How Long Till Pain Subsides

[Sheryl in NJ]

Hi all,

I started a gluten-free diet 10 days ago. I have noticed an increase in my energy level, and for the first 8 days, the abdominal pain I was experiencing intermittently was not present. Well day 9 and 10, the pain is back in full force. Does this mean that the gluten-free diet is not the answer to fit my symptoms? I am also menstruating beginning on day 7...does this have any effect?

My history:

I have been having this lower right pain in my belly. This has been going on for about 10 months now. I have been seeing the doctor since last November. They have done a CAT scan, two different pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds (at two different times), a colonoscopy, and bloodwork (standard stuff). Nothing reveals anything positive. My family practicioner asked me to humor her and consider Celiac Disease and try the gluten-free diet.

Thanks for any info you can share.

How long did it take on the gluten-free diet to notice a real difference?

Sheryl

[rinne]

Hi Sheryl, welcome.

I think your doctor is a gem. I would give the gluten free diet some time, at least six weeks, and make sure that everything is gluten free, toothpaste, new wooden cutting boards, supplements....it is a learning curve.

[Aerin328]

Yes, give the gluten-free diet some time. I just began about 4 weeks ago and I also still experience intermittent pain. From what I read on numerous other posts, recovery of primary symptoms (including cramps) can take 2-3 months to begin and quite a bit longer to subside totally. Stay on it! In the mean-time try Gas-X - it seems to help the pain for me sometimes.

[Deb B]

Hi,

When I read about gluten and decided to stop eating gluten because of IBS symptoms, my symptoms improved in about 3 days especially the bloating and diarrea. I still have symptoms, especially if I accidently eat wheat, and I think it can get worse with my cycle. (My cycle is harder to notice since I have an IUD that stops my periods, although I do ovulate). Basically, I was having severe bloating and cramps at least once a week - like childbirth pains - and now I've gone for 2-3 weeks feeling pretty good if I'm really careful about what I eat. I have way less bloating, but seem to have more diarrea when I've been exposed to gluten. At one point I thought dairy made me bloat (or constipated) and wheat gave me diarrea, based on my experimenting with different diet combinations. I did not test positive with a blood test although I warned my doctor I had been avoiding wheat and all gluten for 4 months and my internist was skeptical about my results, but when I tried eating wheat again, I got very sick again (diarrea for about 2 days). I'm not sure what to do next except to keep a journal about my diet and symptoms or pay for lab work at enterolab.

If you have pain in your belly, it could also be a hernia, especially if you've had any children. I had pain on and off on my right side, extending to my kidneys at times, and my doctor concluded it was a small hernia. I was tested for gallbladder at the time too. It rarely hurts me anymore (my third child is now 10), but I hear hernias are very common after childbirth.

I guess as long as we are tested to keep eliminating the serious illnesses, we do no harm by staying off the gluten. I've been trying since January and I'm getting pretty used to it. I still get sick, but not as often. I also take a green powder "green magic" and digestive enzymes which help me cheat a little on milk products which I also avoid. Green magic keeps my system moving which I seem to need to feel normal.

Hope this helps.