Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I'm familiar with the basic symptoms of wheat withdrawal (having gotten on and off the wagon multiple times) but this feels very strange.

I'm 31 years old, have about 80 pounds to lose, and have been off-diet for most of the summer (ugh). I'm also a "double diabetic" -- I have both type 1 and 2. Today was my first day stepping back on the wagon, and my ONLY concern was to avoid wheat. I've already dealt with a few cravings and decided, about an hour ago, to go for a walk. About halfway through my walk (about a mile) my face and scalp start tingling, like pins and needles style. That's usually a symptom of low (or falling) blood sugar for me, so I turned around and came home. But my sugar was around 150. I'm also experiencing other low-sugar symptoms, like lightheadedness and "floatiness." I've monitored my sugar several times over the last twenty minutes, and while I'm dropping a little it's not enough to cause these symptoms. It's centered in my cheeks right now, feeling a bit like electric stimulation.

I've consulted Dr. Google (always a bad idea!) and I've ruled out stroke, but I noticed it was a symptom for nicotine withdrawal. Does it make sense to extend the idea to wheat?

flag	asked Aug 26 at 1:42 GeishaGirl 801●3●7

I get face and scalp tingling when I need to see my chiropractor. It usually means L1 is out for me. – latergator Dec 3 at 5:55

JayJay · Answer 1 · 2012-08-26 02:05:06Z UTC

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This could be anything from TIA to a pre shingles outbreak. Really not enough info and you need an evaluation to determine anything solid.

answered Aug 26 at 2:05

JayJay
18.6k●6●28

Happy Now · Answer 2 · 2012-10-02 19:36:53Z UTC

I would highly recommend calling your doctor and scheduling a stress test, and whatever else they recommend to rule out anything cardiac. That sounds like not enough blood flow or oxygen getting to where you need it, not withdrawal from wheat.

And if you feel anything like that again in the near future, before the doctor can get you in, go straight to the emergency room.

PKW · Answer 3 · 2012-12-03 03:34:51Z UTC

I have been wheat/gluten free for nine days and fairly early on in this adventure I started having electric-type tingles on my head and the back of my neck. I've read two other testimonies that also said they had similar experiences. So, it could be a withdrawal symptom. However, a medical opinion would be wise since you have many health things going on. Also, you can get a home oxygen checker to be sure it's not lack of oxygen to the brain; they aren't too expensive.

Pk · Answer 4 · 2013-03-17 17:47:23Z UTC

I read this in a going Wheat Free blog and it's exactly what I am experiencing "Coming off grains was brutal. I had a headache for two weeks and I felt exhausted, depressed, and irritated the whole time. I was shocked to find that the withdrawal symptoms were so bad. If I hadn’t known that my body was going through a process of detoxification, I would have thought there was something REALLY wrong with me. Or maybe that I was going crazy." Other blogs mention the tingling in the scalp (read LIVESTRONG) but all articles say these symptoms only last about 2 weeks and then you are wheat free...good luck.

Disturbing symptoms — wheat withdrawal?

4 Answers