Cramping after going gluten free?

[Sarahcat58]

So I’ve recently had a problem with gluten and dairy. The blood test came back negative for celiac, so I am planning for an endoscopy in a few months when my college semester ends. Unfortunately due to my own ignorance and lack of knowledge of celiac and gluten testing, I’ve been gluten free for about four months. So when I get this endoscopy scheduled, I’ll have to start eating gluten beforehand for atleast a month I believe, which I am not looking forward too. Anyways, sometimes when I eat certain foods (chicken, rice, harder to digest foods). I get this dull annoying ache centered around my belly button area (I’m not sure if it’s because I was accidently glutened or not?) but after about 6 hours the dull ache moves outwards, so there’s a cramping feeling around either of my hip bone area (weird??). It feels like more of a muscle cramp than anything so I don’t think it’s got anything to do with my appendix, but it’s strange because my stomach cramp seems to move to a strange area and I’ve never had that before. Since I’m pre diagnosis and I haven’t got the confirmation of celiac disease yet (it very well could be UC or something else). I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this before?

[GFinDC]

Hi Sarahcat,

I've had pain and aching in the abdomen before.  Some of it sharp pain and some dull aching.  But people get a wide range of symptoms with celiac disease.  So it's hard to diagnose by symptoms alone.

[karla a winston]

Hi Saracat:  You are so not alone.  I can only speak for myself, but what I have found out is that when ones intestines are so broken they can't absorb much of anything, minerals are among the first that just slide right through the GI track.  RLS is caused basically by malabsorption of iron and minerals.  Cramping (80% of the time according to studies) is caused  by a malabsorption of magnesium.  I started using topical magnesium chlorate cream (a Dr. Axe recipe) or CALM that I purchased.  Apply it liberally to any areas that cramp and the skin absorbs it directly into the blood stream. Its great for sore muscles and scar injuries as well.  I am not sure this is why your stomach is cramping but this disease can hit so many places.  Please, if you can, get a cross intolerance test (like Cyrex labs) to see what else your body thinks is gluten.  Eggs and milk are often issues at least for a while with gluten sensitive or intolerant people.  I would suggest that if you feel better not eating something, don't eat it and don't put yourself through getting sick again because even a colonoscopy or endoscopy can be inconclusive.  It was with me.  I have never been diagnosed with anything, although I have almost died from consuming gluten, eggs and dairy.  Not anymore.  Maybe find a good NP that knows more about nutrition than M.D.'s commonly know.  Take care.

[laf2005laurie]

I had this--luckily i didn't know about xantham gum and didn't buy food that contained it for my first few months. Then i started cooking---trying to make bread and cake and bought a big bag of Red Mills xantham powder. First serving-- cramps and pain that I hadn't had at all since going on gluten-free diet. Second serving...cramps and pain...Third time with something else I cooked with the xantham gum......knew what the trouble was.   Later got same thing after making french toast --had 4 slices of store bought bread--double over cramps- read ingredients--sure enough, xantham gum was in the bread. Over last decade this one ingredient has got me more times than undeclared wheat. Pain is horrible--xantham gum will turn into slime if the powder is left in the air because it pulls in moisture...same thing happens in the gut--gut doesn't like to be dehydrated like that I don't think.

 

[Sarahcat58]

Wow I never even considered xanthem gum! I would like to test the theory but I’m also a little worried about starting the symptoms. Currently I’m trying to eat only Whole Foods, and avoid trigger foods for me (onions, peppers, spices, dairy, etc). I’ve also tried a few different magnesium products lately (which i havnt before since all my intestinal drama started). I’ve taken the magnesium that’s in Epsom salts, via bath soak and also lotions with the ingredient. I’ve also tried magnesium citrate pills and just plain magnesium. This has worked wonders for me so far.

[laf2005laurie]

mmm. I didn't mention- last summer drama but your mention of magnesium citrate rang a bell...   I drank 2 coffee ice- shakes instead of food at fastfood joint last summer thinking they were gluten-free.  Next two months--gut so screwed..can't believe I forgot. It wasn't only the initial ripping pain as much as complete blockage. --castor oil, magnesium citrate other laxatives--nothing seemed to work very well or for more than a day. Strongly felt whaterver used or was in those shakes--xantham or? caused the problem...I didn't bother to investigate- but swore off all fast food shakes.