Help! Gas And Bloating!

[holichka]

ok, here's the deal-- someone please tell me if this has happened to you as well! i've been on a gluten/dairy(with yogurt)/soy free diet for about three weeks now. my blood tests came back negtive twice, but my nutritionist still thinks it's a food intol. i haven't gotten the biopsy, bu my dr. recommended trying the diet out because that would really be the determining factor. ok, so the first week was GREAT and lost about 3 lbs of water weight!! i had almost no more GI problems and thought the answer was solved. however, after about a week i started getting really really gassy again and slightly bloated. now, i'm regularly gassy at night and sometimes during the day. i'm not having as much pain or sever bloating as before, but i still don't feel as well as i would like. i am in college and eat in the cafeteria (which has TONS of great options:) however, i sitll don't know what's in the food ALL the time. is it possible my body just needs time? how long should I stay on this restrictive diet? i am so frustrated i just want to scream all the time!!! i am so careful with what i eat and am trying to make sure to get enough fiber with out all the whole grains.... help!

[tmk]

Hi -- don't have anything to help, but wanted to let you know that I am in the same boat -- been gluten-free for just under a month and am terrible gassy!!! I've never been this gassy before (even when I ate gluten!) -- and my stomach is quite bloated too.

Just wanted to tell you -- you're not alone.

Hope you get some good suggestions and you start feeling better soon!!!

[holichka]

Hi -- don't have anything to help, but wanted to let you know that I am in the same boat -- been gluten-free for just under a month and am terrible gassy!!! I've never been this gassy before (even when I ate gluten!) -- and my stomach is quite bloated too.

Just wanted to tell you -- you're not alone.

Hope you get some good suggestions and you start feeling better soon!!!

thanks for the encouragement!!! are you positive you have celiac? do you think it could be beans? i think that's the ONLY thing i've still left in my diet for protein besides meat and PB!

[tmk]

thanks for the encouragement!!! are you positive you have celiac? do you think it could be beans? i think that's the ONLY thing i've still left in my diet for protein besides meat and PB!

I had positive test through Enterolab -- I went through w/ a biopsy which came back negative, but I decided to give the diet a shot anyways to see if it helped my symptoms. I figure, it couldn't hurt. So -- to answer your question, I may not have Celiac, but I believe I do have an intolerance to gluten. My main symptom was chronic D for about 18 years, w/ the last couple of years just awful -- since I've been gluten-free -- no diarrhea. That's enough to keep me going -- I am going to keep w/ it for a few months and MAYBE do a gluten challenge to see if my D comes back or not -- I haven't decided if I really need to do that yet -- I may be feeling so good by then, it wouldn't be worth it!

I actually did not have the gas problems until AFTER I started gluten-free -- so I don't really know what is causing it. I've read that people do have problems w/ legumes, so it could be the culprit -- it is the "magical fruit"

I am beginning to question the gluten free flours b/c I have had a lot of that lately -- most of the people on this board say to go simple at first until your gut heals -- meaning meat, veggies, and fruit. I may have to do that and see if things calm down.

Anyways -- hope you find some answers -- good luck!!!

[Miyu]

my doctor dxed me the same way as you, jsut a blood test, but she also ruled out alot of other things first. that caused my symptoms, if the only symptoms you have is bloating and gas, then yeah, maybe you don't have Celiac. but do you have have other symptoms? like CFS, RLS, anything that can be caused by Melnutrition? do you have Malnutrition when you are eating very nutritious foods?

removing gluten is only to help heal your stomach so you can absorb the vit/nut

many foods cause gas. like beans thats why everyone says "beans make you fart" cabbage, cause alot of gas, all veggies cause some gas, but not alot, but there are many veggies that cause ALOT of gas, I'm jsut not sure which ones exactly. find out which veggies and foods cause alot of gas and try to cut way back on them. also bateria (probiotics) cause gas, do you eat alot of yogurt? good bateria is good for you, and having gas can be a sign that you are healthy.

but remenber!

Gas is normal, we lose ALOT of gas through out the day. most of the time we don't even know we just farted.

I would be worried, if you are not losing the gas, and it is staying in your stomach building up.

[holichka]

my doctor dxed me the same way as you, jsut a blood test, but she also ruled out alot of other things first. that caused my symptoms, if the only symptoms you have is bloating and gas, then yeah, maybe you don't have Celiac. but do you have have other symptoms? like CFS, RLS, anything that can be caused by Melnutrition? do you have Malnutrition when you are eating very nutritious foods?

removing gluten is only to help heal your stomach so you can absorb the vit/nut

many foods cause gas. like beans thats why everyone says "beans make you fart" cabbage, cause alot of gas, all veggies cause some gas, but not alot, but there are many veggies that cause ALOT of gas, I'm jsut not sure which ones exactly. find out which veggies and foods cause alot of gas and try to cut way back on them. also bateria (probiotics) cause gas, do you eat alot of yogurt? good bateria is good for you, and having gas can be a sign that you are healthy.

but remenber!

Gas is normal, we lose ALOT of gas through out the day. most of the time we don't even know we just farted.

I would be worried, if you are not losing the gas, and it is staying in your stomach building up.

i am not sure i had/have actaul deficiencies, but last year I started to get REALLY tired and lethargic ALL the time, even with lots of sleep and i did feel like my body was not absorbing nutrients cause i had really bad diarrhea until i cut back on gluten. so i feel GREAT, besides just the gas and bloating. today, though, i had another "expolosive episode" where i could almost feel the food moving through me. if i had not gone through this before i would have gone to the ER. my intestines feel like they are being stabbed and i get build-ups of gas in my stomach and i bloat out really bad. when i finally went to the bathroom, i could hardly even go but just expelled some gas. when i DID go, it looked like my stools had mucus floating off them... what could this be a sign of? this used to happen a lot, but hasn't as much since going gluten-free. i thought i was making good food choices today... AHH!!! i cried and cried after dinner... i really feel like there is no answer or any Dr. who cares.

[Motorboater]

i am not sure i had/have actaul deficiencies, but last year I started to get REALLY tired and lethargic ALL the time, even with lots of sleep and i did feel like my body was not absorbing nutrients cause i had really bad diarrhea until i cut back on gluten. so i feel GREAT, besides just the gas and bloating. today, though, i had another "expolosive episode" where i could almost feel the food moving through me. if i had not gone through this before i would have gone to the ER. my intestines feel like they are being stabbed and i get build-ups of gas in my stomach and i bloat out really bad. when i finally went to the bathroom, i could hardly even go but just expelled some gas. when i DID go, it looked like my stools had mucus floating off them... what could this be a sign of? this used to happen a lot, but hasn't as much since going gluten-free. i thought i was making good food choices today... AHH!!! i cried and cried after dinner... i really feel like there is no answer or any Dr. who cares.

I'm sorry to hear your frustration but your not alone..........I recently just a week ago went back to my G.I. Dr. as I was having the same issues you are. I've been gluten free since only July '07. He suggested I get rid of the milk and go to soy as well as he thought I might have too much bad bacteria in my gut so he gave me 5 days of Cipro (antibotic) and now I'm on Florstor a probotic. If I was you I would try the most bland diet you can for a couple days and see if your insides agree with you. Hang in there and keep gluten free, you'll feel better. Good Luck!

Pam

[hathor]

I'm unclear -- are you still eating yogurt? If you are intolerant to dairy, it would include yogurt.

It could be that you are consuming some gluten, casein or soy unaware or there is a CC problem. Have you talked to the food service director? You really need to KNOW what is in all you are eating, not just guess.

What foods have you added or had more of since you cut out the gluten, dairy & soy? There could be something there that is creating the problem.

All this said, it was my experience -- and the same thing has been reported by others on this board -- that the first few weeks can be rocky. It is as if the body is trying to learn how to function properly and to purge itself of the toxins it has accumulated. It seems to peak at, yes, three weeks. I've called it the "three week curse." I don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but I certainly perk up when people mention this because my low point was precisely then.

But then things calm down. I felt better and I've heard others who had the week 3 problems say they have too. Unless you are eating more of something else you are intolerant of or accidentally eating something you don't want to eat, there is nothing in your diet that could explain your symptoms. The absence of gluten, dairy & soy isn't anything that should cause you to suffer, at least not in the long term.

BTW are you regularly eating any sugar-free items with sugar alcohols in them, like mannitol and the like? Those can create bloating.

Hope you get feeling better. Try to hang in there for a few more weeks. With luck, your experience will be like those of us who had a rough patch but got better.

[holichka]

I'm unclear -- are you still eating yogurt? If you are intolerant to dairy, it would include yogurt.

It could be that you are consuming some gluten, casein or soy unaware or there is a CC problem. Have you talked to the food service director? You really need to KNOW what is in all you are eating, not just guess.

What foods have you added or had more of since you cut out the gluten, dairy & soy? There could be something there that is creating the problem.

All this said, it was my experience -- and the same thing has been reported by others on this board -- that the first few weeks can be rocky. It is as if the body is trying to learn how to function properly and to purge itself of the toxins it has accumulated. It seems to peak at, yes, three weeks. I've called it the "three week curse." I don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but I certainly perk up when people mention this because my low point was precisely then.

But then things calm down. I felt better and I've heard others who had the week 3 problems say they have too. Unless you are eating more of something else you are intolerant of or accidentally eating something you don't want to eat, there is nothing in your diet that could explain your symptoms. The absence of gluten, dairy & soy isn't anything that should cause you to suffer, at least not in the long term.

BTW are you regularly eating any sugar-free items with sugar alcohols in them, like mannitol and the like? Those can create bloating.

Hope you get feeling better. Try to hang in there for a few more weeks. With luck, your experience will be like those of us who had a rough patch but got better.

Thank you for your encouragement! days are just so up and down for me and i've just gotten past the three week mark. Is it more common to be intolerant to gluten, dairy, or soy and in what combinations? yesterday i ate a banana and PB and got bloated afterwards! is my body just out of whack?

also-- I don't want to simply continue the gluten-free diet needlessly if it's not really the main root of my problems. from the first post above- would you say my symptoms sound (sounded) like gluten intol? I was having major fatigue last year, but after testing for deficiencies, the Dr. did not report anything unusual. also, i did not have major weight loss, but I have been about 120-123 for the past three years (i'm 5 ft 10 in).

You seem very experienced and informed, I would appreciate getting your feedback on these q's!

Thanks!

PS: one last thing-- have you heard of the Maker's Diet- would this be a good thing to try for IDing good intols?

[hathor]

I've heard OF the Maker's diet, but I don't know what it entails, other than what I just saw from googling it.

Here is something about identifying food intolerances:

Open Original Shared Link

It discusses the different adverse reactions folks can have to food, as well as the most common difficult foods. If all else fails (taking out individual foods or the most common culprits, keeping a food diary, etc.), the link explains how one can go on an elimination diet. I wouldn't do this unless I was really desperate, because it seems like a very time-consuming project, and you start out with a pretty boring diet. I have talked to people who have done this with success, though -- those who have a wide variety of different foods that set them off.

Your symptoms could be due to gluten or any number of other things. Let's say that your symptoms don't rule out a gluten problem.

On this board, dairy seems to be the most common problem, followed by soy. Some people who have problems with soy have problems with any legumes or just certain other ones. Since you reacted following peanuts, this could be your problem. Does the PB you used contain anything else? I remember the other day I was at the store looking for PB and a number contain soybean oil.

Do you seem to bloat more following eating of fatty foods? I can't eat a very fatty meal without the possibility of bloating. It is like my gall bladder can't quite deal with it all. I think the last time this happened I had sort of gone crazy with this spicy peanut butter spread on corn thins. I stopped being hungry, but I was reading and kept eating the stuff. Probably more for the burn than anything else Anyway, I really suffered after that. However, ordinarily, and with a more limited peanut intake, I'm fine.

Beyond these foods, I've heard people on this board that have problems with corn and others who have a problem with nightshade veggies. I suppose if you want to do a truncated elimination diet, you could continue off gluten and dairy, and add in soy, other legumes (beans, peas, lentils, peanuts) and nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes).

But you probably want to keep with the gluten-free diet, with no casein at all, for a bit longer and see what happens. If that PB you had contained soy, you could add in eliminating soy as well.

Beyond diet testing, I know there is blood testing for food allergies. But I don't know how accurate that is. Some people don't react to foods they are supposed to or react to foods that aren't disclosed that way. (Not to say that it isn't perfectly accurate for some people.)

Enterolab tests for gluten, casein, soy, egg & yeast intolerances. That is another possibility.

I haven't mentioned egg yet. Of all foods, this is the one that creates bloating and extreme and immediate digestive upset for me, lasting days. I don't know how common a problem it is, but I thought I'd mention it.

Hope you get this figured out. I'm going out of town for a few days. So if you respond and don't hear from me right away, that's why.

[holichka]

Thank you so much for your suggestions and help! i am becoming even more discouraged, though as time goes on. Yesterday i did a "gluten test" to see how i would respond to eating a bunch of gluten on an empty stomach in the morning. i had NO reaction at all. my stomach began to feel a little funny and gassy around 4 pm, but i would assume that would not be from something i ate at 9 am! maybe i'm wrong.... now i don't know what it is. i keep looking over my journals trying to pinpoint the foods that make me react, but there seems to be no consistancy. how does one react to "soy intolerance"? could it be lactose AND soy AND maybe some gluten? i don't know where to go with my diet now.

ideas?

I've heard OF the Maker's diet, but I don't know what it entails, other than what I just saw from googling it.

Here is something about identifying food intolerances:

Open Original Shared Link

It discusses the different adverse reactions folks can have to food, as well as the most common difficult foods. If all else fails (taking out individual foods or the most common culprits, keeping a food diary, etc.), the link explains how one can go on an elimination diet. I wouldn't do this unless I was really desperate, because it seems like a very time-consuming project, and you start out with a pretty boring diet. I have talked to people who have done this with success, though -- those who have a wide variety of different foods that set them off.

Your symptoms could be due to gluten or any number of other things. Let's say that your symptoms don't rule out a gluten problem.

On this board, dairy seems to be the most common problem, followed by soy. Some people who have problems with soy have problems with any legumes or just certain other ones. Since you reacted following peanuts, this could be your problem. Does the PB you used contain anything else? I remember the other day I was at the store looking for PB and a number contain soybean oil.

Do you seem to bloat more following eating of fatty foods? I can't eat a very fatty meal without the possibility of bloating. It is like my gall bladder can't quite deal with it all. I think the last time this happened I had sort of gone crazy with this spicy peanut butter spread on corn thins. I stopped being hungry, but I was reading and kept eating the stuff. Probably more for the burn than anything else Anyway, I really suffered after that. However, ordinarily, and with a more limited peanut intake, I'm fine.

Beyond these foods, I've heard people on this board that have problems with corn and others who have a problem with nightshade veggies. I suppose if you want to do a truncated elimination diet, you could continue off gluten and dairy, and add in soy, other legumes (beans, peas, lentils, peanuts) and nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes).

But you probably want to keep with the gluten-free diet, with no casein at all, for a bit longer and see what happens. If that PB you had contained soy, you could add in eliminating soy as well.

Beyond diet testing, I know there is blood testing for food allergies. But I don't know how accurate that is. Some people don't react to foods they are supposed to or react to foods that aren't disclosed that way. (Not to say that it isn't perfectly accurate for some people.)

Enterolab tests for gluten, casein, soy, egg & yeast intolerances. That is another possibility.

I haven't mentioned egg yet. Of all foods, this is the one that creates bloating and extreme and immediate digestive upset for me, lasting days. I don't know how common a problem it is, but I thought I'd mention it.

Hope you get this figured out. I'm going out of town for a few days. So if you respond and don't hear from me right away, that's why.

[aikiducky]

Actually that time frame sounds about right. I usually react in about six hours but a bit longer wouldn't surprise me at all. Though it does sound like a very mild reaction.

The kind of auto immune reaction a celiac has to gluten is different from an immediate allergy type reaction. First, the gluten needs to get to your small intestine, then, it takes a while for your immune system to "mobilize".

Keep the food journal, just remember that reactions can be delayed. You might start to see a delayed pattern to some foods.

Pauliina

[gaylamac]

I'm unclear -- are you still eating yogurt? If you are intolerant to dairy, it would include yogurt.

It could be that you are consuming some gluten, casein or soy unaware or there is a CC problem. Have you talked to the food service director? You really need to KNOW what is in all you are eating, not just guess.

What foods have you added or had more of since you cut out the gluten, dairy & soy? There could be something there that is creating the problem.

All this said, it was my experience -- and the same thing has been reported by others on this board -- that the first few weeks can be rocky. It is as if the body is trying to learn how to function properly and to purge itself of the toxins it has accumulated. It seems to peak at, yes, three weeks. I've called it the "three week curse." I don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but I certainly perk up when people mention this because my low point was precisely then.

But then things calm down. I felt better and I've heard others who had the week 3 problems say they have too. Unless you are eating more of something else you are intolerant of or accidentally eating something you don't want to eat, there is nothing in your diet that could explain your symptoms. The absence of gluten, dairy & soy isn't anything that should cause you to suffer, at least not in the long term.

BTW are you regularly eating any sugar-free items with sugar alcohols in them, like mannitol and the like? Those can create bloating.

Hope you get feeling better. Try to hang in there for a few more weeks. With luck, your experience will be like those of us who had a rough patch but got better.

[gaylamac]

ok, here's the deal-- someone please tell me if this has happened to you as well! i've been on a gluten/dairy(with yogurt)/soy free diet for about three weeks now. my blood tests came back negtive twice, but my nutritionist still thinks it's a food intol. i haven't gotten the biopsy, bu my dr. recommended trying the diet out because that would really be the determining factor. ok, so the first week was GREAT and lost about 3 lbs of water weight!! i had almost no more GI problems and thought the answer was solved. however, after about a week i started getting really really gassy again and slightly bloated. now, i'm regularly gassy at night and sometimes during the day. i'm not having as much pain or sever bloating as before, but i still don't feel as well as i would like. i am in college and eat in the cafeteria (which has TONS of great options:) however, i sitll don't know what's in the food ALL the time. is it possible my body just needs time? how long should I stay on this restrictive diet? i am so frustrated i just want to scream all the time!!! i am so careful with what i eat and am trying to make sure to get enough fiber with out all the whole grains.... help!

Hang in there! I support what others have said, you are likely still in the healing process, it can take months. I had the same experience, the first few weeks was a mix of better at times and "worse than ever" other times. The testing is far from precise in my experience. I was misdiagnosed for for years, was negative for blood test and biospy four years ago but got progressively worse. Was tested again early this year, negative again for blood test but positive for biopsy this time. Have seem big improvements, been gluten free 4 months now. Have more energy, about 10% of the gas I used to have, better skin color, the exzema I've had all my life is all but gone. I can once again eat dairy which I wasn't able to before. I do get gluten by accident on occassion, and know it! But all the improved moments are worth it. Good luck.

[CMCM]

When I first went gluten free, I eliminated gluten AND dairy (since I also tested casein sensitive). I tried out all the gluten free items I could, and I felt horrible. I didn't feel better until I eliminated ALL that stuff entirely, and concentrated on a rather simple diet for awhile. Occasional red meat, chicken, fish, most veggies except starches, eggs, almost NO SUGAR, few to no beans. SMALL MEALS, really small amounts of food at one time. When I got all this in place, I felt fine.

I've decided that the things that upset me are all the various flours used in gluten free products, and SUGAR is another thing that upsets me.

After 6 or 7 months I found I could tolerate limited dairy again. But I still keep things simple and can have real problems if I eat too much or have too much variety in my meals. My digestive system seems to do best with limited things to deal with at one time.

When we go gluten free, I think a lot of us struggle to create a return to as much "normalcy" as we can. When I analyzed my diet in the beginning, I realized I was eating all sorts of stuff I wouldn't have eaten "before." Too much stuff, too much sugar (gluten free goodies are loaded with sugar....often it's the first ingredient!).

It's also hit or miss. Sometimes something won't bother you, another time it will. I sort of think that has to do with what is combined with what in a meal. As I said, keep it limited and keep it simple and keep the portion size on the low side.

[holichka]

What about fat? do you guys seem to react to high fat foods/meals?

When I first went gluten free, I eliminated gluten AND dairy (since I also tested casein sensitive). I tried out all the gluten free items I could, and I felt horrible. I didn't feel better until I eliminated ALL that stuff entirely, and concentrated on a rather simple diet for awhile. Occasional red meat, chicken, fish, most veggies except starches, eggs, almost NO SUGAR, few to no beans. SMALL MEALS, really small amounts of food at one time. When I got all this in place, I felt fine.

I've decided that the things that upset me are all the various flours used in gluten free products, and SUGAR is another thing that upsets me.

After 6 or 7 months I found I could tolerate limited dairy again. But I still keep things simple and can have real problems if I eat too much or have too much variety in my meals. My digestive system seems to do best with limited things to deal with at one time.

When we go gluten free, I think a lot of us struggle to create a return to as much "normalcy" as we can. When I analyzed my diet in the beginning, I realized I was eating all sorts of stuff I wouldn't have eaten "before." Too much stuff, too much sugar (gluten free goodies are loaded with sugar....often it's the first ingredient!).

It's also hit or miss. Sometimes something won't bother you, another time it will. I sort of think that has to do with what is combined with what in a meal. As I said, keep it limited and keep it simple and keep the portion size on the low side.

[hathor]

What about fat? do you guys seem to react to high fat foods/meals?

Oh yes, I react very strongly.

I was listening to an online interview of an herbalist the other day. He mentioned three herbs that help with gas: camomile, lemon balm, and peppermint. Can't hurt to make yourself some tea with one of these things and see how you feel. He said the herb with an even stronger effect is cranesbill. But he said one should try the others first.