Swollen Stomach Won't Go Away

[Booklover15]

I hope this hasn't been asked before. I'm new on here and tried to search. I am 12 weeks gluten free. I had most of the average symptoms: swollen stomach (looked pregnant), pain, gas, etc. hair loss was a biggie for me as well as zero vitamin absorption. I've been on massive supplements for years.

My question, I'm feeling much better being gluten free for over 12 weeks, but I am still having weight fluctuations and my stomach is still protruding; especially after I eat. All the pain and gas is gone, so I don't think I'm eating something my system doesn't like. After I eat, my upper and lower stomach will swell big, almost like the food is just sitting there. After several hours, it will go down and my weight will decrease.

I am a small person (5'2 115 pounds) so every thing shows drastically on me.

Is this swelling normal? Will it ever go away? Like I said. The pain and other terrible symptoms are gone, but this seems to be hanging on. I don't know about the vitamin deficiency for another week when I'm retested. Hair is growing back, yippee!!

Thank you all for all your shared wisdom! I have been lurking on here for many weeks trying to understand Celiac.

[1desperateladysaved]

Sounds like you are doing well.  Keep up the good work.  I had a stubborn protruding abdomen and mine had to do with other allergies and histamine so far as I can tell.  It finally is going down after I cut out all foods I had antibodies to.  It does tend to get larger again when I am exposed to anything I have allergies to.  I hope you can get to the bottom of your issues soon.

 

Dee

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[cyclinglady]

Time. You need more of it. Celiac disease can cause extensive damage and it can take up to 1 to 3 years to heal. Keep a journal and see if you have developed any intolerances (e.g. Dairy/lactose). And make sure gluten is not sneaking into your diet.

[Booklover15]

Thanks for the responses! after I wrote this, I started thinking more. Not all symptoms have to be negative. Pre diagnosis, my stomach swelling was constant, a lot bigger, very painful and gassy. Everything I ate went straight through me. The swelling now feels more like you feel after a big Thanksgiving dinner. I am tired and feel full after I eat a meal, but no other symptoms. Maybe this means my system is finally turning on. Very slowly the intestines are actually taking the food and using it like its supposed to. I will ask my doctor next week. I'm a girl, so I hate the swelling and I'm now hungry all the time!

Thanks to you all for so much help. Because of this site, I started a food diary right away. I also use it to comment on how I feel that day, etc. So far, I haven't found any major reactions to other foods. Also, I have stayed away from all processed foods--not that I can afford most of them anyway. I eat just cooked veggies, rice, chicken, potatoes, fruit, etc. Thanks so much!

[SMRI]

I was just noticing today that the top of my stomach/torso, was not as puffy as it had been--it was oddly shaped and just weird looking.  Now that it's mostly gone, I'm pretty sure it was gluten related.  I've been gluten-free since July.  The rest of my torso is still puffy but that is because I weigh too much

[Sbwife14]

This information is helping answer some of my questions as well. Thanks for the info!