New Set Of Problems

[HeatherPK 0]

As part of ongoing autoimmune health issues - I was diagnosed as coeliac last year. I had already been told I had an autoimmune liver disease which to be honest took precidence in my mind as to its seriousness and I sort of passed off the gluten issue - so I'd give up bread was my immediate thought! However, just before christmas I had alot of problems that were obviously down to me not taking my diet seriously and I was getting worse - so I reluctantly started gluten free eating and I was amazed how much better I felt and quickly. My most obvious symtoms - chronic bloating, stomach pains and diarreah eased within a week. But my issue now - several months on - is I have developed a cycle of constipation now - my system shuts down for almost a week - and then I spend nearly a whole day in the loo - only then to swing back the other way. I now feel weakened by this - I find to take things to help with the problem like lactulose for eg just causes a reoccurance of diarreah once my system decides to actually work - I thought maybe it might be just my system readjusting - i just feel miserable having worked hard to stick to a gluten free diet and now getting new problems which I don't seem to have much control over

any advice gratefully received - I'm a vegetarian and have an autoimmune liver disease called PBC so I am compromised in taking supplements

thank you for listening - Heather

[Ursa Major 5]

Are still eating/drinking dairy? Are you using a lot of soy? Either one could be causing your problems. You may be intolerant to dairy and/or soy as well as gluten.

[yolo 62]

As part of ongoing autoimmune health issues - I was diagnosed as coeliac last year. I had already been told I had an autoimmune liver disease which to be honest took precidence in my mind as to its seriousness and I sort of passed off the gluten issue - so I'd give up bread was my immediate thought! However, just before christmas I had alot of problems that were obviously down to me not taking my diet seriously and I was getting worse - so I reluctantly started gluten free eating and I was amazed how much better I felt and quickly. My most obvious symtoms - chronic bloating, stomach pains and diarreah eased within a week. But my issue now - several months on - is I have developed a cycle of constipation now - my system shuts down for almost a week - and then I spend nearly a whole day in the loo - only then to swing back the other way. I now feel weakened by this - I find to take things to help with the problem like lactulose for eg just causes a reoccurance of diarreah once my system decides to actually work - I thought maybe it might be just my system readjusting - i just feel miserable having worked hard to stick to a gluten free diet and now getting new problems which I don't seem to have much control over

any advice gratefully received - I'm a vegetarian and have an autoimmune liver disease called PBC so I am compromised in taking supplements

thank you for listening - Heather

I suggest taking some herbs. The best for this I think are the soothing herbs marshmallow root and/or slippery elm. Caps are the easiest however you can also cook them up.

The slippery elm in particular is gloppy but healing. Put a tablespoon or two in small amount of water and mix til smooth. Then add a cup or two of water. Whisk with a wire whisk or egg beater. Cook 10 miuntes on a low boil, stirring every once in a while.

I need to do this myself I think when I react to trace glutenings. It may be you too are having some kind of cross contamination gluten issues. This can be ruinous as it has been for me. Bear with it and try the above soothing herbs and somehow try to calm down the nerves.

I went to see an acupuncturist and she really helped by the way. Just wish I had enough money to see her more frequently.

I also think meditation helps to calm and strengthen the nervous system. Skullcap, chamomile, rosemary and lavender can also help restore the nerves too. I thiknk the nerves are always involved when one has a immune system reaction.

With your liver situation you really might consider detox herbs such as dandelion root or milk thistle, yellow dock or Oregon grape root, one week on and one week off. When you are up to it saunas are great.

Mud packs too on the feet and hands will pull out toxins so your liver doesn't get trashed. You should add a little vinegar or lemon juice to the bentonite when you are making a paste with water. Just leave on for 15 minutes; don't do this more than every other day.

Also, like was just suggested by the previous poster, avoid any milk products for now and consider avoiding soy. They often cause these kind of problems at first--and create a food and reaction diary so you can determine what its what. With a veg diet you should find out what you are and aren't sensitive to. I had to go off it myself because I was allergic to most vegetarian forms of protein for instance. Everyone is different however. But a fast or simple diet at first with just vegetables you don't normally eat and slowly add things in every two days or so can help determine what is what.

Exercise really helps quite a lot too when you are up to it. Again start with the yoga and stretching, graduate to walks and then start little weights before doing anything more strenuous.

You also might have a case of fungus and/or candida. Let us know if you do or not and I will make some more suggestions.

I believe the herbs for me at least along with diet helped me the most. And certainly if bought in bulk by a safe supplier they are very inexpensive and safe for most people although there are those that have difficulty with them too like with anything.

I have considered homeopathy but if you go that route avoid anything with alcohol in it. If you have a lactose sensitivity that could be a problem with their pastilles. However you might be able to work with a homeopath to get past this with some alternative water based homeopathic remedies.

Good luck! I have had many similar problems and yet did get through it.