Help! gluten-free For 2 Years But Symptoms Are Back!

[Lizzy23]

Hello,

I am 23 years old and have been gluten-free for the past 2 years. At first the diet seemed to be working, my symptoms were improving! According to the Enterolab tests I did 2 years ago I am indeed gluten sensitive. However, I have been having digestive problems yet again and now am not so sure that the gluten-free diet is working. My symptoms include constipation, gas, bloating, distention, and abdominal and lower back pain. I'm really confused and not sure what I should be doing but I know that even with my current gluten-free diet I am still in pain and having digestive issues that an active 23 year old probably shouldn't be having. Any thoughts or suggestions?

THANKS!

[RiceGuy]

My first thoughts are:

1) Are you taking any supplements? If so, what kinds, and are they gluten-free?

2) Have you recently changed anything in your diet? Switched brands for something?

3) Have you checked your skin/hair care products, makeup, laundry and dish detergents, etc?

4) Do you eat dairy, soy, nuts, eggs, or other common allergenic foods?

The first thing I thought of with regard to the symptoms you mentioned, is magnesium. I'd highly recommend trying it. Obviously, make sure it's gluten-free!

Welcome to the board!

[gfpaperdoll]

Are you getting CC from somewhere? What is your working & living situation?

what are you eating? are you eating any Quaker Rice Cakes?

There are some other things that might look gluten-free on the label but really are not.

Are you eating anything that has "natural flavor" on the label? A lot of food companies have cleaned up their labels & lump all the MSG & stuff under natural flavor.

are you eating dairy? soy? oops I guess that was mentioned.

anyway, we will help you sleuth it out!!!! Give us info!!! & yes welcome to our group.

do you belong to your local support group? if not, might be the time to look them up...

[jerseyangel]

Hi Lizzy and welcome!

This happens to me from time to time--I've been gluten-free for a little over 3 years.

Every time, it turns out to be either a new food (or brand) that turns out to be made on shared lines or a change in how something I am using is processed.

Definately check your personal care products--and go through everything you are consuming with a fine tooth comb. Are you eating out more often--or at a new restaurant?

I hope you get it figured out soon.

[home-based-mom]

In addition to all of the above, read Open Original Shared Link thread. It may give you some ideas of where else to look.

[white ridges]

  Lizzy23 said:

Hello,

I am 23 years old and have been gluten-free for the past 2 years. At first the diet seemed to be working, my symptoms were improving! According to the Enterolab tests I did 2 years ago I am indeed gluten sensitive. However, I have been having digestive problems yet again and now am not so sure that the gluten-free diet is working. My symptoms include constipation, gas, bloating, distention, and abdominal and lower back pain. I'm really confused and not sure what I should be doing but I know that even with my current gluten-free diet I am still in pain and having digestive issues that an active 23 year old probably shouldn't be having. Any thoughts or suggestions?

THANKS!

[white ridges]

Has a product you have been using changed? Just recently, the "Nautral" roast chicken at my local Stop & Shop deli which previously was labeled with Ingredients: chicken, now has a new look and label. Under the handy little cardboard holder that is wrapped around the container is a new label which says that the chicken is injected with a 18% solution of chicken broth, sea salt, corn starch, carageenan, brown sugar, natural flavor, canola oil, onion,carrot. No allergens. !!!!!! I am still waiting for a reply telling me what is in that chicken broth and what are those natural flavors? And that new label is not available to read until the product is taken home and unwrapped! I am not pleased. Anyway, you cannot take anything for granted. Have you licked stamps or envelopes or had communion wafers? That previous post about checking medications and supplements is very important too. Those 'other ingredients' can be a major problem. Good luck to YOU

[Lizzy23]

Hey Everyone,

THanks for all of your imput, I really appreciate it! The frustrating thing is that I haven't really changed much in my diet or in my supplements so I can't really think of any sort of cross contamination that may have occured. Since I have been gluten-free for 2 years I pretty much know how to avoid things now. Grr. I'm looking for a new doctor that will hopefully have more answers. I"ll keep you all posted.

THanks!

[RiceGuy]

It sounds like perhaps something you've been using is now being made differently. I think you'll need to go through everything, call the companies, etc.

[TrillumHunter]

Sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with celiac. I had the same thing and wound up having my gallbladder out. I just recently posted about it. In one week of recovery I have seen all those "glutening" symptoms disappear. I never had any of the classic gallbladder symptoms.

Just a thought....

[tinkonthebrink]

I'm brand new to this forum but wanted to mention that people with celiac disease can also have other problems just like everyone else. It's tempting to assume that symptoms that seem like they are related to gluten mean that celiac is the answer every time problems come up, but it could be another food sensitivity (dairy? nightshades?), it could, like someone else suggested, be gallbladder related (although you're awfully young for that), it could be a low level enterovirus, or it could in fact be a subtle exposure to gluten that you're missing. Good luck, and don't discount other possibilites. Maybe try a little elimination diet for suspect foods besides glutens first?