gluten and soy lecithin intolerance

[ex pastaprincess]

I am new to all of this gluten free world.  I was always feeling nauseated, stomach pain, anorexic and just plain yucky.  The constant diarrhea just became intolerable.   I had been suffered with these symptoms for many years until I decided to figure out the cause.  My doc said it was probably IBS.  After getting even worse on Imodium, I stopped the med.  My doc suggested gluten intolerance.  As an Italian grandmother, I dismissed the possibility.  The condition just became even worse.  Decided to give up gluten, I mean I could barely eat or even think about food at that point, anyway.  I messed up a bit in the beginning.  A hot dog made me sick for days.

I researched the subject to help me navigate this rocky road better.  I was afraid to eat for a few days and finally after about 10 days, my stomach started to feel better.  Last night, I ate a small piece of steak.  It was my only food for the day.   Then I thought I would have some plain M&Ms.  I called them and asked if they had gluten.  They said no.  I ate a few handfuls, and this morning I am back to all the same symptoms!  Is it common to have a gluten and soy lecithin intolerance at the same time???

[SLLRunner]

Welcome, @ex pastaprincess!

I am sorry you are not feeling well.

Is there a possibility you could be lactose intolerant? M&M don't have gluten, but they are milk chocolate.

You said your doctor suggested gluten sensitivity. Did he take a blood test for celiac? Do an endoscope?  If I were you,  I'd suggest getting tested, but keep in mind you have to be eating gluten until all testing is complete.

[cyclinglady]

If your doctor suspected that you had a gluten intolerance, he really should have tested you for celiac disease before recommending you go on a gluten free diet.  It can take months to YEARS to heal from all the damage that celiac disease can do.  Staying on a gluten free diet is hard (but doable) when you are not really sure you have celiac disease.  Now, some folks are at the end of their rope, there's no changing doctors or they financially can not afford testing.  But if you can get back on and get tested, I would strongly recommend it.  Here are the tests:

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If your doctor is not willing to test you, then I recommend finding a doctor who is willing to diagnose you instead of falling back on the IBS "I Be Stumped" diagnosis.  You should also rule out Crohn's, SIBO or parasites.  Your health is important!  

Back to why you should be tested.  Elevated celiac antibodies can take up to a year to come down.  That means you will continue to have good days and bad days even though you may be on a strict gluten free diet. You just have to soldier on and maintain the diet.   Food intolerances  (which vary among celiacs) are common because your gut is damaged.   The most common food intolerance is lactose.  The enzymes needed to digest lactose are not released because intestinal villi tips are damaged.  Often this is just temporary.  

Celiac disease is genetic and all first- degree relatives (siblings, kids)  should be tested even if they are symptom free.  

I wish you well!