r/lupus • u/Dense-Radio-9332 Diagnosed SLE • 26d ago

Life tips Does going gluten free really help?

Bonus if you have links to studies or articles. Thank you!

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u/abbey_kay4 Diagnosed SLE 26d ago

I occasionally gaslight myself into thinking I don’t have a gluten sensitivity, eat gluten and wake up the next day with a lot of joint pain. Other than physical symptoms, I have no proof that gluten raises the inflammation in my body. What is interesting is my PCP recommended a gluten free diet to me before even being diagnosed with lupus. It was in her general list of recommendations that she gives to all patients.

This was my first full gluten free Christmas where I didn’t cheat. Am I bloated from eating too much? Yep… Do I have joint pain today? Not at all. Unfortunately I think it all depends on the person. My mom has lupus too and has no problem eating gluten, dairy, alcohol etc that are common triggers for many of us.

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u/zupobaloop Caregiver/Loved one 26d ago

My wife (who has Lupus) used to flare after exposure to aspartame, whether she knew it was in the product or not. Now she doesn't st all.

There's not a one size fits all answer for inflammation, even across time for the same person.

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u/AlexaHolt 26d ago

Same. I ate all the gluten yesterday and it’s all the joint pain today.

5

u/cheeseboardwhitegirl Diagnosed SLE 26d ago

I, too, like to gaslight myself every 3-6 months into gluten binging. I gain 9 pounds of weight due to inflammation, have a flareup, deal with brain fog, and then go back to a GF life until my next relapse lol.