Feeling Weak

[dick'sgal]

I have read on this site that one of the symptoms of celiac disease is weakness. I was diagnosed as a celiac about three years ago, but never had any symptoms of weakness. Mostly it was severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc. This past spring I began to feel weak, it seems to start just around the time I eat breakfast, seems to be worse around the time I want to eat.

Sometimes I have a really fast heartbeat. I took a stress test at the hospital but it didn't reveal any problems. It feels as though my normally healthy body is struggling. Now, I think all this is celiac related. Thanks for any advice you can give. I just joined this site and think it is wonderful. Dick's gal

[nettiebeads]

I have read on this site that one of the symptoms of celiac disease is weakness.  I was diagnosed as a celiac about three years ago, but never had any symptoms of weakness. Mostly it was severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc. This past spring I began to feel weak, it seems to start just around the time I eat breakfast, seems to be worse around the time I want to eat.

Sometimes I have a really fast heartbeat. I took a stress test at the hospital but it  didn't reveal any problems. It feels as though my normally healthy body is struggling.  Now, I think all this is celiac related. Thanks for any advice you can give. I just joined this site and think it is wonderful. Dick's gal

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My problem is fatigue. When I get glutenated I'm down for nearly two weeks - just dog tired. Or if I'm hit with something else where I don't eat quite right resulting in reduced protein intake I'm tired and weak until I get built back up. Usually that takes me another week or so from after I've recovered from whatever got me off course in the first place. And that's been more so as I've gotten older (physically, not mentally ). So, what do you normally eat for breakfast? If it's cereal based, has the manufacturer changed the ingredients? (I'm always checking labels even on "safe" foods. You never know when something will be changed to save a fraction of a cent for the makers) How long has the fast heartbeat been happening? I've read a lot of threads here - it seems there are thyroid problems that are related to having celiac disease. Just a thought. And I agree with you, this site is wonderful!

[ianm]

The three biggest problems for me were in order:

1. Brain fog - To the point of being crippling.

2. Fatigue - Almost as bad as the brain fog.

3. Weight gain - Lots of it.

I did not have a lot of gut problems like some do but it was more than normal. I used to have times of very rapid heart beat also. All of these have gone away since I quit gluten.

[Merika]

Hi,

I had rapid heartbeat when I first had celiac symptoms and was eating gluten. I also had with this electrolyte imbalance, which maybe triggered it? It came and went for about a year. Then got less frequent. Then went away - it's rare that it happens to me now. Mind you, I was eating gluten all those years.

I found traditional chinese medicine very helpful, and teaching myself some biofeedback to calm it (by trial and error, no real method).

Does that help? Can you be more specific? Oh, I would also get ridiculously exhausted from it afterwards sometimes - like a heart-attack victim afterwards almost - barely able to wash my own hair, etc. I probably would have passed a stress test too.

Merika

[nogluten-]

I have read on this site that one of the symptoms of celiac disease is weakness. I was diagnosed as a celiac about three years ago, but never had any symptoms of weakness. Mostly it was severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc. This past spring I began to feel weak, it seems to start just around the time I eat breakfast, seems to be worse around the time I want to eat.

Sometimes I have a really fast heartbeat. I took a stress test at the hospital but it didn't reveal any problems. It feels as though my normally healthy body is struggling. Now, I think all this is celiac related. Thanks for any advice you can give. I just joined this site and think it is wonderful. Dick's gal

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[/quote

I'm always tired, but something that helps me is a Boost Breeze. They're gluten and lactose free and the tropical fruit ones taste good chilled. I drink them as meal replacers when i'm too sick to eat or cook. Maybe you should be checked for anemia as well? I'm also on a low dose of anti-depressant, which helps a little. I used to take Provigal for energy, but I felt too wired with it. It's also insanely expensive and many insurance companies won't pay for it unless youre a diagnosed narcoleptic or a couple of other conditions. Good luck to you- hope youre feeling better soon. Take care.

[jenvan]

dick's gal--

as no gluten suggested...i think you should have your iron cked out. anemia can also make one feel week, and it can affect your heart as well. i had a heart murmur showing up while i was anemic. now that i have normal iron levels--no murmur. it might be worth a try. anemia is fairly common for celiacs too...