Strange bowel movements after gluten free?

[Sarahcat58]

So since I’ve gone gluten free, I’ve had some issues with getting enough fiber. I take fiber supplements and drink prune juice daily to help with this. Recently though I’ve been constipated, I took a “smooth move” tea, and helped with this issue VERY FAST! I’ve been having trouble staying “regular” after going gluten free. Does anyone have any advice for that? It’s been 3 days since I’ve had the tea, colon still feels inflamed, still don’t have solid stools, and a lot of yellow mucus as well. It just really feels like my colon is inflamed, and I’m a little concerned about the large amounts of mucus I’ve also been passing. I’m dairy and gluten free, and I don’t eat much processed foods either, so I’m not sure what my issue could be. I’ve also had this diet for about 4 months now, so it’s not like the diet is a new shock to my body either.

[GFinDC]

Hi Sarah,

Are you sure the fiber products and other vitamins etc are gluten-free?   It's real easy for gluten to get in our diet at first.  Everything needs to be checked.  Drinks like tea, coffee, etc also.

The mucus sounds like an inflammation issue, ie a reaction to something in your diet.  All of us are individuals, so what is ok for one person's diet may not be ok for another.  Many of us have developed additional food intolerances beyond gluten.  Mine are dairy, nightshades, carrots, soy, celery, oats, grapes, strawberries.  You can find out your intolerances by doing an elimination diet.

It's possible also that you have something different from celiac causing your symptoms.  Crohn's or UC or something else.  Those conditions may need different treatments.  For now the simpler you keep your diet the better.  If you only eat 5 foods then it is easier to sort out culprits.  Maybe you can switch to a diet of apples, rice, chicken, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.   See if that helps your symptoms any.

You need to be your own food detective.

[Ennis-TX]

7 hours ago, Sarahcat58 said:

So since I’ve gone gluten free, I’ve had some issues with getting enough fiber. I take fiber supplements and drink prune juice daily to help with this. Recently though I’ve been constipated, I took a “smooth move” tea, and helped with this issue VERY FAST! I’ve been having trouble staying “regular” after going gluten free. Does anyone have any advice for that? It’s been 3 days since I’ve had the tea, colon still feels inflamed, still don’t have solid stools, and a lot of yellow mucus as well. It just really feels like my colon is inflamed, and I’m a little concerned about the large amounts of mucus I’ve also been passing. I’m dairy and gluten free, and I don’t eat much processed foods either, so I’m not sure what my issue could be. I’ve also had this diet for about 4 months now, so it’s not like the diet is a new shock to my body either.

Fiber can be addressed by adding whole seeds like pumpkin seeds, flax meal, chia seeds (chia pudding is great with almond milk), Nuts etc. I use nut based baked goods and eat low carb (keto and atkins rotation).
I used to have constipation issues....exact opposite now days, but I used to take Natural Vitality Calm for it, many times celiac constipation can be caused by magnesium deficiency. Start with a scale and 2g a day up it another 2g or 1/4tsp a day til you get loose stools then back it back down.

Mucus, I have UC and it causes this, I use aloe vera, slippery elm, and marshmallow root to sooth it, I get the slippery elm and marshmallow either Natures Plus or from Bulk Supplements on amazon and take 1/2-1tsp each twice daily, it coats and soothes the intestines

Keep a food dairy and limit you foods to a few different ones, try to keep it balanced and rotate foods out, heck I can not have carbs or sugars or it flares my UC and blood sugar. Everyone is different.
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[cyclinglady]

Sarah,

Read the box.  

This “tea” is processed.  It contains several ingredients that could be harmful (as stated on the box) and should not be taken with many illnesses like Inflammatory Bowel Disease which you could have since you are not diagnosed with anything yet because you are in school.   Just because it is Kosher and organic (notice they did not state gluten free and if it were me, I would contact the manufacturer as they make many different tea blends that could cause a cross contact issue) does not mean it is safe.  (I would still avoid this tea because it is not regulated by the FDA for efficacy).  

Because you are undiagnosed and are trialing the diet to see if it helps, you must take extra precautions (which I am sure you know now).  Stick with unprocessed foods.  All processed foods, supplements and medications are suspect and must be researched.  Consider more natural approaches to resolving constipation which could be diet related (e.g. lack of fiber or dehydration), active celiac disease, or something else like IBD.  

The advice the others have provided is excellent.  I hope you recover fast.  If not, see if you can get into a doctor during the break.