Should I still have stomach pain?

[aak27]

Hi all,

It's been about two and a half months since I was diagnosed with celiac.  I have never had strong reactions to gluten.  I figured out that I had celiac because I had very consistent stomach pain for months before I was diagnosed. I have always been very gassy but never had any other issues besides stomach pain.  I've been off gluten since my diagnosis and off dairy for about a month and my stomach pain has not gone away.  It gets better and worse but I have not had a day without it.  It got a lot worse a couple of weeks ago so I went into the doctor who treated me for gastritis, which helped, but the pain is still very much there. 

Has anyone had a similar experience? How long should I expect it to take before the pain goes away?  I am wondering if I am reacting to another food but I can't identify what it is because I have no immediate reactions to food and the pain is there so often.  Has anyone else dealt with something like this?  I can't get into see a celiac specialist for a month and both my doctor and GI have no idea.

Thanks for any help!

[ravenwoodglass]

I can't say it will be the case for you but I had stomach pain until I eliminated soy. Funny gluten free I don't get stomach pain when glutened but still do if soy sneaks in. What has been most effective for me in relieving the pain is Pepto Bismal liquid.

 

[aak27]

Thanks!  I actually has read about soy somewhere online so I tried removing soy about two weeks ago and so far no real change.  I will go get some pepto!

[cyclinglady]

I am kind of confused.  You were diagnosed as having celiac disease based on a celiac blood panel and biopsy (via endoscopy)?  Or are you self-diagnosed and your doctor thinks you have gastritis?  

If you have not officially diagnosed with celiac disease, you should consider getting back on to a gluten diet and getting tested (celiac disease tests are invalid if you are not on a gluten diet).  

If you have celiac disease, consider reading our Newbie 101 thread pinned at the top of the page under the "Coping" section.  You might still be getting gluten into your diet.  Also, it can take months to years for symptoms to resolve.  You might have intolerances (like soy or dairy) or you could have SIBO, Crohn's etc.  Those last items should be ruled out by a GI.  

 

[aak27]

Thanks! Sorry, yes, I was diagnosed by both endoscopy and blood test so I definitely have it.  My doctor thinks I also had gastritis over the last month, which she said can sometimes be related to Celiac.  Is that something anyone else has experienced?

I've been super careful about gluten and cross contamination.  It's definitely possible some is sneaking in but I have been mostly cooking at home with simple ingredients so I think if any is sneaking in, it's probably rare.

It is good to know that it can take months for symptoms to resolve.  Maybe mine is just taking longer than some others.  I guess I will just have to wait a month to talk to the GI to see if he can figure out if there is actually something else going on or if it just takes time.  In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions of how to identify other intolerances, that would be super helpful.  Removing things just doesn't seem to be working.