ScionTC

  On 1/23/2010 at 5:43 AM, sandsurfgirl said:

You might just have a stomache virus. Not everything is due to celiac. The flu symptoms, headache, achiness and D are pretty much standard for a stomache virus. If you are sure you haven't had gluten, then I would just keep hydrated and you're probably contagious if you are feverish so stay home a few days.

I really hope you're right! Thanks for the support everyone

  On 1/22/2010 at 2:12 PM, mindwiped said:

Check your Tums...there was one type we'd had in the house that had wheat in it. I hope it's not the type you're taking.

Ah, you probably mean the smoothie or whatever type. Nah I don't take those, and according to their website, the rest of their products are gluten-free.

Thanks for the replies. The only non-whole food I'm consuming is Heinz Ketchup (I'm the only user of it, no cross contamination). Everything else is fresh fruits, veggies, lentils and unprocessed meats. I do take Centrum Liquid Multi-vitamin, which is supposed to be gluten-free, and take regular tums for calcium. I drink nothing but water, use a variety of Tom's toothpaste, use dial hand soap and prell shampoo. I was using listerine, but for some reason after using it I was getting shortness of breath, so I've been away from that for two days now.

First off, its really nice to meet all of you.

I was diagnosed around the middle of October '09. So far, I've been on the gluten-free diet 3 different times, and failed twice, due to accidents. My last accident was, of course, over the holidays, probably December 26th or 27th. This time I'm determined to succeed, and I've been gluten-free ever since, but the withdrawal symptoms are destroying me! In the last week, I've been having a lot of head aches, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, some eye and temple pressure (almost a passing out sensation), some assorted flu-like symptoms, insomnia, and a few day bout with the big D. Minus the D and insomnia, these are all new symptoms for me (longest I've been gluten-free so far!) While still on gluten, I mainly suffered with chills/shakes, severe stomach cramps, fatigue, and constipation.

I have also cut out soy and lactose to be on the safe side, but I know for a fact lactose cramps me up really badly. My questions are: 1.) Are these symptoms at all typical of withdrawal? 2.) How long have some of you experienced withdrawals? College just started back up (thankfully I commute, makes eating easier), but these symptoms are really destroying my ability to focus in class and on homework/studying, which is really the last thing I need at the beginning of a fresh semester. I welcome everyone's input!