Gluten Free - Great To Awful And Back Again?

[annegirl]

After years of chemical and fragrance sensitivities, severe joint pain, acid reflux/heartburn, severe nausea, fatigue, brain fog, all over malaise, constant gas/rumbly tummy, and a constant swing between D and C and difficulty losing weight, my new doctor recommended that I go on a gluten free diet.

I have been gluten free for 3 weeks and at first I felt great! As a 28 year old female I went from a couple hour shopping trip exhausting me to being able to actually keep up on my dishes and house cleaning on top of everything else(work was just taking it all out of me before). My family is blown away by the difference gluten free has made and I was so happy to be feeling better that I didn't care about the loss of gluten (I loved my pizza and burgers).

After about 2 weeks I've started having times where I feel really sick (again). I am being vigilant about the gluten free part of things. Out of the blue I had a horrible reaction to milk products (I know I've always been a little sensitive, but never felt like this before). I ate a lettuce wrapped burger with a slice of cheese on it last night and I still feel sick today because of it.

On top of that I'm now losing weight because of all my diet restrictions which is making me feel even worse. In my previous experience with losing weight I always have this foggy all over feeling like I'm slowly being poisoned.

Does this at all sound normal? I was happy to be feeling better, and feeling worse again (and not being able to eat anything) is making me feel really anxious. I just need some encouragement that someone else has been here and reached the light at the end of the tunnel! I am willing to be gluten/dairy free forever if I know I'll feel better at some point again!

Any words of wisdom?

[jeanne-]

On top of that I'm now losing weight because of all my diet restrictions which is making me feel even worse. In my previous experience with losing weight I always have this foggy all over feeling like I'm slowly being poisoned.

If you have chemical sensitivities or other environmental toxicities, these toxins are usually stored in our fat cells as a way for our bodies to protect us from them. So when you lose weight, the toxins are released back into your body and you need to detox again.

[ravenwoodglass]

Are you being careful about CC? As we heal we can become more sensitive to very small amounts of cross contamination. If you haven't already you need to replace scratched pans, strainers, cutting boards and have your own dedicated condiments, butter, nut butters, jelly etc. If you made burgers for your family and touched their buns and then ate yours bunless but without washing your hands first that would also be enough to get you.

That said we do often have some ups and downs when we are healing. On a side note I also had a lot of allergies, 98 out of 99 things tested for, before diagnosis and after I had healed I was left with only 3 real allergies. My allergist told me my system had been in 'overdrive' from the celiac and once I healed a lot of the other allergies resolved also. Hope that happens for you too.

[annegirl]

Toxins stored in my fat makes sense. It had come to mind but I didn't know if I was just being silly or not. Thank you!

As far as CC goes I'm being as careful as possible. I live alone, so I don't have to fight that fight. I do, however, have to travel for work a lot and that is what makes things difficult. The bunless burger was one I ate at Carl's Jr. I did tell them I was allergic to gluten, but I got a blank look so that didn't really make a difference.

I will just be patient and hang in there with the healing ups and downs. What scares me is I've been told this could be so many other things and then not gotten relief that now that I've had some relief and then had it taken away again I'm being a little paranoid.

I'm also having to educate my family that includes a couple of siblings that tease me about being "too much of a freak" about this. They still don't understand how bad these reactions can be so they see me asking about each item and don't get why I'm being so vigilant.

Thanks!

[GFinDC]

You have only been gluten-free for 3 weeks! Don't expect to learn everything you need to avoid and also heal in just 3 weeks. Your body needs time to adjust and so does your mind. Keep going and try some probiotics once in a while. And keep reading here on this forum, including older threads.

[annegirl]

You have only been gluten-free for 3 weeks! Don't expect to learn everything you need to avoid and also heal in just 3 weeks. Your body needs time to adjust and so does your mind. Keep going and try some probiotics once in a while. And keep reading here on this forum, including older threads.

Will do! I swear it's the type A/oldest coming out in me. I want to do it all right, right now!

Thanks for the encouragement. These forums have been invaluable already!

[sampleinajarglass]

remember to stay positive and don't give up!!

one small tip: don't forget to check if all of your OTC meds are Gluten free, I've been off gluten a few years and still have trouble remembering this one sometimes. Tylenol brand regular strength is A-okay in my book. Pepto bismo for the occasional stomach issue, and plenty of vitamins via veggies and fruits is what will help you thrive. Good luck! You can do it.