Gut health / destress

[Itsjusthard]

I've just changed my diet to cut out sugar. I gave up caffeine too. I was on six-eight cups of tea a day, the headaches were so bad cutting down I thought I'd just stop. I was v stressed and sleep was crap too.

It has been two weeks and I am falling apart. Everything seems so bland and pointless. I am so tired. I feel weak and emotionally fragile. I feel stressed at the slightest pressure. This is no fun. I have had good days but then am floored by a bad one. It all seems so serious because I can't imagine feeling better and then think I am dying (I can at least recognise this is anxiety).

I have had diarrhea 2-3 times a week (sorry TMI) and serious bloating. I am taking a pro biotic and have cut out dairy and wheat and am eating a fairly restricted diet and lots of greens.

Anyone been through this and have any tips, however random? How can I speed up the healing process?

Why are you restricting so strictly all at once? No wonder you feel rotten!

You might have a stomach bug. It may be nothing to do with giving up stuff.

Cutting out caffeine and sugar do not cause these symptoms, you sound like you may have flu or a stomach bug

Sansas I don't know it just sort of happened. When I say cut out sugar on a typical day I would have a bar of chocolate and a large dessert. It didn't seem unreasonable to cut these out but maybe I should have kept the odd biscuit in. I now feel I have started down this path so need to stick with it until I feel better and then reintroduce treats. I am just trying to avoid stuff that bloats me. Last time I gave them both up I felt better after about a week.

The stomach bug theory sounds plausible. I have also had dried blood in my ear, not a reassuring symptom.

How old are you OP? Just wondering if you could be going through the menopause.

Were you having sugar in your tea as well? I cut out sugar a while back & felt awful! Exhausted & depressed. In the end I decided it's just not worth it.

Op have you cut out ALL sugar, or just cut out sugary treats?
I don't really understand why people suddenly decide to cut things out completely, it's so hard going.
If I were you op I'd cut down. Maybe give up one treat per day, or have a snack size chocolate bar.
I would never give up caffeine, I can't see the point personally. Once again maybe have 2 coffees a day instead of 4.

I honestly think the way you are feeling is all part of the detox process Itsjusthard.

I also gave up sugar 10 days ago (for medical reasons connected to Cholesterol) and am feeling the effects (although to be fair I have also joined the low carb bootcamp). Headachy, difficulty sleeping, mood swings etc. I was already caffeine free.

As you know both Sugar and caffeine have addictive properties and your body is going to sulk if you refuse to feed that addiction.

For what it is worth, I gave up sugar 3 years ago and once I had got through the detox element - 2-3 weeks, I felt amazing. My skin was clear, my energy levels sky high and the ceaseless hunger pangs caused by Insulin dips, dissapeared.

Keep going. You are currently going through the hardest part of the process, but I am sure you will eventually be delighted by the outcome !!

I agree that it may still be part of the detox process. Drink plenty of filtered water. But if you don't feel better in the next week, I'd go to the doctor. It would be dangerous to assume it's detox.

I'm 39. Periods OK. Had a really heavy one two months ago. Last one was lighter.

My sleep has got really light as well. No sugar in tea - that sounds awful MrsHemsworth.

Buster just sugary treats. I still have fruit etc. I'd go and buy some dark chocolate but I can't see what the benefit would be. I'm trying to break the mental habit of reaching for sugar in stress. I love my green tea. I had one the other day and immediately got a headache so haven't had any since. I read mixed things about caffeine. It can affect iron absorption and I am always on the low side with iron levels. The real problem is I start with one green tea then it creeps back up to 6-8 Yorkshires, to the point where I need it to sleep at night.

My urine is slightly blue green which makes me think something is amiss. I also have dried blood in my ear, itchy nose, dry cough, restless leg syndrome, itchy skin, itchy eyes, heart rumbles, pleuritic chest pain. My resting heart rate can be 58-63 but I am not fit. I have barely walked further than the local shops in 4/5 months.

I am currently off work with stress related with anxiety and depression. I have a rare lung disease.

I recently starting using fabric conditioner, not sure if that is irritating me. I can't use bio powder.

I have a GP appointment later.

Thanks flyingsouth that's good to know 2-3 weeks made a difference. Will drink more water and herbal tea.

The main thing I want is for doc to check my ears and send me for blood test for iron as I've needed ferrous fumurate in the past. Hopefully the other symptoms will clear up.

The stomach bug theory sounds plausible.
...

My urine is slightly blue green which makes me think something is amiss. I also have dried blood in my ear, itchy nose, dry cough, restless leg syndrome, itchy skin, itchy eyes, heart rumbles, pleuritic chest pain

I'm glad you are seeing your doctor later. Please be really open and honest with him/her.

You are giving up a lot of things all at the same time and of course your body is going to complain during your withdrawal - particularly sugar and caffeine. Often you need to do this under medical supervision though I know people often go it alone. The blood in the ear as well as your heart, lung and chest complaints are also a worry.

Make sure you sip enough plain water daily whilst you are going through this. (1.5/2 litres)

Hope your appointment goes well. 🌹

Back from docs with some antibacterial spray for my ear and a blood test.

All being well looking on this as a blip and going to carry on with my wierd detox in the hope I come out feeling better in a week or two.

Happynow Water bottle by my side!

Thank you everyone.

Just seen that list of symptoms. Loads of those connect to hayfever which is about right now. If you are detoxing, could your body be very sensitive to allergens?

@woodcutbirds I think you might be right! My nose was streaming outside. I don't generally get it but have occasionally. I have an air purifier - I'll crack that on overnight.

I love mumsnet for all its wisdom!

Too much green veg might be causing the bloating?

Take some Piriton or an antihistamine tablet. Instant relief. I was itching and sneezing incessantly this morning. Two spoonfuls of infant Piriton and all symptoms vanished within minutes.

Are you quite heavy, OP?

I'm half a stone overweight.

oh well, that theory's out. I wondered if you were dealing with deficiencies which is more likely among obese.

Update - I am feeling 75% better.

I can either get out of bed with a little coaxing, or bounce out of bed (okay that happened once!). This is a huge improvement on how I was feeling.

I've not had any caffeine. I have allowed a couple of squares of dark chocolate. Drinking loads of water still. No more palpitations. I think what has made the biggest difference is eating more greens and exercise.

I think the urine is down to eating blueberries. Still (sorry TMI) have dodgy guts. Today it was triggered by chewing gum. I'm going to try eating more vegetarian / alkaline and see if that helps. My sleep is better although I don't always feel like I deeply relax. Hopefully that will come - I have been carrying a lot of tension.