Is There A Link?

[Debs78]

I have been following a gluten free diet for around a week and a half now. I have been feeling on whole a lot better. More awake, less nausea and pain.

I am due my menstrual cycle in a few days and I am feeling like I did before. I have pains and feel sick again. I am so careful about not eating gluten in anything. I have seperate butter and toaster etc and I have not been eating any gluten at all.

Im a bit down hearted as I have not been officially diagnosed with gluten intolerance as the results from my blood were negetive so Im starting to wonder if it is all in my head?? Yet I was feeling great when I cut it out.

Is there a link between gluten intolerance and your period? Can you feel worse even if your not eating gluten when your due your period?

Maybe its still in my system? How long does it take for gluten etc to leave your system?

Sorry for the questions, I hope someone can help? I have been feeling great up till now!!

[ravenwoodglass]

You have only been on the diet for a week and yes it does take some time for the antibodies to leave the system. In addition the diet and lifestyle does have a bit of a learning curve. There are also some issues we get when we get our period that can be similiar to gluten symptoms, like bloating for example. If you are taking any meds or supplements do make sure they are gluten free by calling the maker and go with whole unprocessed foods as much as you can to prevent CC. Hang in there as it takes some time to heal.

[Debs78]

You have only been on the diet for a week and yes it does take some time for the antibodies to leave the system. In addition the diet and lifestyle does have a bit of a learning curve. There are also some issues we get when we get our period that can be similiar to gluten symptoms, like bloating for example. If you are taking any meds or supplements do make sure they are gluten free by calling the maker and go with whole unprocessed foods as much as you can to prevent CC. Hang in there as it takes some time to heal.

Thank you so much. I think its just because I saw quick results that I expected it was over and I would feel great from now on. But when you put it like that and say its only been a week it sort of puts perspective on things. I will carry it on and see what happens in the next few months.

Thank you for the reassurance. Just what I needed.

[shopgirl]

For what it's worth, my gastroenterologist said it could take a few months to see serious results. But I get how hard it is to be patient. It took months to figure out what's wrong with me; I want to be healthy Now.

[Debs78]

Exactly!! I guess it took years of damage so it will take awhile to heal! I just want to feel amazing and alive again like I used to and like the first few days I give it up!

I have been reading some other posts on here and Im wondering if it could be withdrawel as I have been getting bad headaches as well?

[dilettantesteph]

I definitely find that glutening symptoms are worse when I am having my period. Hope you feel better soon.

[Marz]

Are you taking a 28 day contraceptive pill that has 4 inactive white tablets, and are you in that period now? Because you need to make sure they don't make those inactive pills using wheat starch Best to phone the company and double check.

Otherwise don't lose hope - lots of people find they become *more* sensitive to gluten as they continue with the gluten-free diet, so crumbs that didn't used to bother you in the first few days may now be causing a massive reaction. Make sure you're preparing all your own food, checking labels like a detective, and are using cutting boards/non-stick pans that haven't seen wheat before Stick to whole foods rather than processed food that may have trace amounts of gluten/CC - at least until you're feeling better, and can pinpoint new foods that are added, that may be a problem.

I also found going dairy free for a few days lifted some of the stress off my GI system, I added it back lightly a few days later and felt a lot better for it.

[cassP]

sometimes your gastro symptoms can almost be 90% better within a week or maybe 3 weeks... but i think it takes longer for your period symptoms to reduce- i think because the cycle is pretty much a whole month- and sometimes it takes a month or 2 to change how the cycle is gonna be..?? make sense??

like if i went gluten free one week.. but my period was coming the 2nd week- its already been decided the previous month how my cycle is going to be

that has always been my experience in the past... whether i went gluten free... or did other things like cut out sugar or caffeine

[Debs78]

Thank you guys for all uyour suggestions and help!

I have read some of the labels of things I was eating when this started. I ate a bit of chocolate that contains Soya, does this matter?

There was also some that said it MAY contain cereal products.

However I have went from eating loads of gluten to eating none so surely this small amount wqouldnt have made me so ill?

Is Soya ok to have?

[cassP]

There was also some that said it MAY contain cereal products.

However I have went from eating loads of gluten to eating none so surely this small amount wqouldnt have made me so ill?

Is Soya ok to have?

"cereal products".... EW, that would scare me

YES- MINUTE amounts can make u extremely ill- especially after going gluten free... not exactly sure the science behind it- but we all have experienced it..