Hi, Renee--It really sounds like you just have ongoing issues from an unhealed gut from celiac, not necessarily IBS. Most cases of IBS are really undiagnosed celiac. BUT, if you followed a traditional gluten-free diet for a while that included a lot of processed foods labeled gluten free, you could stay unhealthy and even get worse IMO and other's. When I first went gluten free, I coudn't eat any greens at all because my gut was so compromised. The processed foods that are labeled gluten free often contain starches and gums, plus lots of empty calories and I didn't do well on those either. It takes time to heal, but you have to focus on naturally gf foods to do it or foods easily made gf. I lead a support group and have a website incorporating this approach. It makes life so much easier and you do heal.

Hi Shirley--I am gluten intolerant, also casein, corn, soy, yeast, & egg intolerant as well. Have been following a diet free from all those proteins and had been doing well...even had a 6-day stretch with normal BM's. Then went to see my son who took me to a restaurant where I could get gluten-free food- WRONG. That started a chain of events that turned my insides up-side-down. I have had a month now of nothing BUT diarrhea and can't seem to get it healed. Fasting only stops the diarrhea temporarily, and eating ANYTHING brings it back--even the strict diet that I follow. I make ALL my food so I know that I am not getting ANY of the things I need to avoid. This stresses me out which doesn't help things. I am interested in your website and support group. Could you give me more info? I need HELP!!!!

(regarding prior comment) The second line should read D H short for diarrhea, but I guess that was the wrong abbreviation! This wasn't about the dermatitis, sorry!

Have you tried taking probiotics? Have you looked into SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth)?

I feel your pain. My holidays go the same way. My Mother and Father-in-law wanted to take me out for my birthday and I told them that I could not go to a restaurant that does not have a gluten free menu. They kept suggesting the same gluten "unfriendly" restaurant to the point that my husband had to step in and point blank say "we are not going there!" Sometimes I think people think that I am making it up or something. I get really frustrated over the food issue too. It is not easy to be gluten free out there! Good luck!

Thank you all for the comments. They are actually like encouragement! Some days I feel like I'm all alone with this, until I come on here and see what you have to say to help me. Every little fact I can get helps!

When I first wrote the blog, it had been 3 weeks since I had to do a little hospital visit because I made a few poor decisions and let my temptations take over! But as my doctor drilled it into my head that I can never eat gluten and be okay at the same time, I vowed to change my ways! I have been so much healthier and now I'm starting to get my energy back.

Well first off, I'm glad you joined because everyone on here knows exactly what you are going through because we have all been there! A few months before I turned 17 I had my first endoscopy and colonoscopy, they were not fun but they had shown all the damage that I had. But for some reason they never told me exactly what that was from. I later found out I had celiac. Its not easy because you do this diet and you aren't feeling better, your gaining weight and that causes you to become depressed. I was 16 years old when I had those two procedures and I weighed 168l pounds. A year before that I was 120lbs! I know how it feels to not be yourself but after time, you will see the difference.
Right now your body is still fighting because when not on the gluten free diet, your intestines are severely damaged and it becomes harder for you to digest food and actually take in all the nutrients from your food. Think of it as remission, your working to become healthy. Just stick it out, eat healthy, set a goal for yourself to work towards and exercise. You should feel proud of yourself for being healthy!

Have you ever had your thyroid checked? I don't know if it would have anything to do with the extra weight, but my mom has had a lot of problems with her's lately and has the same symptoms as you. However, she is negative for celiac and I cook, so everything is gluten free. When she doesn't eat gluten free, she feels awful! I have heard peppermint capsules used for upset stomachs. My grandma used to give them to me when I was younger and it did feel good! It wouldn't hurt to try! Good Luck!

Renee,
I would try to find a naturopath who will order a Stool (poop) test to see if you have underlying bacteria, yeast or parasites in your gut. My son could never gain weight until I did the metametrix gastric intestinal stool effects on him through his pediatrician. Sure enough he had a bunch of stuff growing in his gut, parasite, bad bacteria, h pylori, etc. No good bacteria was left even though I was giving him a ton of probiotics and secretory igA (which is your first line of defense on your gut lining) was none existent. We did the 4 R program (google this) to eradicate all the bad stuff and gave him lactobacillus sporogenes to help increase his secretory iga digestive enzymes, lots of glutamine etc. He has gained 20 pounds in 6 months which he desperately needed and is showing signs of puberty very welcome to a 15 yr old boy!

IMHO a poop test is the key to finding out why your gut won't heal. the undiagnosed celiac for years has made your gut vulnerable to a host of bad guys growing there. You need to get them out and heal your gut. you can go to the metametrix website at to find a practitioner near you that uses this test. There are other good labs like, Diagnose-Tech, Genova and Enterolab who also do this. Your typical lab that your general MD uses won't usually pick up everything. Good luck!