Jump to content
  • 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

Big Bowling Ball Stomach


asams

Recommended Posts

asams Newbie

If anyone has some thoughts on this it would be great and I would be grateful.

For the most part, I am healthy and feel good. I used to have some problems with depression, skin, etc... but thorugh various natural treatments, they have cleared up over the last few years....

However, after almost anythging I eat, My stomach balloons. It doesn't hurt, I'm not in pain. I can suck it in, if need be... so it doesn't cause me too much trouble. (I have a thin frame and have never had a weight problem.) Sometimes if I haven;t eaten much, when I wake up it will be flat, but as soon as I eat something - the balloon is back. I have lived with this for about 7 years. I recognize it is not good, but it is not very troublesome either.

Lately, I have been having teeth troubles. I take care of my teeth quite well and don;t each much sugar so this is worrying. I'm afarid I am not absorbing the needed nutrients.

Of course, I don;t want the culprit to be gluten, esp. because my job entails lots of eating out. At the moment, I don;t eat much dairy - just once in a while.

I am considering many options - colon cleanse, yeast diet, and maybe Dr. Fine. It is very hard for me to maintain a gluten -free diet - b/c even if I go on it for a few days - which I have - I don;t feel very bad once I eat it again. I have also heard it takes a long time for the bloating/distention to clear up...

I have been to "regular" doctors - though found nothing. One doctor tested for celiac - results were negative. though I know this does not rule out sensitivity.

if any of this rings any bells for anyone - I would be grateful.

Best wishes.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



gfpaperdoll Rookie

I am not sure what you are asking here or if you just want an opinion.

so I will just give you my opinion. I think that you are getting intestinal damage at the least.

I would advise a complete work up with your doctor to check for evertyhing from a blockage to cancer.

I do not usually advise an endoscopy as I think it is an invasive procedure, but for you I think you need to get one. Maybe your attitude about a gluten free diet might change when you saw the shape that your intestines are in. Of course you could still have damage & it not show up on a biopsy.

Then I would test thru enterolab.com to get the gene test & the gluten, egg, soy, & dairy picture.

Seems you know about Dr. Fine & enterolab...

But if you do not want to go on a gluten free diet then maybe you should not get tested and just continue on as you are. It is all up to you. We are all ultimately responsible only for ourselves.

asams Newbie

Thanks for your response. I guess I was just looking for someone who had a similar situation - and then perhaps if their stomach went back to normal - or how long it took to go back to normal. Or if it seemed likely that the teeth situation is linked....

Though your opinion is also helpful. i guess the reason I am writing on this forum is because I know it's time to do something about this... my "symptoms" are very non-conclusive. recently blood tests showed low white blood cells. But like I said - I feel fine, so it's hard to pull it all together.

I am right now gluten free (only for a few days) and I suppose I will have to begin to explore further with doctors.

Cheers.

Archived

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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    2. - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    3. - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

    4. - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

    5. - Scott Adams replied to ElenaM's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      I think I am gluten intolerant


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,905
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Croissantl0v3r
    Newest Member
    Croissantl0v3r
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.