Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

I Have Gone gluten-free W/my 15 Yr Old And I Feel Terrible!

maitrimama

Recommended Posts

maitrimama Apprentice
maitrimama
Posted

As a show of support I have gone gluten free with my 15 year old daughter. It has been one week and I feel terrible, queasy, shakey, tired, grouchy etc. and she is the one with celiac. Honestly if my daughter said she felt this bad I would have thought she was exaggerating so I am glad I am doing this. I know she isn't feeling great and I am worried she won't stick it out, she gone all day at school and I have no idea if she is strictly sticking to gluten free. Yes I was a bit of a wild child but I don't know what I would have done. Does this feeling terrible last long? Does anyone have any advice for dealing with and helping a teen?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mommyto2kids Collaborator
mommyto2kids
Posted

All I know is I hate being sick. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'm sure your daughter doesn't want you sick. If gluten free makes you sick, don't do it. There are other ways to help your daughter. You tried and it didn't work. We do a gluten free dinner. That is what has worked for us. Maybe try that. As you said, she's gone all day. So what's the point other than that.

Ollie's Mom Apprentice
Ollie's Mom
Posted

I would give it more time. From what I understand, many people go through a "withdrawal" like phase when they cut out gluten. That's what it sounds like may be happening to you right now.

I would not give up on it yet. It has only been a week. I would say give it at least a month.

maitrimama Apprentice
maitrimama
Posted
  • Author

Thank you very much for the support, it actually made me cry. As a mom I want to protect her but also know life's difficulties are what shape us into caring compassionate people. I still wish it could be me and not her. She's my trooper, first born,wasn't breathing at birth, iugr baby, heart defects,dislocated her elbow when she was 5 and popped it back in...hasn't she had enough? You'd never know if you met her (though she is small for our family 5'3" & 94lbs). My heart sank when we got the diagnosis celiac AND IBF. We'll get through it no matter how unfair it seems.

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

If being gluten-free makes you feel ill, then it's a sign that you have problems with gluten. I agree with giving it more time. You may find that once you're through the early stages you feel better than you have in many years. :)

Good for you for doing this with your daughter, and congrats for discovering your own issues.

I would also ask if you've switched to whole foods, or went straight for the gluten-free substitutes. Many people find that eating natural, fresh cooked meats, veggies and fruits make them heal more quickly.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

It's a little surprising what going off gluten can do when you're sensitive to it. You'd think it would be like deciding you're not going to eat strawberries or nuts but if you're sensitive it's totally different. For some people there is a mild opiate-like effect from gluten and when you remove it from your diet you go through a withdrawal. It's typically a few weeks. Hang in there, because it definitely gets better and keep encouraging your daughter too.

Also as Jestgar points out, if going off gluten is messing with you this badly you are almost certainly gluten sensitive. You may be pleasantly surprised how well you feel gluten-free once this uncomfortable phase is over.

Don't feel sorry for your daughter. It's a godsend you caught her celiac this young and she hasn't had to live with it for 30-odd years! Celiac is a pain in the butt, but it's not the end of the world. It's totally treatable with diet, which is a lot more than you can say for many other health problems. Most of us don't think of ourselves as having a "disease" becasue once you've been gluten free for a while, you recover.

weluvgators Explorer
weluvgators
Posted

Have you been tested yet for celiac? You may want to get yourself and any other family members tested now. I went gluten free for my DD, and I never would have guessed that I would be unable to do a gluten challenge for myself later (my reactions are too severe now after being strictly gluten free for my DD). And we had some withdrawal issues initially with going gluten free, but they passed.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mommyto2kids Collaborator
mommyto2kids
Posted

I did not know that. Thanks for teaching me. :)

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

I agree that all first-degree family members should be tested, but I don't agree that feeling bad is necessarily a sign that you have a problem with gluten.

richard

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I agree that all first-degree family members should be tested, but I don't agree that feeling bad is necessarily a sign that you have a problem with gluten.

People who have no problems with gluten go on and off it at will, with no issues at all. It's no more of an issue than deciding not to eat strawberries for a couple weeks. You probably go on and off various foods like seasonal produce all the time without thinking anything of it. For people who tolerate gluten, it is digested with no particular inflammatory, immune, or biochemical reactions just like any other food.

If you get a response off gluten, positive or negative, and it's not a sensitivity to something else you've suddenly started eating more of like xanthan gum, your body is seeing gluten as something other than simply food. The reaction needs to be examined with celiac testing and a couple months trial of a gluten-free diet to see what's really going on.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I highly doubt this is a celiac thing. It sounds like hypoglycemia, honestly. What exactly have you changed in your diet? (Clearly "cut out gluten", but what does that look like, in real-food terms, for you?) If you're eating more refined carbs (say, processed gluten free cookies, etc.) and less protein/fat, this could be part of the issue. If you're also simply eating a lot less, that could cause these symptoms as well. (Alternatively, if you are introducing processed, gluten free things into your diet that previously were not there, there may be something in those that you are sensitive to.)

maitrimama Apprentice
maitrimama
Posted
  • Author

It does feel like hypoglycemia that won't let up. Usually a piece of fruit and some cheese helps but not this time. I am usually a pretty healthy eater and suppose I am eating less but that is probably a good thing. Another thing is that is does feel like withdrawal, I am an alcoholic/addict in recovery for quite some time but I do remember this feeling. I am going to stick to it and talk to my doctor on Monday because I just happen to have a blood pressure check.

mommyto2kids Collaborator
mommyto2kids
Posted

Just trying to understand. Does Skylark think that xanthumgum could be an allergen to Celiacs? I wonder that with baking flour, gluten free for myself.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Xantham gum seems to bother some people. It is in alot of products in small amounts. It is in gluten-free baked good so suddenly eating them means you are suddenly eating alot more X gum than before.

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

You might want to consider what you are eating. Are you eating a lot of gluten free juck foods? It might just be the increase in junk foods. How about having omelets, stir fries with rice, fruit and yogurt, meat and veggies. If you are eating a healthy diet you should feel well.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Xantham gum seems to bother some people. It is in alot of products in small amounts. It is in gluten-free baked good so suddenly eating them means you are suddenly eating alot more X gum than before.

Exactly. Thanks, Karen!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,144
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jenny0384
    Newest Member
    Jenny0384
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      My migraines generally have their onset during the early morning hours as well. Presently, I am under siege with them, having headaches all but two days so far this month. I have looked at all the things reported to be common triggers (foods, sleep patterns, weather patterns, stress, etc.). Every time I think I start to see a pattern it proves not to pan out in the long run. I'm not sure it's any one thing but may, instead, be a combination of things that coalesce at certain times. It's very frustrating. The medication (sumatriptan or "Imatrix") is effective and is the only thing that will quell the pain. NSAIDs, Tylenol, even hydrocodone doesn't touch it. But they only give you 9 does of sumatriptan a month. And it doesn't help that medical science doesn't really know what causes migraines. They know some things about it but the root cause is still a mystery.
    • Scott Adams
      Tamale ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    • Wheatwacked
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough.  Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition.  Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome.  Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely.  It takes time to heal and you need to focus on vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free foods are not fortified like regular processed foods.  
    • Sarah Grace
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By Sarah Grace · Posted

      Dear Kitty Since March I have been following your recommendations regarding vitamins to assist with various issues that I have been experiencing.  To recap, I am aged 68 and was late diagnosed with Celiac about 12 years ago.  I had been experiencing terrible early morning headaches which I had self diagnosed as hypoglycaemia.  I also mentioned that I had issues with insomnia, vertigo and brain fog.   It's now one year since I started on the Benfotiamine 600 mg/day.  I am still experiencing the hypoglycaemia and it's not really possible to say for sure whether the Benfotiamine is helpful.  In March this year, I added B-Complex Thiamine Hydrochloride and Magnesium L-Threonate on a daily basis, and I am now confident to report that the insomnia and vertigo and brain fog have all improved!!  So, very many thanks for your very helpful advice. I am now less confident that the early morning headaches are caused by hypoglycaemia, as even foods with a zero a GI rating (cheese, nuts, etc) can cause really server headaches, which sometimes require migraine medication in order to get rid off.  If you are able to suggest any other treatment I would definitely give it a try, as these headaches are a terrible burden.  Doctors in the UK have very limited knowledge concerning dietary issues, and I do not know how to get reliable advice from them. Best regards,
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.