Need Help.

[squirmingitch]

Ice pack on your forehead Tom. Sorry you're having the headaches. Yes, people report headaches while going through withdrawal. and for what it's worth I had a lot of that shaky feeling a lot of the time. And being able to hear your heart beat --- very annoying.

[mushroom]

I agree with the icepacks. Try to stick it out. Normally it (the heavy withdrawal) does not last too long (although every day can seem too long )

[TomC]

Thanks everyone! You're helping me stay calm!

[TomC]

Hey guys, I need some advice again.

I went gluten/dairy free about three weeks ago.

Before going gluten free I suffered with digestion problems, hand and joint pain.

After going gluten free, as I wrote in earlier posts, I had weird withdrawal symptoms. Headaches, muscle twitching and shaking at night. All of those symptoms have gone away now on week three. No more headaches, no more shoulder and hand pain.

But now my back is in terrible discomfort. Last week I did a light work out and the next day it seemed to have messed with a nerve on my back. It wasn't so bad but each day of going to work made it worse, until yesterday I couldn't take it no more. Now I can barely do anything.

Does this sound like a withdrawal symptom or more like nerve damage? I'm thinking the gluten attacked my nerves and they are/were super sensitive.

[pricklypear1971]

All is fair in love, war and gluten.

All I can tell you is that for the first 6 months weird crap is going to happen. I thought I'd wake up one morning with wings sprouting out of my back.

Your body is "rebooting". It will make a few bad starts if you know what I mean??

Start tracking your food - that will help you pinpoint an additional food issue if you have one. And drink water. Lots of it.

You may notice weird stuff, just try to breathe deep and realize most of it will pass.

I don't remember if you had your vitamin levels checked or not, but if you didn't you should- and you may need some supplaments: iron, b's, d, cal/mag, k.

[TomC]

Thanks. Six months is a long time. I have a job and only so much sick time left ! But I guess I have no choice but to deal with it.

I have an appointment next week with the doctor. Right now I am supplementing with multivitamins and other supplements. I pretty much eat as healthy as I possibly can...Organic foods, totally gluten free.

[pricklypear1971]

Everyone makes their way through this. Have you read the fitness board here? there may be some hints in there.

Personally, I notice gluten makes a big difference in stamina and cramps. It's where I feel it first. Perhaps you're just going to have to take it easy for a while.

And alternate hot and cold on the painful area. Mostly cold. What about a good masseuse?

[TomC]

Alright thank you for the all the responses.

I been staying out of the fitness section because it depresses me to read about fitness and nutrition when I feel like I can't even move very well. haha.

A masseuse would be nice right about now.

[squirmingitch]

Tom, FWIW, I (hope) have just finished (fingers & toes crossed) going through weird stuff like body parts that out of nowhere swell up, get red, won't move, or you scream when you try to move them. It might last a couple hours or 3 or 4 days. You never know. One day I would drag a leg around then be fine for a week then BOOM! the back of my hand would swell & be as painful as all get out. Weird stuff.

When it happens just go with the flow & try not to panic. Lay down, use a heating pad or an ice pack or a shot or two or three or whatever makes you feel better if anything. Breathe. And keep breathing.

[frieze]

Thanks. Six months is a long time. I have a job and only so much sick time left ! But I guess I have no choice but to deal with it.

I have an appointment next week with the doctor. Right now I am supplementing with multivitamins and other supplements. I pretty much eat as healthy as I possibly can...Organic foods, totally gluten free.

Are your supplements gluten free? and egg free?

[TomC]

Are your supplements gluten free? and egg free?

Yes, all of my supplements are gluten free. I barely cut eggs from my diet about a week into being gluten free after noticing I'd have lower back pain the next morning every time I ate some eggs.

[MitziG]

Ditto the above. When you go off gluten, it is like your body systems kind of go into shock. They don't know how to function properly. It takes time. Just relax, tell yourself weird stuff is gonna happen for a few months.

It is unlikely you have any permanent nerve damage. Get your vit levels checked, rest, relax and ride it out. It gets better. I promise.

[TomC]

Hey thanks everyone for the responses. It really helped in keeping me calm in one of the worst times of my life. I struggled for months not knowing what was wrong with me.

Because of the kind of work I do, I am trying to see a chiropractor just to make sure things are in order. I never thought gluten would cause such a wide range of symptoms, from my stomach, hands, shoulders and now my back!