New Gi Problems

[kochac]

Hi all,

I see there are a couple sort of similar threads here but I thought I'd start a new one to explain my specific situation. I started having GI and other celiac symptoms (chronic fatigue, moodiness, etc.) about two years ago and have been gluten-free for a year and a half now. There's no question in my mind that it's celiac disease because it definitely runs in my family and cutting out the gluten solved everything - until now. For the past few weeks I've been having mild diarrhea, weepiness for no reason, and am starting to be concerned. I haven't changed my eating habits at all so I don't think it's a question of cross-contamination or hidden glutens or anything like that. I tried cutting out dairy for a few days but didn't notice any change so I've gone back. Does anybody have any experience with situations like this? My sister was lactose intolerant before she knew she was a celiac, but once she cut out the gluten she was able to digest lactose again so if that's it it seems weird to me that it would happen in the reverse order - why would cutting out gluten make me intolerant to a new food? Thanks for any thoughts/advice you have.

[Glutenfreefamily]

I had the same issues and its actually very common on here. I was told it was because you are healing and you are absorbing foods again instead of them just passing right on through you. These intolerances are not probably new. They have likely always been there and now your body is feeling the effects of them. The most popular intolerances I have seen on here are casein, soy, lectin, and corn and I have seen a few with a rice intolerance. Some like me cant handle fats and high protein either.

An elimination diet is a good place to start, start with very basic foods that you are aware of that do not bother you and add one in a week to see if you react to it.

A lactose intolerance is a bit different than these other intolerances. Lactase (what is required to break down lactose) is at the tip of the villi since this would be the first thing to get broken down and destroyed its very common to have a lactose intolerance and once you start healing and it grows back in and you are able to handle it again. Depending on how much damage you have would influence the amount of time it takes for it to grow back.

[gfcookie]

Hi all,

I see there are a couple sort of similar threads here but I thought I'd start a new one to explain my specific situation. I started having GI and other celiac symptoms (chronic fatigue, moodiness, etc.) about two years ago and have been gluten-free for a year and a half now. There's no question in my mind that it's celiac disease because it definitely runs in my family and cutting out the gluten solved everything - until now. For the past few weeks I've been having mild diarrhea, weepiness for no reason, and am starting to be concerned. I haven't changed my eating habits at all so I don't think it's a question of cross-contamination or hidden glutens or anything like that. I tried cutting out dairy for a few days but didn't notice any change so I've gone back. Does anybody have any experience with situations like this? My sister was lactose intolerant before she knew she was a celiac, but once she cut out the gluten she was able to digest lactose again so if that's it it seems weird to me that it would happen in the reverse order - why would cutting out gluten make me intolerant to a new food? Thanks for any thoughts/advice you have.

So, did you ever get a diagnosis of celiac disease? or just figure it out for yourself? If you just sort of concluded it on your own, you should go to a doctor, because, it might not even be celiac. Many people who self diagnose benefit from a gluten-free diet but don't even have celiac. My mom eats gluten-free with me every summer when she visits, and she feels wonderful on that diet. The thing is, if celiac runs in your family, other autoimmune diseases probably do also, and, you could have something other than celiac, and still feel better on a gluten-free diet even if it's not celiac simply bc it's a much healthier diet.

Even if you have an "official" diagnosis, you should still get yourself to a GI ASAP, because, if the problem is persisting, it could be something else, especially if you are eating gluten-free. Many celiacs also have another GI issue, chrons, colitis, gastropareisis... especially if it doesn't seemed related to food, go see your doctor. It's sort of dangerous to "self diagnose" in certain cases. Especially if you went gluten-free later on in life, it's possible you have another connected issue. Sorry this post has turned into a small novel, the important thing is, don't self diagnose! You shoudln't have to go through life moody and crying and sick. Keep us all posted! Hope you get it figured out:)

p.s.- i'm not knocking self diagnoses, i'm a big fan of doing whatever makes you feel better, however, in this case, since you dont' even know if you really have celiac or just benefit from being gluten-free, i would go see a doctor and really find out whats up!

[Glutenfreefamily]

I just wanted to add one thing, dont allow a non diagnostic test keep you from not eating gluten. Just because its not what dr's tests would consider celiac doesnt mean it wont do damage to you in other ways including autoimmune disorders. I agree get checked out but dont feel the dr's opinion is the end all be all.