going gluten free, bloated, feeling fat, in my head?

ok so I have not been diagnosed with celiac disease or anything but my dr thought trying out a gluten free diet would be bennifial for my excema, ibs, fatigue, depression and other possible gluten related issues. I just started on Sunday and I'm not too sure what's going on, I feel more bloated and feel like i am putting on weight, I have heard that there is a withdrawl stage but not sure if I should tough it out and see what happens etc. I don't see how I can be gaining weight in less than a week when I have been staying within my calories, hoping it's just bloating but feeling really grose, any help/support from other people, what happened to you during your conversion? thanks in advance

Replies

  • It took about 6 weeks to make a difference for me, when I went off gluten (I have a diagnosed intolerance). I didn't have any more or less bloating than I'd get periodically while I was still eating it, but I did still have the inflammation markers - they just slowly decreased over time.

    You may be dealing with an unrelated bloating incident (where are you with TOM?), or if you're eating a lot more of a very different kind of food (lots of beans, to make up for no gluten, for example). Changing your diet always comes with the risk of tummy upset at first, so I'd definitely give it longer than a few days, make sure you're drinking lots of water, and getting a good balance of fiber.

    Also, if you're eating more or different foods, your body may be readjusting its water balance - I'm quite sure that if you're not going over your calories, you're not gaining weight. You may be carrying some extra water while you adjust, but it won't be fat if the calories aren't there.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I have all those symptoms with a lactose intolerance. Gluten is the scape goat of the moment.
  • edencrannon
    edencrannon Posts: 34 Member
    Hi Hun, I've got wheat/some dairy intolerance so I'm only learning! But feel exactly like you do... I'm on my new way of eating about 4weeks now and feel so bad in myself it's unreal! I'm just hoping its the adjustment period so just gonna keep going as its gotta be better for me in the long run. I've also got IBS and a hernia so horrid tummy issues on top of it all, but at the moment the indigestion and reflux is worse so eating Rennes for fun!!

    My diary is open if u want to have a look.

    Good luck with it all Hun xxx
    Donna x
  • I'm fairly certain that it's not lactose intolerant, i don't react violently to milk producst, I eat them moderatly and always have, can't say i feel any worse when i do, I have always noticed that I feel worse when I consume a great deal of fiber! so when I was put on a high fiber/water diet for ibs it made me far worse. I agree gluten intolerance does seam to be tossed around a lot it's like the problem solver of the day but hey if cutting it out makes me feel better than i do I certainly will! lol thanks peeps
  • pfeiferfit
    pfeiferfit Posts: 138 Member
    Are you PCOS? The symptoms sound similar. I am, and Monday was my first day GF - it's Thursday. I hear you on the headaches, although I've increased my water and vitamins, and so far so good.

    Are you feeling bad consuming fiber, or is it that high-carb fibers (gf grains/beans etc) are making you feel bad?

    I have heard that adjusting to fiber slowly is the way to go. Good luck!
  • what is pcos? i am still in the early stages of figuring out my triggers, i always thought it was fiber and ruffage now realizing that it might be gluten.