Muscle Weakness

[masterjen]

Hi,

I've been gluten-free for just over a month, and fortunately for me this has not meant a huge diet change, as I have never been much of an eater of bread, pasta and processed foods. However, in this past month I have been having two problematic issues:

1. frequent minutes-to-hours long episodes of muscle weakness. I've kept a log of when this occurs, and there is no consistent link to other factors (such as being hungry, having just eaten, over-exerting myself, having eaten certain foods, etc.).

2. frequent hours-long headaches that sometimes progress into full-on migraines (and prior to all this I have never even had headaches, let along migraines)

The weakness and headaches do not always occur together, but do probably 50-70% of the time.

Does anyone else have this? If so, what what kind of explanation were you given by your doctor? What helped you get better?

Thanks in advance!

[LB1983]

I have had Celiacs for over two years. My diet had to change dramatically!!! I lost over 80lbs in 6 months. I have always been small..so when I got fat it was a shocker! I had celiacs my entire life but the loss of my dad triggered its bad self! I had severe atrophy for months after I went on the gluten-free diet! I could't do the smallest things like walk alot or get up n down. It got better after time and you have to push yourself...but not too hard. The headaches..well...I still have them!! I'm only 26 and I've had a rough 2 years. I have headaches...stomach pains...@ times due to the gluten-free diet. It's hard!! I was in nursing when i got so sick. The celiacs threw me into hypothyroid disease, irreg. heart beat, fibromyalgia, and non-specified lupus. It stinks....

quote name='masterjen' date='22 March 2010 - 07:43 AM' timestamp='1269272614' post='600090']

Hi,

I've been gluten-free for just over a month, and fortunately for me this has not meant a huge diet change, as I have never been much of an eater of bread, pasta and processed foods. However, in this past month I have been having two problematic issues:

1. frequent minutes-to-hours long episodes of muscle weakness. I've kept a log of when this occurs, and there is no consistent link to other factors (such as being hungry, having just eaten, over-exerting myself, having eaten certain foods, etc.).

2. frequent hours-long headaches that sometimes progress into full-on migraines (and prior to all this I have never even had headaches, let along migraines)

The weakness and headaches do not always occur together, but do probably 50-70% of the time.

Does anyone else have this? If so, what what kind of explanation were you given by your doctor? What helped you get better?

Thanks in advance!

[Fozzie]

I am also one month into this diet and I also experience muscle weakness and a low grade headache with brain fog. It is improving with the dieet and two 45 min walks per day. Tomorrow I am going for acupuncture hoping that it will improve my current state of health. hang in there.

[Reba32]

both the headaches and muscle weakness could be withdrawl type symptoms and your body healing and getting used to not being glutened on a daily basis. It could also be that you're not eating enough foods in general, and you may need to make sure you're getting enough calories to keep you going.

Take multi-vitimins. Eat whole natural foods as opposed to packaged manufactured foods. Take a magnesium supplement, make sure you're getting enough potassium (avocados, canteloupe, bananas...), and enough salt. Headaches and muscle weakness can also be caused by electrolyte/mineral imbalance. And drink water. Plain, clear, filtered water.

[i-geek]

both the headaches and muscle weakness could be withdrawl type symptoms and your body healing and getting used to not being glutened on a daily basis. It could also be that you're not eating enough foods in general, and you may need to make sure you're getting enough calories to keep you going.

Take multi-vitimins. Eat whole natural foods as opposed to packaged manufactured foods. Take a magnesium supplement, make sure you're getting enough potassium (avocados, canteloupe, bananas...), and enough salt. Headaches and muscle weakness can also be caused by electrolyte/mineral imbalance. And drink water. Plain, clear, filtered water.

Those were my first impressions, too: either not enough calorie intake or a nutrient deficiency. I find that if I don't eat a big enough lunch with enough fat and protein, I get headaches and sometimes I get the shakes. For me, it's usually a blood sugar crash and resolves when I increase food intake. In fact, I'd better eat a big meal tonight since I had salad and yogurt for lunch and I've got a pounding headache now (different from a gluten migraine, but still not fun).

[Reba32]

yeah, if I haven't had enough to eat I get the shakes and muscle weakness. Particularly in my legs. And then I start to feel nauseous. If I don't allow myself to get hungry, I don't get these symptoms. And fasting blood sugar tests have all come up with blood glucose in the normal range. I usually have to eat every 3 hours or so.

[hanumandrea]

Hello,

youve probably resolved your issue by now, but I wanted to add for the record:

I have experienced muscle weakness for the last 3-4 years if I do not eat enough protein. Just discovered my gluten intolerance a few months ago after 3 years of infertility and early onset osteoporosis. If I do not eat protein (in adequate amounts)at lunch and dinner, I get shaky and weak for 30 minutes to hours afterward. Fortunately I do not htink this is as severe as it is for some, but possibly related to malabsorption of protein. I look forward to learning more!

[Freesoul999]

Hi there I've been gluten free for about 2 years. Please take heed! This could save you years of heart ache! Often, when people switch from wheat.. they go to corn and rice. These are no good for you, and could very well be causing you muscle weakness, as they do me. Please go to www.marksdailyapple.com and click on 'success stories'. or google Mark Sisson. on top of that I'd be getting a fructose malabsorption breath test and an igG allergy test (210 foods test). If you need help finding info, drop me a line. Good luck!

p.s. my best friend is having amazing results with this, and when I eat like this I feel on top of the world.