Few questions from a newbie, advice would be great!

[Tricks1208]

Hi, this is my first post here and recently been diagnosed with celiac. I was diagnosed around two months ago now and felt so much better up until the last few days. 

I felt so much better after having a gluten-free diet once I was diagnosed and thought I'd just have to make a few changes and I'd be fine. This week though I have been having constant indigestion and an uncomfortable feeling in my upper abdomen and really not sure why. Would anybody know what causes this?

I have stuck to my diet and not sure why this has come on all of a sudden. I've never suffered from this before and can't seem to shift it. 

Any help would be great.

Thanks all!

 

[trents]

Tricks1208, welcome to the forum!

Don't neglect the possibility that your new symptoms are not gluten-related. Sometimes those with celiac disease forget that there are things that can go wrong with our bodies that have nothing to do with celiac disease.

Having said that, I note that you stated, "I felt so much better after having a gluten-free diet once I was diagnosed and thought I'd just have to make a few changes and I'd be fine."

Recent studies have demonstrated that most people who claimed to be eating gluten free are actually practicing a lower gluten diet but still getting significant amounts of gluten exposure because they aren't careful about CC (cross contamination). This is especially true for those still eating out at restaurants. It's not enough to cut out the major sources of gluten like bread and pasta. Most of us discover that to get to the point where we are totally eliminating gluten from our lives involves a significant learning curve that may take a year or two before we are being consistent. Perhaps this will help: 

It is also true that as we begin to withdraw gluten from our diet we typically lose whatever tolerance to it we may have had when consuming it regularly. This means minor amounts of gluten that would formerly not have generated a reaction now do.

Edited August 25, 2022 by trents

[Wheatwacked]

If you are buying gluten free processed food it could be an ingredient in it that you are reacting to. Some people have withdrawal symptoms. Gluten acts on the opiod receptors so you may have a similar response. Our bodies only store a few weeks of vitamins so your gluten free diet may have vitamin and mineral intake deficiencies. For a quick check add a multivitamin like Geritol Multivitamin. Low fiber intake try Inulin. Work up to Three teaspoons a day

 Get plenty of Vitamin D, choline, folate, potassium, folate and B complex. They are common deficiencies in the Standard American Diet  I your are drinking milk, try switching to 100% Pasture fed. Commercial milk has 5 times the omega 6 as the pasture fed, twice as much as organic milk.

[Tricks1208]

Thanks both for the replies. I very much appreciate the advice. 

 Thank you.  

[Tricks1208]

The last few days I have also been suffering with the same symptoms I had before I was diagnosed with celiac. Once I had changed to a gluten free diet around 3 months ago I've felt much better although the last few days my symptoms have come back like before. 

 Is there anything I can do to get rid of the pain I'm getting in my lower abdomen?

 

Thanks. 

[trents]

You might want to get checked for Crohns or IBS. Both are more common in the celiac population than in the general population. I would also checked into an occult fecal test to detect small amounts of blood in the stool.

[Wheatwacked]

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may have developed, causing the current symptoms especially if you've taken an antibiotic.

"This study showed that SIBO affects most celiacs with persistence of GI symptoms after gluten withdrawal." High prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in celiac patients with persistence of gastrointestinal symptoms after gluten withdrawal

Or one of my favorites, Choline deficiency;  causing gall bladder and fat digestion issues.   

Quote

"Choline – Used by doctors since 1947. Choline is essential to effectively metabolize fat, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates. Experience has shown that SP Choline is been a Nutritional Essential for people who suffer severe gall bladder symptoms and/or after gall bladder removal. Gall Bladder, A Vital Organ That is Being Removed At Alarming Rates

 

Or following @trents point of hidden gluten :  

 

[Tricks1208]

Thanks for quick reply again Trent's I really appreciate it, I have ordered a self check test to test my stool on your advice. 

Very interesting wheatwacked, thanks for the reply. 

In between being on here I have spoken to a doctor about my abdominal pain and she says it is normal and can happen once diagnosed with celiac, but personally I'm not sure she really knows a lot about being celiac, doesn't seem to want to help as I've not seen anything saying this sort of thing happens. 

I will stick to some IBS related tablets that I was given before the confirmation of having celiac for a few days and hope they help. 

Thanks again. 

 

 

[Wheatwacked]

57 minutes ago, Tricks1208 said:

she says it is normal

LOL

[knitty kitty]

It's helpful to record what you're eating in a  food-mood-poo'd journal.  

I've found the AutoImmune Protocol Diet very helpful.  It was developed by a Celiac doctor and has been scientifically proven to promote healing in the gastrointestinal tract.  

https://www.thepaleomom.com/start-here/the-autoimmune-protocol/

Yes, it's strict, but it really gives your digestive system a break from hard-to-digestibles, and a chance to recuperate.

Processed gluten free facsimile foods have so many chemicals and additives and no nutritional value, so be careful!  

Get checked for nutritional deficiencies as part of proper follow up care for Celiac people.  Consider supplementing with B Complex, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and magnesium while you heal.