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

Whats This Brain Fog I've Been Reading About. It's Ruining My Life.

fire-chickens

By fire-chickens
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

fire-chickens Rookie
fire-chickens
Posted

I've started a new job through a hiring agency at a vitamin plant where my parent's have worked since the 70's and my mom is currently the only one who still works for the company at another facility, my dad is 71 and has since retired in 1998. I've busting my butt, working hard and I've had my good days and my "off" days, but I have so many "off" days its killing me. I do stupid stuff all the time whether it be putting a pallet on an elevator without stacking it on right or just plain simply screwing little things up or just making myself work harder and not smarter. and I get criticized as to why I did what I did and told to do it a different way, and all i can say is "I don't know why I did that, I guess I wasn't thinking.. I know my co-workers probably think I'm messed up in the head, or not all there. It's not funny and it's truly making my life a living nightmare, I've got HUGE shoes to fill, including my brother who worked for the team I'm on for a year until I got in. I want to get a direct job, and if i keep this up I won't make it, and this job is my life, and if I screw it up I'll off myself or something. I can't live with myself for messing up and failing my parent's reputation, its not in me to deal with that as a man. I want to perform as good if not better than my brother did too, and my work effort is there but my common sense is OUT THE WINDOW! Its like I cannot focus, I have had Celiac for my entire life and i always thought since I found out this past summer that its probably left me well, dumb in the head due to the fact that my body never got all the nutrients it needed. I feel like i got the short end out of all my brothers. I'm only 100 pounds at 20 years old still.

i seriously seriously need advice, i can't admit I have celiac because that would keep me from getting a job there. And I feel like neither of my parents don't take this disease serious enough to the point where they'd believe this "brain fog" stuff. I can't tell my dad I've been performing poorly at work and this is likely the issue, I just can't. I've been spiraling down everyday emotionally its now like everyday I have a day where I'm just "out there", i can't take much more of this. Is there and actual name for this "brain fog"? is it a mental issue? because its literally destroying my life one day at a time. I've been eating gluten free for 2 months as well.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


sora Community Regular
sora
Posted

I've started a new job through a hiring agency at a vitamin plant where my parent's have worked since the 70's and my mom is currently the only one who still works for the company at another facility, my dad is 71 and has since retired in 1998. I've busting my butt, working hard and I've had my good days and my "off" days, but I have so many "off" days its killing me. I do stupid stuff all the time whether it be putting a pallet on an elevator without stacking it on right or just plain simply screwing little things up or just making myself work harder and not smarter. and I get criticized as to why I did what I did and told to do it a different way, and all i can say is "I don't know why I did that, I guess I wasn't thinking.. I know my co-workers probably think I'm messed up in the head, or not all there. It's not funny and it's truly making my life a living nightmare, I've got HUGE shoes to fill, including my brother who worked for the team I'm on for a year until I got in. I want to get a direct job, and if i keep this up I won't make it, and this job is my life, and if I screw it up I'll off myself or something. I can't live with myself for messing up and failing my parent's reputation, its not in me to deal with that as a man. I want to perform as good if not better than my brother did too, and my work effort is there but my common sense is OUT THE WINDOW! Its like I cannot focus, I have had Celiac for my entire life and i always thought since I found out this past summer that its probably left me well, dumb in the head due to the fact that my body never got all the nutrients it needed. I feel like i got the short end out of all my brothers. I'm only 100 pounds at 20 years old still.

i seriously seriously need advice, i can't admit I have celiac because that would keep me from getting a job there. And I feel like neither of my parents don't take this disease serious enough to the point where they'd believe this "brain fog" stuff. I can't tell my dad I've been performing poorly at work and this is likely the issue, I just can't. I've been spiraling down everyday emotionally its now like everyday I have a day where I'm just "out there", i can't take much more of this. Is there and actual name for this "brain fog"? is it a mental issue? because its literally destroying my life one day at a time. I've been eating gluten free for 2 months as well.

I am sure others will come on here to comment that have more experience and knowledge.

I am new to it all but I went through the same thing. I am sorry this is happening to you.

My first thought, is wheat used in the making of these vitamins? You may be getting exposed.

I had to quit my job, I was working in a bakery and made the dumbest mistakes and ended up in tears one day and I wanted that job sooooo bad.

I call it brain fog but I have seen others refer to it as 'gluten head'.

Charlotte

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Are you taking supplements? Sublingual B12 and a good gluten-free stress level with Bs and C may help a bit. You also need to make sure you are getting enough sleep, something that can at times be hard when you are young.

Do others in your home eat gluten? If so you need to be sure that you are doing all you can to prevent cross contamination. To heal quickest eating foods that are whole and unprocessed is the best. It does take some time to heal and if you are being CC'd that alone can cause depression issues.

I hope you are feeling better soon. If the depression gets too bad don't be afraid to call a hot line. There is no shame in being ill and celiac can mess up our moods really badly.

fire-chickens Rookie
fire-chickens
Posted
  • Author

i take a gluten free vitamin everyday. also i don't know if one of the products i work with are doing it, it could be and I've thought of that, but for the most part have ignored it. there's a bunch of different powders we work with, such as dry mixed tocopherols, caffeine, potassium citrate, citric acid, maltodextrin, taurine, niacinamide, there's many more but i'd need to get a list.

India Contributor
India
Posted

If it's any help, my brain fog improved a lot when I started following a FODMAPs eating plan. Coeliac disease gave me several other food intolerances and fructose in particular turns my brain to mush.

Also worth mentioning - a relative with much worse brain fog issues was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and the treatment made a remarkable difference. Took bloody ages because he's pretty young and not too overweight but it can affect people of any age or size.

Hope things improve for you soon.

ciamarie Rookie
ciamarie
Posted

I have a supplement that has maltodextrin in it that gives me brain fog. I know it's supposed to be gluten-free when it's in food, but I'm not sure that applies to supplements. (This one in particular doesn't say it's gluten-free). And even if it's a gluten-free supplement (with or without maltodextrin) it's possible something else in it bothers your system.

In addition, I also avoid corn syrup since it makes me tired and sometimes also gives me brain fog. I haven't actually had anything with corn syrup (that I know about) since going gluten-free about 6-7 weeks ago, so it may not hit me as bad now as it used to. I have recently started to eat (organic) corn tortillas and popcorn and that seems to be o.k.

Also, soy is a thyroid inhibitor, it's something else you might want to look at.

Tedzo Newbie
Tedzo
Posted

Our hearts go out to you.....there are many people who have experienced brain fog.

In my case, it was heavy metal poisoning. That, combined with a gluten diet,(didn't know I was intolerant) gave me brain fog, or some think fish fog. I had become toxic with mercury from dental fillings and too much fish, lead from the paint in my house.

Then I found out I was gluten intolerant. All of these issues can be resolved and I'm thinking and feeling much better.

Keep searching, appreciate your dilemma.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

I get in a brain fog when I am glutened. It affects my sleep also and that makes it worse of course. Gluten can affect the brain, read about gluten ataxia to learn more. Anyway, it can go away also but you may need a really clean non-contaminated diet for that to happen. People often suggest B-12 for nerve / brain healing. Since you are only 2 months into the diet you are still in the learning stages. I know I was making gluten mistakes long after that. It may help to avoid processed foods for a while.

I take melatonin sometimes to help with sleep.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

why do you say that if you admit you have Celiac disease it would keep you from getting a job there? That seems a bit extreme, unless the company uses gluten in their products, which would be most definitely contributing to your poor job performance, and you're better off NOT working there. At all! Regardless of how well the rest of your family does/did there, if there is gluten floating all over everywhere, it's not the job for you. Find something else, that won't contribute to your ill health.

Good luck!

Aly1 Contributor
Aly1
Posted

i take a gluten free vitamin everyday. also i don't know if one of the products i work with are doing it, it could be and I've thought of that, but for the most part have ignored it. there's a bunch of different powders we work with, such as dry mixed tocopherols, caffeine, potassium citrate, citric acid, maltodextrin, taurine, niacinamide, there's many more but i'd need to get a list.

I hate to say it but it really may just be the environment you're working in. I think that is a highly likely scenario. Is there any way to find out definitively if gluten-containing products are processed there? I would try to do some research. You don't want to be in a position where you are going to fail at something that is important to you and where you would fail in front of your family and friends too. Find out about the ingredients you are being exposed to. If gluten cross-contamination is the issue, you will not heal there and you will continue to make mistakes and suffer from brain fog. And there won't be anything you can do about it but be proactive and leave. I know you don't want that to be the case, but SOMETHING is causing the brain fog. If it's your work environment, then you've got to go before you ruin your own reputation and self-respect.

In either case, remember - it's not your fault. It is what it is, and maybe you will have to go out into the world and create a different, new path than the one your family has. One where you can be healthy, clear-headed and PROUD. (Maybe working at a certified, gluten-free facility!)

Don't give up, find out what is causing this and then take whatever action is necessary. Good luck!

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,549
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Blough
    Newest Member
    Blough
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.