Gluten free, anyone?

kcisthebombdotcom

I'm kind of dumb and can't remember if its here or sahm where there were a couple adults who went gf..but I'm going to try here first. How long did your withdrawal symptoms last? I've been horrible on the diet for the past three months with stress and then with traveling. Now that things are calming down and getting back to normal I went cold turkey off gluten Saturday. I feel freaking awful. I have a headache pretty much constantly, I'm tired and irritable. When is this going to get better?

LoveActually4

I'm GF because I have celiac. I thought you had it too?

I don't have any withdrawl. In fact I feel a million times better on the diet because it relieves my celiac symptoms.

jorkz821

Not gf myself but are you replacing with other grains? Headache could be due to low carbohydrate otherwise.

CinemaGoddess

Please tell me you're doing this because you have to, KC. 

Don't be that guy who goes on a GF diet to lose weight. 

kcisthebombdotcom

No, I actually have celiac. I don't get physically sick off gluten so its easy to cheat. I've always had a cheat meal here or there while still having good blood work and biopsies...but I've been cheating a lot. Like everyday sometimes multiple times a day *hangs head in shame* Since I've stopped cold turkey I feel like total poo. Worse than ingesting gluten. I've been substituting carbs appropriately but going off gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms which is definitely happening to me. I haven't gone (or needed to) go cold turkey off gluten in 14 years so I don't remember how long the adjustment period is.

jorkz821

EllaHella said:

Brandi Bee said:

I thought about trying it out with Isla but decided against it for both of us.

That was probably a good idea.  It isn't really something you do without medical advice, imo.  It isn't like going vegan or paleo.

I think in terms of meeting nutrient needs and overall balance, vegan would be harder. But going gf without a diagnosis drives me batty. Both should probably see RDs.

kcisthebombdotcom

Brandi Bee said:

I thought about trying it out with Isla but decided against it for both of us.

It actually helped my daughter a ton and completely resolved her social delays but we did genetic testing and found she had both genes associated with celiac. It's probably wise to not do it on a whim.

kcisthebombdotcom

Brandi Bee said:

Well we spoke about it with her pedi eventually & they said we could but there was no guarantee of a difference in her. So even after her dx, I didn't want to do it. She's made plenty of progress with therapy alone. Plus I don't want to give her soy products & I know she wouldn't drink almond milk.

Not implying its the case with your kid and kind of going off on a tangent but I really wish pedis were more knowledgable about celiac and tested any kids who present with delays. Celiac can present solely with developmental delays as the sole symptom. Gluten free gave me a whole different kid. Seriously.

lildevil968

We are GF in our house, but that is because DS is Celiac. We decided to go GF at home because DS can't read labels, and I really don't feel like spending another night in the E.R. with a screaming kid, who has to get a morphine shot.

We never really had an adjustment period because we eat whatever we want at work.

kcisthebombdotcom

lildevil968 said:

We are GF in our house, but that is because DS is Celiac. We decided to go GF at home because DS can't read labels, and I really don't feel like spending another night in the E.R. with a screaming kid, who has to get a morphine shot.

We never really had an adjustment period because we eat whatever we want at work.

Wow, your son has that severe a reaction? How horrible. My daughter will puke and have the distended belly for a few days after but nothing too terrible. That's gotta be tough.

lildevil968

It sucks   If he gets a hold of another kids food at DC, he's at the hospital within minutes, or hours.

Wine O Mite

KC, I'm surprised you put your health and life at risk to cheat just because you don't have symptoms.

kcisthebombdotcom

Wine O Mite said:

KC, I'm surprised you put your health and life at risk to cheat just because you don't have symptoms.

My kid got sick and I was depressed and stressed. Way to kick me when I'm down though.

Wine O Mite

You've admitted that you cheat before.

I'm just shocked that's all. I have friends who are so concerned because of what their biopsies showed. They won't even risk it because they don't want to inflict further damage.

LoveActually4

KC, don't feel bad. I know how hard it is.

I found out I had CD when I was 21 and had no symptoms. I cheated all the time until I started trying for a baby and had 4 m/c's. turns out, miscarriages were my symptom.

It was so difficult for me to go 100% GF. I kept GF treats in the house to reward myself like Caramilk Bars or MnMs. When I got a craving for something I couldn't eat, I'd snack on a few MnMs and feel a bit better. Not the healthiest reward but it kept me from eating other things.

I hope you're able to get back on your diet soon.

nancy30005

OkayKelci said:

I do not have celiacs, but I am going gluten free per my doctor for other health reasons (candida, etc.) and I am finding it hard to transition. It is not because of withdrawls, although I love my breads and grains, it is more because I am really uneducated in the subject. I find with the gluten free diet I have more energy and less headaches.

I would love to discuss this with you if you're down. 

ap142193

I have been gluten free for about 3 months.  I really didnt have withdrawal symptoms, but all of a sudden I wanted donuts!  I did "cheat" and it regular mac and cheese on a business trip two months in and it made me sick.  

tbmadeamistake

I've been gf for 5 years now and don't remember any withdrawal symptoms.  However, my physical symptoms were so bad that those getting better could have hidden the withdrawal?  I've actually never heard of the withdrawal so I'll have to look into it! 

If any of you ladies need good resources, check out www.glutenfreegirl.com.  She has A, awesome pages dedicated to people new to the diet and B, amazing recipes and links to great food.  A lot of her newer recipes are super easy as well.  There is a steep learning curve when you start, but it does get easier. 

KC, I used to cheat as well, but then I realized that way I felt wasn't worth it.  Can you try keeping some easy gf snacks/junk food around for when you're feeling down/stressed that you can use?  Make it easier to keep on the diet?  I hope things get better!!  I know I don't get the withdrawals that you do, but PM me if you have any questions.

amykins1283

KC_13 said:

I

Wine O Mite said:

KC, I'm surprised you put your health and life at risk to cheat just because you don't have symptoms.

My kid got sick and I was depressed and stressed. Way to kick me when I'm down though.

Seriously. I have a chronic disease and sometimes when you are feeling good it is really easy to slip back into being a normal person and kind of go into denial. Been there done that.

Anyway, I am gluten sensitive due to my UC so I try to avoid it. I find it much easier to not try and sub non gluten products for things like breads and pastas because they just aren't nearly as good. I have a couple of recipes I like but find it much simpler and budget friendly to just avoid grains as much as possible. I eat a lot of veggies and fruits for my carbs. I've also recently cut out sugar and it has done great things for my inflammation.

kcisthebombdotcom

Wine O Mite said:

You've admitted that you cheat before. I'm just shocked that's all. I have friends who are so concerned because of what their biopsies showed. They won't even risk it because they don't want to inflict further damage.

Great for your friends. My board certified gi doctor supported the occasional Cheat meal based in my case and I generally make decisions about my Body with my dcotor, not what other people do. I had over a decade of perfect biopsies/ blood work living in this manner. He said obviously my body could handle it and that it was fine though during pregnancy I didn't cheat once since I figured it was best to err on the side of caution.

kcisthebombdotcom

Lilygrace48 said:

I've been gf for 5 years now and don't remember any withdrawal symptoms.  However, my physical symptoms were so bad that those getting better could have hidden the withdrawal?  I've actually never heard of the withdrawal so I'll have to look into it! 

If any of you ladies need good resources, check out www.glutenfreegirl.com.  She has A, awesome pages dedicated to people new to the diet and B, amazing recipes and links to great food.  A lot of her newer recipes are super easy as well.  There is a steep learning curve when you start, but it does get easier. 

KC, I used to cheat as well, but then I realized that way I felt wasn't worth it.  Can you try keeping some easy gf snacks/junk food around for when you're feeling down/stressed that you can use?  Make it easier to keep on the diet?  I hope things get better!!  I know I don't get the withdrawals that you do, but PM me if you have any questions.

Thank you!

kcisthebombdotcom

Brandi Bee said:

KC_13 said:

Brandi Bee said:

Well we spoke about it with her pedi eventually & they said we could but there was no guarantee of a difference in her. So even after her dx, I didn't want to do it. She's made plenty of progress with therapy alone. Plus I don't want to give her soy products & I know she wouldn't drink almond milk.

Not implying its the case with your kid and kind of going off on a tangent but I really wish pedis were more knowledgable about celiac and tested any kids who present with delays. Celiac can present solely with developmental delays as the sole symptom. Gluten free gave me a whole different kid. Seriously.

I hear that from many parents.  It isn't like I'm saying it's off the table after we talk about it more.  Isla is just so picky....I have no idea what the hell I'd feed her if we took gluten out of her diet.  Although we did try the pasta and she liked it quite a bit.

Have you done any food allergy testing yet? It might be a good starting point.