Feeling Discouraged

[Peppa-minto]

I started the gluten free diet on Saturday and the next few days I started to really see an improvement. But today I know I didn't eat any gluten and i feel terrible. The constant gas and urge to go even though I don't have to are back. Is this normal? I still don't even know of this is what's wrong with me but with my sister having this issue I feel it is likely.

[bartfull]

You will be up and down at first. That is normal. But be aware that there is hidden gluten everywhere, like toothpaste, cosmetics, and especially in your older cookware. Scratched teflon pans or plastics, colanders, cast iron, wooden utensils.

And if you live in a home where there are still gluten eaters it can be really tricky. You may have picked up gluten on your hands from touching something they touched after eating a sandwich. Later, you put a slice of apple in your mouth, and that apple is contaminated just from touching it.

Toasters need to be replaced because no matter how well you clean them you'll never get all of the gluten crumbs out of them. Peanut butter and condiment jars need to be replaced because once a knife touches gluten bread and then is dipped back into that jar, it is contaminated.

Oh yeah, your silverware drawer most likely has had a few crumbs fall in it so that has to be thouroughly cleaned. Even the gluten-free items in your cupboard may not be gluten-free anymore if they are near gluten items like bags of flour.

There are other things to consider and I'm sure someone will be along shortly to add to the list.

But the thing to remember is this: it is hard, SO hard, at first. But it becomes easier as time goes on. After a while it'll be second nature. So hang in there and know you can always come here for advice and support. We're all in this leaky boat together, and we will manage to keep each other afloat.

[mushroom]

Bartfull is right, recovery is not a straight line. There will be peaks and valleys, mistakes, contamination from unknown sources, and it takes a while to learn where all the sneaky gluten lurks. What on the surface may appear to be gluten free may on further investigation actually have gluten. You have to read all labels of processed foods - I even found gluten in marmalade of all things

Also, (and hopefully this won't happen to you) some people go through a period of withdrawal after they quit gluten, just like the smoker's withdrawal from nicotine. Our bodies have a tendency to become addicted to those things which are bad for them and gluten can act as an opioid on the body. So you really have to wait a good three weeks before you can tell if you are truly heading in the right direction, although you will receive many positive rewards along the way, I am sure.

Stay the course, and end up feeling better soon.