Is It Possible To Get Withdrawal Symptoms

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Ive been gluten free since wednesday, have made sure there is no cross contamination. On the whole I feel much better, my bowel movements are normal, no bad tiredness, well no tiredness at all, no headaches etc. However Ive noticed this last few days Ive been feeling sick slightly, not as much as before, but very depressing still. Ive also noticed that I seem to have had a big break out of acne, its all over my back, on my chest, on my face and on my neck (near the sides of the chin). Is it possible this is a withdrawal symptom? How long would it take to feel better? Like I say I do feel much better eating gluten free, even when I eat food it feels like its going down nicely, no sluggishness or anything. Its really strange because my mum suffered from crohns years ago and had surgery. Now she was curious to see if going gluten free would have any effect on her, she has been gluten free just for two days and there has been a significant change. She has said if things continue to change she will also stay gluten free, she has also said that when she eats gluten free it digests nicely and feels satisfied after eating. I think it will help if she eats gluten free too.

[RiceGuy]

Although there are certainly withdrawal symptoms for many people, I've not heard of a rash or acne being a symptom of withdrawal. Perhaps it can happen, but you may want to consider some of the other top allergens as possible culprits. Things like dairy, soy, corn, eggs, nuts, etc. Some people break out from yeasts. The gluten-free diet has a way of allowing the immune system to begin reacting to things which it hasn't ever liked, but was too busy to deal with, while gluten was causing so much trouble. At least that's one of the theories.

So glad you and your mom are feeling better!

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Thanks for your reply. What you said makes sense, however its a bit disappointing to now think there could be other foods my body is reacting too. How would I work out what it actually is. Im seeing a dietician soon and have kept a food diary for the last month writing down all my symptoms. Maybe they will be able to help and if need me write a letter to my gp for more tests. I would find it hard going back to my gp, Ive seen so many doctors in the last year and I know some of them dont believe the things I say.

[RiceGuy]

Narrowing down a food sensitivity can be tricky. But I think I'd start with the top allergens, and of course anything which you've been eating more of since going gluten-free, or haven't eaten much if any until going gluten-free.

The top allergens are wheat (obvious), dairy, soy, corn, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, and shellfish. Nightshades are another common one, as are yeasts. I don't think I'd rule out heavy metals either. Leaky gut can allow all sorts of toxins and partially digested stuff to enter the bloodstream. So it can easily be a temporary condition, until the gut heals sufficiently, or if the body is simply clearing itself of a previously acquired toxic load.

[smile]

Thanks again,

I just dont want to feel nauseous anymore, its so hard to pin point what it is. I generally feel fine after breakfast and a snack (soya milk), then after I have lunch (a few hours later) I then get nauseous. Then I feel ok, have dinner, then about 3 hours later I feel nauseous again. Breakfast in normally fruit/yoghurt and gluten fee bread (sometimes gluten free cereal), I have soya milk and a handful of nuts, lunch is usually a sandwhich of gluten free bread with tuna or dairy free cheese, plus soya/rice crisps. Then dinner is usually fresh meat, brown rice (or gluten free pasta or potatoes) and vegetables. I just cant pin point anything. I just feel so rubbish about it, the nausea is one thing I cant cope with. It just makes me not want to eat anything.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thanks again,

I just dont want to feel nauseous anymore, its so hard to pin point what it is. I generally feel fine after breakfast and a snack (soya milk), then after I have lunch (a few hours later) I then get nauseous. Then I feel ok, have dinner, then about 3 hours later I feel nauseous again. Breakfast in normally fruit/yoghurt and gluten fee bread (sometimes gluten free cereal), I have soya milk and a handful of nuts, lunch is usually a sandwhich of gluten free bread with tuna or dairy free cheese, plus soya/rice crisps. Then dinner is usually fresh meat, brown rice (or gluten free pasta or potatoes) and vegetables. I just cant pin point anything. I just feel so rubbish about it, the nausea is one thing I cant cope with. It just makes me not want to eat anything.

You may want to drop the soy for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference. Unfortunately quite a few of us have an intolerance to soy. Try a different nondairy milk. Pacific makes some good ones. Do not sub with Rice Dream even though it says it is gluten free they do use barley in it.

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I know this is going to sound like a stupid question, but I don't know the answer. Is it soy you get in soya milk? eg is it the same as soy sauce etc. I know a few weeks back I had some nuts/seeds coated in soy sauce and I didnt feel too good afterwards so didnt touch it again. I was unaware that this is the same with soya milk. I have soya milk in my breakfast cereal and also have chocolate soya milk each day (was told to drink that to help me gain weight). What alternatives are there to soya milk and normal cows milk. The only bits of cows milk that I have are in my tea. Today Ive been back and fourth to the toilet again. I just want everything to sort itself out.

[Dixiebell]

Soy Sauce, most of them, are made with Soy Beans and Wheat. Soy milk is made from the Soy Beans.(among other ingredients)

The nuts you ate probably had Soy Sauce on them. It would be better to eat plain nuts or nuts you shell yourself.

Some people react to soy very similar to gluten reactions. You could try coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, hemp milk and I think there is a hazelnut milk too. Lots of choices. I like the coconut milk for cooking because it is thick.