How Do I Deal With This?

[cawwy]

I have been gluten-free since the end of January. I have felt bipolar, wanting to cry over the stupidest things. I want to break down, throw things, or just not get out of bed. I feel crazy because I am so miserable. Physically I feel like I've been hit by a truck.. emotionally I feel just as awful. Is it normal for my hormones in my brain to make me want to cry as often as I do? I am never a crier. I don't even cry when I should.. but now I cry all the time. Is that normal?

I understand I am completely new to this. I have read a lot on the forums and it really helps to know that all of you have gone through all of this and I am not the only one in the world, but still.. it's hard to have that perspective and I really do feel alone. I don't talk about any of this with my family and my friends because I feel like they have to hear it all.day.long. The other day I tried going the whole day without saying gluten/wheat/celiac but I wasn't able to make it to the end. I feel like my body is controlling my entire life and I just want to take control of it.

I have been glutened a couple of times, mostly when I was out. Though, today, I can tell I was glutened somehow from when I ate. I ate a -completely- gluten free dinner but I was lazy today and decided not to wash off the entire kitchen with alcohol before I cooked (other family members eat gluten foods), and now I just feel like I am going to cry and I honestly don't have a huge reason to do so. I also have a horrible headache. Are these symptoms of being glutened? And if I was glutened and I have these types of symptoms.. does that mean that I have super-sensitivity to gluten? Just HOW well should I be cleaning off the counters? I feel like Monk from USA Network. I feel like I am going overboard by wiping everything down and cleaning /everything/ before I touch anything. I am not being too cleansley, am I? I just don't want to be obsessive-compulsive.

Will the crying stop?

(I am so glad these forums exist.)

[mushroom]

Hello and welcome to the board.

Withdrawal from gluten can be a tough haul - it is (for some) as bad as withdrawing from drugs (haven't done that one) and nicotine (have been there). I am sorry you are having such a tough time, but it does get better if you stick it out, and yes, the crying will stop and you will reach a day when you feel amazing and realize that it was all worth it to feel so good. In the meantime, I am afraid that you will have to go through it. I would not assume I was being glutened. It is just that gluten acts like an opioid on the brain and the body does not like the sudden withdrawal of something that soothes it. You have gone cold turkey on gluten

It is going to be hard on you sharing facilities with gluten eaters. You need to set aside some upper pantry and refrigerator space for your things only, and one area of the counter that gluten does not touch is best ) although always wipe it down to be sure). Or always prepare your food on a paper plate or towel. Don't share utensils with the gluten eaters, get your own toaster and colander. Don't forget the importance of handwashing in gluten free eating. Always wash your hands before touching anything that goes in your mouth when you are around gluten eaters as you can get it off door knobs and handles, practically anywhere. It may sound like being paranoid, but it is real and you are not crazy and do not have OCD - you are just being careful

Good luck and come back to us with any questions you have - we are here to help..

[Rowena]

I have found that I have had a lot of highs and lows on the gluten-free diet. Granted, I feel a million and one times better still, but it does take a lot of effort and sometimes, I find myself missing the things I once ate, especially when people eat them in front of me. I have been known to go in a bathroom and spend some time crying. A lot of times I will just sit and think absently too.... But I assume yes it does all stop... When, I can't tell you, I am guessing it is different depending on the person. But keep in mind how much good it is doing your body.

[GFinDC]

The alochol isn't nessecary, you can just use soap and water to clean. Gluten is not a germ so it doesn't need to be sterilized. Now the alcohol might come in handy to clean the insides of you tho, as long as it is gluten-free alcohol. There are gluten-free beers around, most wine is safe and also tequila and rums, potato vodkas and some bourbons.

There is a withdrawal affect that can be quite bothersome to some people. There is also a getting used to it affect that can take some time.

It is helpful to simplify your diet to start with, and concentrate on whole foods rather than processed foods. You should find yourself eating a much more natural diet and a healthy, good for you diet as you progress. You might find the recipe section helpful to get ideas of things that other people eat. Try a search for "breakfast" or "snack" and look for threads with lots of replies. There really are a lot of other things to eat besides gluten filled junk.

Lots of us need to stop dairy and soy at the beginning and you might find that helpful also. Many regain the ability to eat dairy after a while.

You can get used to eating differently just by doing it a while. That's all it takes really, and some learning about different foods or new ways to use familiar foods.

[kareng]

You might want to get some of these flat cutting mats. I got 2 for $1 at the dollar store. You can put them on the counter and prepare your food. They are easy to store.

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[starrytrekchic]

Headaches and sudden onset depression are both symptoms of glutening for me. You may be getting low levels of gluten still, you may be dealing with the lingering effects of a glutening (they can last days), or you might be going through withdrawal.

I also live in a shared household--I simply clean all utensils/dishware, etc., before I use them, and I prepare my meals directly on my plate if possible. I don't use counters, wooden utensils, or pans that were used for years to cook gluten (I use stainless steel pans or wax paper to cover cookie sheets).

It's common to make lots of mistakes in the first few months. Some things you believe are gluten free won't be, and you may need to further check for gluten in your household (drinks, toiletries, lotions, makeup, pet food, etc.)

But you're still very early in. I'd work on making sure you have a handle on the diet. As long as you're trending for the better--even if you have setbacks--then you're doing well.

[brendygirl]

Sorry to hear that you have been having a rough time. The gluten-free diet has been called the most difficult diet! I'm glad you found this forum and are open to information and learning more. Best of luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!

[RunRin]

Stick with it! I totally get that way sometimes too-things that would not stress or frustrate me before send me crying in my room for an hour. And I keep wondering: what the heck is happening, this isn't ME, it's not the real me anyways. Completely normal I think.

I slipped and glutened myself last week and man...never again. I am really tired and irritable a week later. I snap at people, I can't deal with stress, I just want to stay in bed all day.

It sounds like you're being extra diligent about your situation, sharing facilities with gluten eaters must be difficult though. Don't beat yourself up for crying...just know that it's not the real you...and that the real you will return shortly: healthy, happy, and ready to take on the world.

[notme]

things that saved me in the beginning:

honey-nut chex

gluten/dairy free chocolate

nuts (almonds and cashews)

UDI"S BREAD - i can't tell you how huge that was as far as my attitude - i loves me a turkey sammich!! not on cardboard PLEASE!!

REDBRIDGE (yeah, i should have put that one first LOL)

whole foods (fresh, uncut-up, unprocessed, unenhanced) meats, veggies & fruits (peel your own)

i skipped the dairy for a long time, now i drink lactaid milk << also da bomb dot com >>> and i can eat most cheeses (YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!)

i messed up in the beginning and subbed dairy with soy but that was disasterous. i am still staying away from soy. except if it is in dessert

still searching for many, many things but my life is one long scavenger hunt anyway. might as well search for the perfect gluten-free NJ style pizza pie on the way