Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

I'm New! Any Help Greatly Appreciated

BadTummy

Recommended Posts

BadTummy Newbie
BadTummy
Posted

Hi!

I have been looking at this site for a few days now and think that I have a gluten problem. I have been having symptoms since I had my gall bladder out a 2 yrs ago and my problems seem to be escaltaing.

Pretty much my symptoms are: severe diahrea and stomach cramps sometimes asscoiated with nausea and also some vommiting about 3-5 hrs after eating (sometimes it happens a lot earlier, but usually 3- 5hrs). Now, it doesn't happen after I eat a salad, but if I eat anything else, I get sick. IE: Today I had a ham sandwhich and like clockwork, I just got sick!

Any info and help is much appreciated since I am brand new to all of this!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


amybeth Enthusiast
amybeth
Posted

It depends how confident you are that this is you....if you're pretty confident (over 50%), you should probably consult your dr. and at least have the bloodwork done.

If you're still not that sure...you could keep a food log for a couple of days....My reaction to gluten is pretty immediate (usually within 20 min after the fact)...some people's symptoms aren't realized until much later. If your body's pattern is 3 - 5 hours, then I would keep track of what I ate and then not eat again until that time window has passed. It may be a reaction to another food, too - like dairy? - the log would help you eliminate possibilities and target the culprit.

The log would be helpful if and when you did consult a dr. , too.

I am sorry you are feeling badly. It can be so frustrating - but once you have narrowed it down you can take the positive steps toward making sure it doesn't happen again - or at least not as often.

Good luck!

BadTummy Newbie
BadTummy
Posted
  • Author

As of right now, I have no health insurance, so going to my Dr is out... I am almost positive that I am intolerant to gluten. I will just have to wait to be tested. I am highly considering eliminating gluten for 2 weeks to see what happens...

par18 Apprentice
par18
Posted

Hi,

Well going gluten free to see what happens is certainly an option. Have you ever tried the diet before? This can be tricky as gluten could slip in your diet without you knowing and mess up your results. Also if this does work you will then have to make a decision whether or not to get any further testing done. Say you try the diet and your symptoms disappear. Would that be reason enough for you to stay on this diet from now on? If the answer is yes then nothing else would be needed. If it is no or you are not sure you may have to go back on gluten to see what happens. It can be simple or complicated based on what result you desire and how you obtain that result. If I had no health insurance then I think I would give the diet an honest effort and see what happens. Hope this helps.

Tom

BadTummy Newbie
BadTummy
Posted
  • Author
Hi,

Well going gluten free to see what happens is certainly an option. Have you ever tried the diet before? This can be tricky as gluten could slip in your diet without you knowing and mess up your results. Also if this does work you will then have to make a decision whether or not to get any further testing done. Say you try the diet and your symptoms disappear. Would that be reason enough for you to stay on this diet from now on? If the answer is yes then nothing else would be needed. If it is no or you are not sure you may have to go back on gluten to see what happens. It can be simple or complicated based on what result you desire and how you obtain that result. If I had no health insurance then I think I would give the diet an honest effort and see what happens. Hope this helps.

Tom

No, I have not tried it before. I am new to this with the exception of a child I know is on the diet due to possible Autism... I don't really even know where to start! That is why I joined this place so I could get more info, help and encouragement! At this point I am willing to try the diet though b/c I am tired of being sick to my stomach pretty much daily...

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted
Pretty much my symptoms are: severe diahrea and stomach cramps sometimes asscoiated with nausea and also some vommiting about 3-5 hrs after eating (sometimes it happens a lot earlier, but usually 3- 5hrs). Now, it doesn't happen after I eat a salad, but if I eat anything else, I get sick. IE: Today I had a ham sandwhich and like clockwork, I just got sick!

Welcome! Your symtpoms could be celiac related, and do sound food related. The reason why a food log would be so helpful is that you say it "doesn't happen if you eat a salad" - what was on that all of those salads that didn't bother you; did it include croutons? And you say that it does happen if you eat anything else? Is that *REALLY* anything else? An apple? A steak without seasonings? A breaded chicken? These are the sort of seemingly pedantic, but actually vital, questions that a food log can help answer.

That said, your responses, and response time, do fit within the classification of food intolerance symptoms.

As of right now, I have no health insurance, so going to my Dr is out... I am almost positive that I am intolerant to gluten. I will just have to wait to be tested. I am highly considering eliminating gluten for 2 weeks to see what happens...

If you choose to wait to be tested, there are two issues: the first is if you don't go gluten free if you are celiac - you continue to damage to your intestines and the rest of your system and increase your risks for long term serious complications, the second is if you do go gluten free - you will have to go back on gluten for at least three months prior to laboratory testing to get accurate results when you decide you do want to go that route.

Either choice is a valid one. The majority of doctors could not in all good conscious advise you to do anything but the first one (because the diet is "so difficult" - they're wrong on that front). Many of us on the board could not in all good conscious advise you to do anything but the later, if laboratory testing isn't an option.

Don't forget, however, that the dietary challenge - going gluten free for a good length of time (2-4 weeks, at least) then challenging with gluten (for 1-7 days), is a valid diagnostic test as well.

No, I have not tried it before. I am new to this with the exception of a child I know is on the diet due to possible Autism... I don't really even know where to start! That is why I joined this place so I could get more info, help and encouragement! At this point I am willing to try the diet though b/c I am tired of being sick to my stomach pretty much daily...

You've found a helpful resource! The diet isn't that hard once you get past the learning curve and adapt, but it's full of pitfalls that make the learning curve steep, and the adaptation a challenging process. The safest way to get started is to stick with naturally gluten free whole foods - produce, meats, eggs, beans, and naturally gluten-free whole grains (corn, rice, quinoa). Keep on reading - you'll find a lot of help!

Nantzie Collaborator
Nantzie
Posted

I always suggest that people go to the doctor and get tested mostly because you want to make sure it's not something else more scary.

But if that's out of the question anyway, I don't see any reason you shouldn't try the diet. There isn't a prescription the doctor could give you if you got an official diagnosis. There are a lot of people here who don't have an official diagnosis, so it certainly won't be a big deal here. A lot of people end up figuring it out for themselves for one reason or another. Testing isn't very reliable, doctors are misinformed, family is unsupportive, funds aren't available...

I agree with keeping a food diary. It may not end up being gluten, but another common food. Gluten is as good of a place to start as any.

Take some time though to really do some research on this message board. Read the archives. Read, read, read and read some more. It's a steep learning curve, but once you've got it, you've got it.

When I first found out about gluten, I ended up having to wait for several months for a biopsy (from September to February!). I pretty much understood most of the diet after about a month or so of being on this message board. So it's not that hard to figure out. By the time Christmas was over, I was so sick, and was so certain by my own trial and error that gluten was the issue that I went gluten-free right after Christmas. I'm never going to know for sure if I would have had a positive biopsy, and by that time I couldn't have cared less anymore. I just wanted to stop hurting.

I would say that you should spend some time on the message board learning as much as you can about the diet. One of the things about being gluten-free is that you really should try to be 100% or it's hard to tell if gluten is the issue.

I hope you feel better soon.

Nancy

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mn farm gal Apprentice
mn farm gal
Posted

I personally chose not to get test. I have been doctoring since 1998. I started the diet after coming across this board and someone I met that had Celiac. I then tried the diet instead of getting tested. I don't want that in my chart if I do ever come self employeed like I want to it would make it harder to get insurance at that time. It is a preference on what an offical diagnosis would do for you. I tried the diet and have not turned back once. Everyday gets better!!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,188
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    terencie
    Newest Member
    terencie
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      TTG IgA and IGA elevated mildy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hi, @thejayland10, Do you still consume dairy?  Dairy can cause increased tTg IgA levels in some people with celiac disease who react to casein, the protein in dairy, just like to gluten.   You might try cutting out the processed gluten free foods.  Try a whole foods, no carbohydrate Paleo diet instead, like the AIP diet (the Autoimmune Protocol Diet by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, a Celiac herself). Processed gluten free foods can be full of excess carbohydrates which can alter your microbiome leading to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).  SIBO is found in some people who are not responding to a gluten free diet.  SIBO can elevate tTg IgA levels.  The AIP diet cuts out sources of carbohydrates like rice, potatoes (nightshades), quinoa, peas, lentils, legumes, which starves out the SIBO bacteria.  Better bacteria can then proliferate.   I followed the AIP diet to get rid of my SIBO.  It's a strict diet, but my digestive tract had time to rest and heal.  I started feeling better within a few days.  Feeling improvement so soon made sticking to the AIP diet much easier. References: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth among patients with celiac disease unresponsive to a gluten free diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7759221/   Luminal antigliadin antibodies in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9260801/#:~:text=Luminal total IgA concentrations (p,response to local bacterial antigens.   Potato glycoalkaloids adversely affect intestinal permeability and aggravate inflammatory bowel disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12479649/
    • trents
      New to gluten free living, in5ro and small question

      By trents · Posted

      First, welcome to the forum, @boy-wonder! Second, a little clarification in terminology is in order. Granted, inconsistency is rampant when it comes to the terminology associated with gluten disorders, but it has more or less become settled in this fashion: "Gluten intolerance" is a general term that car refer to either celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). "Gluten Sensitivity" is the shortened version of NCGS. Third, Celiac disease is not an allergy to gluten. It is an autoimmune disorder characterized by gluten ingestion causing the immunes system to attack the lining of the small bowel, causing damage to it over time due to the constant inflammation that wears down the "villi" (mucosal finger-like projections that make up the lining). Over a significant period of time as gluten continues to be consumed, this generally results in impaired nutrient absorption. There are specific blood antibody tests available to check for celiac disease but the testing will not be valid while on a reduced gluten diet or a gluten free diet. Those already having having begun a gluten free diet must go back to consuming generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks if they wish to pursue testing for celiac disease. Fourth, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms of celiac disease but does not damage the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. There is no test for it. A diagnosis for NCGS depends on first ruling out celiac disease. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. Some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Eliminating gluten from your life is the antidote for both. Fifth, you state that you are convince you don't have celiac disease by are just "gluten intolerant" (aka, gluten sensitive). How do you know that? It seems to me you are making a dangerous assumption here. I suggest you consider getting formally tested for celiac disease.
    • AllyJR
      Gluten free parakeet food

      By AllyJR · Posted

      Has anyone found a gluten free parakeet seed mix? I can't find a single one! My doctor wants me to make sure all pet food in the house is gluten free but I'm not sure if that's even possible with parakeets. We love our birds so much! I'm wondering if anyone has ever made their own bird seed mix if gluten free ones are not available. 
    • boy-wonder
      New to gluten free living, in5ro and small question

      By boy-wonder · Posted

      Hi, new member. About me, I had been suffering with weight gain, bloating and irregular and extreme bowel habits for a year or so. For example, I went on holiday in 2023, then again I  2024 at the same time of year and every shirt I wore in 2023 didn't fit anymore, couldn't even do the buttons up. Being in my mid 50s I put it down to age and middle aged spread. I'd been lucky all my life having good metabolism and being able to eat anything and as much as I like without putting on any weight, it drove my other half mad. Over a conversation with a friend health and age Related stuff came up and he mentioned someone he knew who had recently found out they were gluten intolerant,  I looked it up and had every one of 8 or so symptoms listed. Bloating,  weight gain,  headaches, brain fog,  constipation, etc etc. I took the decision to give going gluten free a try. Within 1 week I had lost 4 lb, now 7 weeks in I've lost 13 lb. I feel much better in general,  the bloating has severely subsided, it used to keep me awake at night as I felt so uncomfortable.  So pretty much a success story, as everyone here knows,  going gluten free isn't always easy, and eating out can be awkward,  but I consider myself lucky that I appear to have an intolerance rather than an allergy or being celiac.  I can deal with most of the gluten free options at the supermarket but, the big one for me is bread, I love bread, and the gluten free options I've tried are pretty poor. I was at a posh black tie event last night and chose all the food options I thought would be gluten free,  however,  there was bread on the table and I couldn't resist it, I had I small piece of bread,  god it was good, I wanted more but I resisted. Today I feel a bit dodgy, my stomach is churning, and I generally feel a bit urgh.  So here's the question, is that really down to 1 small piece of bread or is it coincidence?  I'd be interested in hearing how other people have reacted to a similar situation,  as I was considering having a day off every now and then and enjoying some lovely fresh bread.
    • ValerieC
      Guide to colleges for celiac disease

      By ValerieC · Posted

      Does anybody know of a guide that ranks reevaluates universities and colleges in terms of their accommodation of celiac disease or food allergies?   Thanks in advance for any leads! Valerie 
×
×
  • Create New...