrient.