Gluten Free And Fibromyalgia

[TevyIndgio]

I started on a gluten free diet three weeks ago. I have been faithful to the diet, and not eaten anything with gluten in it. Before the diet, I consumed mass amounts of wheat and bread. For the past 3 weeks, my stomach have felt wonderful, no more upsets, cured of indigestion, and I feel great after I eat. However, I have been experiencing muscle pains ranging from mild, to extreme pain. I believe it to be fibromyalgia or perhaps extreme fatigue. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced these symptoms. I've heard that people can go through withdraw from gluten when going on this diet and I thought this could be one of the reasons.

[Luddie]

I started on a gluten free diet three weeks ago. I have been faithful to the diet, and not eaten anything with gluten in it. Before the diet, I consumed mass amounts of wheat and bread. For the past 3 weeks, my stomach have felt wonderful, no more upsets, cured of indigestion, and I feel great after I eat. However, I have been experiencing muscle pains ranging from mild, to extreme pain. I believe it to be fibromyalgia or perhaps extreme fatigue. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced these symptoms. I've heard that people can go through withdraw from gluten when going on this diet and I thought this could be one of the reasons.

You might want your doc to check your calcium/magnesium levels. Also Vitamin D. I've been going through pain now for about 8 months and still trying to figure out what the bleep is going on! Slowly, oh so slowly, I seem to be "back on track" but it's really wearing to hurt every morning! Good luck!

[BethM55]

I, too, have fibromyalgia. I've been gluten free for 2 years, and it's kinda hard to remember the early days. But I do remember increased muscle and joint pain initially, and some depression, too. Hang in there, it will get better.

I'm not cured, but my new rheumatologist told me I'm a 'success story', because I am able to work part time and maintain a fairly normal life. When I get glutened, I feel it in joint and muscle pain, back pain, fatigue... all the fibro symptoms crash back in, with some GI symptoms added in for fun. For awhile I was doubting that gluten was the culprit, but after an inadvertent but obvious gluten contact, it was pretty obvious to me.

I had hoped for a miracle cure, but for whatever reason, the fibro is still there. But it's better, and I'm grateful.

Another big help was discovering that my vitamin D levels were very low, which is common in fibro folk. Taking prescription levels of Vitamin D for several months helped immensely. I take over the counter D supplements now, and my levels have stayed within normal levels.

[GFreeMO]

I have celiac, fibro and CFS. What I have been told is that since Celiac is an autoimmune disease and our bodies are fighting this off constantly, it can lead to CFS and or fibro. I have been gluten free for almost 2 years and have not noticed and difference in my fibro or CFS. I have however noticed a HUGE difference in my bowel and stomach issues and dh on my knees is gone. It comes back if I get glutened by CC though.