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Stomach..pain? Bloating? Cramping?

Lux

By Lux
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Lux Explorer
Lux
Posted

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.....

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted
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
Lux
Posted
  • Author

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
mushroom
Posted

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
torontosue
Posted

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
Lux
Posted
  • Author

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
LuvMoosic4life
Posted

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 :)

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      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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