Help - New And Feeling Awful

[Guest RachelLawson]

Hi.

I've read the posts on Gluten withdrawal, but can't decide whether this is me or not. I was diagnosed with celiac disease last Wednesday and have been gluten-free since (today is day 6) but I feel much worse than I did. I've been really ill for a year, but the symptoms seem worse having gone Gluten-free. I'm exhausted with debilitating fatigue, my stomach cramps up half-an-hour after eating anything, I feel dizzy and sick, and horribly depressed. I've basically spent the last five days moving from bed to sofa (very difficult when trying to look after a four-year-old on school holidays). This seems daft as after having been so ill, coeliac was the diagnosis I was hoping for in an effort to beat the illness. I just don't know what to do with myself - any advice gratefully received.

Rachel

[Guest nini]

several things to consider... the extent of damage may be such, that it will take you some time before your damaged gut can handle much of anything. Also, be careful of hidden glutens in medications, shampoos, cosmetics, supplements, flavorings, and so on... Also be careful of cross contamination. You may also be reactive to dairy right now, and will need to avoid dairy for a while until you have begun to heal.

I would suggest taking your diet down to the bare minimum. Rice, Applesauce, Bananas, stick to that for a few days and then gradually add one gluten-free food back at a time. Keep a food diary and see if you have any reactions after reintroducing certain foods. I have to do this whenever my system gets overly sensitive and reactive. I also react to hormones and antibiotics in commercial meat, and citrus. I'm not saying that's what's doing it to you, but you'll have to figure that one out.

I hope you get feeling better soon. I know how frustrating it is! When I was first dx, my daughter was 3 and it was very difficult to say the least!

[Guest kmmolina]

Rachel...I am also new to celiac disease. I also felt worse when I started going gluten-free, so I totally understand how you feel. I keep wondering what I was doing wrong, etc. But then I came to understand that it take awhile to start feeling better. I can't have imagined doing this with an active 4-year old. You are to be commended. I have started feeling better. From all that I have read on this message board (which has been exceptionally helpful) it may take awhile to be totally symptom free. Also, as nini suggested...there could be cross contamination or hidden glutin that you just don't know about yet, and going down to a bare minimum may be very helpful for you. At first I was totally overwhelmed...but going into this website provided a great strenghth and support system. Kathleen

[Guest RachelLawson]

Thank you so much - you're wonderful people to reply so quickly. I'll definitely cut out the dairy for now and simplify my entire diet to see where that takes me. If it's OK with you, I'll print your replies off and stick them to my fridge door - your support really helps me to realise that I'm not on my own and I'm not stuck with having to turn to medical professionals when what I really need is comforting advice from people who've been through this.

Thank you so much,

Rachel.

[tarnalberry]

give consideration to the fact you may be fighting off a bug as well.

I would disagree with the rice, applesauce, bananas advice from a strict perspective - that could make you feel worse if it affects your blood sugar. it's a good place to start, but I would make sure to get fat and protein with that. (avocados are a good way to get fat and most people do not react badly to them - and you can mix it up with rice too! ;-) chicken may be a good choice for protein - cooked plainly, of course.)

[Guest nini]

I only suggested the very simple diet just for a couple of days for when you are feeling extremely crummy. My system responds favorably to this, but everyone is different. As an example, when a child has a tummy bug, the Dr.s will rec commend the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) until they can keep food in them. Whenever my system gets really Wonky, this is the only way that I can keep food in me. It won't hurt to go a couple of days without protein and of course unless I have some really good gluten-free crackers or bread I avoid the toast part of this like the plague!

After that I will add in some plain baked chicken or turkey, or tuna fish mixed in with the rice. After another day or two of that I try a starchy veggie like peas... just keeping it really simple until I feel better.

I'm also taking digestive enzymes with probiotics and a B-12 supplement for support.

[tarnalberry]

It won't hurt to go a couple of days without protein and of course unless I have some really good gluten-free crackers or bread I avoid the toast part of this like the plague!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you've got blood sugar problems, though, or are prone to them, it WILL hurt. Half a day eating like that, and I would feel soooo crappy. You're absolutely right though, not everyone responds that way. It's important to be aware of it, but if that many carbs doesn't cause a problem, it can be nice and easy on the stomach.

[Guest nini]

I do have blood sugar problems. Dx with hypoglycemia borderline diabetes 5 years ago. And I've never had a problem... but again... that's just me!