Size Seven In The Morning, Twelve At Night...

[elye]

Got a question for everyone...I've read a few posts from people who start off the day fine (and we're all gluten-free by this time), but gradually start to bloat through the day until they are REALLY bloated by evening. Well, this has been me for years, before the celiac diagnosis and still now that I am gluten-free. Does anyone know why this is? How come we are bloating up through the day, even though we are not ingesting gluten? I thoght I was the only person in the world that this happened to...(!)..

[jerseyangel]

Hi Emily--I don't know why this is, either. I have cut out grains, and all other foods that I feel I'm intolerant to. I am a fanatic about keeping out the gluten, but in the morning, I have room in my waistbands, and by evening, my pants are tight around my middle--and uncomfortable. I don't know what else to do

[jennyj]

Again it is so good to know that I am "normal" when it comes to celiac. Since I have only been on this diet for two weeks I have to keep a daily journal of everything I eat, my BM's and my weight. I can weigh one thing when I get up at 6 a.m and by 8 pm weigh 5 pounds more. Even though I am eating less than ever. It doesn't make alot of sense.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Since I cut out the gluten, I've been scarfing down Fritos Corn Chips. I never used to salt anything, and I never ate chips of any kind (chocolate chip cookies was my downfall). I just assume that I'm holding a lot of water weight from all the excess salt that I'm not used to (and will hopefully learn to leave alone)!

[Lisa]

I really don't know the reason for the afternoon bloat. When I had bathroom issues it came after lunch and perhaps thay may be my connection. Around 4:00 I take a zantac and that help me subside the bloat sort of, but it helps. Breakfast and dinner have never been an issue for me, but lunch (ususally a rice cake with PB&J and some jello) is always my problem time.

[lisaemu]

The bloating is the worst problem for me- when I eat things I'm intollerant of (which I'm still discovering what they are..I'm new to this..) my stomach swells up really bad- I look like I swallowed a beach ball! It's the most uncomfortable thing and can last for days- anyone have any ways to help relieve it?

[Kristen2Denise]

Hi my sister has been really suffering with this problem too, although she's been gluten free for 2 years now. She jokes that she looks pregnant! She's started drinking green tea, one of her friends suggested it, and it's definitely helped. I figure it's worth a try. Good luck!

[Bonnie]

Elye, I am exactly the same as you. I am flat in the morning and huge by evening. It is directly connected to eating. Sometimes if I get really big it will take days to go away. My weight goes up and down by about 5 pounds every single day.

Do you take digestive enzymes with every meal? They definitely help me to a certain degree.

I have been gluten free for a year now and have cut out all my other obvious intolerances but I still bloat every single day. The only way for me to be flat all day is to not eat at all.

The bloating is also very connected to the amount of food I eat at a meal.

I basically stick to fruit, veg and meat but I still bloat. I kept a food diary and cut out dairy for 2 months. No difference whatsoever.

I am just hoping that this horrid bloating will stop when my gut is completely healed which it definitely isn't at this stage.

Kristen2Desise - your comment about green tea is interesting and I am definitely going to try it.

I think we would all feel better if someone could tell us exactly why we were bloating and when it will go away!!

Yvonne

[aikiducky]

Well, for me it went away after a little more than a year gluten free (and I wasn't very sick to start with) - until then I did bloat even though I was strictly gluten free and dairy free. Nowadays it only happens after I have been glutened, but IT HAPPENS FOR THREE WEEKS after that. All my other symptoms disappear before the bloating goes away. I just figure it's a sign that my intestines are still somewhat irritated, so that even digesting otherwise ok food is irritating for them.

Pauliina

[erin24]

I am glad to hear everyone's responses b/c I have been frustrated with my own bloating. This is obviously a popular topic b/c there were several of us talking about this very thing on another thread.

I have only been gluten-free for 3 weeks but it sounds like it takes a really long time to stop being bloated. I think aikiducky has given us some hope. Even though it will take more than a year it seems that with diligence and patience on a gluten-free diet the bloating might eventually go away.

So, it looks like we might get better after 1 1/2 years on the gluten-free diet, so until then you will never see me in a bikini. I guess I can look on the bright side and see how much money I will save on my vacation to the beach this year b/c I won't be eating that week! Just kidding (but not really).

[bluejeangirl]

I know for me high sodium levels will cause me to retain water weight. Also about 3 yrs ago I tried the adkins way of eating because it was in the news alot and I remember way back I went on it and feeling really good on it. That should of tipped me off I was gluten intolerent but it didn't. That was the only time my stomach went flat and stayed flat all the time. Its however high in protein and I didn't eat fruit on it and alot of salads,...I would eat a large spinach salad with protein for lunch and a large salad using the baby leaf type lettuce for supper with a protein. Breakfast was scrambled eggs most of the time. My sodium was low because I made my own salad dressing. I swear my belly button was touching my spine lol I had to go off it because I needed the weight gain.

I don't recommend this way of eating but thought I'd share it to consider. It could be starchy veggies and fruit, maybe eat smaller amt.s to see if it helps.

Gail

[Guest cassidy]

I have always had this problem. Lately, when I eat safe foods my stomach hurts and I get very bloated and gassy. I just went to the health food store and they said I probably have an inflammation of the lining of my stomach (gastritis). They gave me some digestive enzymes and some aloe to drink. Hopefully that will help this new problem. I really didn't notice if the bloating went away after being gluten-free and just started getting bad with this recent situation, or if it never got better at all.

[elye]

Ah, digestive enzymes...yes, I have read many places that celiacs should be throwing these back throughout the day, and I'd forgotten about it until now. I'm gonna pick up a bottle tomorrow. It's quite hilarious...I'm sitting here reading all your posts with my jeans undone, as per usual at seven p.m. every night. Amazing--these jeans were loose this morning. No gluten ingested, no big meals...I need morning pants and night pants!

[Ashley]

From the looks of it, a vast majority of people with celiac disease suffer with this. It feels like I'm bloated ALL the time, from morning to night. Not all the time, but, most. Rarely do I ever eat breakfast. Everytime I eat I hurt, it's just normal part of life for me now. There's nothing I know to do. The mid-morning it felt like my pants were sawing right into me, but, then they're as comfortable as be. But, maybe the suggestions given by the others will help. I know I'm going to try that green tea one. Sounds yummy!

-Ash

[bluejeangirl]

I have always had this problem. Lately, when I eat safe foods my stomach hurts and I get very bloated and gassy. I just went to the health food store and they said I probably have an inflammation of the lining of my stomach (gastritis). They gave me some digestive enzymes and some aloe to drink. Hopefully that will help this new problem. I really didn't notice if the bloating went away after being gluten-free and just started getting bad with this recent situation, or if it never got better at all.

Cassidy, If you go under the subject Related disorders and research and click on leaky gut someone posted an article on what to do to help heal. It does say the Aloe is not good but actually can irritate. I hope you'll check this out because I don't want you to be misled.

Gail

[rache]

wow, i am so glad that found this post! i thought it was the only one who started out the day fine, but end up BLOATED as the day goes on. i feel like i could be popped with a pin. glad to know this isnt just a problem i have!

[num1habsfan]

I have this problem too. I am normally a size 5, but some days I can be 100% gluten and lactose free, and even when I wake up in the morning, bloating, and then i'm a size 8 just from air. It always adds at least 5 pounds onto me. Its kind of funny, because then if I sit, I can stick my finger to my belly and it can get lost in the air, because I can push on it and it dont hurt nothing, there isnt even fat

It looks weird because I'm usually flat stomach (seeing how I am one of those Celiac's who has trouble holding weight) and then all of a sudden big belly of air

Funny I saw this, I'm having this problem today haha

~lisa~

[anyana]

Hi everyone - this is a really old topic, but many of you have lots of posts on the forum, so I'm hoping you're still around (nearly 10 years later! wow!). 

Anyway, here I sit with my distended belly.  Have any of you gotten relief just through more years of a gluten-free diet, or do you have any other remedies that you have found to work? I am newly diagnosed and know that I have to wait it out, but I would love to help things along (especially specific to the bloat) if at all possible.

Thank you!

 

[cyclinglady]

I think Lisa pops in once in a while, but I have not seen postings from these members in a long time.  I am assuming they are well and too busy to post!  ?. Give yourself time.  Some members swear by digestive enzymes (be sure they are gluten-free).  I took some temporarily when I got glutened in July.  Everything I ate hurt to digest.  Stick to whole foods and those that are easy to digest.  Raw veggies and even fruit can be hard to digest until your gut heals.  

You will get better!  

[cristiana]

Hi Anyana

Thanks for resurrecting this post - because of the title I would never have found it.  I had no idea that this was such a common problem which makes me feel a whole lot better.  I haven't had a flat stomach since I was aged about seven.  By the evening I have such a feeling of bloating down my lower left abdomen - I feel like I have a balloon in my abdomen that I would like to burst with a needle (but haven't tried that yet!)

I think dairy is partly my problem but because my mother has osteoporosis I am hesitant to give it up so tend to consume it for a few days, then have a bit of a rest.   I did read somewhere that cutting down on sugar might be worth a try.  I had some relief a few months ago when I completely cut out dairy and drank peppermint tea but I am afraid to say I am not much of a fan of that tea so it didn't last.  Exercise helped a bit, too.

 

[Sammykins]

You may be intolerant to some other foods in addition to having celiac. You could see a dietician to assess for FODMAP intolerances. These are types of carbohydrates that are in foods and which can cause reactions such as bloating in some people. You can read more about FODMAP intolerances here: 

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

(Most of the research on this comes out of Australia).

I have lactose intolerance and osteopenia. I get around this by:

1. Taking a calcium supplement which gives me about half my RDI. I make up the rest in food.

2. Consuming lactose-free dairy or dairy substitutes.

3. Where lactose free foods aren't available, taking a lactase supplement beforehand. I had to experiment with different doses before finding what I required for different types of dairy products.

I also can't have fructans, so need to check ingredient lists for inulin which is increasingly being added to gluten-free substitutes to boost fiber content.

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. That bowling ball feeling is SO awful, and I too have fantasized about sticking a needle into my belly to relieve the pressure! Best I can suggest for symptomatic relief are de-gas tablets and some yoga positions (Google yoga + bloating/wind).