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

Stomach..pain? Bloating? Cramping?


Lux

Recommended Posts

Lux Explorer

OK, here's the thing. For the past five years, I have experienced what I can only describe as...stomach/gut 'discomfort'. It isn't cramping, and it isn't full-on bloating...but it gets incredibly tight, and starts to feel conspicuously protruding (but not to the extent of bloating). It isn't painful, and it doesn't spasm...it just feels tight, and full, as if my colon is completely twisted or cramped up and bunching in my gut. Does ANYONE ever feel this way? I used to describe it as bloating, before experiencing TRUE bloating. I just don't know. I have never met anyone who has been able to really GET what I mean. After going gluten free, this sensation faded away for at least a couple of months, but now it appears to have come back. I know it sounds silly, but I just want to be able to give it a NAME...so perhaps I can get something to help alleviate the problem.

thankyou all for reading this. I know I sound completely neurotic.....


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



mushroom Proficient
OK, here's the thing. For the past five years, I have experienced what I can only describe as...stomach/gut 'discomfort'. It isn't cramping, and it isn't full-on bloating...but it gets incredibly tight, and starts to feel conspicuously protruding (but not to the extent of bloating). It isn't painful, and it doesn't spasm...it just feels tight, and full, as if my colon is completely twisted or cramped up and bunching in my gut. Does ANYONE ever feel this way? I used to describe it as bloating, before experiencing TRUE bloating. I just don't know. I have never met anyone who has been able to really GET what I mean. After going gluten free, this sensation faded away for at least a couple of months, but now it appears to have come back. I know it sounds silly, but I just want to be able to give it a NAME...so perhaps I can get something to help alleviate the problem.

thankyou all for reading this. I know I sound completely neurotic.....

Hi Lux: Now don't go feeling neurotic on us :P . Chances are there is a real reason for this sensation that no one has hit on yet. I think it is important to identify, if we can, what is causing problems for us. It could be something minor or unexplainable, or it could be something important. Have you ever tried describing this sensation to your doc? Is it associated with constipation? Or something specific you eat? I am not trying to be alarmist here but I had a very dear friend who was unable to satisfactorily describe a sensation of pressure in her abdomen to either her doctors or her friends, and it turned out to be ovarian cancer. So I do think it is important to explore these issues that bother us so that we can be reassured. And please don't let what I just said worry you. It is just an example of it being important to get to the bottom of things.

Neroli

Lux Explorer

Hey Neroli,

Thanks so much for your advice :-)

Unfortunately, I have had all the tests under the sun done, and the only thing I could maybe-possibly attribute it to (other than the Celiac) is polycystic ovaries (which I do have). But I just don't know. The sensation comes and goes. I was feeling fairly fine this morning, and then after lunch (tuna, spinach and gluten-free mustard), it came back again. Also, it seems to be worse AFTER I go to the bathroom...sigh.

I just don't know...

mushroom Proficient

It truly is a puzzlement. Do you include a gynecologist amongst your docs? If not I would certainly consult one for her advice. Do your other docs have any clues at all, or do they just think it's in your head :rolleyes: ? Why don't you try keeping a food diary and see if there is any correlation? Or maybe you have already done this. And check if it is always associated with going to the bathroom. If it usually comes on after a BM it could be associated with straining (depending on how loose you are :lol: )

torontosue Rookie

I have uterine fibroids. There are days when I feel exactly like you. I'd definitely go to a gynecologist and see about having a pelvic ultrasound done.

And yes, sometimes the pain is worse after a BM, I'm not sure why though.

Good luck figuring it out.

Lux Explorer

Thankyou so much for all your replies!!

Um, I had a pelvic scan only two months ago, so I assume they should have picked anything up then...? (This was how I got diagonsed with polycystic ovaries). What are uterine fybroids, exactly?

I have also had a gastroscopy, as well as an endoscopy...I have Latent Coeliac, which basically means that I have the antibodies without any visibly detected damage to my villi. I have also been diagnosed with IBS, so I usually attribute it to that. Lately, though, it just seems to be playing up extravagantly, and I wonder if it couldn't be associated with stress...?

thankyou all, again, just so much. xo

LuvMoosic4life Collaborator

I have had this before going gluten-free also. it was almost border line bloating, but with that twisting sensation. it went away when gluten-free, but occasionaly I will experience some symptoms of it, just not anywhere near as bad. I find it is usually directly related to the foods I eat, and stress definitly is a factor with me. I find eatingplenty of cooked vegitables helps for me, but my sensation is usulyy realted to constipation/ also monthly problems which i havent seen a gyno for yet.

hope everything works out :)


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,342
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Setb1210
    Newest Member
    Setb1210
    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

    • trents
      My reaction to a gluten bolus exposure is similar to yours, with 2-3 hours of severe abdominal cramps and intractable emesis followed by several hours of diarrhea. I don't necessarily equate that one large exposure to gluten with significant intestinal lining damage, however. I think it's just a violent reaction to a what the body perceives to be a somewhat toxic substance that I am no longer tolerant of because I have quit exposing myself to it regularly. It's just the body purging itself of it rather than an expression of significant damage. Before diagnosis, when I was consuming gluten daily, I had little to no GI distress. I was, for the most part, a "silent celiac". The damage to my small bowel lining didn't happen all at once but was slow and insidious, accumulating over a period of years. The last time I got a big shot of gluten was about three years ago when I got my wife's wheat biscuits mixed up with my gluten-free ones. There was this acute reaction after about two hours of ingestion as I described above. I felt washed out for a few days and fully recovered within a week or so.  Now, I'm a 74-year-old male. So, I'm not worried about being pregnant. And I don't want to contradict your physicians advice. But I just don't think you have done significant damage to your small bowel lining by one episode of significant gluten ingestion. I just don't think it works that way.
    • Skydawg
      Wondering about some thoughts on how long to wait to try to get pregnant after a gluten exposure?  I have been diagnosed for 10 years and have followed the diet strictly. I have been cross contaminated before, but have never had a full on gluten exposure. I went to a restaurant recently, and the waiter messed up and gave me regular bread and told me it was gluten free. 2 hours later I was throwing up for the whole evening. I have never had that kind of reaction before as I have never had such a big exposure. My husband and I were planning to start trying to get pregnant this month. My dr did blood work to check for electrolytes and white blood cells, but did not do a full nutritional panel. Most of my GI symptoms have resolved in the past 2 weeks, but I am definitely still dealing with brain fog, fatigue and headaches. My dr has recommended I wait 3 months before I start to try to get pregnant.   I have read else where about how long it can take for the intestine to fully heal, and the impacts gluten exposure can have on pregnancy. I guess I am really wondering if anyone has had a similar experience? How long does it take to heal after 1 exposure like that, after following the diet so well for 10 years? Is 3 months an okay amount of time to wait? Is there anything I can do in the meantime to reduce my symptoms? 
    • ShadowLoom
      I’ve used tinctures and made my own edibles with gluten-free ingredients to stay safe. Dispensary staff don’t always know about gluten, so I double-check labels or just make my own.
    • Scott Adams
      It's great to hear that there are some good doctors out there, and this is an example of why having a formal diagnosis can definitely be helpful.
    • RMJ
      Update: I have a wonderful new gastroenterologist. She wants to be sure there’s nothing more serious, like refractory celiac, going on. She ordered various tests including some micronutrient tests that no one has ever ordered before.  I’m deficient in folate and zinc and starting supplements for both. I’m so glad I decided to go to a new GI!
×
×
  • Create New...