Gluten Free Since 2010 And Still Suffering.

[Celiacsuffer09]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forums and I'm here looking for some support. I was diagnosed at the age of 29 in February of 2009 with Celiac disease. The diagnoses was by blood work alone and I started the gluten-free diet right away. In May of that year I become really ill and was sent in for a scope procedure. The biopse came back negative for Celiac disease so I started eating gluten again, but the smytoms was still there. I was still having frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, sudden urgency to have a bowel movements and so fourth. So I went back and had the scope procedure done again and the biopse showed Celiac disease. I started the diet once again and have been gluten-free since March 2010.

Since being gluten-free I have seen some improvement, but to this day I still have digestive issues. Like today, I have had 7 bowel movements. I'm doing everything to keep gluten out of my diet, I exercise a lot and trying to be healthier. In the past year alone I have had 2 scope procedures done and things come back looking good. No blunting of the villi or any signs of other diseases. Some days I feel so lost and don't really know what to be eating anymore.

The doctor recommended taking a fiber supplement, that didn't help. He recommended 2 different medications for IBS, which I tried both with no affect. I was tested for lactose intolerence which came back negative. I just don't know what to be doing.

I do have other health issues. I have been battling depression since 2010 and I have back issues. I question if these other issues are having a impact on my digestive problems. I was wondering what other health issues my fellow Celiac suffers have? I am also looking for advice and help in regards to my digestive issues. I would like to know if you all are still having issues while being gluten-free? When the GI doc tells you there isn't much more that he can do for you, you feel alone and question if you will ever get better.

[NoWhammies]

I'm sorry you're still struggling. Have you ever tried the low-FODMAP plan for IBS? The four-week elimination diet can help you determine if perhaps certain types of carbohydrates are causing some of your symptoms. It's pretty restrictive, but it's only four weeks. Also, do others in your home eat gluten/prepare foods with gluten? I wonder if you are dealing with cross contamination issues.

[cyclinglady]

How is your gallbladder? Still functioning? Any other food intolerances?

[Dugudugu]

I was also tested for lactose intolerance and the test came back negative, just like the gluten, soy but also cats and dog allergies. If I eat a slice of cheese or sleep with a cat beside my pillow, I'll know immidiately. So for me the test has no value and I recomment to go lactose-free afteral for some time and give it a try.

Currently I am having the same issues as you have. My docter has send me in for a colonscopy as he wants to make sure the problem is not there. I still have to find the courage to make the appointment....

[ravenwoodglass]

Are you taking any meds for the other conditions? If so have you checked to be sure that they are gluten free?  Have you tried eliminating all dairy and soy? Some of us have problems with those and casien (milk protein) intolerance wouldn't show up on lactose testing. Be sure to check out the newbie thread at the top of the Coping thread just in case there is something that is CCing you. Considering how much gluten we have to consume to be tested after being gluten free it might be possible that you are being CC'd but not at a high enough level to show up on testing. 

I hope you can get to the bottom of what is going on soon. 

[C-Girl]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forums and I'm here looking for some support. I was diagnosed at the age of 29 in February of 2009 with Celiac disease. The diagnoses was by blood work alone and I started the gluten-free diet right away. In May of that year I become really ill and was sent in for a scope procedure. The biopse came back negative for Celiac disease so I started eating gluten again, but the smytoms was still there. I was still having frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, sudden urgency to have a bowel movements and so fourth. So I went back and had the scope procedure done again and the biopse showed Celiac disease. I started the diet once again and have been gluten-free since March 2010.

Since being gluten-free I have seen some improvement, but to this day I still have digestive issues. Like today, I have had 7 bowel movements. I'm doing everything to keep gluten out of my diet, I exercise a lot and trying to be healthier. In the past year alone I have had 2 scope procedures done and things come back looking good. No blunting of the villi or any signs of other diseases. Some days I feel so lost and don't really know what to be eating anymore.

The doctor recommended taking a fiber supplement, that didn't help. He recommended 2 different medications for IBS, which I tried both with no affect. I was tested for lactose intolerence which came back negative. I just don't know what to be doing.

I do have other health issues. I have been battling depression since 2010 and I have back issues. I question if these other issues are having a impact on my digestive problems. I was wondering what other health issues my fellow Celiac suffers have? I am also looking for advice and help in regards to my digestive issues. I would like to know if you all are still having issues while being gluten-free? When the GI doc tells you there isn't much more that he can do for you, you feel alone and question if you will ever get better.

 

First: your doctor diagnosed you with celiac, you went gluten free for a few months and the biopsy was negative... and your doctor ignored the blood positive? If I were you, I'd get a new doctor! You ate gluten for almost a year and duh! You have damage to your small intestine. That just doesn't make any sense for a doctor to let you go through that.

 

Rather than your depression causing digestive issues, I would hazard a guess that your digestive issues are causing your depression. There have been Open Original Shared Link that support the idea, although other studies comparing depression rates in the celiac vs. general population didn't detect a difference.

 

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis half a year after going gluten free, the lingering symptoms were taking a huge toll on my mental health. Once I was treated for the MC, my mental state became immediately better.

 

The MC Open Original Shared Link in the celiac population is 50x that of the regular folks, so it's worth getting checked out. It involves a colonoscopy with numerous biopsies up and down the colon, unfortunately.

 

Best of luck, hope you get some answers.

[Celiacsuffer09]

I have looked into the Fodmap diet a few months ago. I think I may have to give it a try. I was questioning if I may have been getting cross contaminated by others I have lived with, but right now I'm living on my own and still having the issues. 

I'm sorry you're still struggling. Have you ever tried the low-FODMAP plan for IBS? The four-week elimination diet can help you determine if perhaps certain types of carbohydrates are causing some of your symptoms. It's pretty restrictive, but it's only four weeks. Also, do others in your home eat gluten/prepare foods with gluten? I wonder if you are dealing with cross contamination issues.

[Celiacsuffer09]

I think the doctor has tested my gallbladder, so I guess it's ok. As for other food intolerances, I have only been tested for lactose intolerance, so I'm unaware of any others.

How is your gallbladder? Still functioning? Any other food intolerances?

[Celiacsuffer09]

I have reduced my dairy intake dramatically from my diet. I switched to a Soy beverage to replace milk. I have tried eliminating all dairy from my diet before, with no real results.

I was also tested for lactose intolerance and the test came back negative, just like the gluten, soy but also cats and dog allergies. If I eat a slice of cheese or sleep with a cat beside my pillow, I'll know immidiately. So for me the test has no value and I recomment to go lactose-free afteral for some time and give it a try.

Currently I am having the same issues as you have. My docter has send me in for a colonscopy as he wants to make sure the problem is not there. I still have to find the courage to make the appointment....

[Celiacsuffer09]

I'm taking medications for my depression and hypertension, in which I always check with the pharmacy to ensure they are gluten-free. 

Are you taking any meds for the other conditions? If so have you checked to be sure that they are gluten free?  Have you tried eliminating all dairy and soy? Some of us have problems with those and casien (milk protein) intolerance wouldn't show up on lactose testing. Be sure to check out the newbie thread at the top of the Coping thread just in case there is something that is CCing you. Considering how much gluten we have to consume to be tested after being gluten free it might be possible that you are being CC'd but not at a high enough level to show up on testing. 

I hope you can get to the bottom of what is going on soon. 

[Celiacsuffer09]

My family doctor had diagnosed me with the blood work, but the GI doctor who took the biopsies basically ignored the blood work. In regards to the depression, I know a lot of that is from my digestive issues, but wonders some days is it the opposite. 

 

In regards to other GI diseases, I have had several scopes up and down and biopsies taken. No other diseases was found. 

First: your doctor diagnosed you with celiac, you went gluten free for a few months and the biopsy was negative... and your doctor ignored the blood positive? If I were you, I'd get a new doctor! You ate gluten for almost a year and duh! You have damage to your small intestine. That just doesn't make any sense for a doctor to let you go through that.

 

Rather than your depression causing digestive issues, I would hazard a guess that your digestive issues are causing your depression. There have been Open Original Shared Link that support the idea, although other studies comparing depression rates in the celiac vs. general population didn't detect a difference.

 

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis half a year after going gluten free, the lingering symptoms were taking a huge toll on my mental health. Once I was treated for the MC, my mental state became immediately better.

 

The MC Open Original Shared Link in the celiac population is 50x that of the regular folks, so it's worth getting checked out. It involves a colonoscopy with numerous biopsies up and down the colon, unfortunately.

 

Best of luck, hope you get some answers.

[beth01]

For other food intolerances, you are going to have to keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and drink and your symptoms when you get them so you can pinpoint the problem foods. Soy makes me feel like gluten does, cut out the soy milk and try an almond milk. Most likely the pharmacy isn't going to tell you about each an every med, you usually have to call the manufacturer, just my experience. Good luck and hope you feel better.

[cap6]

RE: meds......   If you can get your doctor to write your prescription out with "gluten free" on it the pharmacy will pay attention and be sure that the medication is ok.  If it's part of the prescription then they have to pay attention.  

[BoJonJovi]

It is likely that you are still eating out or are taking some medications or supplements that have gluten. Tighten er up partner and eat at home. 

 

It takes 1/200th of a teaspoon of gluten to set off the autoimmune response. If you remember that you can see the issue of eating out. If they have gluten fair it is likely that you are going to get some of it from an inexperienced cook or server. Eating out is a crap shoot at best. Frankly I would rather shoot craps, lose money than be sick. 

[JaneWhoLovesRain]

Hi - I'm wondering if you are eating anything that has the ingredients sorbitol  or manitol or inulin.  These give me terrible stomach and intestinal cramping and diarreah and nausea.  They are right at the top of my do not eat list along with gluten.

 

Edited to add - xanthan gum can do it also and unfortunately it's in a lot of gluten-free food as well as non gluten-free food.