Jump to content
  • 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 Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

From Constipation To Diarrhea?


funkflex

Recommended Posts

funkflex Rookie

Hi

 

I am 10 months gluten free, and starting about 2 months ago my stools became looser and looser. It is now bordering on diarrhea, although it is still kind of hard to get out, i.e. still a little constipated but not at all like it was 6 months ago.

 

Is this normal?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



nvsmom Community Regular

That has happened to me, but I don't think it is exactly the norm.  Are ther any other changes in your life that could cause it?

  • 2 weeks later...
funkflex Rookie

That has happened to me, but I don't think it is exactly the norm.  Are ther any other changes in your life that could cause it?

 

I don´t think so. Well, we are two atleast then...

kareng Grand Master

Sometimes, when we remove gluten from our diets, we have removed a big fiber source.  Also, gluten-free bread products do have some ingredients, like gums, that you wouldn't normally eat.

nvsmom Community Regular

I think my problem with D is due to thyroid medication and some increased vitamins like magnesium. I used to be hypothyroid (causes C) and am on the lower end of normal for Mg, I now take thyroid hormones and many larger doses of vits (as ordered by a doctor). I also greatly increased the amount of nuts I eat and they can have a laxative effect.  So, that's partially why I wondered if you had other possible causes in your life.

 

Hope it gets better for you.

nutritionguy Rookie

Hi

 

I am 10 months gluten free, and starting about 2 months ago my stools became looser and looser. It is now bordering on diarrhea, although it is still kind of hard to get out, i.e. still a little constipated but not at all like it was 6 months ago.

 

Is this normal?

Some medications might have this type of side effect.  Are you taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications?  Also, probiotics may be helpful with alleviating this--though figuring out the primary cause if possible is very important.  Are you taking any probiotics?

funkflex Rookie

Yes I do take probiotics. I just find it strange that it went from C to D. Hopefully it´ll normalize with time.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



nutritionguy Rookie

Yes I do take probiotics. I just find it strange that it went from C to D. Hopefully it´ll normalize with time.

Taking probiotics is good.  However, if you are still on antibiotics, the good from the probiotics could be totally negated.  The problem is that antibiotics may be killing healthful bacteria in your intestines and allowing inflammatory bacteria to proliferate.  If you are still taking antibiotics and you are still having diarrhea, there is an extremely high likelihood that the antibiotics are the root cause of your problem.  Medication side effects (including diarrhea) as a result of antibiotics (especially long term antibiotics) are not uncommon.  And I would guess that in celiacs whose intestines have not yet had a chance to completely heal, the chance of this would be even greater.   You really should seriously consider talking with your doctor about alternative treatments for your acne with him/her if the diarrhea is still ongoing.  I only say all of this because you still seem to be puzzled as to why this diarrhea is occurring... 

  • 2 weeks later...
funkflex Rookie

Taking probiotics is good.  However, if you are still on antibiotics, the good from the probiotics could be totally negated.  The problem is that antibiotics may be killing healthful bacteria in your intestines and allowing inflammatory bacteria to proliferate.  If you are still taking antibiotics and you are still having diarrhea, there is an extremely high likelihood that the antibiotics are the root cause of your problem.  Medication side effects (including diarrhea) as a result of antibiotics (especially long term antibiotics) are not uncommon.  And I would guess that in celiacs whose intestines have not yet had a chance to completely heal, the chance of this would be even greater.   You really should seriously consider talking with your doctor about alternative treatments for your acne with him/her if the diarrhea is still ongoing.  I only say all of this because you still seem to be puzzled as to why this diarrhea is occurring... 

 

I am not on any antibiotics (should I be?).  Yes youre right I have some minor acne, but I did I write about it here?

 

Seems that my gut is swinging back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. Right now it´s further on the constipation side of things...

GF Lover Rising Star

Funkflex,

 

No, you should not be on antibiotics, unless of course they are prescribed by your doctor.  A lot of dairy may cause some constipation.  Since you are swinging back and forth it is probably the food your eating.   Moderate dairy, chocolate, breads and pastas.  Eat more greens, fruits and nuts.  Hopefully you will start to normalize. 

 

Good Luck,

 

Colleen

nutritionguy Rookie

I am not on any antibiotics (should I be?).  Yes youre right I have some minor acne, but I did I write about it here?

 

Seems that my gut is swinging back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. Right now it´s further on the constipation side of things...

 

Unless you have a specific infection that requires antibiotics to maintain or restore your health, you should probably not be on them.  And acne, in my opinion, is usually not one of them.  And yes, you did write about your acne and being on antibiotics for it someplace on this website, although I don't see any mention of it in the thread of postings above, nor do I remember exactly where I saw you post this.

 

Good, you are making progress, although it sounds like you probably still have a bit of a way to go in improving your diet.  But before looking at your diet in more depth, i need to ask the following:  Do you exercise daily?  Exercise is probably one of the most powerful things you can do to reverse constipation and keep your bowels moving regularly.  Thirty minutes continuous walking is ideal if you are physically up to that much; and if you aren't physically up to that much, as many minutes as you can comfortably do without overexerting or pushing yourself is a good way to start. 

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,547
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    gizmo1jazz2
    Newest Member
    gizmo1jazz2
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.