Gluten Withdrawl?

[zoogirl]

Hi, all! I'm really new to the gluten-free life. Started the diet about 10 days ago. I feel a lot better which is wonderful! But I'm having a lot of headaches and also feel extremely hungry - 'shaky' even - a lot of the time even though I'm eating a lot better than I used to. I'm trying to be careful about having enough protien througout the day to keep my blood sugar up (I've had trouble with low blood sugar in the past). Is any of this normal when first going gluten-free? If so, any suggestions for how to get through it?

zoogirl

[mushroom]

Most people go through a withdrawal from gluten, just like from nicotine. Gluten is like an opioid to the brain and it will take two or three weeks to come down from it. But keep an eye on your blood sugar if you are shaky. The hunger is normal, because once the gluten is withdrawn the body's call for nutrients sends the appetite up.

P.S. Sorry, I forgot my manners; welcome to the board.

[MichaelJacksons#1Fan]

Hello zoogirl,

Yes, what you are feeling is normal. Before I went gluten free, my body was actually craving carbs for quick energy because I was so fatigued. Your body is trying to clean itself out, as well as heal itself, so the shakyness and the headaches are the result. Right now, your body is weak, but in a few more weeks you will feel better than you ever have in your life. The first few weeks are the hardest. Congratulations on your diagnosis!!

MichaelJacksons#1Fan =D

[sandsurfgirl]

Use the search function on here to search for withdrawals and you'll get lots and lots of threads with info. It helps to know all the weird stuff your body does is normal!

I'm gluten free about a year and 3 months. That's all a distant memory for me, but when it was happening it felt like it would never end. I got better and better all the time, but it was a full 6 months before I had ONE single symptom free day. And another few weeks before the healthy days became the norm.

I had shakes and dizziness for several months and it was due to electrolyte imbalance. The doc suggested that even though my tests for electrolytes were normal that it was still off. There are many electrolyte supplements although at that time all of them made me sick. For me good old Gatorade fixed all of my shakes and dizziness but I had to drink it faithfully every single morning and at times in the afternoon. I also had to really keep up with my water during the day and never let it slip.

Hang in there! Be diligent. Eventually gluten free and healthy will become your norm.

[zoogirl]

Thanks, everyone! Glad to know it's mostly normal and will go away. I hadn't thought of Gatorade - that's a good idea. I drink a lot of it in the summer to stay hydrated, but it hadn't occured to me that it could help with electrolytes any time. Mine do get out of whack from time to time.

zoogirl