Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com!
    eNewsletter
    Donate

The "pregnant" Bloat

Guest Pixi

By Guest Pixi
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Guest Pixi
Guest Pixi
Posted

Ok, so I've tried researching this and I just get impatient, frustrated, and give up.

I have read many accounts of Celiacs who experience a bloating after eating (even the smallest thing) so severe, it looks like they're 7 months pregnant! I have this problem. The thing is, I've been gluten-free for about 5 or 6 weeks and the issue hasn't resolved itself :/

Do you think I have another allergy as well? Or is there something specific, unrelated to food, that might cause this?

Any possible cure/solution?!

I really want to wear a bikini this year!! I'm a relatively thin/average size, so when this belly pops out, people seriously think I'm expecting! HELLLPPP??

Thank you <3

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


erin24 Explorer
erin24
Posted

Pixi - I am in the same boat as you but I have yet to go off gluten b/c of my endo tomorrow. I know how you feel about the stomach sticking out and dreading getting into a bikini this year. Hopefully, someone will reply. If you find anything out please let me know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mmaccartney Explorer
mmaccartney
Posted

I've been gluten-free for 10 months now, and I've just noticed that I'm starting to bloat out after almost every meal......at first I thought I was finally gaining some weight, but no such luck the scale doesn't lie!!!

...noone will think I'm pregnant though....I did have a dream I was pregnant when I was a child...

sorry, no advice though....just chiming in as another one having this problem..

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cornbread Explorer
cornbread
Posted

I am/was in exactly the same boat (or should that be bloat :lol:). I was reacting to almost everything I ate, bloating out and sometimes getting stomach pains too. My Dr. is sure I have a leaky gut (just to make sure, I did a test and will get the results next week). I've just started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to get all this fixed once and for all. Within 2 days, bloat gone, stomach pains gone. It will be a long process to be properly healed, but I think we need to concentrate on getting our gut flora back into balance if we want to stop getting more and more reactions to more and more foods, otherwise, where does it end?

You may also be reacting to other things like casein, soy, etc. I was, and removing those foods (and others) helped, but it got to the stage where I was bloating just from eating anything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mo92109 Apprentice
Mo92109
Posted

Oh man - me too. Sometimes I get so bloated it hurts - I swear I am bruised on the inside. I have to wear low rise jeans or an elastic band skirt most of the time (with big tops) I an pretty skinny too so I am sure it's a matter of time when someone asks when I am due.

I have no explaination, though. I have been gluten-free for over a year. I have just begun to keep a foor diary complete with symptoms after each thing I eat and I see a Drr. who knows about Celiac (a first for me) in a few weeks. I was never diagnosed, just told I was wheat intolerant, but since being gluten-free, I feel toons better and now, I am SUPER DUPER sensitive. Used to be I would eat gluten and maybe have a reaction, maybe not, now if I have a crumb, watch out. All of this is too weird. I am over it.

I hope someone who knows more responds too :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cornbread Explorer
cornbread
Posted

Sorry, I thought my answer was helpful! :ph34r:

Here's a more straightforward version... This is what I have learned based on 12 months of bloating, post-gluten-free diet. Hopefully it will save you all the same:

1. Get tested for other IgA food intolerances. Open Original Shared Link is a very good place to start

2. Get tested for leaky gut. Open Original Shared Link

3. Consider trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

Good intro: Open Original Shared Link

Official site: Open Original Shared Link

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...
Guest Pixi
Guest Pixi
Posted
Sorry, I thought my answer was helpful! :ph34r:

Here's a more straightforward version... This is what I have learned based on 12 months of bloating, post-gluten-free diet. Hopefully it will save you all the same:

1. Get tested for other IgA food intolerances. Open Original Shared Link is a very good place to start

2. Get tested for leaky gut. Open Original Shared Link

3. Consider trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

Good intro: Open Original Shared Link

Official site: Open Original Shared Link

Thank you very much for this info. I had heard about this condition (leaky gut) a few years ago and rolled it around in my mind.. never followed up on it. I'm certainly going to now.. I want to be better!!!

I am reading about the specific carb diet right now, too...

Thank you again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 2 weeks later...
mortamer Newbie
mortamer
Posted

Pixi - I am in the same boat as you but I have yet to go off gluten b/c of my endo tomorrow. I know how you feel about the stomach sticking out and dreading getting into a bikini this year. Hopefully, someone will reply. If you find anything out please let me know.

I have been gluten free for 2 months now. It seems the longer I'm "free" the worse I feel. Pain that will fold you over and cause you to breath different. My tummy gets huge!!! I have hyPERthyroid and weigh 107, but yet my tummy gets to be 42in. around. I am having a ton of female problems so I'm not sure what my problem really is. I used to be VERY reg. almost down to the time that I was going to get it. Now it has been 6 months and I really haven't had a "real" period. I spot and that's about all. There's no rhyme or reason to getting my period. I spot when I shouldn't and do nothing when I should. Things are very odd now!! I was checked for uterin cancer that came back neg. But I know nothing else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

That is a very common symptom of lactose intolerance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

I have been gluten free for 2 months now. It seems the longer I'm "free" the worse I feel. Pain that will fold you over and cause you to breath different. My tummy gets huge!!! I have hyPERthyroid and weigh 107, but yet my tummy gets to be 42in. around. I am having a ton of female problems so I'm not sure what my problem really is. I used to be VERY reg. almost down to the time that I was going to get it. Now it has been 6 months and I really haven't had a "real" period. I spot and that's about all. There's no rhyme or reason to getting my period. I spot when I shouldn't and do nothing when I should. Things are very odd now!! I was checked for uterin cancer that came back neg. But I know nothing else.

You might also want to check for polycystic ovarian syndrome.

About the pregnancy bloat--mine disappeared when I went off gluten--BUT, when I started adding in gluten-free breads, pastas, and pancakes, it came right back! I don't know if it was the yeast, or if my body was so fooled by the products that it reacted anyway! Either way, though, I decided that gluten-free bread substitutes aren't worth it (except for the occasional pancake), so I'm not buying them anymore (and boy, there were expen$ive!).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

There are so many things that can cause bloating that it is tough to figure out. I too had this problem even after going gluten-free. My doctor ordered a stool test can it came back with all sorts of nasty stuff. I had no good bacteria, a bad bacteria, an amoeba and candida overgrowth. I just finished two antibiotics and I'm starting the candida treatment. The bloating is much better. I can finally tell that I have a flat stomach! I had no idea that so much was wrong with me because I was happy to not get glutened, I'm not sure if I really know what feeling good feels like.

My guess is that there is still something else going on with you. I would try probiotics and digestive enzymes at the least, and if you have a good doctor maybe get a complete stool test to see if anything else is wrong. My test was from www.doctorsdata.com. I had the 3 day complete stool test with parasitology.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GlutenFreeAl Contributor
GlutenFreeAl
Posted

I recently discovered nuts to be a source of bloating for me...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JodiC Apprentice
JodiC
Posted
I am/was in exactly the same boat (or should that be bloat :lol:). I was reacting to almost everything I ate, bloating out and sometimes getting stomach pains too. My Dr. is sure I have a leaky gut (just to make sure, I did a test and will get the results next week). I've just started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to get all this fixed once and for all. Within 2 days, bloat gone, stomach pains gone. It will be a long process to be properly healed, but I think we need to concentrate on getting our gut flora back into balance if we want to stop getting more and more reactions to more and more foods, otherwise, where does it end?

You may also be reacting to other things like casein, soy, etc. I was, and removing those foods (and others) helped, but it got to the stage where I was bloating just from eating anything.

Speaking of Flora, Shaklee makes an Optiflora supplement that works for the bloat. This is all you need to get the good bacteria back. Also try taking enzymes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Pixi
Guest Pixi
Posted

Interesting, mortamer.. I am having the same female issues. The spotting was scant.. and now I just have nothing.. no period at all. It's so bizzarre.

I know I was told I had a "borderline thyroid" but it was never looked into further or discussed.. so I don't know what that really meant.. the doc said, ultimately, it was fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gabrielle Contributor
gabrielle
Posted
Speaking of Flora, Shaklee makes an Optiflora supplement that works for the bloat. This is all you need to get the good bacteria back. Also try taking enzymes.

I get the pregnant bloat sometimes too... not always. But this may be a stupid question- What is gut flora? And what kinds of things should you take to fix your belly- where do you find these things? I'm sorry if that's a dumb question, I am still learning so much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JodiC Apprentice
JodiC
Posted
I get the pregnant bloat sometimes too... not always. But this may be a stupid question- What is gut flora? And what kinds of things should you take to fix your belly- where do you find these things? I'm sorry if that's a dumb question, I am still learning so much.

There are no dumb questions. Gut flora is what you need to keep candida (yeast) in check. They are acidopholus, bifidus and lactobillis. You can either supplement with these or eat yogurt. I recommend supplements. You need to make sure the microrganisms are live cultured. When the intestinal flora is out of wack with bad bacteria the good bacteria cannot thrive and do its job. By taking these steps you can bring back the balance within a matter of weeks. Check out the magazine "First" They have an article about this on page 22. They talk about enzymes, fiber, fruits and veggies. When you take antibiotics, yeast is able to thrive because the drug kills the good bacteria. When this happens you end up with D or a yeast infection. Some are plagued with zits on the chin and others have weight gain (me) and hair loss. Anyone with digestive problems need these important supplements. I recommend doing as much research as possible. Knowledge is power.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to Fluka66's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Waiting for urgent referral.

      But if you have been off of wheat for a period of weeks/months leading up to the testing it will likely turn out to be negative for celiac disease, even if you actually have celiac disease. Given your symptoms when consuming gluten, we certainly understand your reluctance to undergo the "gluten challenge" before testing but you need to understand that the...
    2. Zackery Brian
      - Zackery Brian replied to rsvtwin6's topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      6

      Gluten and 30 other Items causing me Severe Muscle Inflamation Pain

      I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with your health. Dealing with celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can indeed be overwhelming. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions based on your experience and the replies you've received: Confirming Diagnosis: It's great that your gastroenterologist confirmed your celiac disease...
    3. Fluka66
      - Fluka66 replied to Fluka66's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Waiting for urgent referral.

      Thank you very much for your reply. I hadn't heard of celiac disease but began to notice a pattern of pain. I've been on the floor more than once with agonising pain but this was always put down to another abdominal problem consequently I've been on a roundabout of backwards and forwards with another consultant for many years. I originally questioned this...
    4. Moodiefoodie
      - Moodiefoodie replied to Moodiefoodie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet

      Wow! Fascinating info. Thanks so much! I really appreciate the guidance. @Spacepanther Over the years I have had rheumatologists do full lab work ups on me. They told me they had screened me for arthritis, lupus, and Lyme disease (all negative). In addition to joint pain and stiffness I had swelling in both knees that later moved to my elbow as well. I also...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Moodiefoodie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet

      @Spacepanther, I found these articles about the connection between Celiac and joint pain. Musculoskeletal Complications of Celiac Disease: A Case-Based Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10201087/ And Intestinal microbiome composition and its relation to joint pain and inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      121,063
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Nacina
    Newest Member
    Nacina
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Waiting for urgent referral.

      By trents · Posted

      But if you have been off of wheat for a period of weeks/months leading up to the testing it will likely turn out to be negative for celiac disease, even if you actually have celiac disease. Given your symptoms when consuming gluten, we certainly understand your reluctance to undergo  the "gluten challenge" before testing but you need to understand that the testing may be a waste of time if you don't. What are you going to do if it is negative for celiac disease? Are you going to go back to merrily eating wheat/barley/rye products while living in pain and destroying your health? You will be in a conundrum. Do I or do I not? And you will likely have a difficult time being consistent with your diet. Celiac disease causes inflammation to the small bowel villous lining when gluten containing grains are consumed. This inflammation produces certain antibodies that can be detected in the blood after they reach a certain level, which takes weeks or months after the onset of the disease. If gluten is stopped or drastically reduced, the inflammation begins to decrease and so do the antibodies. Before long, their low levels are not detectable by testing and the antibody blood tests done for diagnosing celiac disease will be negative. Over time, this inflammation wears down the billions of microscopic, finger-like projections that make up the lining and form the nutrient absorbing layer of the small bowel where all the nutrition in our food is absorbed. As the villi bet worn down, vitamin and mineral deficiencies typically develop because absorption is compromised. An endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to microscopically examine this damage is usually the second stage of celiac disease diagnosis. However, when people cut out gluten or cut back on it significantly ahead of time before the biopsy is done, the villous lining has already experienced some healing and the microscopic examination may be negative or inconclusive. I'm not trying to tell you what to do I just want you to understand what the consequences of going gluten free ahead of testing are as far as test results go so that you will either not waste your time in having the tests done or will be prepared for negative test results and the impact that will have on your dietary decisions. And, who are these "consultants" you keep talking about and what are their qualifications? You are in the unenviable position that many who joint this forum have found themselves in. Namely, having begun a gluten free diet before getting a proper diagnosis but unwilling to enter into the gluten challenge for valid testing because of the severity of the symptoms it would cause them.
    • Zackery Brian
      Gluten and 30 other Items causing me Severe Muscle Inflamation Pain

      By Zackery Brian · Posted

      I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with your health. Dealing with celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can indeed be overwhelming. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions based on your experience and the replies you've received: Confirming Diagnosis: It's great that your gastroenterologist confirmed your celiac disease diagnosis through additional tests. Understanding the specifics of your condition can help tailor your approach to managing it more effectively. Food Sensitivity Testing: While blood tests for food sensitivities can provide some insights, they may not always be completely accurate. As mentioned by others, false positives are common, and individual responses to specific foods can vary. Discussing your test results and symptoms with a healthcare professional knowledgeable about celiac disease and food sensitivities can help clarify your situation. Research and Education: Exploring conditions like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance could shed further light on your symptoms and provide additional avenues for managing your health. Gathering information from reliable sources and discussing your findings with your healthcare team can help you make informed decisions about your care. Dietary Management: Managing celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can be challenging, but finding a balance that works for you is crucial. Working with a dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and food intolerances can help you develop a personalized dietary plan that meets your nutritional needs while minimizing symptoms. Stress Management: Chronic pain and health issues can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being. Finding healthy coping strategies to manage stress, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or engaging in activities you enjoy, may help improve your overall quality of life. Remember, you're not alone in your journey, and seeking support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or online communities can provide valuable encouragement and guidance.
    • Fluka66
      Waiting for urgent referral.

      By Fluka66 · Posted

      Thank you very much for your reply. I hadn't heard of celiac disease but began to notice a pattern of pain. I've been on the floor more than once with agonising pain but this was always put down to another abdominal problem consequently I've been on a roundabout of backwards and forwards with another consultant for many years. I originally questioned this diagnosis but was assured it was the reason for my pain. Many years later the consultant gave up and I had a new GP. I started to cut out certain food types ,reading packets then really started to cut out wheat and went lactose free. After a month I reintroduced these in one meal and ended screaming in agony the tearing and bloating pain. With this info and a swollen lymph node in my neck I went back to the GP.  I have a referral now . I have also found out that acidic food is causing the terrible pain . My thoughts are this is irritating any ulcers. I'm hoping that after a decade the outlook isn't all bad. My blood test came back with a high marker but I didn't catch what it was. My GP and I have agreed that I won't go back on wheat just for the test due to the pain , my swollen lymph node and blood test results.  Trying to remain calm for the referral and perhaps needed to be more forceful all those years ago but I'm not assertive and consultants can be overwhelming. Many thanks for your reply . Wishing you all the best.
    • Moodiefoodie
      Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet

      By Moodiefoodie · Posted

      Wow! Fascinating info. Thanks so much! I really appreciate the guidance. @Spacepanther Over the years I have had rheumatologists do full lab work ups on me. They told me they had screened me for arthritis, lupus, and Lyme disease (all negative). In addition to joint pain and stiffness I had swelling in both knees that later moved to my elbow as well.  I also experience stiffness and pain in my neck and shoulders when it flares. I vomited fairly often growing up, but there wasn’t a real pattern to it and I didn’t know it wasn’t normal (thought people caught stomach viruses often).  I don’t usually have stomach symptoms immediately after eating gluten that I notice.  The only other joint condition I know of is fibromyalgia. Good luck! Hope you can get it figured out. I only assumed my joint symptoms were due to the celiac’s because it is under control for the most part on a gluten-free diet.  The rheumatologist also mentioned that some inflammatory/autoimmune diseases can be slow-moving and not detectable until they progress.
    • knitty kitty
      Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Spacepanther, I found these articles about the connection between Celiac and joint pain. Musculoskeletal Complications of Celiac Disease: A Case-Based Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10201087/ And   Intestinal microbiome composition and its relation to joint pain and inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6814863/ And The gut microbiome-joint connection: implications in osteoarthritis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6903327/ Sounds like it's time to change the diet to change the microbiome.
×
×
  • Create New...