bethben Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 This is my PSA for those who are having muscle pain/ inflammation/ and spasms. For 15 years, I have been dealing with muscle spasms and inflammation in my lower back and hips. I have been to numerous chiropractors and physical therapists. It has been so bad at times that I could not walk without severe pain. About two years ago, I went gluten free for thyroid issues. I wasn't totally consistent since it didn't seem to affect me - or so I thought. I wouldn't have a lot of gluten, just every once in a while. Then I went to my mom's for 5 days. She made me my favorite cinnamon rolls (gluten), we went to my favorite restaurant- Panera (gluten), and I ate whatever she was cooking (basically more gluten). By about 3 days in, I was in such severe back pain. I couldn't even lay down to get comfortable. Then, coming home again, I went back to my gluten free diet. The pain disappeared. Now, I am aware that every time I eat gluten in a decent amount (two pieces of pizza will do it), I will get my muscle pain again. My frustration that I don't want others to have to endure is this. I lived for over 15 years with pain all due to gluten. Apparently, gluten can cause muscle inflammation. I told this to a friend who on the whole 30 diet realized his chest pain due to muscle inflammations in his chest muscles (which he thought was a heart attack 2-3 times) went away on his whole 30 diet. Apparently, that was his connection also. Gluten causing him muscle inflammation in his chest. So now when I hear of someone in pain from unexplained muscle inflammation, I tell them what I have told you. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Is it gluten or carbs/sugar? I only ask because I've heard similar things with regards to carbs/sugar as causing inflammation. Do you eat other carbs without a problem? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 I can eat sugar and other carbs (rice, oats, etc) just fine. I haven't figured out if it is a wheat thing specifically or gluten in general. I can also eat wheat in moderation such as a small serving of sweet and sour chicken from the chinese restaurant, but really will feel it if I eat a couple of slices of pizza. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF612 Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Gluten causes inflammation in me too but it usually shows up in inflamed sinuses plus a major headache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplejackmama Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 This is intriguing to me. I too am a back pain sufferer. I'm hurting so much and it's all the time now. I need to try this and see if I find relief. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplejackmama Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Also, BethBen I just saw that your the OP. I sent you an IM. Did you see it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I have a friend who experiences a sharp decrease in pain going grain free. It can't be just gluten. But yes, grains and sugar are big culprits. I have a lot less pain now that I am gluten free--for me, it was aches and pains, not necessarily muscle pain only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 That's part of what happens to me when I eat gluten. I have Celiac Disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 My physical therapists told me to try gluten free due to pain and inflammation. I had been in PT for foot/hip/low back about 8 months. Everytime we tried to stretch out the appointments to get me discharged, I'd be in such pain that we couldn't. So they suggested I eliminate gluten and see what happened. After 2 weeks, they could see a difference. After a month, I could FINALLY be discharged from PT. I have been gluten free since May. It does make a difference in my world. However, I am still experiencing flares/spasms/pain. Not sure if it is hidden gluten (quite possibly) or some other trigger. I am not celiac nor have I ever tested positive for gluten allergy or sensitivity. I did eat a banana chocolate chip muffin in late May but the pain was not worth it. I ate a slice of dd's birthday cake in Oct and again, the pain was not worth it. The holidays should be interesting..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) My physical therapists told me to try gluten free due to pain and inflammation. I had been in PT for foot/hip/low back about 8 months. Everytime we tried to stretch out the appointments to get me discharged, I'd be in such pain that we couldn't. So they suggested I eliminate gluten and see what happened. After 2 weeks, they could see a difference. After a month, I could FINALLY be discharged from PT. I have been gluten free since May. It does make a difference in my world. However, I am still experiencing flares/spasms/pain. Not sure if it is hidden gluten (quite possibly) or some other trigger. I am not celiac nor have I ever tested positive for gluten allergy or sensitivity. I did eat a banana chocolate chip muffin in late May but the pain was not worth it. I ate a slice of dd's birthday cake in Oct and again, the pain was not worth it. The holidays should be interesting.....I had a slice of my niece's birthday cake this past week. I agree with you - it was not worth it. Sugar does not affect me as much, as far as I know. I can eat all the (grain free, pure chocolate) chocolate bars I want with no noticeable problem. One bite of grainy-gluteny cake though and I'm in my own self-induced hell. For the most part I've learned to just say No. Every once in awhile though, I "try it to see what happens" and regret it every time. I have to avoid all grains, but can handle (very) occasional white rice. Aside from intestinal pain, bloating and headaches, the pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades for 3-7 days following is just.not.worth.it. Edited November 14, 2016 by fraidycat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I went gluten free, low carb last November to lose weight. And suddenly, I realized the headaches I've had my entire life were pretty much gone! I do know it causes inflammation, it was one of the first things we had to get rid of for my daughter with Lyme. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 This is how I feel as well, I've been gluten free since last year and when I do eat gluten, my joints really hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BooksandBoys Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I've been gluten free for over 5 years. I'd had chronic muscle pain must of my life, as well as depression, brain fog, and had recently developed severe joint pain. All disappeared within 2 weeks when I went gluten free. That's not to say I don't still hurt. I still have occasional muscle aches and cranky joints (today my shoulder is bugging me), but it doesn't even begin to approach the level of pain I had when I was 15 years old (20 years ago) and eating wheat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas_mom Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 For me it's not just Gluten- Free But also Grain-free to be totally pain free. Grain-free is so hard! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Yep. Gluten gives me body aches, just like the kind I get when I'm sick. And sometimes a low grade fever as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Thank you for posting this tonight! I've seen this connection, too, but after a while I forget and have to relearn the lesson. Usually, I eat very little gluten, but yesterday I had quite a bit. Today I've had horrible muscle pain, and I couldn't figure out what I'd done. It was yesterday's pizza, crackers, toast, muffin.... Back to gluten free in the morning. *Sigh* Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I can eat sugar and other carbs (rice, oats, etc) just fine. I haven't figured out if it is a wheat thing specifically or gluten in general. I can also eat wheat in moderation such as a small serving of sweet and sour chicken from the chinese restaurant, but really will feel it if I eat a couple of slices of pizza. I still think possibly you are lowering carbs and that might be "the" thing. You say you eat other carbs, but how much of these other carbs are you eating on a given day? When you eliminate wheat you are eliminating a ton of what people typically are having as a huge part of their diet. Not that it matters! If you found what works at keeping your achiness away then why argue with that!? I have a lot of achiness lately. I dropped down my carbs lower than usual (plus I'm trying to lose weight). I've eaten lower carb for years. I don't notice any improvement with the achiness unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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