Gluten allergy symptoms may be similar to the symptoms for celiac disease. You must learn what to eat and what has gluten.
Whether you have a gluten allergy or celiac disease, management is the same: avoid all gluten. Still, I highly recommend you get a test for celiac to rule out this disease. If you have a gluten allergy, you don’t need to worry about tiny amounts of gluten in your diet as long as you feel OK.. On the other hand, if you have celiac disease, you must eliminate all gluten, even if you feel OK.
Gluten allergies are relatively common. Some studies indicate that 1 in 167 apparently healthy children (0.6%) and 1 in 111 adults (0.9%) have a gluten allergy. When people with gastrointestinal complaints were studied, 1 in 40 children (2.5%) and 1 in 30 adults (3.3%) were found to have a gluten allergy. This makes a gluten allergy quite common, especially when people with chronically uncomfortable guts are considered.
The only way to verify a gluten allergy is with a proper test, however you can use following symptoms as a guideline. If you have several of these symptoms, an allergy test for gluten is highly recommended. Insist on one even if you have a stubborn and ill-informed doctor!
Symptoms of a Gluten Allergy
- Upper repository tract problems (sustains, glue ear)
- Fatigue
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Mouth ulcers
- Anaemia
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Osteoporosis
- Weight loss
- Short stature in children
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal bloating
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Depression
- Attention and behavioral problems (in children and adults)
- Autism
- Skin problems
- Keratosis pilaris
- Asthma
- Irritability
- Wheat-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis
Please note several things when considering this list:
- Individual symptoms can vary tremendously. Someone with a gluten allergy will probably not have all of these symptoms, and may have other symptoms not listed here.
- Although some symptoms seem contradictory, it is possible to alternate between one symptom and another, for example between diarrhoea and constipation.
- Just because someone has one, some or all of these symptoms, does not mean to say they definitely have a gluten allergy. Other causes are possible.
Unless you have celiac, you can often decide whether to include gluten in your diet based on how you feel when you eat gluten. If eliminating gluten from your diet makes you feel better, and you find it is worth the effort, then that is enough reason to stop eating wheat, barley and rye.
For parents, it is a matter of observing your children’s behavior as well as asking them how they feel.
Doctors often think they know better. If you feel better when you avoid gluten, follow what your body tells you.
Avoiding gluten can be the key to more energy and clear thinking for many people.
There are tests to see if you have celiac disease or a type-I food sensitivity (classic allergy).
These are not the only root cause for a gluten sensitivity however. Many, if not most people who are effected by gluten will get negative test results.
This is why I strongly recommend an elimination diet, even if laboratory tests come up negative.
Gluten and Fatigue
One of my biggest complaints when I am suffering from my allergies is fatigue. Everything and anything seems like too much effort.
There are many reasons why you might feel fatigue. If you’ve looked into other causes and not come up with anything, I suggest you try cutting out wheat, rye, and barley, in other words gluten, from your diet for eight weeks and see if you get some, most or all of your energy back.
Internal Links
- Gluten-Free Diet Story by Ashley
- Gluten allergy
- Gluten Linked to Seizures and Epilepsy
- Celiac vs. Gluten
- Gluten Allergy Description, Severe Case
- Top 20 Food Allergies with Delayed Reactions
- Self-Testing for Food Allergies
- Allergy Symptoms
External Links
Gluten Allergies – What is Your Experience?
You are welcome to leave your comments below about living with a gluten-free diet, or your road towards discovery that you must eliminate gluten. Maybe you are on that road now? Tell us about it!
{ 261 comments… read them below or add one }
Gluten Allergy, diary allergy – just a food poisoning
I had the some problem as most of allergic people and I have find the solution. I have the simple solution, there is no allergy just a simple food poisoning by improper food procedures. I had a farm and I sell the milk for about 80 families with little babies – having diary allergy. From my milk no one of little babies has any allergic reaction. The similar situation is with gluten. I am making bread with high gluten contain and no one has gluten allergy reaction from our bread. I am looking for autorized laboratory to make the official test and publish the results. Or you can test our products.
Interesting Perspective
Thanks for your comment, Ladislav.
I know that farming is hard work, and that often problems in the food supply are blamed on the farmer.
This is not fair, and many if not most problems in the food supply have nothing to do with the farmer of the farm.
There is no doubt though, that some people react to certain foods and others don’t.
Some of what seem to be food allergy symptoms could be confused with food poisoning I suppose.
I have some questions for you about your farm:
What country is your farm in, and near what city?
Meanwhile, you might be interested in the article about allergies and food poisoning.
sorry but what are u refering to when u say main stream and ancient wheat strains. being a farmer i know that we dont have different strains but varieties, and that wheat has been bred for over a thousand years to achieve current quality standards therefore it would be like trying to make bread with grass seed if we were to use an “ancient” variety sorry strain
“Ancient wheat strains” refers to grains such as Kamut and Spelt.
Possible
Thank you for posting this. I have always assumed that I had IBS, even my doctor has told me I probably have it. Yet I have noticed that when I eat anything with wheat in it, especially in the morning, I get so tired it’s an effort to talk. I have many of the symptoms listed above. I’m going to try going gluten-free for the time period specified, and see if I stop feeling so icky all the time.
Good luck with your gluten-free diet
Good luck with your gluten-free diet, Shannon.
One the one hand, I hope it works for you, so you stop feeling “icky” all the time (great way of putting it, that is a perfect word for how I feel when suffering from “wheat poisoning”).
On the other hand, it is challenging at first to stay off all wheat-free food; more challenging still to stay off gluten-free food (which includes wheat and other foods besides). It would be nice if you found something easier to be allergic to!
The fact is thought that no matter how restrictive your diet, it is well worth cutting out the foods that bother you in return for a clear mind and healthy body!
Feel free to leave a comment after you’ve been off gluten for a while and let us know how it goes.
Re: Weight gain
Hi … My name is Jane and I have ballooned in weight gain – i.e put on four stone in four years.
since 2004 I have have put on one stone every year!! 2004 I was 11 stone – Iam now 42 and 5ft 16 and am an incredible 16 stone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am an actress and my career is now suffering terribly – as is my mental health. I went to my doctor and he said it is age. I had a blood test and thryroid test but every thing was fine. I also have extremely bad anal itching which keeps me awake at night and is very pain full after going to toilet – number 2! I went to the doctor and said I want to be tested. He sent me for a colonoscopy and the results were fine.
I don’t eat alot and have regular excercise! I am now a size 18-20 – and putting on weight all the time!!!!
My doctors insists it just age! I have friends older than me that eat more and don’t excercise – yet there are not 5 stones overweight like me.
Please help me!!!!!!!!
Jane
p.s I live in New Malden, Kingston, Surrey
Allergy-related?
Hi Jane,
I wish I could help you. I’m not a doctor for one thing. For another, I’ve never heard of weight gain being associated with allergies (although I suppose it’s not impossible). Weight loss is a more common allergy symptom.
I do know that diet is important – not how much but what you eat.
Too much carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol are major causes of weight gain I believe.
Concentrate on a high-quality diet. A dietitian can help you with that. I don’t know what you eat but a lot of people do eat too much junk-food – over processed, full of low-quality fats, highly processed carbohydrates and sugar.
A good diet has high-quality fats (fats are absolutely necessary in your diet, but they have to be high-quality), whole grains, and a minimum of sugar. No sugar at all is fine as far as your diet goes, although it takes a while to get used to.
I hope this helps a bit. As I say, it isn’t really related to allergies as far as I know.
One more thing: chronic lack of sleep is also related to weight gain. If you are having trouble sleeping, check out http://www.asleepatlast.net
Weight gain
It sounds logical to me that people that are always tired would gain weight. The main reason being that they are burning fewer calories due to less physical activity. Since a gluten allergy is associated with fatigue, it seems logical that it would also be associated with weight gain.
Gluten allergy and weight gain
It could go either way.
Some people (especially for a celiac, which is not an allergy) can not absorb nutrients properly, and therefor loose weight.
Others gain weight for a variety of reasons.
RE: Allergy related?
Hello,
My friend was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease. She had weight gain, fatigue, numbness in feet and hands and also anal bleeding. One of her doctors sent her for a colonoscopy and when it was clean, basically said she was fine. She spent 2 years with the symptoms until her 3rd doctor listened to her and gave her the celiac disease test, for which she tested positive. If you can’t get the test and suspect that gluten could be the problem, try the diet that eliminates gluten and see if it helps. It wouldn’t hurt to try it! I hope you find relief and good health soon Jane.
Jane – Anal itching and unexplained weight gain can be a symptom of a tape worm or other parasite.
Hmmm…have you been tested
Hmmm…have you been tested for PCOS?
Sounds like you have a lot of the symptoms. Look it up online and see if you think this might be your problem.
POCS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
From Wikipedia:
Visit the Wikipedia article to read more …
Weight gain and gluten allergy
I also have a allergy to gluten, but got very ill before the doctors figuered it out. First I was told I was just depressed ( No duh… I was so tired it hurt to get out of bed!) Then I was told I had Fibromyalgia. Then I finally got a hold of a doctor that would listen to me. By this time I was putting on five to seven pounds a week! My hair was falling out by the handfuls! The fatigue was so severe that by noon each day I was done for and I was breaking out in sores all over my body. The good news is within days of going gluten free I lost 12 pounds, within two months… I lost over 30 pounds and felt like a new woman! I had energy, I could focus once more (gluten allergy gives you major brain fog!) I got my life back. It’s tough to do at first but trust me… it’s very much worth it. After awhile you don’t even miss all the gluten foods you use to eat!
I have a very similar story – not sure I’m gluten allergic but I’m waiting for test results. I have MS, fibromyalgia, hypothyroid, PCOS, OAS, recurring sinus infections and hay fever allergies – I’m just a mess!! I know that low-carbing has helped me a lot in the past – it helps me lose weight and have more energy. But I decided that I must have an allergy somewhere. So I’m on a yeast-free diet. And I’m thinking the signs are pointing towards gluten. in 9 days on a strict yeast-free diet, I’ve lost 15 pounds!! The weight is literally falling off of me. YF diets are quite restrictive. Basically, you’re eating meat, seeds & nuts and veggies. But if it helps me pinpoint my allergies and most importantly – if it helps me feel better!!!, it’s totally worth it. And my bad brain fog is gone too! Hopefully I can work a few non-gluten/yeast breads in down the line because I do miss them but if not, eh, it’s just food, right? Oh, and I also don’t have much of an appetite for the FIRST time in my life. It’s a very strange feeling, not constantly being hungry. But a great one!!
re: weight gain
Hi,
I read your post on allergy-details.com and wanted to see if you found a solution to your problems. I, too, have experienced weight gain no matter how I diet, and my doctor tells me it is age (I am 36). But my main problem is the anal itching! I can’t stand it!! Let me know if you have found an answer. I am ready to eliminate gluten from my diet to see if that is the issue…
Melora Layne
Same issue
I have the same issue. I have even had anal bleeding. No mater how many calories I cut, I still gain weight. I am constantly gassy, sometimes red and itchy, I get headaches for no reason at all.
I have had a contrast CAT scan to make sure it was not diverticulitis. It’s not.
I am wondering if it might be the wheat gluten as well.
The odd part, I am also an actress with a suffering career, because I am at a size 18-20. I gained 17 lbs in a week. I don’t understand. I just want to find out what might be wrong with me!
-Sonshine Blakeslee
allergy to gluten
I have an allergy to gluten. I get fatigued, constipated/anal itching-hemoroids, have gained weight from this food allergy. There was a woman in the hospital at 300 lbs. The doctors finally figured out that she had celiac disease (gluten intollerance) and as soon as they changed her diet, she started feeling better and started loosing weight.
Gluten
I realize I am commenting on your post over a year after you’ve posted. Hopefully you have figured out that you DEFINITELY have a wheat allergy, and probably are even celiac.
I suffered all the same issues you described, bleeding, weight gain etc. After I was diagnosed and eliminated both wheat and dairy (you are probably allergic to this as well sorry to say) and two years later I am back to the weight I was in high school, and my immune system is impenetrable. No more itchy rashy skin, no more bleeding, bloating, no more dry skin, no more weight gain, no more mood swings, no more anxiety.
I’m hoping that you have figured this out and have been recovered for a year now, but I couldn’t risk the chance of you not figuring it out. Please do yourself a huge favor and eliminate all gluten and dairy from your diet. Give yourself a good 6-8 weeks to clean yourself out before you know that its working.
You won’t be sorry.
Candida
I am experiencing food allergies and other digestive and breathing symptoms, along with skin peeling, and I’m pretty convinced its from Candida, which is a strain of yeast that can overgrow inside you, caused by many things, perscription drugs like antibiotics, and other things, look into it if you think you are gluten intolerant becuase you could have an overgrowth of fungus inside you that needs to be controlled by a candida diet and natural antifungal remedies, look it up on the net, I’m a little better after a few days with straight veggis and some grain alternatives like buckwheat, no sugar, becuase it feeds candida….
Hi Guest,
I have been on a Candida for several months now as well as finding out I am gluten intolerant a month ago. I have been on both which has been challenging. The 2 top things that are in everything is sugar and wheat.
Was wondering how you are doing and if you have any recipes that you might have found to be Candida/Gluten safe?
Been baking my own cookies, but the bread has been the hard one. I cant eat any of the ones on the market because they either have sugar or vinegar in them.
Hope all is well with you.
Hi Kerri,
The two foods you mention are probably the most commonly avoided -and used- foods on the planet. Not that refined sugar really qualifies as a food.
On the bright side, avoiding these foods forces you to eat healthy!
There are gluten free recipes on this site. At the bottom of the page is a link that says “← Previous Entries” – click that to see more.
Yeast-free bread is a problem. I’ll keep an eye out for recipes. Most are make with yeast.
You can always check out Lori’s Yeast Free Cooking – apparently “Most recipes are wheat free, dairy free, gluten free, and casein free.”
Candida is indeed a HUGE problem with a LOT of people, they just are not aware of it, and a lot of people go on precription pills to try and clear up the symtoms of Candida, thing is that is one of the things that makes it worse! along with Dairy, sugar, gluten, yeast, and fermented things. I went on a Wild rose Cleanse, which is basically most of the same thing as a Candida cleanse, there is a cookbook that they have for the cleanse, it has some good ideas in it, i just add more spices and zest to the ‘ideas’ they have in the book. Try and find that one, i also have a book called ‘the complete candida yest guidebook’ that i have found VERY helpful, i bought it off amazon. You can look up recipes off the internet, that is probaly your best bet. use things like Amaranth, millet, or quinoa instead of most of the grains that are normally used.
Good luck!
I keep bringing Candida up to my doc and he says no but I am wondering from reading what you wrote if this is what is going on with me. Please read and help. I am miserable and getting worse! Thanks
I had a baby 3 years ago and started having chest pains, shortness of breath, and left arm pain. Had a complete heart workup. January of this year, I ate pizza about a 1/2 hour after I ate I started coughing and couldn’t breath. Husband called 911, they took me to ER where the told me I had acid reflux here’s a nexium follow up with your GI doc. So I did, he did an endoscope. Said I dont have acid reflux. I continued to have breathing problems in my diaphragm area and PCP said you have bronchitis. Gave me predisone, amoxicilian, breathing machine. Continued to have breathing problems and developed swallowing problems. So I called pulmonary doc, sent me to an ENT put a camera in my throat said I have LPR. Gave me nexium. I continued to have swallowing problems did a barium swallow it was normal. Eventually the globas feeling and swallowing got better but I eat the same things everyday. Was on nexium 2 x a day, didn’t eat anything that would give me acid reflux, drink only water, sleep sitting up. I am now to the point where I can eat boxed cooked pudding, graham crackers, banana’s, egg whites. I have started juicing. I was able to eat fish and veggies until 2 weeks ago I had another bad episode of the breathing, but luckily I controlled it doing a breathing treatment. Lungs are fine no asthma. GI stills ays it is not silent acid reflux. I just got a second opinion by another gI who said it is all anxiety related. I am stressed out but how can these symptoms be here 24 hours a day. I have good days and bad. If I have been sitting for awhile and stand up I have problems in my stomach, upper bowel diaphragm area, when I take a deep breath, expand my stomach it is hard to breath. Also after I have a bowel movement I have the same issue. When I eat or drink anything it feels like my food is just sitting there. I take kapidex now and ativan (as needed) still no improvement. What is going on with me. Does anyone have a clue. I am 35 years old, 5’4″, 98 lbs. I have lost about 15-20 lbs with all of this. I am so weak and with not being able to eat my fish, just juicing 2 x a day I am so weak, but can’t get anywhere with doc. PCP said try gluten free diet, I’ve tried, thats not it. She said I could see an allergist and if that doesnt work she will send me to Indiana University. I just want my life back and want to be able to eat and breath again. Can anyone help me?
You could try an Elimination Diet to see if one or more foods are a problem. Symptoms can vary over time, so keep careful records.
Also look for other environmental factors: new carpets, mold problems etc.
An allergy test might help narrow things down, but they are not all that accurate.
If you can find a doctor who practices environmental medicine to guide you, you will be much better off.
Have you had your thyroid checked? You sound like you have some of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Basically it means that your thyroid is under attack, and you start out hyperthyroid and then eventually you start to go hypothyroid. Some of the most common symptoms are breathing issues, a lump in your throat, weight and fatigue and sleep issues, anxiety, panic attacks… I was in the ER for this too, so don’t feel silly. Get your TSH, t3 and T4 tested.
Sounds like your thyroid, possibly Grave’s disease or Hashimoto’s.
wow i think you are a hypochondriac to be honest
Maggie, have they tested your thyroid? Hyperthyroidism can cause a lot of the issues you mentioned. Particularly the extreme weight gain. I’m not a Dr, but I would ask for it to be tested.
Hey Melora (and Sonshine),
The anal/rectal itching and weight gain are absolutely symptoms of gluten allergy/intolerance! In fact, I have the rectal itching thing, have had it for years, and that is one thing that has prompted me to do this gluten free diet. Have only been doing it a couple weeks, so it’s too soon to tell. But you are on the right track. I’d go for it! As one of the other posters said, the itching thing can also be parasites or candida overgrowth, too.
Food Intolerance Test
Dear Jane,
I see many people with a similar disposition as yours. All of which have proven to be food related. Please have a look at my web page and if you are interested in me helping you resolve your weight condition, please give me a call, or drop me line. I only live in Kingston.
Kind regards,
Sue
Weight Gain
Hi, Jane,
Anyway, my real point is that despite the fact I was too tired to eat much, I continued (at my doctor’s insistence) to walk about a mile a day – HUGE effort and I would often be so tired I’d want to just lay down on the path. Despite my walking and barely eating, I gained 35 pounds over the next four years. For one two-month period, I used every bit of my energy to either take a walk or use a treadmill for 45 minutes, 4-5 times a week- both to keep my muscles working and to try to lose weight. About all I could accomplish was to keep from gaining more. In fact, when I moved across country and couldn’t really walk daily as usual, I gained 10 pounds within 3 weeks! Nothing would stop the weight gain. About a year ago, I decided to start eating breakfast. Something I hadn’t done in years, because I just wasn’t hungry. It was amazing. In less than a year and doing absolutely nothing else, I have lost 45 pounds. At some points it seemed to be just melting away. And I wasn’t even eating ‘good’ stuff for breakfast – half a banana, a bowl of sugared cereal with milk, two cheese crackers, etc. It was like (as magazines and my family had been telling me for years) the act of chewing and swalling SOMETHING, within a few minutes of waking up–no matter what it was–was enough to jump start my metabolism. CRAZY!
I completely relate to what you are saying. I’m not sure what a “stone” is. Is it the same as a Kilo? Anyway, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome about 12 years ago, at the age of 39. At the time I weighed about 130 pounds. I became so tired it was an effort to even get up to go to the bathroom and I probably wouldn’t have except I knew it would take even more effort to clean it up later
I don’t know if it will be the same with you, but I hope so. I couldn’t help but respond to your comments because it sounded so much like my own story. Take care and love yourself no matter what your weight–God sees your inner beauty and loves it.
weight gained
Hi Jane,
It’s like you are describing me. I have been trying to lose weight for the last two years, since having my last child. The last time that I had to lose weight, I did a protein diet and dropped a ton of weight. Since my babies, i have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, so I am trying to eat more whole grains. I am fine when I eat rice, oats, and corn, but whenever I eat wheat I start to swell (I have gained three pounds in one night) and feel extremely tired and terrible. I am going to stay on phase I of the Fat Smash Diet, except add in a little more meat (chicken and fish). I recommend it. When I was on phase I, I dropped six pounds in two weeks. Since adding wheat back in, my weight loss has reversed. I have been consuming the same number of calories and exercising five days a week, so there is no reason for the weight gain – except wheat.
My doctor told me it was my age too, but it’s not. I even had the blisters on my elbow that’s associated with this allergy. The doctor just didn’t put it all together. Too bad we have to be our own doctors.
-Lisa
if you have high
if you have high cholesteral, remove meat and dairy from your diet – this can only help you lose weight and feel better.
these are the only things that have cholesteral in them, do not add more to your diet – remove them from your diet.
go vegan and feel and look amazing!
weight gain
Has your doctor checked your thyroid tpo level? Do not let them tell you that if your tsh comes back fine, you are not having a thyroid issue. I suspect I have had hashimotos disease for nearly 11 years before my diagnosis. Your level is supposed to be under 35 and mine was 877. Finding a really good endocrinologist is key to your health. Keep in mind, all my thyroid tests were normal except tpo antibody.
Another thing is you should be checked for pituitary tumor. Most are benign, but can wreak havoc on your body. There is a 24 hour urine test for these as well as mri.
Don’t listen to this doctor, find a new one! No one gains weight like that. I waited for years….I have only regret & weight I can’t take off!
I will pray for you Jane. Sincerely, Patty
jane,
you are not eating too
jane,
you are not eating too much, it is what you’re eating that’s causing you to gain weight. stop eating fattening foods like dairy, meat, oils, etc.
Pick up the book by kathy freston = 21 Day Quantum Wellness Cleanse. do the cleanse and see how different your body feels. you may realize you are having a reaction to gluten, etc. don’t look to doctors for your answers – you have control of your own health and weight.
I am also not a doctor, but I have looked into many of the symptoms you stated and I think it maybe be useful for you to look up excessive Candida build up in your body as well.
Good luck!
Jane,
I have a friend that had a similar problem, went through all the testing and doctors could find nothing wrong. A friend of hers suggested she had a food allergy and the only way to find out what it was, was to do the elimination diet. She stopped eating anything except for vegetables and some meats. Then each week she would introduce a new food. She did this for a month or two, and found out she had a severe dairy allergy.
Hopefully this info helps!
~Christine
Hi Jane,
I am quite sure I have a gluten allergy or sensitivity. I have been gluten free for two and a half years and I have lost thirty pounds. I put on weight as a result of my gluten allergy affecting my blood sugar. Your digestion can affect everything including hormone regulation and blood sugar. Since my glood sugar was off I was craving carbs. Thus, I ate more and gained weight.
Hello, I am so sorry about your weight gain. I have struggled all of my life. If I may, I would just switch to a lean protien diet with vegtables that are broiled with garlic or other yummy spices or steamed. I also allow myself rice. I know that some people are so anti-white rice, however, I have food allergies and the rice is very soothing, filling and does not make me bloat. Since I switched to this healthier way of eating I have lost 6 pounds and the bloating in my stomach is allot less. My gas is less frequent and the smell is not as bad. As far as your itching in your private areas, hemoroids are possible. It can make you itch like a crazy person and cause pain after a bowel movement. Did the doctor do a FULL thyroid panel? that is important. Also, a slightly underactive thyroid could be the culprit but I am conserned about you possibly having sleep apnea. I would get tested. Weight gain, espcially in the middle area can be a cause of sleep apnea. The more weight you gain, the worse the apnea, the more weight you gain and the more tired you are. Also, have you had your vitamins, protien and iron checked? Vitamin b deficiancy can cause alot of issues. I imagine that you are depressed. I would suggest counseling and possibly medication to get you through this time. Don’t give up. Take care and email me if you want.
Tammy:)
So Many Possibilities My Head Is Spinning!
“I’m a biological oddity. (that’s the best explanation I’ve ever been given as to the why’s and how’s of the way I opperate!)
I am usually a fan of detailed writing and descriptions, but there is so much information and facts that I want to put down right now that I’m going to do more of a timeline and/or bullet points.
(by the end of this you will think to yourself “”"”THAT’s NOT detailed?!?!”"”")
After high school my weight started to increase. So did my alcohol consumption. (2001)
I gained 30 punds in one year. I ate healthier than I did in high shcool, but I drank more. I went from a healthy 130 pounds (5’4) and reached a high weight of at least 175 at one point.
My gyno comments on my weight gain but offered no suggestions. (2002)
He felt cysts on my ovaries and I had an ultra sound to back it up. They were indeed there, though not very revelant.
About a year later I end up in the ER due to non-stop vaginal bleeding. ( I had been bleeding for appx. 40 days straight, and it escelated to the point of needing to go to the ER.) (2003)
My gyno said “”"”let that be a lesson to never go off your birth control. I think it was at this time that he did another ultra-sound and this time found the “”"”string of pearls”"”" around my ovarie associated with PCOS. Again…no real suggestions were given. I switched to a different Gyno.
She put me on Metformin. The side effects of this medication were just ghastly to me. She also described the possible connection of PCOS to insulin resistance and directed me to go on a severly reduced carb intake. (processed carbs, she did not ask me to eliminate fruits and veggies). We tried a few different birth controls and I eventually landed on the NuvaRing due to it’s low hormone levels and affective means for the hormones reaching it’s destination minus orgal ingestion. She said when and if I never decide to get pregnant she would do her best to treat me withOUT fertility drugs. (by the by, my testosterone levels? ..always tested fine, even though my struggling with coarse black hairs on my face has never gone away, and my voice has gotten much deeper as the years have gone by.)
At the time I was placed on Metformin I was also placed back on anti-depressants and diagnosed with ADD (as an adult) and placed on medication for that as well. My appetite stopped. I lost 25 pounds. Yay. (though not the healthy way)
Now I’m going to skip ahead and be a bit more random.
I am allergic to milk. Over the years I kept “”"”fighting”"”" that by telling myself “”"”oh well, I’m going to eat ice cream when I want to”"”". Opps. THAT doesn’t work! My allergy now has greatly increased in sensitivity and even a little bit of chocolate or heavy milk products (i.e. heavy whipping cream) makes my breathing more difficult and my upper respitory symptoms flare up. As a result, I’m a soymilk gal. My mother’s warned me about the increased level of female hormones in soymilk and I try to fluctuate between soymilk and rice milk. (and now even almond milk) Having been working at Starbucks for the past year my soymilk intake has greatly increased b/c i have free access to all the coffee and soy drinks I want!
In January of 2007 I gave up alcohol. 100% alcohol-free since. *note: I did not see any weight loss
My diagnosis as a ‘depressive’ changed to one of being bi-polar and I was given a mood-stabilizer.
I now swing back and forth between weighing 140-150 pounds. I’m naturally a muscular person. (I’m assuming that’s a genetic thing) I do not regularly workout but am more active than a LOT of people I know. (my jobs have always required me to be and now my new dogs requires a lot of activity on my behalf as well)
About two weeks ago I decided to give the “”"”gluten free”"”" thing a try. I really do think I’m more addicted to carbs than I was/am to alcohol b/c it surprises me that I have a VERY difficult tiome fighting my cravings for breads and pastires and the likes there of. I haven’t regretted a day that I’ve been alcohol free but every time I get to work it takes every thing in me not to shove a pastry in my mouth.
For some reason, gluten-free is easier for me than going “”"”no more pastas, pastries, and breads free”"”". (at least I can still have a pasta-replacement, gluten free granola, and corn chips!!
I realize now I should have gotten tested BEFORE I started this gluten-free diet. While I’m pretty sure I am not a celiac, I figured that a trial effort would not hurt me and it would be a good way to see how I felt off gluten. I just recelty read though that it’s important to know whether you have a gulten allergy or are a celiac b/c being a cleiac means you need to avoid all gluten, even if you feel fine. :-/
This is a lot of imformation huh!!! I AGREE!!! My mind is spinning trying to find all the friggin connections between everything that’s aparantly going on in my body!! ADD! Bi-polar! Fatigue! PCOS! Skin problems! Irritability! Depression! Milk allergy! Gluten allergy! Alcohol free! Drug (recreational) free! IBS!!!
Are you kidding me? How do I even begin to answer all the questions that I have about what’s going on.
Am I just adding to my problems by going gluten free?
I just want to know what it’s like to be at a healthy weight again, have the ability to concentrate and accomplish tasks appropriately, have energy, not have acne, not have polycystic ovaries, etc.
I’m at a loss, and very frustrated. ANY words of wisdom???
“
I know how u feel,it took 7
I know how u feel,it took 7 years, 8 mri’s and 4 mis-diagnosis before i found out i have fibromyalgia you have a lot of the symptoms that i have check with your doctor. Best wishes stay strong!
Bipolar
I, too, am bipolar. Many symptoms you discuss sound like problems associated w/ this disease. I hope you are on bipolar meds. (Bummer, one med side effect is weight gain.)
Have you tried a gluten-free diet?
Hi Cb,
Have you tried a wheat-free or gluten-free diet?
I’m not suggesting this instead of meds.
I am wondering if such a diet might help with your condition.
There seems to be evidence that wheat and/or gluten can make bipolar symptoms worse.
Please share your experience if you have tired this.
So Many Possibilities My Head Is Spinning!
Hi Gretchen,
Wow, that is a lot of information and sounds a lot like me. Let me give you a little information on me. I am 27 years old; I am 5’3 and now weigh between 140-145 pounds. In a little over one year I gained 30 pounds. It drives me crazy that people say well you’re getting older like that’s the only reason, I know my body and how I’m supposed to look and feel and this isn’t it.
All my life since I was a little girl, I have had troubles with mainly constipation, it’s like whenever I want to go to the bathroom I can’t, and then when I would it would be diarrhea. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15 and was on birth control since my diagnosis until I was about 19. I had never been overweight in my life; I come from a small family, short and small body frame. If anything at times I was underweight. I went off birth control when I was 19 because I was a smoker. At that time I was put on an anti depressant by my family doctor. I was then in a relationship for 4 years where I gradually put on weight each year, mostly because I was drinking a lot of beer and eating poorly and sitting on my ass. (I was acting like my boyfriend), after I had put on this weight I started getting bloated and staying that way, it seemed my belly never deflated. The gas I would pass was almost unbearable for me and I felt bad for anyone who got a whiff. After I broke up with this man, I started going out all the time, I was drinking a lot, to the point of blacking out most of the time, and eating a lot of garbage, but I ended up losing weight and feeling like I did in high school. My self esteem was boosted; I had a lot more energy and was generally happy. In 2007 I started a new office job. I was happy in this job until I started having issues with my boss, then I dreaded coming to work. I started to get depressed and that’s when I started to gain weight again, in 2007 when I started working at this job I weighed 115 pounds by the beginning of 2008 I weighed 135 pounds and my family doctor said I had IBS because I was always bloated always felt full had horrible gas and barely ever went to the bathroom the weight just started piling on. After all my issues at work I took a temporary leave and started seeking diagnoses and treatment. My psychiatrist diagnosed me as bi-polar with ADHD and chronic anxiety and I also was diagnosed with mild Tourette syndrome by a neurologist. The medication that I was put on for bi-polar made me gain more weight and I stopped taking it. I still can’t loose the weight. I was even going to the gym everyday and doing an hour of cardio and weights and had a personal trainer and I still did not lose weight. I had a colonoscopy and it came back clean, my uncle died of colon cancer and my older brother and my mom have both had polyps removed and I thought this was my problem.
I have been doing a lot of research on my symptoms, it keeps coming back to IBS, PCOS (my dad is diabetic so I’m thinking the metformin could help), depression, gallbladder issues (my mother had hers removed). Now my bf and his family are suggestion gluten intolerance. I am so tired of feeling like crap and feel like even though I am going to the doctors I am not receiving any help. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
I know exactly how you feel only my weight gain was so much worse. I ended up paying out of pocket for several tests through an alternative med doctor b/c he was the only one that believed me when I said something else was wrong with me other than the PCOS.
I am gluten, soy protein, cow’s milk, and egg intolerant and had all the antibodies. I found out that it was genetic and that I got the alleles from both parents which means my kids will be gluten intolerant if I choose to have one but probably won’t b/c I’m 38 and they say it takes 6 mos to 2 years to heal a body poisoned by gluten.
It was worth the money to know b/c if I didn’t ‘know,’ I would keep trying to eat wheat and I didn’t have a clue about the soy even though I suspected I was lactose intolerant (so much worse being casein intolerant,) and allergic to egg whites (not the whole egg protein.)
Now I know my poisons and can avoid ALL of them. I also probably am autoimmune but am borderline at the moment and will need more testing.
Don’t do any diets w/out finding out what is going on w/in your body. I’ve tried so many and never did I imagine I needed to cut the 4 food groups I now need to cut entirely.
Thanks!
PCOS, Gluten and chronic inflammation
I have PCOS, Metabolic syndrome, ovarian cysts, fattty liver, poor circulation, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides and depression along with thinning hair and obesity…I was told today that I have to avoid gluten for the rest of my life because gluten causes a toxic reaction in everyone with metabolic syndrome….it’s said to cause chronic systemic inflammation in the body…I googled PCOS and inflammation and there is a link to the both. Plus, every time I get that inflammation blood work done, it’s extremely high CRP I think it’s called.
My alternative medicine doc told me that in a normal body gluten is digested in 2 days where as in mine it takes 9 months to be eliminated and that before it does, it causes and endless number of problems in the body and blood. Wow!! I didn’t know any of this and it all makes sense now. I have to start a gluten-free diet for the rest of my life and I feel overwhelmed but I also feel excited that I may have found somethiing to help me keep all my health problems under control. yippieeeeeeeeeeeeee
You’ve got the right attitude!
Starting a gluten-free diet can seem overwhelming.
You are absolutely right though, once you find the cause of your health problems, avoiding a food, even a common food like gluten, is entirely possible and well worth it.
You might want to check out Gluten Explained to help reduce the overwhelm factor.
is this me?
well, this article has been enlightening. i’m wondering if i should try a gluten-free diet for a week or two and see how it turns out.
i’m 25, and ever since i had my (second) abdominal surgery at 18 (for a twisted bowel…the first at 16 was for appendicitis/peritonitis and left a lot of scar tissue that caused in part the twisted bowel), i’ve had a recurring mystery illness. every 4-6 months, i’d spend a night and a day doubled up in pain from my stomach, sometimes with vomiting, and then it would take a few days to get my digestive tract moving again. at first, we mistook it for an MSG sensitivity. then i started getting sick from things that i KNOW did not have MSG in them. over all this time, i started slowly gaining weight, and i’ve had a HECK of time trying to get it off. every time i make some headway, i get sick again and throw off my momentum. anyway, since i started working finally last spring, i’ve gotten sick EVERY MONTH except september. and i’ve also had another development. 5-6 times a week, i’ll eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and then i blow up like a balloon. gassy, uncomfortable, bloated, sometimes diarrhea, ALWAYS running to the bathroom once an hour. it’s such a pain, not to mention embarrassing (i’m sure my coworkers have noticed me getting up to go to the bathroom so frequently). i’ve always been tired, and was told by our occupational health doctor that i should get checked with a family doctor for anemia because my red count was low when i was tested during my HAZMAT exam, my lung function was borderline asthmatic, and so i could get a referral to a proper gastroenterologist. i haven’t managed to do any of those things just yet because we have some other bills we want to pay down first, but it will be done soon.
i was talking to my mom this weekend, and she mentioned that maybe i have a wheat or gluten allergy. a google search of “gluten allergy” brought me to this site. i just have a couple of questions. is it possible for a gluten allergy to spontaneously develop as an adult, or possibly to only be mild but become more severe in a relatively short period of time (like a few months)? is it possible for a gluten allergy to cause you to seemingly randomly get sick? (i suppose the fact that wheat- and gluten-containing products are so common in my diet that it would be hard to narrow down the cause of an illness by food alone, which i’ve had no success doing.) is it possible that an allergy that didn’t exist before could develop because of an “abused” bowel (as mine has been)? also, i had some problems that i barely remember as a child…is it possible to grow out of the allergy and have it redevelop as an adult?
thanks for posting this article.
Try cutting out gluten – and milk
It seems that one reason we can develop food sensitivities and allergies is due to a damaged gut. What you describe is more obvious damage than other causes – that could be the root of your problems.
Certainly you should try cutting out gluten. Do it religiously for at least a month.
Milk is also a common cause of stomach upset. Gluten intolerance (especially celiac) and milk sensitivity (allergy or inability to digest lactose) often go together.
Also, look at your stress level. An increase in stress adds to the stress of having an allergy. With a mild allergy or sensitivity, the symptoms may be minor until other stresses (at work for example) add to them and you get sick.
It could be that you suddenly developed allergies, or that the symptoms were minor, you got used to them, and never really noticed until they got bad enough. That’s more or less what happened to me.
Anaemia and gluten sensitivity could point to celiac disease – which is much more common than many doctors suppose. Definitely get tested for that, with our without your doctor’s support. Not only does celiac cause symptoms similar to what you describe, it also causes long-term complications.
If cutting out wheat solves your problem, you could assume you have celiac and follow a completely wheat-free and gluten-free diet. If you find this difficult and lapse, then get tested so you know if it is just the immediate symptoms you want to avoid, or major health issues later.
Good luck. You will feel so much better when you find out what is making you sick!
just got diagnosed
Im a little freaked and relieved at the same time. I have been tired, irritable, depressed, and sick to my stomache for years. I was throwing up blood which prompted my doctor to go into my stomach and small intestines with a camera and have biopsies done. I just got the good news- gluten disease. This explains why no matter what I seem to eat- I throw up! I thought I was going to die because no matter what I did, I would throw up. I had been diagnosed with Bulimia as a teen, but as an adult it kept coming back to haunt me. No matter how many times I would tell my doctor “Im not throwing up because I think Im fat, Im throwing up because I dont feel good and I cant tolerate it!” Im not going to lie, Im scared about the changes I have to make ahead of me, but yet Im glad because now I can lose weight. This also explains why the Attkins meat only diet worked so well for me- how silly is this?
diagnosis
My blood test came back negative, but I had so many symptoms shown on several sites, that I decided to try the gluten-free diet. It’s not that difficult, really. There are gluten-free breads, mixes and already baked, gluten-free crackers (really good!) and just about anything gluten-free that you want to eat. You just have to look carefully at ingredients, and some stores offer gluten-free product lists, or have stickers that mark gluten free products, or entire gluten-free sections. Since I have started the diet, I’ve gotten rid of several very annoying symptoms, and have more energy, and a clearer mind. I’ve also started loosing some weight. Try it! See what happens! Adkins had worked well for me too, years ago, but I never made the connection either.
Autism ???
is it temporary or does it become permanent??
What do you mean, is it
What do you mean, is it temporary???? Do you mean gluten allergy or autism? (I sure hope you didn’t mean Autism… of course not, it’s a life-long condition, you are born with it and you die with it!)…. Anyways, I had an operation a year ago and was asked to lose as much weight as I could beforehand. I was already slim but said ok, no prob. So I cut all carbs out (except in fruit & veg) and of course I lost nearly a stone in a month. Problem is, since then I have been diagnosed with IBS, because of the multiple symptoms I suffer from. So, for the last 6 months I tried to have as much of a stress free existence as possible and avoid anything that might upset my tummy. Well, it hasn’t worked and it got worse.
So then I started thinking that either I suffered some complication that has led to this (I had a mini tummy tuck to remove excess skin after a c-section) or I developed a gluten intolerance. Is any of this related though, the surgery, the diet before that??? Well, I decided to give it a go and the nasty carbs off the diet about 2 weeks ago and I’m starting to feel much better already (no lots of trips to toilet, no trapped wind, sleeping better and less fatigued).
But I would still like some opinions about the possible connection to my surgery or weight loss diet, please!
biopsy test results
I will be tested next Thursday for Celiac’s disease. I have already been following a gluten free diet for a few weeks to relieve symptoms. Could this cause a false negative in the testing? I have received conflicting answers from different sources. Blood will also be taken for antibody testing. Should I go back on glutens beforehand to avoid a false negative?
I appreciate a quick answer if possible. Thank-you.
tested for ceolics, do not cut out gluten b4 test
Hi,
Im due for a coeliacs blood test on tuesday. Ive been diagnosed with IBS but have just recently developed urticaria and dr just wants to rule out coeliacs. Of course like a mad person Im researching coeliacs online, and in all cases and from the main UK coeliacs website it says DO NOT cut out gluten before any test, only when ceoliacs is confirmed you will be seen by a dietician and advise given on a gluten free diet. If you are coeliac then when eating gluten antibodies will be present, if however you cut out gluten before the test the antibodies disappear and will therefore give a negative test.
If your test comes back clear and you want to try cutting out gluten and this makes you feel better it could be that you have a gluten allergy or intolerance which is completely different from coeliacs.
If my test comes back clear, Im gonna cut out gluten to see if its that causing my ab pain, constipation, nausea and nettle rash. Cos I believe IBS is caused because of allergies or intolerance to certain foods.
Hope this helps,
Shell.
child with possible gluten allergy
I have a 4.5 year old that has quite a few of the symptoms on the list. He is having problems at school and at home. We have recently started with all kinds of testing with a developmental specialist, a sensory specialist, occupational therapy and a play therapist. But no one has mentioned anything about gluten. Where do I find a doctor that will test my child and what do I need to ask? Please help me and my family.
Stephanie
Gluten Test
Hi Stephanie,
The most definitive test is to completely remove gluten from your child’s diet.
If he gets better, you have a strong indication that gluten is the problem.
The main challenge of this method is that it is hard to be sure a child is sticking to the diet when at school or at a friend’s house.
Tests are not 100% accurate, and do not necessarily cover every type of gluten sensitivity, which is why an gluten elimination diet is the best test, if you can eliminate 100% of gluten from his diet for 3 to 8 weeks.
To get a celiac test, you could visit an internist and get a biopsy. This is no longer considered to be the best test.
Many experts recommend https://www.enterolab.com/Home.htm
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Dont wait for test
Hi, I have same problem with my now 7 year old. He was diagnosted with ADHD, and soposed to take pils for it-they need to find the right pils, and that should take 6 months.
I found online, that gluten may cost the ADHD so I did take him back to doctor and have done the test. One is negative, other positive and one is on bord of both( they do 3 tests in the one test). The doctor said no gluten alergie and we need to start do pils. I said not yet . Then my sons teacher told me she heard about gluten free diet, so I did try do it. In 2 days he was so diferent – not perfect, but diferent. He look at me with not runing around, he listen what I was saying, he never make noise as usualy he was. I did feel like I am talking to diferent child. I am so happy now. He still argue, and is not perfect, but there is big big diferent. Also I did feel sorry and gave him one day bread to eat, wont do it again. In 2 hours he start to run from side to side, could not sit…but at night he was fine again. So I do believe gluten can mess up alot!!!
diagnosed with possible UC, could be gluten/wheat intolerance ?
I was diagnosed with “possible” UC back in 2006…I say possible because I never had a full colonoscopy…just sigmoidoscopy, CAT scans, etc. My symptoms began after a few weeks of eating these whole wheat english muffins religiously for breakfast…*to be fair, they were sooo good!* I began having D, with some blood and cramping. So began the nightmare of taking Asacol, which is an anti inflammatory drug for ppl with Crohns and UC, everyday. I’ve been to the hospital a couple of times from my symptoms and was told repeatedly by doctors that my diet is not a main factor; my immune system is. But I always thought that the immune system can react to food IN the gut, so they’re related! So now I am thinking if I cut out wheat/gluten foods, maybe ill get better. Maybe it was a food allergy that I had all along, developed slowly, or maybe from those &^$ english muffins…anyway, thanks for the info on this site! Much appreciative.
Food has a major effect on the immune system
What you eat has a big effect on your immune system. Some foods improve your immune system, others make it less effective (sugar for example).
You may also find Epicor to be of considerable help for your immune system.
Check out Allergy-Boster.com for more details about Epicor.
Gluten Allergy Symptoms
I was just wondering if any of you had heard of people getting sort of emotional as a symptom of a gluten allergy or sensitivity?
Gluten and emotional symptoms
Yes, people can certainly can certainly experience becoming hyper-emotional as a symptom of gluten sensitivity.
ok…so I have also had a
ok…so I have also had a problem with fatigue, weight gain, irritability, very emotional, stressed, nautious, lower abdominal pain, etc. The nautious feeling is even worse after drinking milk or icecream. The other problems are constant. My asthma has also became much worse recently. The only thing that doesn’t match up with the symptoms everyone else is stating is that I am constantly constipated instead of having the diarrhea symptom. Is it possible my problem can be a gluten allergy???
Gluten allergy symptoms vary
You should definitely see if you have a gluten allergy.
A sensitivity to gluten can cause constipation or diarrhea. Or one, then the other (which is what I experienced).
There are other possible causes of the symptoms you listed. Gluten problems are definetly on the top of the list so try cutting out all gluten-containing food and see what happens.
If a gluten-free diet makes you feel better, then stick to it.
Even if it does not solve all of your problems, stick to it (if it helps) and look for other problems as well such as milk (looks like you have that problem), yeast, dust, mold etc.
Good luck!
This may be a very late reply to this email, but it might be useful for others reading the comments. I don’t know for sure whether I have celiac disease or gluten allergy or even both. I diagnosed myself after a lot of daily misery and taking 8 kinds of medication to alleviate my various symptoms.
[This article is so long and useful, it has been published as a separate article in its own right. See Gluten Free Diet and Celiac Disease Self-Diagnosis
Allergic to milk
Dear MCH
It sounds more like you should cut out milk. Many people have problems digesting milk proteine (casein or BCM-7). It varies how much BCM-7 there is in different milk products – the ones that contains the most is milk and ice cream….
People having trouble with milk often have trouble with wheat or gluten in general
;O)
Henriette
I too have had a lot of the
I too have had a lot of the symptoms that everyone has mentioned but no one has spoken about the possibility of Candida. Try looking it up and check out the book “The Allergy and Asthma Cure: A Complete 8-Step Nutritional Program by Fred Pescatore M.D.” Food and nutrition is the only way. I’ve been an allergy and asthma sufferer for years and no medicine can fix a lot of these symptoms, they only make them worse. Most doctors are at a loss and only prescribe more medicine. It’s not easy but I’ve had to learn the hard way that you have to take charge of your own health and listen to your body.
Gluten Allergy
I have been diagnosed with gluten allergy. I started having the symptoms around 9 months ago.I have many of these symptoms listed here. The doctors I have been seeing have not been able to link them to any one thing. I have been itching and having a rash. Also diarrhea, constipation, extreme bloating of my stomach, cramping, anal itching. I went through all of the antihistamines, some of them with a lot of bad side effects. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I suffer from migraines and bipolar as well. Those two I have had for over 15 years. I am very sensitive to many chemicals, smells, sounds, colors. I tried to get my doctors attention with the diarrhea, over 25 times a day! I could get no help at all from them. I started talking to people on social networking sites, and researching on my own. I finally discovered celiac disease and the gluten rash. I was seeing a dermatologist but even he would not look at the rash I was having and would just throw antihistamines at me. Antihistamines do not work for gluten allergy. I finally got to see a different dermatologist who actually has the gluten thing and we talked about the symptoms I have been having, she looked at the rash I have and she told me that I needed to cut gluten from my diet. After about 8 weeks of no gluten, I feel much better. I can tell when I eat something with gluten in it, I get very itchy, my feet go numb, I get very nauseous, cramping, it depends on the amount I ingest. Gluten is hidden in so many things. I found it in the pain medication I take. Also hidden in “natural flavoring”. I have to cook from scratch, knowing where everything comes from, and what is in the foods, medications, drinks I consume. I also break out in an itchy rash in water of any type. Bathing is a chore. I have just become very sensitive to my environment and no one can figure out why. Even foods that say they are gluten free, can contain gluten, processed on the same things as gluten containing foods. Following a gluten free diet is very hard, very restrictive, but my body is responding in positive ways that I am very pleased about. I no longer spend days at a time itching like crazy feeling like i am going insane. No more painful rash that I have to take steroids for. I may stumble across gluten in some of the foods and medications that I have no idea about but it is few and far between now.
ataxia
i have been tested for all the sca. spinal cereblem ataxia. all negative. i meet a lot of these symtoms.
what do you think!
george
/
Try gluten free diet, see if it helps
Hi George,
From your short comment, I assume you have many of the gluten allergy symptoms listed in the main article, plus you have ataxia.
You can certainly try a gluten free diet and see if it helps.
Let us know how that goes for you.
Good luck!
Interesting
I have always had stomach and digestive issues, always assumed it was a form of IBS, but recently started hearing more about gluten allergies and am looking into trying to cut out gluten and see if it helps.
Thanks for the article.
Allergic Rhinitis?
Has anyone also had allergic rhinitis along with these symptoms? From what I am reading, blood tests are non-conclusive? I want to try a gluten-free diet. How long should I try this diet before I notice any improvement of symptoms?
How long to try a gluten-free diet
I can give you an answer to your last question.
Try a gluten-free diet for at least eight weeks.
You may notice an improvement quite quickly, or it might take longer.
It took me 3 weeks to notice a difference, then it was like night and day.
It is important that you eliminate ALL GLUTEN from your diet or you won’t know if its working or not. Every time you make a mistake and eat some gluten, you have to start over from the beginning again.
Good luck with it. Let us know how it goes.
Doctor Difficulties
Hey all, many people seem to have troubles figuring out if they have a gluten allergy. I do have an allergy to gluten, and maybe my story can help some others figure their allergies out. As well as bring up some difficulties there are…
When I was little, I used to eat soup, bread, and Cheez-its religiously. Now if I even smell bread I can feel a brain fog coming on.
…
Ashley talks about the problems she had and how cutting out gluten helped.
She also explains the battle she had with doctors who did not understand that she has a gluten allergy.
Read all of this comment and add your response here: Gluten-Free Diet Story
Doctor Difficulties
Hey all, many people seem to have troubles figuring out if they have a gluten allergy. I do have an allergy to gluten, and maybe my story can help some others figure their allergies out. As well as bring up some difficulties there are…
When I was little, I used to eat soup, bread, and Cheez-its religiously. Now if I even smell bread I can feel a brain fog coming on.
My allergies started getting bothersome when I was 13-ish, I noticed that after I ate mac & cheese my ears felt achy and itchy with lots of pressure build-up. Later, in high school I got really tired after lunch & had developed some messed up menstruation cycles. I was on my period for 2 months straight & had iron deficiency because of that–needless to say I’ve been put on birth control to regulate (later on I figured out this could be due to allergies).
Other weird symptoms I noticed was that it became difficult to swallow after eating sandwiches & stuff, so I would force it down with water. I figured I was just taking too big of bites. That was, until summer at camp when my throat swelled up & I couldn’t breathe after eating a chicken pot pie. I forced down water to open my throat up…which pretty much saved my ass. Nobody had seen it happen and I was terrified to eat anything. I finally went to an Allergy Specialist a year later, and my results came back with low allergies to yeast and molds. They wouldn’t give me an EpiPen, but put me on a diet.
Over the last few years I’ve been on a wheat, gluten, mold, and yeast-free diet. My throat hasn’t swelled in a while. But I have new symptoms. Every time I eat “bad foods”, like pizza I get horrid cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and so tired that I’ve woke up on the floor two hours later. The scariest is the feelings of depression. I’ve literally ran out of the bread aisle in the market crying (before that I was having an excellent day). The stomach stuff I can handle, but I’m in college & the fatigue and depression is death when I have classes and all these new stresses. I don’t like eating in the dining hall since they ALWAYS cook processed foods (aka: yeasty paradise) and the smell puts me in a fog.
I havn’t used even half of my meal plan because I can’t eat there, and I’m trying to get out of getting a new plan for the semester (its a requirement of living in the moldy dorms). Plus the plan costs A LOT of money, so why waste money when I’ve got other bills to pay my school? To get the meal plan petitioned I need a note from the Allergy Specialist, but they aren’t being much help since “your second test results came up negative for any allergies–except for environmental molds”. How hard is it for them to pull up my first test results? They put me on the diet, and I feel better when I’m eating that way. But now I’m getting no help when I want to keep myself healthy.
I’ve heard that allergies don’t always show up on allergy tests. My Aunt has a serious allergy to nuts, but she’s never had an allergy test come back positive (She has an EpiPen). I guess this happens often.
What bothers me the most is that my school is wiling to forgo the meal plan, but my doctor (the Allergy Specialist) isn’t listening to me. He signed my petition form, but all his letter says is that I came to him complaining of “severe fatigue” and gave an attached copy of my negative test results. It says nothing about the diet, my original test results, or the fact that my symptoms stopped when I began the diet.
Maybe I’m just venting, but why is it so hard for those of us with allergies to figure it out? I know that gluten symptoms vary a lot, but it just seems like a doctor should want to help out their patients. Just to prevent issues like mine, aone with allergies should hold onto a copy of ANY positive allergy test results they get from a doctor. Because it sucks feeling like you’re defending you’re health alone.
Well, as I’ve been writing this, I’ve finally gotten someone in the Specialists office to give me a copy of my first test results…I’m going to pick them up today. Good Luck to everyone, researching on you’re own is often the only relief. I was lucky to be diagnosed early on, but just trying the diet can be a life-changing experience.
Peace Out!
I watched a DVD entitled
I watched a DVD entitled “unlocking the mystery of wheat and gluten intolerance”. I have been dealing with diverticulitis flares for the last year. In October removed all gluten from my diet. For me, it has nothing to do with my diverticulitis – still had a flare. What has happened is that I no longer itched all over, bloating disappeared and seemed to come out of a mental for that I had no idea I was in! Long story short about a week ago I started occasionally eating wheat. I got all my symptoms back. Interesting………………….
Good gluten-free results
Thank you for sharing your story.
This should be helpful to others who are wondering about removing gluten from their diet.
For those interested in the DVD, here is the link to Amazon where you can buy it:
Unlocking the Mystery of Wheat and Gluten Intolerance
Good luck with keeping gluten out of your diet in the future.
Flem in throat
I have what seems like a build up of flem at the back of my throat which I cannot cough up or get rid of particularly at night and when in bed. I am in excellent health and it is not painful but it is irritating that I keep having to try to clear my throat at night especially. I eat only wholemeal bread and have skimmed milk and sweetners in my tea. It was suggested the problem may caused by the bread, milk or sweetner. Could that be possible? Thank you in anticipation of yopur reply.
Milk causes phlegm
Hi Tony,
If your only problem if phlegm, it could be the milk, depending on how much you drink. Milk can cause phlegm.
As for wheat, gluten or the sweetener (sugar or artificial by the way?), you could try cutting them out and see what happens.
Phlegm
Hi.
Yes phlegm is my only problem. I will follow your suggestion and cut out bread and sweetners – I don’t drink milk other than the small amout of dried skimmed milk I use in my tea but I did suspect as a dairy product it could be the problem.
I will substitute lemon for milk and see how it goes and let you know in a couple of weeks time.
Thank you very much for your help.
Tony Murray
Dairy products cause phlegm
When I said “milk can cause phlegm”, I really should have said “dairy products can cause phlegm”.
Don’t forget other dairy products such as cheese, ice cream etc.
can a gluten allergy cause
can a gluten allergy cause the lymph nodes to swell in the groin. I had one side swell a little for about a year now, then the other day I noticed the other one is large, very large. I’ve been tested for all the infections… nothing. I have ibs, gas all the other symptoms too. I also get large pimples all over mostly on my back…very large ones.
Any coments welcome!
Living Free!
I have struggled with many health issues that popped up after having my 1st child in 2005. I gained an incredible 85 lbs with her. After delivery, I started the mission to get the weight off but even with hiring a personal trainer was only a few pounds lighter. Being a runner, I hopped on the treadmill and joined Weight Watchers, excited to know change was coming. I started gaining weight and was always tired. Like the kind of tired that some days, I’d get a shower and have to get back into bed. The symptoms got worse and two doctors said I just needed to eat less and exercise more. More than 1 1/2 hours a day and Weight Watchers wasn’t enough?! Long story short and after my 3rd doctor was convinced to give me the thyroid test, sure enough it was hypothyroid. I was relieved to know my road to feeling better was around the corner. That was in 2005, although some symptoms got better, the weight issue, and fatigue stuck around. I tried Weight Watchers again, and then Jenny Craig. My husband started searching the internet himself out of frustration with the medical field not listening to me and I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant living with my disatisfaction or the cost of our efforts on programs that weren’t working. FINALLY, he came across a website that talked about gluten allergies and the symptoms were exactly what I have been dealing with. No wonder the diet programs weren’t working – they both allow gluten!!! Since October 2009, I have lost 50 lbs and 1/2 weigh to my goal. I have gone from a size 24 to a size 16. What really has convinced me is that now that I am gluten free, I KNOW when gluten creeps into my meal. We went on vacation, I thought I did pretty good, stayed away from the usual vacation treats but when we got home had gained 8 lbs. I cried, sometimes it just doesn’t seem fair. But, then I think of all the great things my body has done for me, like going through two pregnancies, if this is what I have to do to feel free in my skin again, it’s worth the sacrifice. Someone said I shouldn’t have gone gluten-free until getting tested for Celiac disease because now the test will come back negative. I’m not going to get tested, this seems to be working and I went long enough not being diagnosed and it’s probably just an intolerance anyway. Good luck to all that are on this website – may your journey be one of finding peace and answers. We have to be our own advocates. I’ve taken a lesson away from all of this. We know ourselves better than anyone else. Just because a doctor says nothing is wrong, doesn’t mean we should stop looking for our answers – they are out there.
If anyone is condsdering going on a elimation diet. I would strongly reccommed it. Docotrs could not dianogize me, But we where able to find out thourgh a elimation diet.
I had a weird allergy develop on my torso everytime I tried to run. I was told to take medications but who wants to medicate before going jogging. I decided to begin to take foods out of my system and test my own theories. Dairy was ok. I took out gluten and voila! not more running allergies and hives! It’s been two months and I do not miss it, although the first two weeks were bad.
Typical doctor’s response: problem -> prescription.
Your approach is much better.
As usual, each person can have specific, unique symptoms to the relatively common problem of gluten sensitivity.
This message is for Jane, but mat apply to everyone here. I have had severe stomach issues going on 7 years now, I have seen specialist after specialist, and even been to the mayo clinic, all to no avail. I have several other problems besides my stomach also that no one can seem to pinpoint. I have been to allergists, neurologists, G.I. dr’s, gyno’s, rhuematologists and on and on. Anyway I recently read a book that I think holds the answers for me and possibly thousands of others. When I read your description of symptoms and saw the “anal itching” I thought of a chapter in the book about parasites. The book is called “Healthier without Wheat” by Dr. Stephen Wangen. It covers a lot of things including gluten intolerance’s with are actually more common that Celiac disease and can potentially be more serious, this can effect every aspect of your body, not just digestive issues. It also covers food allergy’s stomach bacteria parasites etc. I think reading this book will help you. Good luck, and don’t give up just because this world is full of ignorant doctors who think they know your body better than you!
Here is a convenient link to Amazon for the book Jamie mentioned:
Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance.
Just want to make sure people don’t really think a Gluten Allergy is related to Autism! There is no data to show this and this would be another case falsely associating autism to some random thing like the anivaccers.
Hi Rob,
Some parents of autistic children find their kids do better on a gluten free diet.
That is not the same as saying that gluten causes autism.
I’d like to understand the chemistry of gluten better. What happens when it cooks. There seems to be a transformation happening in the likes of corn become popcorn, gluten seems to expand.
My point is that I’ve experienced some pretty strong reaction with uncooked wheat licking a finger while making bread. By the way there was nothing else than water mixed with the wheat flour. I repeated the experience a few days later with a different brand of wheat and this time I noticed that as soon as the wheat gets closer to my tongue but before it touches it I already feel that disruption all over my body. Afterwards I also experienced strong gut disruptions with bread that was not cooked dry like bread pudding and with pastas.
The thing is that very little happens with fully cooked flat bread (I’m using flatbread because I might also have allergies to rising agents). Not only that but properly cooked flatbread also makes my intestinal transit almost perfect. I mean I havent’t had a properly shaped stool in more than 10 years and only flat wheat bread has corrected that after having tried everything else and seen so many doctors. Previously to these new experiments I had been avoiding wheat for a while but having no real improvements in bowel transit and other gut pains. Improvements were in terms of keeping a healthy weight, stopping hair losses and not suffering from brain fog. So I really don’t get it. Am I allergic to gluten or not? What is the problem with gluten really? Is it just that we don’t know how to prepare it anymore? I’m at a lost. I need to know for sure what is going on. If anyone’s got a piece of explanation, I’d appreciate if you could share.
PS: please don’t tell me to go see a doctor and take a bunch of crappy tests. Been there, done that, more than once, none give the same results, yes no yes no maybe, or even “go see a shrink”! It’s worthless.
Hi Kumar,
Very interesting observations you have made there, and probably quite different from what many people experience.
Usually, cooking a food destroys the enzymes in it, making it harder to digest. Yet cooking wheat seems to make it work for you.
You may not have a problem with gluten. Most people who do either have celiac disease or a gluten allergy. Most people get brain fog when they eat wheat. Interesting that you have the opposite effect.
I’d say go with what works. As long as you are not celiac (have you been tested?), you can go with your own cause and effect experiments.
If you come up with any more insights, feel free to share. Hopefully other people will comment on your experience too.
hi
i have been to the doctors because i have severe itching without a rash on my arms and legs especially but also the back of my head. it is driving me crazy and i am desperate to know what it is. do you think this is a symptom of a gluten allergy? i asked my doc to send me for an allergy test but she dismissed it.
Skin symptoms can be very hard to diagnose.
Itching without a rash could be an allergy symptom, but not necessarily.
If it is an allergy, it could be to any number of foods or air-borne substances such as dust and mold.
If you really want to find out whether you have a gluten allergy, try cutting it out completely for a couple months. If you have no improvement by then, it probably isn’t a gluten allergy. If you cheat on your allergy, you won’t know. If you start feeling better and/or symptoms improve after a few days, then it just might be a gluten allergy.
Good luck
I hope you are still checking replies to your question. I have had many sinus infections over the years. First, I had 2 or 3 acute episodes per year, and then more and more. Finally, I just developed a long chronic infection, which did not go away for about 3 years. By the end of these 3 years, my lymph nodes in my groin, under my jaw and the back of my lower scull, were constantly enlarged and painful. In the morning when I would wake up, I would have a headache, my head completely stuffed up, and the back of my neck and face was swollen. At the back of my head, the area between the 2 large muscles, the natural dip was so swollen, that it would disappear. I started thinking that the infection was entering my brain, which could have been so, but I also found out from research that there were lymph nodes in that area also. So, it was probably lots of swelling and also infection. Since, I have gone gluten free, my nodes have settled down and I haven’t had a sinus infection in a year. However, I’ve had a few accidental cross contamination, and then my lymph nodes do swell up. I hope this is helpful! Basically, if you do have celiac disease, every time you ingest gluten, you will react to it, and each reaction will be more violent than the one before. I’ve read about this on the internet, but I also checked with my gastro specialist and he confirmed this.
I have had a rash for 9 mionths now, the doctor gave me prednizone 3 different time the first two times cleared up the rash but this last time hasn’t helped at all, they also gave me creams and medicine for fungal, it helped but never made it go away. The rash is very itchy and makes sleeping almost impossible. I cut gluten out and that helped my stomach problems but the rash is still there. I also cut out lanolan from lotions to help skin and that has helped but vaseoline helps the most but only last about an hour, then back to itching, the rash is over 90% of my body and I need help. I take an over the counter allergy pill once a day but doesn’t help, I went to an allergist and found some things I;m allergic ti but I need releif from this rash. Willing to try anything at this point. Rash started in March and now its Deccember. Help Please
Hi there,
my husband is suffering from sever itchy palms and soles for the past two years. we did every test you can imagine and they all came normal. we are doing the test for Gluten allergy in 2 days. Not sure what other tests we can do if this one comes back negative as well. the itch is driving him crazy and also causing depression and anxiety. any thoughts?
I have been diagnosed with “gluten wheat allergy” (had a Antibody Assessment done). Is this the same as wheat allergy? Or does this mean that I am allergic to wheat AND anything else which has gluten?
Regards
From your description, it sounds like you have been tested for the specific type of gluten in wheat.
However, this type of gluten is very similar to that found in rye, oats and barely.
I suggest you start off with a completely gluten-free diet, just the same as celiacs. Assuming you have an allergy rather than celiac disease (where you tested for celiac?), you can try other types of gluten after you feel better, and see if they are a problem or not.
Dear Allergy Guy,
Thanks for the quick response. My test was done at the US BioTek, in Seattle, WA (although I live in Kathmandu Nepal). I have not been tested for Celiac yet.
Regards,
Sanjib
I suggest you get a celiac test. I’m told a stool test is the most accurate. A biopsy is only accurate for more severe cases and misses borderline (but still serious) cases.
Good luck!
One of my biggest problems of gluten allergy is the abdominal bloating. My stomach grows everytime I eat doritos (which I am addicted to) and it makes me look like I am pregnant and just about to pop. Please help!
The only thing I can say is: “stop eating doritos!”
Or anything else with gluten in it.
You’ll feel so much better. Eventually, you’ll loose the craving.
Food allergies often lead to craving the very food you are allergic to. You’ll need some will-power. The results are well worth it.
Please stop by after a while and let us know how you get on …
speach problem/breathing speach lock up funny but demoralising ,,when i speak., at various times my brain /speach motor will go into a lock up mode. i try to force the word out and strain, stutter.get short of breath . 4 y ago i tried gluten free diet .problem eased..i recently hit pizzas and bread .ice cream..the problem returned..has any one out there expierienced similar problem ..is it phobia .phisical alrgy based .anxiety.. regards and thanks for being there, tom
Gluten causes comparable symptoms for me, but not nearly as severe. And symptoms disappear completely when I avoid gluten.
It could be that when you avoided gluten, you didn’t avoid all gluten (which can be difficult, it is in so many things, even in small amounts).
See if you can give it another go and be ultra-strict about it.
Good luck
I have been off all gluten for about 5 or 6 weeks – don’t miss it at all. Most of the “indigestion” and “acid reflux” have disappeared. Today, unknowingly, I had wheat noodles. I was told then were buck-wheat. I developed almost instance indigestion and acid reflux. Now I just feel tired and headachey. I’m hoping this will leave my body quickly. Has anybody else had this experience?
Absolutely! That’s exactly why I started this website.
FATIGUE, LETHARGY, BRAIN FOG:
I am 68 years old and have suffered the following as far back as I can recall:
Lethargy, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, frequent colds, hay fever. I’d heard of gluten sensitivity but it didn’t “click” that I should be tested until I heard a talk by a man with celiac disease. I immediately eliminated bread from my diet, read up on gluten and gradually eliminated as much gluten as I can be aware of. I am delighted beyond my ability to say that I feel like a new person!
My ability to concentrate has improved immensely.
I am awake during the day instead of feeling drowsy even if I am short of sleep.
I seem less susceptible to colds
I am seem less sensitive to allergens.
I have much more energy.
If I had known of this condition 60 years ago my life would have been very positively effected. I am so happy to have lived long enough to make this discovery.
I’m so glad that you found the problem! True, it would have been better to have discovered your gluten sensitivity decades ago. On the other hand, many people will tell you that 60 isn’t that old. Make the most of the decades to come!
I have read some comments on this site, I to have suffered from wheat intolerance noticeably for 7 years. I was told i had IBS and nothing more, after keeping a food diary my reactions too gluten wheat&oats were obvious. Chronic fatigue, bloatness, diarhoea, constipation but more worringly irrational mood swings, welling of eyes (& overwhelming feeling for the need to cry). Also i would notice hair loss in the shower and irregular bleeding (out of menstral cycle). I’m worried this could be symtoms of something more serious? whilst i worked in a bank and as an air hostess i felt the need to leave these jobs because of constant tiredness and anxiety/stress would elevate the symptoms. I met someone with gluten intolerance and found i was more susceptible to getting ill/colds etc apparently she said its because your gut lining is fragile it effects the immune system, which i didn’t realise. Keeping a gluten free diet has been difficult but worth it in the end, i’m tired of ignorant people referring to it as just being ‘lazy’.
also on a more ‘taboo’ subject, i find that when i’m suffering from a bout of wheat intolerance it can cause intercourse to be more sensitive and painful. I think swelling may not just effect the stomach/bowels, but i’ve only noticed this in the past couple of years. (If there are any other women who have noticed this, please let me know?)
This is not a taboo subject. A symptom that affects your sex life is as much of a symptom as any other.
I’m considering trying a gluten free diet….I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia two years ago after suffering from bouts of depression, chronic pain and fatigue for what seems to be my whole life…the last 15 years being the worst. All the symptoms are there: varying degrees of pain all over my body with no explanation, brain fog, IBS, chronic sinusitis and bronchitis, allergies, asthma, itching, lack of concentration and focus, etc. I decided on the candida cleanse first because 4 different people had told me about it, all unrelated. The dr’s had me on 4 different prescriptions that was doing nothing more for me than turning me into a zombie. After I did the cleanse I was able to dump all the meds and starting taking supplements…I felt amazing!!! That lasted about 9 months…I’m doing it again because the brain fog is back and some of the aching. The candida diet I am on eliminates gluten as well and I just made the connection. I think part of the problem is that when the dr’s talk about IBS and diet they always tell me to make sure I’m eating a lot of fiber…make sure to eat whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread instead of white, etc. Making this switch has seemed to aggravate things for me. My doctor doesnt cooperate with me when I come in and want to talk about candida or gluten…his attitude is ‘you are going to have to accept the fact that you have fibromyalgia, we dont know what causes it and there is no fix’…well, I refuse to buy it. I dont think he will do the test, I get the impression that he thinks I need to stay off the internet and not believe everything I read. I know the candida cleanse helped me because things really changed for me, excessive discharge went away, my eyes used to be goopey in the mornings, my tongue was covered with a film, swollen glands under my ears, ear aches, sinus congestion, the symptoms of FMS…all of it went away. So I will definitely be concentrating on the gluten free diet as soon as I can figure out what I CAN eat. One question I have is, does anyone have ringing in their ears??? The ringing in my ears is enough to drive me insane. It went away and is back again. I hadnt really seen anyone else comment on it and wondered if it might be a confirming symptom as well. I read everyones comments and feel for all of you because I know what its like to feel sick all the time. I hope you each find the cause of your illnesses and best of luck getting well!
Hi Patty,
It sounds like you’re on the right track. Doctor’s don’t have all the answers, and they obviously don’t have the answer for you.
I have ringing in the ears (tinnitus) which gets worse when exposed to my allergens and better when I avoid them. Wheat is a big trigger. It is usually the first symptoms to appear and the last to go away.
There is lots of food you can eat that is wheat-free! Here is one place to start: Wheat free can eat.
Let us know how you’re getting on.
Its been a couple of months now and I am feeling much better. its like my fibromyalgia is gone…I only have pain when I have done something that would cause muscle or joint soreness and stiffness…like a regular person would. The sinuses have cleared up and the brain fog seems to be all but gone, my stomach is much better, no bloated and having regularity in the bathroom…its like my IBS is no longer existent! My husband laughs at me because I get really excited about being ‘regular’ when it comes to the bathroom. I am very careful about what I eat and mostly cook at home. We went out to eat to a mexican restaurant and they ensured me that something I asked about had NO gluten in it. I got sick about 3/4 thru my meal just like I always had so I know for sure it did. I’ve had just a couple of other episodes where I wasnt sure, relied on website info or others, and had a reaction. As long as I make sure it has no gluten then nothing bad happens…still have the ringing in my ears, which is annoying, but I thought I would give it more time until I went to the dr about the ears. I’m going to keep at it…
OK, so I’ve been yeast free for almost 2 weeks. Haven’t cheated once. Also doing Candigone cleanse as well as taking probiotics. Initially, I lost a ton of weight – 14lbs in 9 days. Then it stopped. I’m totally flatlined. Now my goal isn’t to lose weight – it’s to find allergies (though I do need to lose more!). But I’m wondering why the weight loss stopped. Any ideas? I’m on meat and veggies.
I also have Oral Allergy Syndrome.
___________________________________
From Wikipedia: OAS is perhaps the most common food-related allergy in adults. OAS is not a separate food allergy, but rather represents cross-reactivity between distant remnants of tree or weed pollen still found in certain fruits and vegetables. Therefore, OAS is typically only seen in tree and weed allergic patients, and is usually limited to ingestion of only uncooked fruits or vegetables.[2]
Another term used for this syndrome is ‘”Pollen-Food Allergy.”‘ In adults up to 60% of all food allergic reactions are due to cross-reactions between foods and inhalative allergens.[3]
However, unlike other food allergies, in oral allergy syndrome, the reaction is limited to the mouth, lips, tongue and throat.[4]
OAS is a Type 1 or IgE-mediated immune response, which is sometimes called a “true allergy”. The body’s immune system produces IgE antibodies against pollen; in OAS, these antibodies also bind to (or cross-react with) other structurally similar proteins found in botanically related plants.
OAS can occur anytime of the year but is most prevalent during the pollen season. Individuals with OAS usually develop symptoms within a few minutes after eating the food.[5]
______________________________
So basically, I have to cook ALL fruits and veggies before I eat them. Which makes this diet even harder. How do you cook fruits without sugar?? lol Anyway, for now, I’m just avoiding fruits and hoping my vitamins are catching what I’m missing. If anyone has suggestions for what I should be doing/taking to supplement that, I’m all ears.
So I’m on Candigone cleanse. I’ve been on it for almost 2 weeks. I’ve also had a very sore throat for 2 weeks. I went to the health food store after someone recommended Olive leaf spray for my throat (because everything else for sore throats has sugar in it) and I’ll tell you, it worked great!! But 5 minutes after I took it, my inner ears started violently itching, the back of my throat started itching and then my eyes started in. So I took an allergy pill. This morning, same thing with the Candigone, even though I only took the pills and not the drops along with it.
I’m getting really frustrated. I have dealt with recurrent yeast infections, and I’ve been on antibiotics many many times in my life due to allergies turning into sinus infections and bronchitis. I have always had a high sugar diet and simply adore mushrooms. If this was a gluten allergy alone, I wouldn’t react. So maybe it’s the OAS plus gluten? My blood allergy test results come in on Friday and it’s killing me to wait! If I’m gluten intolerant instead of gluten allergic, that won’t show on the test, will it? That’s just trial and error, right?
I’m kinda rambling because I have so many angles of possibilities. But I will say that the brain fog is totally gone since I’ve gone yeast free. I can’t say I have a lot more energy but it seems to be a little better. (Though, between hypothyroid, MS, fibro and 4 kids ages 10 and under, I *should* be tired, right?? LOL). And those spells of super dead tired, literally cannot get oneself off the couch (that I thought was MS related), is totally gone too. Haven’t had one episode of that. And with my fibro, I had my fingertips and toes go numb when they got cold. That’s also gone. It’s been warmer weather but even in the super cold grocery store that always made it flare, it’s not happened. So I guess I am doing better. I’m just confused as to what to do next.
I know this isn’t a yeast free convo but you guys know your stuff and maybe you can help me connect the dots??
I’m a little confused because you mostly talk about a yeast free diet, a bit about gluten free diet, and this thread is about gluten-free.
If you are seeing improvements with a gluten free diet, get tested for celiac disease. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your current gluten free diet and how that might effect your test.
re: “How do you cook fruits without sugar??”. Well, you just cook ‘em! Then you eat them. Repeat until you are used to the taste of stewed fruits without sugar. This takes a little while, but it’s worth it because you’ll taste the fruit much more.
When you use the Candigone or Candicleanse you have to cut out all gluten as well. When I originally thought I had a yeast problem I did the candigone cleanse and every time I felt better but when I started introducing other healthy food back into my diet I started going backwards again…the lady at the health food store recommended that it might be the gluten causing the problem and not the yeast. Also…have you tried Stevia sweetners? (Like Truvia?) I was able to use that with the cleanse.
You have mentioned that you had a bad reaction at a Mexican Restaurant. This is a frequent problem for all people affected by gluten. I want to recommend a website where you can download printable restaurant cards, which can be laminated and carried with you. The card explains very clearly what you can and cannot eat, and how your food might get cross contaminated. These cards are available in a whole lot of languages, including Spanish. The site is called celiactravel.com. If you like Thai food, you can take this card with you. Thai and Indian foods are gluten friendly, but there are some foods rolled in bread crumbs or flavored with soy sauce. That is a no-no for us!
Such cards may help, but I have found that some people with good English do not always understand the problem, or cross-contamination, or how a small amount of gluten can be a big problem. I’ve walked out of restaurants like that because I just can’t trust them.
Handing over a card may get a nod, but that my no means guarantees that you’ll actually get gluten-free food.
Use such cards with caution and don’t expect them to solve all your problems!
Im 13 and I suffer from gluten allergies, they suck…..
Sometimes I can eat pizza and others I eat only 1 Oreo and In in the bathroom almost instantly…
When I first started my GF diet I detoxed and that was hell… Gluten allergies are no joke, do you know how many times I’ve had to turn down birthday cake at my best friends party?(7)
Gluten allergies are a living hell, people who say it’s no big deal need to try it sometime….
Yup: having a gluten allergy sucks, everyone here can attest to that!
You have to decide which is worse: avoiding gluten (harder to find food you can eat, feeling different from your friends etc.) or the symptoms.
Once you decide you have to avoid it, stick with it and never bend. People will just accept it. It does get easier, both with experience, and as you get older.
I’ll tell you this though, Harrison, I wish I knew about my gluten allergy when I was 13 instead of discovering it when I was 22. That was a lot of extra years of being sick! My grades suffered and I found it hard to socialize because I was sick. Better to stay healthy and accept that while in most ways you’re the same as everyone else, in this one way you’re different.
And I’ll tell you something else. There is probably some other kid in your class who is suffering worse than you are, but does not know the cause. So in that way you are lucky, you can choose to take the actions that will keep you feeling great!
It isn’t always easy, but it is only a living hell if you decide it is.
Hope that helps! Good luck. Feel free do drop by with more comments.
I have recently haven’t been able to eat breads, cookies,cakes, etc because shortly after I eat them my tongue feels like it is swollen and my mouth starts burning. I have an appt. with an allergy Dr. Tuesday but I am wondering if I am having a sudden gluten or food allergy. Does that sound familiar.
Suddenly having noticeable food allergy symptoms is possible.
I really enjoyed reading all the post…here is a question for all
severe congestion and gluten intolerance?
Have been recieving allergy shots since jan seasonal symptoms have gone away except for the congestion. last october had somnoplasty done to help with the breathing not helping…I have been reading alot about gluten but the allergist says there is no connection with congestiona and gluten….
i do notice that the congstion does come on a little heavier after eating carbs(baked goods and sweets, etc)
any help…did just by the g-free diet to give it a whirl
thanks
What matters is the effect gluten has on you, not what effect it has on everybody else.
Try cutting out gluten and see if it helps. Assuming gluten-free does help, you can decide if the considerable bother of a gluten free diet is worth the lack of symptoms.
I always had sinus congestion, asthma and had my tonsils removed at 30 yrs old. I drank a beer at a restaurant one night and noticed that the more I drank of it the more my sinuses plugged, by the end of the night I could not breathe out my nose at all…I even made a joke about ‘wouldnt it be funny if I was allergic to beer’…no, not really since I am german…haha! Since I have gone gluten free my sinuses have cleared up and I have not used my inhaler ONE time…and I dont sound wheezy at all. Your allergist may not know of a connection but Dr’s do make mistakes and they cant be expected to know everything 100%. The only way for you to know for sure is to try going gluten free and see what happens. Good luck!
Thanks for the responses I remember several years ago when i did the stkins diet(no gluten so to speak) how easy it was to breathe so i am really thinking there may be a connection….all i have to do now is go for it….thanks
Good luck with it Carrie. Let us know how it goes!
In December of 2010, I had a sudden attack of bronchitis, laryngitis, and upper respiratory infection. My MD put me on 1,200 milligrams of NSAIDS for 21 days. Soon after being ill, I experienced horrible gastrointestinal symptoms such as anal bleeding, irregular stool, diarrhea, and constipation. I had a colonoscopy that revealed internal hemmoroids, skin tags, and inflammation but nothing major. Aside from those signs, I had severe depression, anxiety, inability to concentrate, anemia, bruising, irritability, and EXTREME FATIGUE. In March 2011, I began exercising 2 hours everyday, and eating very well, on top of having a very active job that burns approximately 2,500 calories a day. In 8 weeks I had lost 25 lbs, but still felt awful! I couldn’t figure out why eating healthy would make me feel sick. Then the lightbulb came on…..I had been eating tons of wheat bread, granola, oats, oatmeal, etc. One night, I had an evening of drinking hard alcohol, and at age 26, my tolerance and metabolism for liquor had always been superb, I actually vomited for the first time, and felt like I was dying the next day….it was no hangover….it was something much more and I never realized. In high school I was a very thin, athletic build, and over the past 4 years, I have put on 60-70 lbs, even though my diet has never been horrible. And now, I see how much better I feel when I eat meat, veggies, and dairy. It is amazing!!!!!!!
Do you think cutting out carbs in general is helping you, or do you think gluten is your problem?
see thats the thing…I am so confused…it was cutting carbs and sugar from the diet…also I didn’t mention about the sudden urge to go to the bathroom and “explosions” once there. so the combination of all this is why I went on the search to see what I could find out. I am just so tired of being tired and not being able to breathe. For al I know its just the allergies and the shots may kick in at some point but its gone on for far to long
The more symptoms you add, the more it sounds like either gluten allergy or celiac disease.
I recommend trying a gluten-free diet. Also, get tested for celiac disease (best done before a GF diet for best accuracy).
well have had the test done now its time to start a healthy eating plan….now time to wait for results….
Hi,
Can anyone please let me know is there any conneciton between Gluten and Vitilogo ?
Joint stiffness and itchy skin rash???
I have been GF for two years and recently had dinner at a friend’s home. I am certain that I ingested a LOT of soy and other hidden gluten.
I immediately had some serious stomach issues, but I’m curious if anyone else has experienced joint pain and itchy skin rashes as a result of ingesting gluten.
I also feel very fatigued, but that seems like an obvious symptom.
Can you shed some light????
Joint pain and itchy skin are possible symptoms, although I personally have not had either symptom.
I get both joint pain and itchiness around the mouth, nose and side of the face, around the area where my sideburns would be if I were a man. This area gets raised welts which get very itchy. Unfortunately you might be developing other allergies in addition to gluten. I just heard a talk by an eminent researcher at a Celiac Conference in LA and he said that this possibility can develop for many people. Those who initially feel better after going on a GF diet and subsequently develop similar symptoms later, may have developed some other allergies or sensitivity. Some other culprits could be dairy products (these cause painful joints for me), soy, eggs, and in my case anything in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants. My other symptoms include all that I get with gluten ingestion, plus mouth ulcers.
I have many, many food allergies including dairy. I was tested for a wheat allergy (blood test) and it came back negative. My allergist didn’t think I could have celiac or wheat allergy because i’m a bit overweight. Is there a test for a gluten allergy or does the wheat one cover that? I feel best when I don’t eat wheat/gluten and dairy. My ankles and inside the crook of my elbow doesn’t itch, my hair isn’t dry, etc. What specific testing can be done to prove this? I’m going to start going 100% gluten free tomorrow. What makes it hard for me is that I’m allergic to corn, walnuts, almonds, raw fruit except berries and granny smith, raw celery & carrots and avocados and most dairy too. What are the symptom differences between a gluten and wheat allergy? Also is spelt flour ok to use and ezechial bread? Is there a difference of sprouted wheat bread? I really want to do this right.
Gluten allergy, celiac disease and wheat allergy are all different. However, you can not go by symptoms as many are the same and symptoms vary from person to person.
Spelt may be ok for a wheat allergy, probably not for a gluten allergy, and certainly not for celiac.
Is the blood test for gluten sensitivity accurate? And is there a celiac blood test? Are these different from wheat allergy blood test? Must one be consuming wheat products before blood tests and for how long?