Retraining Bowels

[von]

I was diagnosed celiac 5 years ago but I never saw my digestive issues as bad as so many other people have. After having pretty normal BMs, I first noticed things changing a bit in the summer. I started having loose stools daily - not quite diarrhea but just more urgent/loose than normal and seemed to be brought on when I was a bit more anxious like before a date. That problem seemed to sort it itself out and now I am suffering from more constipation. I feel like I’ll go 3 ish days of not being able to pass anything or only a little bit, have one good day where I feel relieved, and then it starts all over again.

What I’m wondering is: does anyone have any advice on how to retrain yourself to have regular bowel movements? I used to be able to go regularly every morning but even though I’m careful about my diet and water intake I can’t seem to go  sometimes I’ll actually get so desperate I’ll use my finger to remove stool that’s stuck right at the opening! I have internal hemorrhoids already so I can’t afford to have any more issues down there and I feel like worrying about this becoming an even bigger problem can make it worse!! I’m scared I will have some kind of fecal incontinence or rectal prolapse and I’m only 28F no kids! Any help would be appreciated.

[cyclinglady]

Did anything change in your gluten-free diet?  If not, Maybe you should call your GI.  When you have one autoimmune disorder, you can develop more.  For example, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I already had Hashimoto’s.  A few years later, I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Gastritis.  

Take care.  

[GFinDC]

It could be you are reacting to something in your diet besides gluten.  Oats are a problem for some celiacs.  Dairy is a problem for others.  I suggest you remove those 2 foods and see if it improves.  You can also try some magnesium.  But removing an irritating food could be the solution,