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

''The'' stomach ache....how could artificial sweeteners and gluten cause the same feeling?

BlackShoesBlackSocks

Recommended Posts

BlackShoesBlackSocks Enthusiast
BlackShoesBlackSocks
Posted

Hey all

 

So l am undiagnosed but along with other symptoms have had increasingly bad stomach aches for over the past year.

 

They are specific, l tend to remember what l was doing and where l was when l have them. It's ''that'' thing again. l don't believe l had this kind of stomachache in childhood or even as a teenager, ever. Likely not until mid 20s, then a year might pass without one.

 

Now it happens at least once a month, before being gluten-free, once a week for the last few months. They  last several hours, at first l had to ride it out at work and the most severe one was probably around Christmas last year, l'm a retail manager and was on register. While they happen l lean INTO the counter to try and apply pressure to the upper middle slight left  area of my stomach.

 

Now sometimes l've found drinking soda helps, but l have no idea why it would. Not sucralose or aspartame containing, l do NOT drink diet soda or eat lght foods, but l do consume a lot of gum and mints with sucralose or aspartame, and afterward, ot seems like the same stomach ache, almost like something is being pushed...out?

 

l am newly gluten-free but have been strict so l am just not sure why aspartame would cause the same feeling as what l thought was a gluten stomach ache. FWIW, the worst episode actually was after catered Olive Garden last Christmas and this often happens after pasta and heavily preserved pasta like Chef Boyardee products.

 

as a kid l was a big pasta lover and had none of these problems!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Bubbles from soda can help move the gas along!

I find that aspartame gives me  & one of my sons (not Celiac) a stomach ache but we are fine with sucralose.  I know some people (Celiac or not) that have the exact opposite.  

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted

Sugar free gum is a total no no for me. Gives me tons of digestive distress!

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
1 minute ago, Victoria1234 said:

Sugar free gum is a total no no for me. Gives me tons of digestive distress!

Chewing gum causes you to swallow a lot of air.

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted
Just now, kareng said:

Chewing gum causes you to swallow a lot of air.

Aspartame does the same to me when I used to drink soda or use those packets in a restaurant to sweeten my tea. (I am of course in the south!) Now, I just don't ingest any sugar subs at all and call it a day. But that pain and the abdominal pain I had before going off gluten was very similar.

BlackShoesBlackSocks Enthusiast
BlackShoesBlackSocks
Posted
  • Author
23 minutes ago, kareng said:

Bubbles from soda can help move the gas along!

I find that aspartame gives me  & one of my sons (not Celiac) a stomach ache but we are fine with sucralose.  I know some people (Celiac or not) that have the exact opposite.  

Does it feel similar to what you would experience after eating gluten if you have gluten related stomach aches as well?

 

Maybe l'm just more sensitive at this point. lve also noticed eating a plain green apple helps too so maybe whatever is going on in that specific area is just intense gas.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
Just now, BlackShoesBlackSocks said:

Does it feel similar to what you would experience after eating gluten if you have gluten related stomach aches as well?

 

Maybe l'm just more sensitive at this point. lve also noticed eating a plain green apple helps too so maybe whatever is going on in that specific area is just intense gas.

Yes.  Aspartame and the sweetener in gum make me feel like a gluten ache.  But it is short lived and doesn't cause the exhaustion and diarrhea I get from gluten

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Ennis-TX Grand Master
Ennis-TX
Posted

I have a very similar if not worse bipoloar mind trips to aspartame as gluten complete Mr. Hyde yelling, punching walls, snapping 180 difference in personality.

Jaemac Rookie
Jaemac
Posted

I agree with all above. I find artificial sweeteners can make my stomach hurt but then so does soda, I'm  just not good with bubbleds. On the other hand, preservatives are a total and complete no-no for me.  If I pair high preservatives with gluten I'm sick for days and days and days. I guess then my very worst meal is  my favorite, pizza with lots of pepperoni etc and diet soda, lol. I do miss it, it's one of the only cravings I still get. I also find that if I've been glutened in the past month, I react much more strongly to some foods. Normally now I'm ok with cheese but if I've been glutened it reverts back to lactose intolerance for 3-6 months. I do just what you do with that stomach pain, lean into something or lie down and massage my stomach, pressure seems to relieve it momentarily.

BlackShoesBlackSocks Enthusiast
BlackShoesBlackSocks
Posted
  • Author
15 hours ago, Jaemac said:

I agree with all above. I find artificial sweeteners can make my stomach hurt but then so does soda, I'm  just not good with bubbleds. On the other hand, preservatives are a total and complete no-no for me.  If I pair high preservatives with gluten I'm sick for days and days and days. I guess then my very worst meal is  my favorite, pizza with lots of pepperoni etc and diet soda, lol. I do miss it, it's one of the only cravings I still get. I also find that if I've been glutened in the past month, I react much more strongly to some foods. Normally now I'm ok with cheese but if I've been glutened it reverts back to lactose intolerance for 3-6 months. I do just what you do with that stomach pain, lean into something or lie down and massage my stomach, pressure seems to relieve it momentarily.

l'm really glad you know whatl mean by ''the'' pain, in the same spot. l had never had that kind of pain before. l know it doesn't mean that it's gluten related specifically, but it is a realllly awful stomach ache. if l had never tried to figure out what it was l may be getting them at work daily now, it would suck to have to leave because of a stomach ache but all you can do is bend over, lean in or lay down!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,857
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    LowellFrancis
    Newest Member
    LowellFrancis
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Ibuprofen

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      Some interesting articles regarding the use of Zinc Carnosine to help heal gastric ulcers, gastritis and intestinal permeability. I would consult a medical professional about it's use. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncpgasthep0778 https://www.rupahealth.com/post/clinical-applications-of-zinc-carnosine---evidence-review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7146259/ https://www.fallbrookmedicalcenter.com/zinc-l-carnosine-benefits-dosage-and-safety/
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      He is. Which makes everything even more difficult. I’m not a believer in “staying for the kids” but I have nowhere to go and it’s not just me, it’s me plus my babies. We live in a beautiful place, lots of land in the country and me and the kids love the place we’ve called home for their entire lives. But Im seeing that he’ll never change, that my kids deserve a happy healthy Momma, and that staying in this as is will be the early death of me. Then I look at the scars covering my entire body…this disease and the chronic stress I’ve been enduring for years that tell me I’m no longer beautiful and no one will ever look at me with interest again. I try self care, try to give myself grace so I can just start loving myself enough to gain strength but the slightest sparkle in my eye and skip in my step attracts his wrath and it all comes crashing ten fold. Life is just absolutely railing me from every single direction leaving me wanting to wave that white flag bc I don’t feel like there’s much hope no matter what happens. 
    • trents
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By trents · Posted

      Is this man the father of your children?
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis after years of suffering without answers. I lost my mind. I lost my job. I lost so much time. I lost Me. Conventional doctors are opulent come near me and the one who did sat across the room, misdiagnosed me, pumped me full of steroids which collapsed my entire hip for 6 months. So without answers I began my holistic journey. Fast forward a couple of years and still struggling with a mysterious whole body itchy, crawling “skin hell”, perfect teeth now deteriorating, thick hair now thinning rapidly and no more than a day or 2 at most relief….An acquaintance opened up a functional medicine practice. Cash only, I found a way. Within a month tests clearly showing my off the charts gluten allergy/sensitivity as well as the depletion of vital nutrients due to leaky gut and intestinal damage. dermatitis herpetiformis was more than likely what I was experiencing with my skin. I was happy. I thought this is easy, eat healthy Whole Foods, follow the diet restrictions and I finally get to heal and feel confident and like myself again very soon! 😔 Supplements are very pricey but I got them and began my healing. Which leads to the other major issue: not working, stay at home Mom of young kids, entirely financially dependent on my man of 7 plus years. He’s never been supportive of anything I’ve ever done or been thru. He controls everything. I’m not given much money ever at a time and when he does leave money it’s only enough to possibly get gas. His excuse is that I’ll spend it on other things. So my “allowance” is inconsistent and has conditions. He withholds money from me as punishment for anything he wants. Since being diagnosed, he’s gained a new control tactic to use as punishment. He now is in control of when I get to eat. He asked for proof of my diagnosis and diet bc he said I made it up just to be able to eat expensive organic foods. Then after I sent him my file from my doctor he then said she wasn’t a real doctor. 😡. I go days upon days starving, sometimes breaking down and eating things I shouldn’t bc I’m so sick then I pay horribly while he gets annoyed and angry bc I’m not keeping up with all the duties I’m supposed to be doing. His abuse turns full on when I’m down and it’s in these desperate times when I need his support and care the most that I’m punished with silence, being starved, ignored, belittled. He will create more of a mess just bc I’m unable to get up and clean so that when I am better, I’m so overwhelmed with chores to catch up that the stress causes me to go right back into a flare from hell and the cycle repeats. I’m punished for being sick. I’m belittled for starving and asking for healthy clean water. I’m purposely left out of his life. He won’t even tell me he’s going to the grocery or to get dinner bc he doesn’t want me to ask him for anything. I have no one. I have nothing. Im not better. My supplements ran out and I desperately need Vitamin D3 and a methylated B complex at the very minimal just to function….he stares at me blankly…no, a slight smirk, no words. He’s happiest when im miserable and I am miserable.  this is so long and im condensing as much as I can but this situation is so complicated and disgusting. And it’s currently my life. The “IT” girl, the healthy, beautiful, perfect skin, perfect teeth, thick and curly locks for days, creative and talented IT girl….now I won’t even leave this house bc Im ashamed of what this has dont to my body, my skin. Im disgusted. The stress is keeping me from healing and I think he knows that and that’s why he continues to keep me in that state. He doesn’t want me confident or successful. He doesn’t want me healed and healthy bc then how would he put the blame of all his problems on me? This journey has been hell and I’ve been in Hell before. I’ve been killed by an ex, I’ve been raped, robbed, held hostage, abused beyond nightmares but the cruelty I’ve experienced from him bc of this disease is the coldest I’ve ever experienced. I’ve wanted to give up. Starving and in tears, desperate…I found a local food pantry in our small town so I reached out just saying I had Celiac and was on hard times. This woman is blessing me daily with prepared gluten free meals, donations, educational info, people who know this disease and how they manage life and the blessings just keep coming. But it’s overwhelming and I feel like I don’t deserve it at all. He just glared and I know he’s going to sabotage it somehow. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m so broken and just want peace and healing. 
    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
×
×
  • 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.