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Thanks so much for the helpful suggestions and
comments for my friend who experienced sickening
headaches after attempting to go gluten free.  I
received 19 responses.  Two people said they are
having the same problem!  Another three said they felt
terrible when first going gluten free.  Experiences
included: other food sensitivities, migraines, mood
and sleep disturbances, malnutrition symptoms,
flu-like symptoms, agitation, disorientation,
weakness, depression, and body aches.

Many (8) said that they experienced relief from
headaches after going GF, and several of those folks
can tell when they have been contaminated by the
recurrence of a headache/migraine (as can I).

A few (3) suggested that one possible cause of my
friend's headaches could be that she was still
consuming traces of gluten of which she was unaware
(that wouldn't be hard to do, would it?!  We are so
careful, and we're still getting contaminated!!!)
Possible hidden contaminants suggested were:
"lipstick, Tums, Beano and some herbal teas, using old
wooden spoons in cooking and older pots and pans that
had cooked French toast or boiled pasta, licking an
envelope (the glue is food-grade - containing wheat
starch)".

Withdrawal seemed a likely possibility to some people
(6).  One suggested that the body has to "de-tox" and
then become renourished; another said the body may be
shedding poisons stored in muscle and layers of fat.
Someone recommended a remedy:  "it's like what happens
when you go on Atkins and drop carbs...get the
homeopathic remedy RUTA 30C from health food
store...2pills under the tongue every two hours as
needed…"

Other speculations were:  candida, hypoglycemia,
vitamin and/or mineral deficiency, sensitivity to some
new food.  (One person had discovered that tapioca
flour would bring on a headache.)

Almost everyone offered much sympathy and
encouragement, and there were a couple of reminders
about how important it is to go GF if you are Celiac,
no matter how difficult, because of the high risk of
cancer if you don't.

I thank you all again for sharing your thoughts and
experiences.  I've passed along your comments in full
to my friend, along with a copy of Dangerous Grains,
and am hopeful that she will get this figured out
quickly.

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

Deborah in OKC


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