Not feeling better

[shiraleekj]

I've been wheat and dairy free for six weeks. I started to feel better about two weeks in then symptoms came back same happened at the end of week five. Am I going wrong somewhere. I am being to feel depressed and that I will never be well. I have a raging headache, sinus pain and tingling in my left arm and hand. Stomach isn't too bad,but I seem to fluctuate between loose stools then constipation. I just want go know there's a light at the end of the tunnel

[Lisahelen]

If it is gluten causing the symptoms it can take a while to mend and cross contamination is a big issue for many of us especially if we eat out because we have no real way of knowing what has been put on our plate even if we are told its ok.

It might pay you to go to your gp and ask for some blood tests to be done especially as you seem to be getting more symptoms, there is a chance that it might not be the gluten/ dairy causing the problem.

[shiraleekj in reply to Lisahelen]

Maybe I am just being impatient. Just want to feel well and for longer not just temporary. I did eat out Saturday so maybe I was unlucky and ate some that was cross contamination. I had a jacket potato,but it was a busy hotel/pub so no guarantees. Not really getting more symptoms,just my old ones coming back. Migraines haven't returned so I am very thankful for that. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I am new to all this so any advice or tips are very welcome.

[Penel]

Hi

If you are eating a lot of ready-made gluten free foods, especially bread, the additives may be affecting you. Emulsifiers, gums, and cellulose can cause problems. Try sticking to naturally gluten free foods only for a while to see if that helps.

[shiraleekj in reply to Penel]

Thank you. It is something that crossed my mind as when I steer away from gf foods and just eat natural foods,I do seem to feel better. I will try again and for longer to see if the improvement last longer. Thanks again.

[FFNick]

Are you aware these might be withdrawal symptoms? Body Rebounds after taking out a food group.

Could be trace amounts of other reactionary foods. Try eating safe foods which you suspect are okay for several meals/days. Then add or eliminate foods for testing. If you can write down every food eaten.

Working out what causes what can take years. Be patient. Current sister baked a cake for me. I reacted to it, turns out the flour was dodgy. Caramel, cooking oil and sucrose were among the last to eliminate.

[shiraleekj in reply to FFNick]

Thank you for your advice. I thought I would get better and that would be it. I was unaware of rebound attacks. I was told about caramel and also maltodexrin. I didn't know about sucrose. Seems my best option at the is like you say to eat safe foods. Food which are natural not any gf substitute foods.

[Hidden]

I never eat baked potatoes in restaurants as I've seen how they handle them, picking them up after touching other foods and cutting them open on bread boards (though that was in a small cafe it made me very wary). If your migraines are gone I'd say that was a good sign. Persist, keep to simple foods, and be very careful about cross contamination even in your own home.

I recommend you take a multivitamin/mineral supplement to help you while you are in this stage, especially take VIt D to help you absorb calcium and help you feel cheerful in this difficult time and the dark part of winter. Take in the morning or it can disrupt sleep.

If the tingling in your arms doesn't go away and you can't fix it with exercise do speak to your GP about it. Calcium deficiency can cause tingling and cramps. I also recomend probiotics, I use one with the enzyme that proceses gluten when I go out just to help with trace contaminants - it is called glutenzye, I find it very helpful.

Best wishes

[shiraleekj]

Oh wow. I never knew that about baked potatoes. I just don't know what else to have when I eat out in smaller restaurants.

The migraines and tingling have now stopped. Been feeling better since around mid day Wednesday.

The sinus and jaw pain seem to hang on the longest.

Thank you for the advice about vitamins. Probiotics are proving difficult as a lot contain dairy.

[Karen49]

I’ve just replied to “Tantesally” you may find some of my comments helpful

[shiraleekj in reply to Karen49]

Just read your post. Some good advice there. Thank you