Gave up wheat, foot pain gone within days - Coincidence?

Gingerpants · 12-30-2011, 09:41 AM

Hey everyone.

I've been dealing with pain in my right foot for months now. It started when I was pregnant and never went away. Right foot, top/lateral pain that started to spread around/up ankle, hurts most after walking barefoot for too long or in flats. I was about to finally make an appointment to have it looked at, but noticed it hasn't hurt for two whole days. I also was having finger joint pain bad enough to take something for it recently.

I haven't had any wheat/gluten in two days. It hurt terribly on Christmas, about the time I was binging on some SF cookies I had bought (bad idea).

Could the ankle/foot pain really be related to gluten? and can it really go away THAT fast when removing it from your diet? What are your experiences with pain and going GF?

I'm on induction now, so hope not having any wheat at all keeps this pain away!

MauraV · 12-30-2011, 12:53 PM

Wheat is linked to inflammation and that certainly has an effect on joint pain.

alimar57 · 12-30-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauraV

Wheat is linked to inflammation and that certainly has an effect on joint pain.

me too!!!!!

Speck333 · 12-30-2011, 07:21 PM

I'm reading the book Wheat Belly, and from what I've read so far, I'd say it's totally possible -- both that wheat gluten is responsible for the joint pain, AND that it could happen so quickly.

Maine Coons' Staff · 01-12-2012, 08:55 AM

I used to get a headache every day on the left side of my head, just above the ear. It was a sharp, shooting, intense pain.

I eliminated wheat from my diet after reading "Wheat Belly" in late October. I was in the USA over Christmas, and started eating wheat & other carbs again. Suddenly the headaches came back with a vengeance. I hadn't even realised until then that they had stopped.

I've been off wheat & sugar again since arriving back home in the UK on New Years Eve. No headaches; no aches & pains much at all.

I don't know if it was the wheat, but that's the only change I'd made to my diet for several months. I cut out sugar last summer and was still getting the headaches well until autumn, so I don't think it was that.

FWIW, I also noticed an immediate and dramatic reaction to a bread roll during that trip. It was delicious, but I didn't get halfway through it before I had intense heartburn & reflux (something else that I hadn't had in several weeks) and an all-over-the-head headache. I ate another roll two days later (as one stupidly does) and had the same symptoms.

So no more pain or reflux/heartburn, and the only thing I can attribute it to is wheat.

Auntie Em · 01-23-2012, 01:19 PM

Ginger, I had many aches and pains disappear after I'd deleted all the grains from my food plan. Gluten is monstrous.

I'm glad you are doing so well.

putthekettleon · 02-16-2012, 10:23 AM

I had foot neuropathy for years. It VANISHED when I stopped the gluten. To this day, I just can't believe it. It was quite annoying/painful at times.

humptydumpty · 02-18-2012, 07:31 PM

I have been gluten free for 2 months now. I saw this thread and realized I no longer have foot pain. Funny, I never even realized it!! I should have it hurt all the time!

JJLove · 03-26-2012, 01:45 PM

I have been having a variety of problems, headaches, fatigue, runny nose, stomach upset, heartburn, belly distention, hot/sweat at night, nausea/vomiting at times.
I just found out that I do not have Celiac disease after having my small intestine biopsied.

I am going gluten free to see if I feel better anyway.

My gastroenterologist said "you may have a gluten sensitivity and if you feel better avoiding gluten, then it would make sense for you to continue to avoid it as much as possible."

BABYSTEPS · 04-09-2012, 08:43 AM

I agree.I have been wheat free for 93 days and no more backaches,congestion ,or heartburn!.

sweetpoison · 05-25-2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingerpants

Hey everyone.

I've been dealing with pain in my right foot for months now. It started when I was pregnant and never went away. Right foot, top/lateral pain that started to spread around/up ankle, hurts most after walking barefoot for too long or in flats. I was about to finally make an appointment to have it looked at, but noticed it hasn't hurt for two whole days. I also was having finger joint pain bad enough to take something for it recently.

I haven't had any wheat/gluten in two days. It hurt terribly on Christmas, about the time I was binging on some SF cookies I had bought (bad idea).

Could the ankle/foot pain really be related to gluten? and can it really go away THAT fast when removing it from your diet? What are your experiences with pain and going GF?

I'm on induction now, so hope not having any wheat at all keeps this pain away!

Tell me... is this still working for you. I have foot pain and hand pain and need to help it... if possible.

Goober · 06-20-2012, 10:21 AM

I have had sinus headaches pretty much all my life. I also have had seasonal allergies really bad. My headaches aren't "regular" migraines (I occasionally get those, so I know the difference, but very seldomly). They are definitely related to sinus inflamation (and maybe other things, but the sinuses are always involved). I've been taking allergy medications of one sort or another year round for about 20 years now. A year ago I had started to have asthmatic reactions (wheezing, coughing) nearly every day, even after allergy season (I frequently had that during bad allergy reactions but now it was happening all the time). I was also starting to have acid reflux more and more often- to the point I was getting it daily as well. I thought I was just getting old a little faster, maybe becasuse I didn't take care of myself as well as I should (I'm 45).

Another thing is my weight had been steadily increasing, until I finally hit a lifetime high of 240. I could tell my body was not reacting to carbs well anymore (I could feel it if I ate too many carbs). So after a bunch of research I went on a low carb diet.

Within 2 days all those symptoms above disappeared. I have not had a bad headache since, and even mild headaches have only been occasional. I went through allergy season this year so far with only mild allergic reactions (still taking daily zyrtec but nothing else).

I don't think the low carb diet itself is responsible for all these sudden improvements. My theory is that I've had gluten intolerance my whole life, and because of the low carb diet I eliminated wheat from my diet. I don't have all the symptoms of celiacs disease, but there was a period about 25 years ago where I did have a bunch of the other celiacs symptoms and the Drs never figured out what was afflicting me.

DiamondDeb · 06-26-2012, 06:41 PM

Yes, amazing, isn't it?

I had already given up sugar but when I gave up all wheat/gluten and dairy... well, the combination seems to have cured most of my aches and pains (even in rainy weather!) including my fibromyalgia pain (obviously a misdiagnosis).

I noticed a shocking (and eye-opening) reduction in pain overnight a few years ago when I stopped buying regular grain-fed beef.

dewdrop_mealine · 07-01-2012, 08:46 AM

I have known for some time that wheat makes me dizzy and sometimes absolutely knocks me out. I have to take a nap. I am diabetic but on the LC WOE I am diet controlled (thanks to LC I am off of insulin!) I have been LC for years now, sometimes fall off the wagon.

That usually involves wheat. I can eat potatoes or rice w/o such horrid upset but the wheat does make me ill.

I've never been tested for celiac but I know that I have an intolerance. My son has the same symptoms as I do. (I am 62, he is 43) and because of seeing his reaction, I realized what was going on with me.

I had a terrible accident in 2000. Since being wheat free I have less pain and can do some things. I am hoping it will get better over time. It hasn't been a miracle yet but it has boosted my quality of life. So important for a granny with so many weeds to pull and such an exciting world to explore in retirement.

So I'll do my best to stay wheat free. I'm not going to the gluten free craze. I learned that 'dessert' isn't necessary - I'm just crossing 'bread' and such off my list.

My kids are always inviting me to a popular Italian chain restaurant . I call it the Noodle House (not it's name.) They swear they have other choices - but I go to a steak House if I want a Steak - I don't order chicken there.

I say 'ala carte' please constantly. A burger is okay if I think of the bun as a wrapper and throw it away.

~dew

GME · 07-01-2012, 09:14 AM

I gave up wheat nearly 4 years ago and a whole host of issues I didn't even imagine we're connected went away. The first was swelling. I thought my feet had grown (at 41 years old ?!), but when I got off the wheat, they shrunk back down. I also had a case of rosacea that nothing but constant antibiotics could touch (didn't clear it up, just kept it at bay). Gone within a few weeks. Near constant stomach pain, nausea, and bloating.... gone.

I didn't really remember, but my mom reminded me that I complained of stomach aches all the time as a kid. She took me to doctor after doctor and they said there was nothing wrong with me. One even said I ate too many pickles. She feels bad now, but I was on my own as an adult for over 20 years before I figured it out

cfine · 08-10-2012, 05:43 PM

Most of my joint pain is gone since starting LC. I ate a tiny bit of gluten over a week ago, and I could barely walk my knee pain was so bad. My lower back pain came back. It took a week for my pain to go away. I won't be eating gluten anymore, at least not on purpose.

GME · 08-10-2012, 06:57 PM

My son suddenly developed trouble breathing about last Christmas. We went to three doctors who shrugged their shoulders and gave him inhalers.

He went off gluten about a week ago and it cleared up like magic. He has eaten a couple of gluten-containing things (he is 16) and it comes back within a couple of hours.

Scarlet_Belle · 08-16-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingerpants

I've been dealing with pain in my right foot for months now. It started when I was pregnant and never went away. Right foot, top/lateral pain that started to spread around/up ankle, hurts most after walking barefoot for too long or in flats.

No one has mentioned this, could your foot pain or joint pain possibly be GOUT? You may want to look into that, people on this board have said that carbs/sugar/insulin irritate the condition, but meats and vegetables high in uric acid can pose a problem too.

Bamboozled · 09-26-2012, 12:10 PM

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Milk was causing my inflammation, Cutting out milk has left my hands manageable (but not entirely painfree).

I tried gluten free for a year or more and didn't notice much difference and didn't lost more than a pound or two. It is different for everyone but if you notice a change after giving up a food, good chance you are intolerant to it. Just make sure to give it weeks and weeks off gluten to get a good idea of how your body reacts off of it.

BABYSTEPS · 10-03-2012, 11:27 AM

My knee pain is gone and I can walk 2 miles easily now.No more wheat for me ever .

12-30-2011, 09:41 AM	#1
Gingerpants Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 188 Gallery: Gingerpants Stats: (226)208/186.6/155 WOE: Atkins with Paleo tendencies Start Date: 12/01/11	Gave up wheat, foot pain gone within days - Coincidence? Hey everyone. I've been dealing with pain in my right foot for months now. It started when I was pregnant and never went away. Right foot, top/lateral pain that started to spread around/up ankle, hurts most after walking barefoot for too long or in flats. I was about to finally make an appointment to have it looked at, but noticed it hasn't hurt for two whole days. I also was having finger joint pain bad enough to take something for it recently. I haven't had any wheat/gluten in two days. It hurt terribly on Christmas, about the time I was binging on some SF cookies I had bought (bad idea). Could the ankle/foot pain really be related to gluten? and can it really go away THAT fast when removing it from your diet? What are your experiences with pain and going GF? I'm on induction now, so hope not having any wheat at all keeps this pain away!

01-12-2012, 08:55 AM	#5
Maine Coons' Staff Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 9 Gallery: Maine Coons' Staff Stats: 285/185/174 WOE: No wheat, no sugar, and very few other carbs. Start Date: Aug 2010 (1st 40 lbs=3 mos on WW; the rest on LC)	I used to get a headache every day on the left side of my head, just above the ear. It was a sharp, shooting, intense pain. I eliminated wheat from my diet after reading "Wheat Belly" in late October. I was in the USA over Christmas, and started eating wheat & other carbs again. Suddenly the headaches came back with a vengeance. I hadn't even realised until then that they had stopped. I've been off wheat & sugar again since arriving back home in the UK on New Years Eve. No headaches; no aches & pains much at all. I don't know if it was the wheat, but that's the only change I'd made to my diet for several months. I cut out sugar last summer and was still getting the headaches well until autumn, so I don't think it was that. FWIW, I also noticed an immediate and dramatic reaction to a bread roll during that trip. It was delicious, but I didn't get halfway through it before I had intense heartburn & reflux (something else that I hadn't had in several weeks) and an all-over-the-head headache. I ate another roll two days later (as one stupidly does) and had the same symptoms. So no more pain or reflux/heartburn, and the only thing I can attribute it to is wheat. Last edited by Maine Coons' Staff; 01-12-2012 at 08:56 AM..

07-01-2012, 08:46 AM	#14
dewdrop_mealine Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 262 Gallery: dewdrop_mealine Stats: 358/176 WOE: Richard K. Bernstein, Type 2	Wheat free helped me! I have known for some time that wheat makes me dizzy and sometimes absolutely knocks me out. I have to take a nap. I am diabetic but on the LC WOE I am diet controlled (thanks to LC I am off of insulin!) I have been LC for years now, sometimes fall off the wagon. That usually involves wheat. I can eat potatoes or rice w/o such horrid upset but the wheat does make me ill. I've never been tested for celiac but I know that I have an intolerance. My son has the same symptoms as I do. (I am 62, he is 43) and because of seeing his reaction, I realized what was going on with me. I had a terrible accident in 2000. Since being wheat free I have less pain and can do some things. I am hoping it will get better over time. It hasn't been a miracle yet but it has boosted my quality of life. So important for a granny with so many weeds to pull and such an exciting world to explore in retirement. So I'll do my best to stay wheat free. I'm not going to the gluten free craze. I learned that 'dessert' isn't necessary - I'm just crossing 'bread' and such off my list. My kids are always inviting me to a popular Italian chain restaurant . I call it the Noodle House (not it's name.) They swear they have other choices - but I go to a steak House if I want a Steak - I don't order chicken there. I say 'ala carte' please constantly. A burger is okay if I think of the bun as a wrapper and throw it away. ~dew __________________ Buttercup @ 6 yrs Books by: Richard K. Bernstein M.D. Diabetes Solution Diabetes Diet Publishers: Little & Brown Dr. Bernstein adventures

07-01-2012, 09:14 AM	#15
GME Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA Coast Posts: 6,724 Gallery: GME Stats: 250/175/175 And again...223/208.4/146 5'7 WOE: Misc. Start Date: April 2000 (the first time)	I gave up wheat nearly 4 years ago and a whole host of issues I didn't even imagine we're connected went away. The first was swelling. I thought my feet had grown (at 41 years old ?!), but when I got off the wheat, they shrunk back down. I also had a case of rosacea that nothing but constant antibiotics could touch (didn't clear it up, just kept it at bay). Gone within a few weeks. Near constant stomach pain, nausea, and bloating.... gone. I didn't really remember, but my mom reminded me that I complained of stomach aches all the time as a kid. She took me to doctor after doctor and they said there was nothing wrong with me. One even said I ate too many pickles. She feels bad now, but I was on my own as an adult for over 20 years before I figured it out __________________ Gina

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12-30-2011, 12:53 PM	#2
MauraV Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 917 Gallery: MauraV Stats: 255/221.4/150 WOE: Low Carb + Gluten-Free Start Date: July 12, 2011	Wheat is linked to inflammation and that certainly has an effect on joint pain.

12-30-2011, 07:21 PM	#4
Speck333 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 5,453 Gallery: Speck333 Stats: 181(16)/163(12)/99(0) ~ 5'2" WOE: Semi-Primal Start Date: Atkins restart: Jan. 3, 2010 (7/99 original start)	I'm reading the book Wheat Belly, and from what I've read so far, I'd say it's totally possible -- both that wheat gluten is responsible for the joint pain, AND that it could happen so quickly.

01-23-2012, 01:19 PM	#6
Auntie Em Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,896 Gallery: Auntie Em WOE: VLC-Ancestral, restricted calorie Start Date: Maintenance since 2000	Ginger, I had many aches and pains disappear after I'd deleted all the grains from my food plan. Gluten is monstrous. I'm glad you are doing so well.

02-16-2012, 10:23 AM	#7
putthekettleon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 204 Gallery: putthekettleon	I had foot neuropathy for years. It VANISHED when I stopped the gluten. To this day, I just can't believe it. It was quite annoying/painful at times.

02-18-2012, 07:31 PM	#8
humptydumpty Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 193 Gallery: humptydumpty Stats: 218/201.2/130 WOE: HCG Start Date: January 16, 2010	I have been gluten free for 2 months now. I saw this thread and realized I no longer have foot pain. Funny, I never even realized it!! I should have it hurt all the time!

03-26-2012, 01:45 PM	#9
JJLove Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 49 Gallery: JJLove Stats: 5'5" 168/168/150 WOE: Low Carb/No Gluten/No Processed Start Date: March 2012	I have been having a variety of problems, headaches, fatigue, runny nose, stomach upset, heartburn, belly distention, hot/sweat at night, nausea/vomiting at times. I just found out that I do not have Celiac disease after having my small intestine biopsied. I am going gluten free to see if I feel better anyway. My gastroenterologist said "you may have a gluten sensitivity and if you feel better avoiding gluten, then it would make sense for you to continue to avoid it as much as possible."

04-09-2012, 08:43 AM	#10
BABYSTEPS Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: US Posts: 92 Gallery: BABYSTEPS Stats: 240/181/180 male 5'8.5",wife 230/211/155 WOE: low carb/no wheat Start Date: Jan 2012	I agree.I have been wheat free for 93 days and no more backaches,congestion ,or heartburn!.

06-20-2012, 10:21 AM	#12
Goober Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2 Gallery: Goober	I have had sinus headaches pretty much all my life. I also have had seasonal allergies really bad. My headaches aren't "regular" migraines (I occasionally get those, so I know the difference, but very seldomly). They are definitely related to sinus inflamation (and maybe other things, but the sinuses are always involved). I've been taking allergy medications of one sort or another year round for about 20 years now. A year ago I had started to have asthmatic reactions (wheezing, coughing) nearly every day, even after allergy season (I frequently had that during bad allergy reactions but now it was happening all the time). I was also starting to have acid reflux more and more often- to the point I was getting it daily as well. I thought I was just getting old a little faster, maybe becasuse I didn't take care of myself as well as I should (I'm 45). Another thing is my weight had been steadily increasing, until I finally hit a lifetime high of 240. I could tell my body was not reacting to carbs well anymore (I could feel it if I ate too many carbs). So after a bunch of research I went on a low carb diet. Within 2 days all those symptoms above disappeared. I have not had a bad headache since, and even mild headaches have only been occasional. I went through allergy season this year so far with only mild allergic reactions (still taking daily zyrtec but nothing else). I don't think the low carb diet itself is responsible for all these sudden improvements. My theory is that I've had gluten intolerance my whole life, and because of the low carb diet I eliminated wheat from my diet. I don't have all the symptoms of celiacs disease, but there was a period about 25 years ago where I did have a bunch of the other celiacs symptoms and the Drs never figured out what was afflicting me.

06-26-2012, 06:41 PM	#13
DiamondDeb Fat Burning Machine Extraordinaire! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 69,998 Gallery: DiamondDeb	Yes, amazing, isn't it? I had already given up sugar but when I gave up all wheat/gluten and dairy... well, the combination seems to have cured most of my aches and pains (even in rainy weather!) including my fibromyalgia pain (obviously a misdiagnosis). I noticed a shocking (and eye-opening) reduction in pain overnight a few years ago when I stopped buying regular grain-fed beef.

08-10-2012, 05:43 PM	#16
cfine Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,609 Gallery: cfine Stats: 276/210/199 WOE: NK Start Date: Atkins 4/12 Nutritional Ketosis 1/13	Most of my joint pain is gone since starting LC. I ate a tiny bit of gluten over a week ago, and I could barely walk my knee pain was so bad. My lower back pain came back. It took a week for my pain to go away. I won't be eating gluten anymore, at least not on purpose.

08-10-2012, 06:57 PM	#17
GME Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA Coast Posts: 6,724 Gallery: GME Stats: 250/175/175 And again...223/208.4/146 5'7 WOE: Misc. Start Date: April 2000 (the first time)	My son suddenly developed trouble breathing about last Christmas. We went to three doctors who shrugged their shoulders and gave him inhalers. He went off gluten about a week ago and it cleared up like magic. He has eaten a couple of gluten-containing things (he is 16) and it comes back within a couple of hours.

09-26-2012, 12:10 PM	#19
Bamboozled Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 268 Gallery: Bamboozled Stats: 297/285/210 WOE: Blood Type Diet/SB Phase 2 Start Date: Sept.23/12 and restarted Mar.18/13	I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Milk was causing my inflammation, Cutting out milk has left my hands manageable (but not entirely painfree). I tried gluten free for a year or more and didn't notice much difference and didn't lost more than a pound or two. It is different for everyone but if you notice a change after giving up a food, good chance you are intolerant to it. Just make sure to give it weeks and weeks off gluten to get a good idea of how your body reacts off of it.

10-03-2012, 11:27 AM	#20
BABYSTEPS Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: US Posts: 92 Gallery: BABYSTEPS Stats: 240/181/180 male 5'8.5",wife 230/211/155 WOE: low carb/no wheat Start Date: Jan 2012	My knee pain is gone and I can walk 2 miles easily now.No more wheat for me ever .