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

Strange Question But I'm Curious...

Sbwife14

Recommended Posts

Sbwife14 Rookie
Sbwife14
Posted

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.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

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 Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted

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 Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

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 Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

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 Rookie
Sbwife14
Posted
  • Author

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 Collaborator
BarryC
Posted

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.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Sbwife14 Rookie
Sbwife14
Posted
  • Author

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 Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

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 Rookie
Sbwife14
Posted
  • Author

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 Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted

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 Rookie
Sbwife14
Posted
  • Author

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

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

Give this a good read....

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

Sbwife14 Rookie
Sbwife14
Posted
  • Author

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....

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. tiffanygosci
      - tiffanygosci posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      Hello all! My life in the last five years has been crazy. I got married in 2020 at the age of 27, pregnant with our first child almost two months later, gave birth in 2021. We had another baby in April of 2023 and our last baby this March of 2025. I had some issues after my second but nothing ever made me think, "I should see a doctor about this." After...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      8

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      On the AIP diet, all processed foods are eliminated. This includes gluten-free bread. You'll be eating meats and vegetables, mostly. Meats that are processed, like sausages, sandwich meats, bacons, chicken nuggets, etc., are eliminated as well. Veggies should be fresh, or frozen without other ingredients like sauces or seasonings. Nightshade vegetables...
    3. Yaya
      - Yaya replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      Thank you for responding and for prayers. So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine. You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison. I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of. Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including...
    4. larc
      - larc replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back. My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time...
    5. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      8

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread? I will try the vitamins. Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding. I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty I am going to look this diet up right away. And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,921
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Serena Rodriguez
    Newest Member
    Serena Rodriguez
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • tiffanygosci
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Hello all! My life in the last five years has been crazy. I got married in 2020 at the age of 27, pregnant with our first child almost two months later, gave birth in 2021. We had another baby in April of 2023 and our last baby this March of 2025. I had some issues after my second but nothing ever made me think, "I should see a doctor about this." After having my last baby this year, my body has finally started to find its new rhythm and balance...but things started to feel out of sorts. A lot of symptoms were convoluted with postpartum symptoms, and, to top it all off, my cycle came back about 4m postpartum. I was having reoccurring migraines, nausea, joint pain, numbness in my right arm, hand and fingers, tummy problems, hives. I finally went to my PCP in August just for a wellness check and I brought up my ailments. I'm so thankful for a doctor that listens and is thorough. He ended up running a food allergy panel, an environmental respiratory panel, and a celiac panel. I found out I was allergic to wheat, allergic to about every plant and dust mites, and I did have celiac. I had an endoscopy done on October 3 and my results confirmed celiac in the early stages! I am truly blessed to have an answer to my issues. When I eat gluten, my brain feels like it's on fire and like someone is squeezing it. I can't think straight and I zone out easily. My eyes can't focus. I get a super bad migraine and nausea. I get so tired and irritable and anxious. My body hurts sometimes and my gut gets bloated, gassy, constipated, and ends with bowel movements. All this time I thought I was just having mom brain or feeling the effects of postpartum, sleep deprivation, and the like (which I probably was having and the celiac disease just ramped it up!) I have yet to see a dietician but I've already been eating and shopping gluten-free. My husband and I have been working on turning our kitchen 100% gluten-free (we didn't think this would be so expensive but he assured me that my health is worth all the money in the world). There are still a few things to replace and clean. I'm already getting tired of reading labels. I even replaced some of my personal hygiene care for myself and the kids because they were either made with oats or not labeled gluten-free. I have already started feeling better but have made some mistakes along the way or have gotten contamination thrown into the mix. It's been hard! Today I joked that I got diagnosed at the worst time of the year with all the holidays coming up. I will just need to bring my own food to have and to share. It will be okay but different after years of eating "normally". Today I ordered in person at Chipotle and was trying not to feel self-conscious as the line got long because they were following food-allergy protocols. It's all worth it to be the healthiest version of myself for me and my family. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little overwhelmed and a little overloaded!  I am thankful for this community and I look forward to learning more from you all. I need the help, that's for sure!
    • knitty kitty
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      On the AIP diet, all processed foods are eliminated.  This includes gluten-free bread.  You'll be eating meats and vegetables, mostly.  Meats that are processed, like sausages, sandwich meats, bacons, chicken nuggets, etc., are eliminated as well.  Veggies should be fresh, or frozen without other ingredients like sauces or seasonings.  Nightshade vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) are excluded.  They contain alkaloids that promote a leaky gut and inflammation.  Dairy and eggs are also eliminated.   I know it sounds really stark, but eating this way really improved my health.  The AIP diet can be low in nutrients, and, with malabsorption, it's important to supplement vitamins and minerals.  
    • Yaya
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By Yaya · Posted

      Thank you for responding and for prayers.  So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine.  You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison.  I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of.  Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including ridges on fingernails, eczema, hair falling out in patches, dry eyes, upset stomach constantly and other weird symptoms that I don't really remember.  Gastro did tests and endoscopy and verified celiac disease. Re heart: I was born with Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) and an irregular heartbeat, yet heart was extremely strong.  It was difficult to pick up the irregular heartbeat on the EKG per cardiologist.  I had Covid at 77, recovered in 10 days and 2 weeks later developed long Covid. What the doctors and nurses called the "kickoff to long Covid, was A-fib.  I didn't know what was going on with my heart and had ignored early symptoms as some kind of passing aftereffect stemming from Covid.  I was right about where it came from, but wrong on it being "passing".  I have A-fib as my permanent reminder of Covid and take Flecainide every morning and night and will for the rest of my life to stabilize my heartbeat.   
    • larc
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By larc · Posted

      When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back.  My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time.  But I passed on them. 
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread?  I will try the vitamins.  Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding.  I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty   I am going to look this diet up right away.  And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently is.  
×
×
  • 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.