:( Lost

[katrinamaria]

ok so i need some advice/support/insight/comments/complaints ... i've been gluten free for a bit over a year now and am feeling SO much better; however, i do still struggle with bloating and a general "full" feeling quite a bit. i have a few alcoholic drinks every once in a while and i've noticed that the morning after i have a some "D" and then feel really good.... none of that bloated feeling and just a nice, light, "empty" feeling i rarely feel in my stomach/lower abs area. then i read that alcohol is a diuretic (sp?) and i guess it kind of made sense.... anyway, what does this mean?? i'll never feel that way without a diuretic? what's wrong with me....

second, i'm considering doing the elimination diet to see if that helps, but i just don't know if i can manage it. i also don't eat meat and just plain don't know what i would eat! i'm so busy between classes and work and i live in the dorms so i have to have a meal plan...

i hope you guys can give me some direction, you all are amazing....thanks so much, in advance--

[wowzer]

It is very possible that the alcohol that you are consuming contains gluten. I've only been gluten free for only a month, but grew up with a little sister that is a celiac. I know that she gets a potato based vodka that is safe. I know it's hard, since I'm the only one in the house trying to avoid gluten. I would check the alcohol to see it's contents. If it makes you feel bad why drink it?

[katrinamaria]

no, drinking alcohol doesn't make me feel bad at all. the day after i feel so much better because i don't have any bloated or full feeling and i'm wondering if it's because alcohol is considered a diuretic and what that means in relation to my body. if i'll never feel that way without artificial aid in that department or what?

[lorka150]

if you are still feeling bad, try the elimination diet. i can help you with meal plans, if you'd like. while i was figuring things out, i ate about 9 foods for about a year. i still generally stick to those. let me know

[evie]

no, drinking alcohol doesn't make me feel bad at all. the day after i feel so much better because i don't have any bloated or full feeling and i'm wondering if it's because alcohol is considered a diuretic and what that means in relation to my body. if i'll never feel that way without artificial aid in that department or what?

Here I am again..evie.. It may be that the alchohol does work as a diuretic and takes some of the fluid from your body. but there must be another way to get this fluid off besides alchol. whiskey is made of rye, beer of corn (sometimes) and some alchoholics have found that their drink of choice is made of a food or grain they are allergic to. Of course wine is from grapes and I do not remember the rest. could this be the case with you. Good luck and good health to you. evie

[tarnalberry]

I would look into other food intolerances, as you mention thinking about doing. You might also see if you're consuming much salty food (which would make a diuretic make you feel better afterwards).

[larry mac]

Gee, not being a doctor or a dietician, I don't have any answers for you, only some general questions for this thread.

Doesn't a diuretic make you eliminate excess water? It doesn't cause d (as a general rule) does it? Aren't diuretics prescribed for various ailments? It's just a type of medicine isn't it? Would it be bad necissarily if you needed to take it periodically?

I haven't read any scientific data suggesting that distilled spirits contain gluten, no matter what they're made from. Only beer, but of course everyone knows that. But even without the gluten, it could still mess up your stomach, couldn't it? All the while making you feel good at the same time?

best regards, lm

[debmidge]

just an observation..my husband is celiac & does not drink hard alcohol only wine and it does not give him Diarrhea. When I drink brown liquors I get diarrhea and I don't have celiac. Something in it bothers me.

[darlindeb25]

Katrina--to me it sounds like you may be constipated, which can happen with other intolerance's. When you drink the alcohol, it gives you diarrhea, which in turn, relieves the constipation. Soy, corn, and rice cause constipation with me, which I might add, is as bad as having diarrhea, pain wise. I cannot drink any alcohol, including wine. It all makes me sick--terrible headache and diarrhea. I think you should try the elimation diet and try to stay away from alcohol for now too.

[Betty in Texas]

I hope you start feeling better I know I am a lot older than all of you but my GI dr told me it would take about 5 years to heal after I got on my gluten free diet for life . Because my insides were so messed up and he said never again no alcohol I been gluten free about 3 years and feeling better. I kept getting gluten untill I figured out the great tasting rotesery chicken in the stores has wheat in it for some reason doesnt makes sense . I cook my own now but it was so easy to go pick it up and cooks some veggies. by take care

[GlutenWrangler]

Katrina,

You should definitely get tested for other food intolerances. It could be the cause of fluid retention, which is why alcohol makes you feel better. I hope you feel better.

-Brian

[mollyacampbell]

i hear you on the bloating issue - I hate hate hate that feeling and have dealt with it for a while, even before I was diagnosed and started feeling sick from celiac, I would get it "once a month" if you know what I mean. I also enjoy the feeling after a night of a few cocktails that I am FINALLy free of all that extra fluid that I otherwise carry around with me all the time - it's sick and twisted but I guess if one good thing can come of a hang over, that's all right. Anyway, after being diagnosed in August/September and trying to go gluten free but still having issues, I decided to try the Paleo diet and it was very successful. To follow it strictly is daunting and damn near impossible, but the best thing that came of it for me is that it has helped control the bloating better than anything else I've ever tried. I am pretty sure it's the elimination of grains and corn that is the main factor, but getting rid of the dairy is probably up there too. I think maybe you should try not eating grains for a week and see if that helps. I've actually read other posts on this forum where this works for others who've struggled with bloating.

Sorry you're feeling sick, I am totally empathetic with regard to the bloating issue. Try bigger pants until you have it under control, it's made a difference for me. I was miserable but at least the waist band was looser! Good luck.