[ToriMartin]

To be more blunt... Period like cramps...

I've noticed the last 2 days I've had very mild cramps, like mild period cramps. I know I've been alittle more hormonal... Wondering if this is hormones straightening out... I do believe eating gluten for so long messed up my hormones...

[starrytrekchic]

Has it happened before? A lot of women get cramps around the time they ovulate (~2 weeks after the period starts/~2 weeks before it starts.) For these women, it generally happens around every 3 months or so (not every month) and may be slightly to one side or the other. That's perfectly normal. If your cycle was messed up before from gluten, it may be the first time you've ovulated in a while.

It could also simply be something moving through a damaged part of your intestines, that happens to be near your uterus. Or you might be reacting to more foods (like dairy) and the increase in gas is giving you abdominal cramping.

[ToriMartin]

starrytrekchic, on 20 August 2010 - 03:51 PM, said:

Has it happened before? A lot of women get cramps around the time they ovulate (~2 weeks after the period starts/~2 weeks before it starts.) For these women, it generally happens around every 3 months or so (not every month) and may be slightly to one side or the other. That's perfectly normal. If your cycle was messed up before from gluten, it may be the first time you've ovulated in a while.

It could also simply be something moving through a damaged part of your intestines, that happens to be near your uterus. Or you might be reacting to more foods (like dairy) and the increase in gas is giving you abdominal cramping.

I didn't really think about the ovulating...
I went to a Dr today & had x-rays done. I have a bad back... The Dr was horrible! She about had me in tears twice! Anyhow, not to get off topic, still upset.... Never have liked Dr's... So... She says I'm really constipated... Not that you wanted to know that of course... But maybe that's it... I'm surprised because I thought I was doing good... Especially since going gluten, milk & corn free...
Does anyone know if Constipation is linked to Brain Fog? That's the worst symptom for me... Cramping & pain is bad... But the fog is constant...

[starrytrekchic]

I feel for you with the bad doctor....

I think brain fog would be because you're either still getting gluten (hidden in foods, cross contamination, non-food household products) or you may be too low on certain vitamins and minerals--hence the lack of brain function. Have you gotten a blood workup of your vitamin and mineral levels? Might also happen as you adjust to the diet (especially if you've cut out too many carbs when you got rid of the gluten.)

Constipation shouldn't be directly linked to it, but both could be caused by hidden gluten, since they're both celiac symptoms. Or you body might be overreacting to the lack of gluten (especially if you had diarrhea before) and is having a hard time regulating the speed of your intestines. If that's the case, it'll even out on its own, over time.

Have you considered depression? That can come with celiac--it could also result in constipation (every slows down) and brain fog. No idea if that's the case, just throwing it out there. Hope you feel better!