Inguinal hernia ? Cause of constipation and finding out I have celiac

[Juanvw]

Hey,

This is all fairly new to me, I have eaten gluten my entire life (31 years old now) and always felt like bloated but figured that was normal until I had a bad reaction, got tested after I had serious abdominal pain and severe bloating only to be told I have a small hernia as well. Is that common?  Any tips on eating enough fiber? Sorry just feel like my world has flipped over,
thanks in advance 

[Scott Adams]

A hernia would not likely be related to celiac disease. I've not seen any studies on a correlation between the two. It is possible that people with hernias may end up getting screened for celiac disease more than those without, however I think it's a separate, unrelated issue.

[Juanvw]

49 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

A hernia would not likely be related to celiac disease. I've not seen any studies on a correlation between the two. It is possible that people with hernias may end up getting screened for celiac disease more than those without, however I think it's a separate, unrelated issue.

Thanks so much for responding! I was just wondering cause I have a small hernia and he said it probly was always there but since my symptoms got worse (bloating etc.) it’s more prominent or something to that effect. 
thanks for responding, this is all super overwhelming and it’s nice have a response with a straight answer. Does this all ever get normal? Cause right now the only thing I know is what I don’t know... 

[GFinDC]

Hi Juanvw,

Eating gluten-free does become the norm after a while.  Digestive symptoms often take months or more to go away.  If helps to stick 100% gluten-free, avoid dairy and oats, avoid restaurants, and eat whole foods not processed foods.  Whole foods are things like meats, fish, eggs, veggies, nuts and fruit.  Processed foods are things like cake, bread, cookies, cereal, pizza etc.  Basically if it has more than 3 ingredients avoid it.  Foods you make at home with more than 3 ingredients are fine though.

The simpler your diet is the less effort and time it takes to be sure it is gluten-free.  After you feel better and your GI system is stable adding more foods is fine to try.

[Juanvw]

17 hours ago, GFinDC said:

Hi Juanvw,

Eating gluten-free does become the norm after a while.  Digestive symptoms often take months or more to go away.  If helps to stick 100% gluten-free, avoid dairy and oats, avoid restaurants, and eat whole foods not processed foods.  Whole foods are things like meats, fish, eggs, veggies, nuts and fruit.  Processed foods are things like cake, bread, cookies, cereal, pizza etc.  Basically if it has more than 3 ingredients avoid it.  Foods you make at home with more than 3 ingredients are fine though.

The simpler your diet is the less effort and time it takes to be sure it is gluten-free.  After you feel better and your GI system is stable adding more foods is fine to try.

If I don’t have a reaction to dairy is there a reason why I should cut it out? 

[cyclinglady]

8 minutes ago, Juanvw said:

If I don’t have a reaction to dairy is there a reason why I should cut it out? 

If you are not lactose intolerant or have a true milk allergy, then feel free to consume dairy.  Many celiacs at the beginning are lactose intolerant, but that can resolve once the small intestine heals.  

Edited July 13, 2020 by cyclinglady

[cristiana]

I didn't realise it at first but much of my bloating after diagnosis was  to do with lactose intolerance.   When I went onto a gluten free diet  I was able to eat hard cheese but began to notice that yoghurt, milk, soft cheese which are high in lactose contributed to it.  I continued to eat hard cheese but cut back on the other stuff.  Once my gut had healed I was able to consume milk etc again, in moderation.

I found also that lentils and other fibrous foods caused me a lot of bloating, but now I'm healed less so.  

If I ever eat gluten by mistake I have to avoid dairy and lentils til I'm feeling a bit better.

I have a small umbilical hernia, caused by a pregnancy, that becomes uncomfortable if I put on too much weight around my waist or get bloated.  Otherwise it causes me no bother.  It seems when I do put on weight or get bloated it just puts a bit more pressure on that area.  

[Juanvw]

4 minutes ago, cristiana said:

I didn't realise it at first but much of my bloating after diagnosis was  to do with lactose intolerance.   When I went onto a gluten free diet  I was able to eat hard cheese but began to notice that yoghurt, milk, soft cheese which are high in lactose contributed to it.  I continued to eat hard cheese but cut back on the other stuff.  Once my gut had healed I was able to consume milk etc again, in moderation.

I found also that lentils and other fibrous foods caused me a lot of bloating, but now I'm healed less so.  

If I ever eat gluten by mistake I have to avoid dairy and lentils til I'm feeling a bit better.

I have a small umbilical hernia, caused by a pregnancy, that becomes uncomfortable if I put on too much weight around my waist or get bloated.  Otherwise it causes me no bother.  It seems when I do put on weight or get bloated it just puts a bit more pressure on that area.  

Thank you so much for that! I also thought I was lactose but I got tested and Small doses are fine but if I drink a whole gallon of milk then I get bloated. 
 

I think cause I had to continue eating gluten and feel huge from the bloating that is why my stomach hurts and why there is a small hernia( surgery is not needed anytime soon as stated by my doctor)  I don’t have a viable bulge or anything but I can feel it during certain times but I hope once all the gluten is out my system I should be fine! 

[cristiana]

44 minutes ago, Juanvw said:

Thank you so much for that! I also thought I was lactose but I got tested and Small doses are fine but if I drink a whole gallon of milk then I get bloated. 
 

I think cause I had to continue eating gluten and feel huge from the bloating that is why my stomach hurts and why there is a small hernia( surgery is not needed anytime soon as stated by my doctor)  I don’t have a viable bulge or anything but I can feel it during certain times but I hope once all the gluten is out my system I should be fine! 

Yes... that extra pressure makes itself felt.  In the UK where I live I understand they used to operate quickly if someone developed a hernia but nowadays they tend to leave it until it is necessary.  There is always a slight risk that it can quickly turn into an emergency but I've had mine for fourteen years now and it hasn't really altered much.