Always fatigued, stomach problem and don't feel like myself.

[Izzy181C]

Hello! Over the past few months I've been having some symptoms that have lead me to feel unwell  and not at all myself and I'm wondering if there are any experts here who may have an idea about what's going on. Back in September I started having some bad stomach issues. I felt nauseous every morning when I woke up and sometimes would wake up  in the middle of the night feeling like I needed to throw up, was having horrible gas, diarrhea and stomach pain throughout the day. I was also feeling extremely exhausted all the time. I went to the doctor and he ran some blood tests and put me on a very strict diet for about 5 months ( no gluten, no dairy, no red meat, lots of fruits and veggies and lean meat). The diet took care of my stomach pain which went away almost immediately and I've now stated to re-introduce items such as gluten and red meat back into my diet but I'm still having problems and have developed other symptoms. Although my stomach pain has gone away, I still have problems digesting and am having issues with uncomfortable gas more often then not. I am also still fatigued all the time. It doesn't matter if I sleep 5 hours or 12, I am tired and exhausted most of the day. Over these past few months I've stated to not feel at all like myself. Normally I am a very sociable and extroverted person. I love going out and being around friends but recently large crowds of people have been making me extremely anxious and I'd rather stay home then meet up with friends. I find myself also experiencing a lack of empathy and concern. Normally I am an extremely caring and sensitive person but recently I feel like there is a glass wall between me and everyone else that keeps my from feeling much. For example I've just said goodbye to a good friend whom I love and who is moving to a different city for work and was surprised and guilty to feel a complete dis-attachment from her and the situation. I felt almost nothing when she left. It's not like me at all. I've become rather anxious and have started finding it hard to socialize with people which had never been a problem for me before. Normally I am an extremely motivated person but have found it hard to motivate myself to do anything lately. I really don't think it is depression so I don't understand where the fatigue, digestive issues and lack of emotion/motivation/anxiety are coming from. I just haven't felt like myself in months now and it is starting to worry me. I know this is quite a long description but any ideas about what may be going on with me would be very helpful. Thank you!  
p.s. I've always generally been a very healthy person. I'm a female in her mid-twenties. Not and have never been overweight, in good physical condition, exercise semi-regularly, non smoker, drink sparingly and even before I went on the strict diet was a very healthy eater.        

[Red_Star]

Your symptoms look to be related to some type of food you are eating. First thought is coeliac's disease (the body's immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten) so rule that out. Do not start a gluten free diet prior to being tested for coeliac disease.  

Symptoms such as lack of motivation and apathy are some noted symptoms of low dopamine levels.  There are many causes of low dopamine but includes nutrients deficiencies such as magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D.

Excerpt from Celiac Australia...

"The symptoms of coeliac disease vary considerably. Some people experience severe symptoms while others are asymptomatic (they have no obvious symptoms at all).

Symptoms can include one or more of the following:

* gastrointestinal symptoms e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, steatorrhea
* fatigue, weakness and lethargy
* iron deficiency anaemia and/or other vitamin and mineral deficiencies
* failure to thrive or delayed puberty in children
* weight loss (although some people may gain weight)
* bone and joint pains
* recurrent mouth ulcers and/or swelling of mouth or tongue
* altered mental alertness and irritability
* skin rashes such as dermatitis herpetiformis
* easy bruising of the skin"