My. Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!
Whoever called it a gluten challenge really knew what they were talking about. If you havenโt had a chance to read how my first week of the challenge went, read it here, and continue with the second to fully get the picture of what your body might do during a gluten challenge.
Personal experience:
I was curled up on the floor on a heap of clothing I was supposed to fold. Nestling in the corner that connects the window wall and the closet, as my mom walked into our room from work. I could see that look she gets whenever I am not well, but I couldn’t help it. I am usually excellent at masking pain so my mom doesn’t get worried or hurt along with me, but this time I was stumped.
I peeked over my shoulder, gave her a smile and plopped back on the clothes. She smiled back, kicked into nurse mode and asked a good deal of questions, then eventually asked a question that was more of a statement than a question.
โ6 weeks huh, are we really going to make it?โ She was referring to the length of time I have to be on the gluten challenge. To read more about the facts of a gluten challenge, click here.
This happened at the end of the second week, actually, on day 14. I was struggling. I haven’t been able to sleep properly in about 2 weeks and at this stage, my stomach, along with the rest of my body have decided not to work with me.
Pain, pain, pain.
1.Stomach and back.
My stomach has officially become a knot, it has turned into a tensed rock that causes a domino effect of pain across my body and back. The part of the spine associated with nerves that communicate with my digestive system has also become a knot.
Difficulty digesting:
My stomach is having a hard time digesting food again. Yes, its yet another again thing. I had this problem before cutting foods out of my diet last year.
Eating is seriously making me sick. Nausea, sharp pains in my stomach, indigestion, heartburn etc. Basically feeling as though my stomach can’t handle whatever I am giving it. Which makes it very difficult to eat, or want to eat.
Solution:
I am back to taking digestive enzymes*, before eating.
*amazon affiliate link
2.Constipation.
Ugh! Enough said.
3.Fatigue.
Oh my. So last week I was tired. This week, I donโt even know what to call it.
I am simply struggling with basics. I canโt do regular things like keep the room tidy, which I am a stickler for because I just love being around clean, organized spaces. Well, the way I feel only makes one thing possible, lying down. The pain definitely does not help.
4.Insomnia
I canโt sleep.
Actually, I should say that I can’t sleep properly. I am exhausted and sleeping is a problem. What a winning combination.
The stomach cramps I talked about in week one are back, only because the stomach is always a knot, and I don’t know what to do.
4.Headaches
Yeah, a new normal for me now. Probably because of the back ache, stomach ache and most probably because of the fact I am not sleeping well.
5. Joint Pains
Rise from the ashes.
Joint pains are nothing new. There was a period of time in 2017 when working was really difficult. I worked a desk job that depended mostly on computer use, and I was having a hard time holding a mouse. My joints hurt a lot, and wrapping my fingers around that mouse was not fun. AT ALL.
6.Pelvic pains
Ahh. The joy of gluten. It makes everything a pain.
7.Pins and needles
Yes. Itโs as bad as it sounds.
8.Inflammation
Again, this is nothing new, I am slowly noticing full body inflammation symptoms. Even though they aren’t bad yet, the intensity of it’s symptoms are increasing.
9. My hands and feet are popsicles
My hands and feet are always cold. Again, nothing new, but the intensity of it has increased.
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