I'm Feeling Worse Since Going gluten-free

[rose-thorn98]

I just started gluten-free diet 4 days ago and I'm now feeling worse than I did before I gave up Gluten. My main complaint was neuropathy before, but now I'm having horrible reflux since going gluten-free. Is it normal to feel worse in the beginning? Or could this be from the biopsy endoscopy I had done 5 days ago?

[mushroom]

Endoscopy and biopsy does not normally cause reflux, although I suppose it is theoretically possible. It is more likely your system adjusting to your new diet, depending on what you are eating. It is best to eat only whole foods that you cook yourself at first, to be sure that they are gluten free and also avoid possible problems with other gluten free grains. Also, you have to be sure to rid yourself of gluten contamination - in wooden cooking utensils and cutting boards, scratched nonstick pans, buy a new toaster and colander, check your scrips and OTC medications, personal care products like lipstick and shampoo, etc.

Sometimes when we first go gluten free we react more strongly to traces of gluten so you really need to be totally strict about ridding yourself of it. Have you tried taking some pepto bismol to calm things down a bit? Sorry you are feeling bad and I hope it settles down soon.

[Emilushka]

I just started gluten-free diet 4 days ago and I'm now feeling worse than I did before I gave up Gluten. My main complaint was neuropathy before, but now I'm having horrible reflux since going gluten-free. Is it normal to feel worse in the beginning? Or could this be from the biopsy endoscopy I had done 5 days ago?

This shouldn't be from the biopsies or endoscopy, especially this long afterward. What are you eating these days? Some foods are more likely to cause reflux than others.

[T.H.]

There is such a thing called 'gluten withdrawal,' but I can't recall the symptoms right now.

However, I felt worse within days of going gluten free, and it turned out to be a few food allergies I never knew about plus a HUGE jump in sensitivity to gluten. I had to drop all grains (they were all too contaminated with gluten to tolerate, even now, a year later), although most just buy specifically gluten-free grains. A good beginning diet can be fruits, veggies, and meats that aren't chopped in the meat dept, but come chopped from the supplier (too easy to contaminate at the meat counter) might help. Dairy is probably good to avoid for now, too.

Soy is often cross contaminated, so it's not bad to avoid, either, for a little bit, anyway. And sea salt may be a bit better, and have less additives, than iodized salt, for a bit.

If you can, keeping a food diary might help you figure out what is bothering you, if it is a particular food.

Oh, and one last thing: did they ever test you for H. pylori? That can cause acid reflux and it's pretty common in celiacs.

[shelbymartin93]

I just started gluten-free diet 4 days ago and I'm now feeling worse than I did before I gave up Gluten. My main complaint was neuropathy before, but now I'm having horrible reflux since going gluten-free. Is it normal to feel worse in the beginning? Or could this be from the biopsy endoscopy I had done 5 days ago?

I'm sort of expierencing the same thing. I've been on the diet for about two weeks now, three on friday, and I'm still having many symptoms. Does anything seem to help you?

[GFinDC]

Getting started problems are a pretty common topic around here. Also withdrawal symptoms. This thread has some ideas. If you search on withdrawal that may find some more threads with info. Unfortunately the board doesn't have any stickies for common questions that people need answers too. But you can search through the forums or just read through the various threads over a few weeks time. This one is only a week old.

Just Diagnosed: How To Keep Eating Enough?

[CarolinaKip]

I'm going into my sixth month gluten-free. Keep a food diary to see what foods may be bothering you. I noticed brown rice at first. I also thought my lipgloss was safe, but found out it had wheatgerm oil in it this month. Don't trust a salespersons word for it, research it yourself. Look for CC in your own home if you have gluten eaters. Make sure you have your own toater, cutting broad, knives etc. Put your food on the top shelf and top shelf in fridge. I even have my own can opener. Look at your shampoo. lotions, meds as well. It seems overwhelming at first, hang in there!