Possible Wheat/Gluten Intolerance?

Hello, everyone.

I've been feeling really bad for the last year or so, which has been a bit of a mystery.  I've maintained a very balanced diet and generally exercised more than most of my peers.  However, somewhere along the line I developed fatigue, nonsensical weight gain (despite exercise and reasonable calorie deficit), and GI problems.  I went to the doc's to be tested for hypothyroid, but my thyroid ended up being fine.  He suggested polycystic ovaries and related insulin resistance, though my blood sugar was fine.

Because of potential insulin resistance, I went on a low carb diet for about a week and a half to see if I noticed any changes in health.  During this time, I stopped eating bread products, and all my carbs came from vegetables.  Even in such a short time, I noticed a major improvement in energy levels and mental clarity.  Bloating and gas went away.  Then I ran out of meat and vegetables and couldn't get to the store in time to restock!  So I had to reintegrate carbs into my diet for a couple days.

After any meal with wheat or grains, I felt sick as a dog.  Gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, diahrrea, and an eczema outbreak/rash which appeared just after eating and went away after a little while. None of which I experienced while eating meat and vegetables exclusively.  My fatigue and lack of concentration returned.  Itchy skin.  And I don't know if it was in my head or what, but I noticed that my tongue was irritated when pressed up against a piece of bread that had gotten stuck against my teeth.

So, my question:

For any of you who have a food or, specifically, a wheat intolerance, does this sound similar?

I don't have personal experience in this matter, however one of my best friends (whom I happened to live with during the diagnosis process) has a gluten intolerance - her symptoms were very much like yours. You should bring this up with the doctor and have tests run as there is a very good chance you might be allergic to wheat or even have Celiac disease.

Just a hint - Koala Crisp cereal (organic, vegan, gluten free, high fiber, low sugar, etc, etc) is tasty (a sort of knock-off chocolate Rice Krispies). The Panda Puffs (like pb Cocoa Puffs) are also good, as are the rest of the brands' products. Also, I went to Costco yesterday and bought these really yummy granola things that are organic/vegan/gluten free. I'm lazy and don't want to get out of bed right now, but I'll update later tonight with the name. If gluten intolerance does turn out to be your problem, message me and I'll send you some more good brand names/ recipes.

Good luck and feel better!

EDIT: Aha! Found it.

This sounds like classic celiac. Especially the rash, it is called dermatitis herpetiformis.  Google it and look up pictures.  If that is what your rash looked like, you have celiac. 

I have an intolerance to wheat products and have some of your symptoms.  Mental fogginess and fatigue as well as muscle soreness.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me until I heard a Doctor on the radio talking about wheat intolerances.

I can now handle whole wheat products, but stay away from white flours and white sugar.

I make my own honey and oatmeal bread and it is better then what you buy in the store and no preservatives.

Also quinoa was a great find of mine. 

My sister, who is in her mid 20's, has experienced weight gain, fatigue, depression, vomiting, stomach cramps.  She has also narrowed it down to a potential gluten intolerance/allergy, and just went to get tests done at the doctor's today.

(She had been in to see a doctor earlier and was checked for Crohn's disease because she also had an abscess, but she was negative for that.  She didn't have any health insurance, and was scared to go to the doctor's and get a "prior condition" on her records before getting insurance.  That was a whole other nightmare.)

Lately, she has been avoiding sources of wheat gluten and has been feeling so much better, and family and friends have been commenting on her positive mood change, like she is a bit of a different person.  She is waiting for results of the tests, and will then go to her mental health services to see whether she still needs to be taking an antidepressant.

She has been going to Whole Foods grocery to buy some gluten-free products, and feels better physically and mentally in that she can ENJOY food again.

Good luck to you!!!

Update:

I'm thinking it was indeed a wheat intolerance.  I added it back again and, as expected, once again fell ill.  So now I've gone totally gluten free.  The results have been amazing!

I have incredible energy - so much that I sometimes barely know what to do with myself.  At least in comparison to the slump I used to be in.  I'm exercising again as a result.

I don't own a scale, so I can't tell how much weight I've lost.  But in just under two months, I've lost 4" inches from my waist and hips.  So that's a good sign!  Very motivating!

Also motivating:  Being able to fit back into jeans that were too tight to button about a year ago.  And various other clothes, for that matter.

Thanks for the support and comments.  :)