Hello,

I am a 23 year old woman. For a couple of years now I have been having digestive issues (namely constipation), constantly gaining weight, anxiety and moodiness, chronic water retention, stiff joints, and, recently I have noticed my skin has felt weird, like tight and tingly. I thought I had hormonal problems but I have had that checked out and that wasn't the case. A few days ago, I tried to start a low-carb diet, but I kind of crashed last night and had a few y slices of pizza. My hands and feet swelled up pretty severely, and my face and lips some too. I still feel it today. I started looking around on the internet and I came across some info about gluten allergies. I kind of feel like this might be my problem. Is it true that gluten allergies can cause insulin resistance, which can lead to weigh gain? I am getting very frustrated, as I feel miserable a lot and though I exercise a lot and eat reasonably I am still around 35 lbs overweight. I am tired of feeling puffy and tired all the time. If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it.

Have your doctor test you or check out enterolab.com for a different kind of testing.

Some people are intolerant of other food groups... namely the nightshade veggies. Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes.

Do an elimination diet for these too. Tomatoes especially release histamine, which causes skin sensations, and swelling in some people. It is not only gluten out there, however, it is the main culprit for many.

Thanks, I didn't know about enterolab. However, Both of those options are expensive, and I am but a poor college student. I bought some gluten-free foods today and I am going to try that for at least a month; I don't see how it can hurt. Any advice?

High blood sugar can also be due to a lack of chromium in the diet.
Some people do not buy expensive "gluten-free" processed foods, but rather, simply eat meats, fruits and vegetables, and some grains such as brown and wild rice and quinoa. In other words, just avoid processed foods and wheat, rye, barley (and for now, oats). Read up on this at http://www.theglutenfile.com

Good for you for trying to get to the bottom of what truly ails you. Oh, and do not forget gut health such as probiotics.

I hear ya on the poor part. At first my insurance company said they would pay for the test. Once the test was done they changed tunes. Ouch! Was glad I only tested for gluten. Best money spent even though it was hard to pay the bill.

My rheumatologist wanted me to just cut gluten from my diet and see what happened. Ornery person that I can be I wanted proof first that I should try it. Enterolab gave me the proof blood tests didn't.

This is a no cheating allowed diet. Good luck.

Omg I totally am in your exact shoes, I too am a 23 year old woman, I researched my symptoms for a year before I went to the doctor because well 1st i was scared and 2nd I didn't have insurance, so i had to wait for my marine to come home and marry me!! Anyways, I had every symptom you described and more, except that unfortunely i was 100 pounds overweight. After I tested positive for celiac all the dr had me do was stick to the gluten free diet I had been trying with all my might to follow. But when I found out for sure that I was it made it more possible to follow to a tee. Knowing the intestinal repercussions. Anyways my advice to you right now is to hold off until you can afford testing. research everything you can about your symptoms, and then find a good doctor that will listen to you about your fears, symptoms and problems, also you need to get on a good cleanse to rid yourself of all the harmful toxicins and build up in your body. THis will help to jump start any recovery process you may need to take. Also the gluten free foods tend to be expensive, and unessicary, if you just take a half hour to hour more, to browze the aisle you can find regular things with no gluten! escpecially in the mexican and oriental aisle. All fresh cut meats and veggies, but be sure to stay away from deli meat!! *edit* you will feel amazing and jump start your new life toxin free!!!

Good luck

Actually, I already started the gluten-free diet about 5 days ago, right after I posted. My constipation is gone, I am way less bloated (I haven't weighed myself but my clothes feel better) despite starting my period two days ago, and I have even been sleeping better. I also haven't felt as hungry. I have been craving nuts and nut butters like crazy though. I really think I am going to stick with this, I haven't even missed bread or anything much yet. I actually rarely eat meat anyway (not unless I know how it was raised, processed, etc.) so staying away from deli meat won't be a problem.

Thanks for all your advice, guys!!

The Sarah Bear,

That is wonderfully hopeful. Thank you for the update. Here is another site you might enjoy (my family does) - great recipes, and articles, videos, interviews, research... educational stuff thrown in with the recipes!

http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com

Thank you, I will certainly take a look!

I am continuing to feel better...however, after my last post, I went through this period where I absolutely could not get enough sleep. It was so strange! I was so tired all the time, especially after I ate a meal. I have read some stuff around the internet about gluten withdrawal, has anyone else went through anything like that? I don't feel so tired these days.