Strange Question But I'm Curious...

[Sbwife14]

I'm new to gluten intolerance. Still adjusting. I've noticed my upper abdomen seems a bit misshapen... Kind of pokes out? I have no gallbladder. A patient who has celiac told me that because of the damage to her gut her stomach would never go back to the way it was.....seems odd but it bothers me. And times that I have an attack that area seems to be tender and feels very swollen and bloated. Does anyone have any insight on this? I apologize if there is a thread already... Thanks.

[1desperateladysaved]

My abdomen grew unusually large when I was sick.  I was mistaken for pregnant several times.  My tummy remained bloated until I removed all foods I did not tolerate.

[w8in4dave]

My gut is still big. Even tho I lost 40 lbs going gluten-free. I think it's because of trace amounts of Intolerance foods. I think I need to go on a gluten-free. Auto Immune diet.  <--- I think thats right. Because trace amounts of things do bother me. Corn, soy , Lactose , I know they are intolerances so I sometimes will let it slide if it's in aintolerance product but at the end of a ingredient list. I'll think well it's gluten free and only has a lil corn in it so ok yea I'll try it! Wrong Idea for me! My gut bloats up and I get gassy! But next morning i'm good! I do not have a gall bladder and my gut is a lil miss shaped but theres worse things. 

[cyclinglady]

I have the same issues. I am thin, but you can see the difference (just me). No worries. It is probably related to inflammation. Mine has improved greatly.

I see you did not get good medical support and did not get a proper diagnosis. I would suggest you read the newbie thread and learn about cross contamination.

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

It takes a long time to heal for many (a few years), so be patient!

[GottaSki]

Mine swells and recedes along with flares and healthiest days...sometimes hours.

I do have many other intolerances and autoimmune issues, so you will likely have your tummy area much less swollen as you heal and your time gluten-free increases....it can take a long time, but it will happen.

[Sbwife14]

Thanks guys. I did not have much medical support however today my PCP is ordering a gammit of tests and I am thankful. I don't think anyone else really notices but of course I think everybody notices. Finally I hope to get some definitive answers! When I have attacks my upper abdomen swells and sometimes gets hard....gassy...bad stomach pains....I will check out the newbie feed. I have a lot yet to learn!

[BarryC]

I am a guy with a huge bloated belly, looks like I am 9 months pregnant. What annoys me is that there is no fat and I actually have a sixpack. Everyone probably assumes I am a heavy drinker.

[Sbwife14]

I'm having a lot of trouble losing weight. I'm assuming it's because I'm new to this and my body hasn't had time to adjust and heal. When I do lose a few pounds my belly still looks swollen...it's discouraging so I'm wondering if it will always be that way?

[GottaSki]

I'm having a lot of trouble losing weight. I'm assuming it's because I'm new to this and my body hasn't had time to adjust and heal. When I do lose a few pounds my belly still looks swollen...it's discouraging so I'm wondering if it will always be that way?

Welcome SB!

It can take a while. How long ago were you diagnosed?

What age were you when diagnosed?

How long did you have symptoms before diagnosis?

Sorry for 20 questions..but details help folks here lend their knowledge.

Hang in there

[Sbwife14]

Thanks, GottaSki, for the welcome! I don't have a firm diagnosis yet. I finally found a doctor that is as convinced as I am that I have a gluten intolerance and is working on scheduling a biopsy for me. My labs were negative. Here is my story....I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago. About 6 months later I began having attacks....bloating, gas, excruciating pain that last as many as 7 days, easy bruising, foggy headed, tired all the time, migraines, low back pain and severe GERD...to the point of vomiting bile and constipation. These attacks would wake me up and keep me from sleeping and eating. I fasted my way thru it. These attacks happened over 7 months until I finally talked to my doctor. He did an upper GI AND EGD which showed GERD and gastritis. I followed anti reflux diet and taking two different prescribed reflux medicine sand GERD was no better. He then did a stomach scope and said GERD was worse and gastritis was worse and increased my reflux meds. It continued so I referred myself to a GI specialist who asked me about celiac. I hadn't heard of it. He ran labs and they were negative. I started looking into it on my own because he offered me no other advice...only GI cocktail which did nothing and I kept having attacks. I removed gluten entirely from my diet and within one week I couldn't believe the difference!! I "tested" gluten and ate 3 pieces of pizza and had the worst migraine ever!!! Continued eating sandwiches and other gluten foods and all of my symptoms worsened. I tried this several times to be sure. I changed PCP and told her my story and she def believes I have an intolerance. It's been hard for me so I've not been 100% at all....at all???and this past weekend I had a bad attack. I went to see her Monday and she placed me on gluten-free clear liquid diet only for a while, ordering ct abdomen, repeat EGD, and a colonoscopy with biopsy to check for celiac officially. Because my pain is around my pancreas and includes my low back she is checking this out as well. I am 42 years old. I never had GI issues until within the past 2 years. I've been dealing with this for that long but only made this discovery within the past 6 months. Until it actually saw the GI doc I had no idea what these attacks were. What was so disappointing to me was I saw a specialist he drew labs, said they were negative and offered nothing else...no trial, no thoughts of what else we could do to figure this out just GI cocktail and see you in three months and $168 of my dollars...I was very discouraged.

I logged onto this forum to also father knowledge and learn and cope with this. It's a huge change for me and a hard adjustment for me.

[w8in4dave]

I am a guy with a huge bloated belly, looks like I am 9 months pregnant. What annoys me is that there is no fat and I actually have a sixpack. Everyone probably assumes I am a heavy drinker.

I think it's called a wheat belly, and yes sometimes a beer belly. But really whats beer made with? Lol  

[Sbwife14]

Very, very true! Hadn't really thought about it that way.

[GottaSki]

Give this a good read....

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

[Sbwife14]

Thanks. I often refer to the link you posted. Even though I am nit officially diagnosed my doctor and I are convinced I have an intolerance! She's trying to get everything lined up to hopefully have an officialt diagnosis. Question......do I have to consume gluten again I. Order to get positive results?? I'm a little unclear about that....