Bowel Movements

[Bruce Thomas]

I have gone to a Gluten Free diet as to the fact that I have had signs and symptoms of Celiac Disease, and my immediate family have been diagnosed with Celiac. My question is this, I have been suffering from severe diarrhea for 2-3 weeks. How long before my BM go back to something close to normal?

[cyclinglady]

Well, that seems strange.

 Maybe you have a viral illness.  

Know that any dramatic dietary change can cause issues (think about when you change a dog’s food from one brand to another).  This is what happened to me.  I was diagnosed with celiac disease.  Hubby had been gluten-free for 12 years.  I knew the dietary drill.  What I did not know was that I could not tolerate Xanthan Gum found in so many processed gluten-free grain-containing products.  It did not bother hubby, but it bothered me!  

We are all unique and often have concurrent illnesses or other food intolerances. Try an elimination diet.  Eat real food, do not eat out, no processed foods, even gluten-free ones.  Do this for a few weeks and then slowly add in foods.   Keep a food and symptom journal.  Your GI upset could be a food intolerance.  

If not, call your doctor.  

[ravenwoodglass]

Hi Bruce welcome to the board. You have come to a great place for info and support. Do be sure to read the Newbie 101 post at the top of the Coping section. Cyclinglady has given some good advice sticking to whole foods is a good idea as is the idea of a food and symptom diary. It can take some time to heal and we can have a lot of ups and downs at first. Ask any questions you need to as we have a lot of kind and knowledgeable folks here.

PS Like your avatar.

[GFinDC]

Hi Bruce,

I hope you got tested for celiac disease before going gluten-free.  If you do want to be tested you have to be eating gluten for the testing to be accurate.

The first 6 months of the gluten-free diet can be kinda rough.  But is seems like a slow. steady improvement over that time is possible.  Diet changes that help are sticking with whole foods and and avoiding all dairy and oats.  Processed foods, even gluten-free processed foods can be a problem at first.

I hope you feel better soon.