QUOTE(Matilda @ May 17 2006, 09:54 AM)

I've read that tiredness is the most common symptom of celiac disease.
The feeling of exhaustion was one of the main things that made me originally think there was something wrong with me, along with diarrhoea and weight loss. There were other things that I didn't even think of as symptoms until they disappeared when I changed my diet and came back when I glutened myself.
The tiredness though! It took a while to get really better, maybe a few months even, but when I had my first major glutening I really recognised it again. I explained it to my DH as waking up feeling as though I'd spent the night working down a coal-mine, with physical exhaustion and mental must-get-some-sleep immediately, even after going to bed early and actually getting a good night's sleep. I just couldn't remember how I managed to function before going gluten-free.
Now, most days I get dragged out of bed by the cat wanting feeding at the crack of dawn, (not saying I leap out of bed joyfully or anything) but once I'm up I start thinking, 'Ooh goody, I'm doing such-and-such today... It's beautiful outside... The birds are tweeting again..." I walk to work with an absolutely beautiful view of a mountain with the sun behind it and I often get that feeling of my heart swelling with happiness at how great it is to be up and about and making the most of the day when I look at it. I don't think I used to notice it at all hardly. The exhaustion took away all the joyous feelings. I don't even think I was depressed - not anything, just tired.
Thanks so much for that description. I had been on a cleansing diet of fruit, vegetables and rice for a week and felt much better. Then I ordered a hamburger without a bun and fries two days ago, and for the past two days feel just awful: fatigue, muscle pain, indigestion. Your post explains it well. I am still learning and will be really careful about restaurant grills and frying oil from now on. Karen
When I'm feeling well I might feel a little achy and tired after a hard day a work. If I start feeling that way after a few hours I start thinking about what I ate the day before. If I feel that way as soon as I get up I know I've gone wrong somewhere.
So be hopeful, I think it will get better, although it may take awhile.
Best wishes,
Matilda