All Puffed Up; Feeling Sick Again. Depressed.

[musikate]

I've been gluten-free for almost three weeks now, I keep telling everyone how wonderful the change has been, but now I'm afraid I'm going to lose face. I woke up this morning with a swollen face, huge belly, fatigue/drowsiness, and bulky, painful stools. I don't think I went off the diet; in fact, I've been quite careful. I'm almost certain I didn't make any mistakes. My family is so tired of my being sick, and they seem to like the new me. I almost feel as though it's my own fault, thet I'm reverting to old habits of laziness and hypochondria or something. But I know that it's physical; one look in the mirror and into the toilet tells me that!

Can anyone help with some encouraging words?

Kate

[SandraNinTO]

You will get better. You're already a little better right? You probably have more energy. Maybe you haven't removed absolutely everything. It takes a long time to totally eliminate everything. Gluten is sneaky. I remember how long it took me to figure out that there's gluten in Rice Dream milk. (It's in the fine print). Maybe you have a problem with dairy. When I ingest dairy, I blow up like I'm 9 months pregnant. Also, dairy gives me horrid gastrointestinal problems just like gluten. I promise you're going to feel better and better by the day as you get rid of more and more gluten, and as you find more and more food you can eat. Hang in there. Sandra

[KaitiUSA]

Hang in there. Symptoms will not go away overnight. I was not normal until 8 months gluten free but I felt alot better after the 3rd month. Everyone is different so just stick with it and your body will work at it's own pace.

Also, have you looked into checking cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, soaps, and other products to make sure they are gluten free as well?

[julie5914]

Yeah, do hang in there and try removing dairy for few weeks. If that doesn't work, try corn next, then rice. I really don't think there are many hypochondriacs in this world. Just a lot of skeptics.

[Guest katzmeow21]

I've been gluten-free for almost three weeks now,  I keep telling everyone how wonderful the change has been, but now I'm afraid I'm going to lose face.  I woke up this morning with a swollen face, huge belly, fatigue/drowsiness, and bulky, painful stools.  I don't think I went off the diet; in fact, I've been quite careful.  I'm almost certain I didn't make any mistakes.  My family is so tired of my being sick, and they seem to like the new me.  I almost feel as though it's my own fault, thet I'm reverting to old habits of laziness and hypochondria or something.  But I know that it's physical; one look in the mirror and into the toilet tells me that!

Can anyone help with some encouraging words?

Kate

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't give up. Time will change it all and I think the advice of others to consider other allergens in the diet is so right on... Especially corn and dairy.

Still I think the best way to be less frustrated and get quicker results is to go to a holistic doctor and ask for a blood test that shows allergies in the form of IGG and IGE antigens to a whole realm of foods. This can be so much quicker and easier than elimination of trial and error. If you don't have holistic practictioners in your area search the web for this type of testing. There are labs out there that can do a great job. Also just consider getting checked for something called "leaky gut syndrome" I know it sounds to weird but it is becoming a mainstream thought. Look it up on the web for more info too. The smarter you are about autoimmune disease both from your regular MD and naturopathic type studies the sooner you will put the pieces of the puzzle together for yourself. Doctors on their own just don't have enough time even though they mean well. They also many times come with prejudices about their belief and what they have learned. We must remain open to all....