How Long Before You Feel Better

[micfunky]

Hello, I'm new to all of this. I was wondering about how long after being gluten free does it take to heal and start to feel better?

[ravenwoodglass]

It can depend on how severely and how many organs are being affected. I saw great relief in GI issues and migraines pretty quickly, like within 2 weeks but my other issues took quite a bit longer to resolve.

Do be very strict with the diet and go with as much whole unprocessed food as you can as that will cut the risk of cross contamination and help you heal fastest.

I hope your feeling better soon.

[Kquad]

6 weeks for me, but there were still a few bumps after that

[micfunky]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the info and support!

[Gfresh404]

Everyone's different so times vary. I noticed a big improvement within a couple of days. But to reach that 100% normalcy is taking me about 4 years (I estimate).

[ArcticLotus]

Good afternoon everyone.

I've been reading the forums for 3 weeks but just finally joined. I've suspected something was wrong with me for the longest time, something that could explain many smaller problems, but I feel I have been failed by the medical community. I want to thank everyone on these boards for providing so much wonderful support and helpful information.

A little history.

I am self-diagnosed as gluten-intolerant.

Since the age of 12 for certain, possible sooner, I have experienced debilitating migraines. Around 19 I went in for tests, at the time thinking I was hypoglycemic because most of my migraines were in the morning (fasting migraine). Tests came back clean. The Doctor didn't want to pursue anything more, and even uttered those blasphemous words "It's all in your head." They got much worse at 23, finally leading to diagnosis. A little testing, nothing else is wrong, go home. I figured out my primary triggers of MSG and soy with careful food journalling, and after a little diet modification, reduced my migraines from 3 times a week to 2-3 times a month.

More recently, I have been experiencing persistent diarrhea every time I eat out, which is when I happen to consume the most gluten. I would think I had minor food poisoning for 2 days following, but everyone else that ate with me was fine. In the last couple months I've noticed excessive phlegm and throat clearing during and 2 hours after gluten-rich meals.

My husband has a severe dairy allergy. This took us several years and 3 very expensive and painful surgeries to find out. In the end, it was an ER doctor (for an unrelated nosebleed) that helped in his diagnosis, rather than the gastro specialty clinic we pumped so much money into. This, and my migraines, are why I've chosen to skip testing. I'm not a doctor; this decision isn't for everyone, but after all my research about false positives and the medical community's lacking understanding of the issue, I'm taking matters into my own hands.

I've been gluten free for almost 3 weeks. I moved to about 95% whole foods. Lean chicken, beef, salmon, uncooked veggies, fruit, and lots of brown rice, with the occasional gluten free cookie or safe potato/corn chips. Taking on this diet seamed daunting at first. Removing milk from my husband's diet was depressing and painful, and me avoiding soy products means we have already separated shopping lists for almost a year. Now I'm trying my best to stay positive, and if I'm tempted, I remind myself what it feels like to be glutened, and I'm more than happy to chow down on some rice or fruit instead.

At the start, my withdrawals were bad. I had migraines almost every day for the first week, though after the first 2 days they were more mild the usual (haha, a mild migraine.. by that I mean I was only a little dizzy and nauseous, but I was no where near needing to vomit). One week in I also committed to 6 months dairy free. Now, the bloating has subsided, headaches are gone, and the brain fog is lifting that has been settled on me for so long. I am less forgetful, and I think less clumsy already, though I still have a few new unexplained bruises. Oh well.

So, in all my research, here is my list. Perhaps I am a little too ready to blame everything on gluten, but if the shoe fits, and the diet makes me feel better...

* Chronic Bloody Noses

* Easy Bruising

[zentex]

I felt results almost instantly--within 24 hours. I've noticed more subtle positive changes as time has gone by. Instantly I lost my nightly stomach cramps. Over the next couple of months (it's only been since 04.21.11 for me) my migraines lessened and are all but gone now; the dark circles under my eyes have lessened; and I have fewer aches and pains. I've also got some relief from my IBS, but it is not resolved.

[lovegrov]

There's no one answer to this question. I noticed some improvement within a couple of weeks but complete recovery took months and months. Of course I was extremely ill -- 11 days in the hospital.