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

Left Side Pain

Del

By Del
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Del Rookie
Del
Posted

I have been gluten free for four months and a few days....some good days and plenty of bad days. I'm 62 years old and I've read it can take years for someone my age to heal! My question is do any of you get a pain in your left side....right about where you waist is? Sort of a twinging/throb.....not constant but comes once in awhile.

Thanks! <_<

Del

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Hi Del, That area is a common site for discomfort perhaps because it is an area where the large intestine takes a sharp turn. The pain we get can be felt in a lot of different places for a lot of different reasons. If this is something new and it gets severe or if you have a fever and chills you should get it checked out. Have you had a colonoscopy? Many of us have diverticulitosis and that can also result in discomfort and in serious illness if it turns into diverticulitis.

If you haven't already dropping dairy for a bit can also help speed the healing along.

Del Rookie
Del
Posted
  • Author
Hi Del, That area is a common site for discomfort perhaps because it is an area where the large intestine takes a sharp turn. The pain we get can be felt in a lot of different places for a lot of different reasons. If this is something new and it gets severe or if you have a fever and chills you should get it checked out. Have you had a colonoscopy? Many of us have diverticulitosis and that can also result in discomfort and in serious illness if it turns into diverticulitis.

If you haven't already dropping dairy for a bit can also help speed the healing along.

Thanks for replying! This pain only makes itself known once in awhile...so far it's never been severe.

As far as dropping dairy....I don't drink milk....it's made me feel sick to my stomach for a few years now....I have noticed since being gluten-free that carefully checked ice cream bothers me....but cheese doesn't. Does that make sense?

Del

Jentu Apprentice
Jentu
Posted

Yes Del, that makes sense. Lactose is one of the two main culprits in milk, and cheese tends not to have it. Beneficial bacteria are used to produce both cheese and yogurt, and in the process the bacteria consume the lactose. Someone here posted a chart with a ranking of the lactose content of certain dairy items, maybe they will repost it for you.

I'm new at this, but my guess would be that cutting out all milk products, even the ones without lactose, might speed up your healing because there are other things in milk (like casein) that might bother you. It's worth a try, anyhow.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Del Rookie
Del
Posted
  • Author

Thanks....glad to know I'm not totally nuts!!!! :D

jewi0008 Contributor
jewi0008
Posted
Thanks for replying! This pain only makes itself known once in awhile...so far it's never been severe.

As far as dropping dairy....I don't drink milk....it's made me feel sick to my stomach for a few years now....I have noticed since being gluten-free that carefully checked ice cream bothers me....but cheese doesn't. Does that make sense?

Del

Del,

I once had the left side pain so bad that I thought it was my ovaries. I was in the worst pain...after a lot of money spent at the Dr...nothing was found. I believe it was the gluten. I could not even sit my left side hurt so badly!

debmidge Rising Star
debmidge
Posted
Hi Del, That area is a common site for discomfort perhaps because it is an area where the large intestine takes a sharp turn. The pain we get can be felt in a lot of different places for a lot of different reasons. If this is something new and it gets severe or if you have a fever and chills you should get it checked out. Have you had a colonoscopy? Many of us have diverticulitosis and that can also result in discomfort and in serious illness if it turns into diverticulitis.

If you haven't already dropping dairy for a bit can also help speed the healing along.

First thing I thought of was diverticulitis too, then maybe ovarian. I had this on and off for the past 4 years and it was enlarged ovarian cysts would come and go. Well if you already got checked out and it wasn't either of these too, make sure you go for annual check ups especially if you still get the pain.

Or, is there something new in your diet that you did not eat before going gluten free? Like a lot of soy or flax? Maybe something is giving you colon gas .... a food that you are eating more regularly now than you did before going gluten-free?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Joni63 Collaborator
Joni63
Posted

Hi,

I just wanted to say that I've only been gluten free for 3+ months and the whole first month dealt with left side pain. It felt like it started up under my rib cage and would work it's way down from there. It was not constant, and finally has gone away. I think it was just my body's way of reacting to the gluten free diet.

I had a lot of strange things go on for the first 2 months. Things seem to have leveled off now.

Offthegrid Explorer
Offthegrid
Posted

I've been having this and some gas. Since going off casein (protein in milk) and soy, it has completely gone away. I'm sorry to have to say it, but you may possibly have some food sensitivities other than gluten.

GFBetsy Rookie
GFBetsy
Posted

You might also consider having your gall bladder checked. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that it's on the left side. My friend thought she was lactose intolerant for years before finding out it was her gall bladder - and she could also eat cheese, but not milk or ice cream. Gall bladder problems are actually problems with fats, so I've never been sure why cheese didn't bother her, but it didn't.

Del Rookie
Del
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for your replies! ;)

FootballFanatic Contributor
FootballFanatic
Posted

I would say gas gas gas.

If it gets really bothersome you can talk to your doctor and point out where it is and they will poke around on you to feel where it is and if it could be something more serious than gas. I did that because I kept thinking it was a kidney or an ovary and when he felt around my stomach he said he felt signs of constipation and gas so to not worry about it and just try to up the fiber and the water intake.

Usually mine it like a dull pinch/cramp

FootballFanatic Contributor
FootballFanatic
Posted

**Sorry double post

Del Rookie
Del
Posted
  • Author

I would say gas gas gas.

I think you might be right there....since it's not a constant pain! Thanks!

debmidge Rising Star
debmidge
Posted
You might also consider having your gall bladder checked. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that it's on the left side. My friend thought she was lactose intolerant for years before finding out it was her gall bladder - and she could also eat cheese, but not milk or ice cream. Gall bladder problems are actually problems with fats, so I've never been sure why cheese didn't bother her, but it didn't.

Betsy, I agree ..funny you say this because I had gallbladder discomfort on upper right side of abdomen (where this organ is) AND pain on left side because the gallbladder bile was irritating my newly discovered IBS. It wasn't until the gallbladder was removed and the inflammation died down that the gas and discomfort on left side went away.

Deb

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,186
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jackie49
    Newest Member
    Jackie49
    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

    • 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 
    • thejayland10
      TTG IgA and IGA elevated mildy

      By thejayland10 · Posted

      thank you, i have been doing that the last few weeks and will continue to do so. I had not had my ttg iga checked since I was diagnosed 14 yrs ago so I am not sure if they ever dropped below the 15-20 range.    all my other labs are completely normal but I am concerned that this may be signs of refractor celiac or something else since I'm so careful with gluten-free diet 
×
×
  • Create New...