Jump to content

  • 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

Caveman?

weeza

By weeza
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

weeza Newbie
weeza
Posted

I wont bore you all with how I got here. Been yrs developing. I have been gluten-free for about a month although I know I had a couple slipups the first couple weeks. My stomach pains are gone, I have more energy, still have some bowel problems with carry over hemmeroinds. Going in for scope for that next week. Anyway.... My biggest problem is distention of stomach and bloating. I am never hungry and have to force myself to eat. I eat small amts. so I don't get too uncomfortable. I was always a big carb eater and still have been eating brown rice and a few other "OK" grains. I have lost 10 lbs, could stand to lose another 30 but my stomach is huge, tight and uncomfortable. My question after further investagating over the weekend is....Would it benefit me to cut out grains and basically do caveman diet? Have any of you done this and seen improvement in distention, and if I eat a wide variety can I meet my nutritional needs this way? Thanks

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


wschmucks Contributor
wschmucks
Posted

Hi there-- Welcome to the world of Celiac and to the website. I had/ have terrible stomach distension too. When i first started noticing symptoms i thought I was just gaining weight. I started dieting, working out hard, etc and I couldnt understand why i wouldnt loose my gut! I am 5'7, 115 now but was 126 at the time. I have a small frame so 10 pounds is alot on me. I noticed it was all in the stomach too...that followed by other terrible symptoms is what got me to my Celiac diagnosis. I would eat a very small amount of food-- half cut of lintels and rice toast for lunch and feel disgusting-- like i had eated a big mac and fries. This GOES AWAY :-) YAY! BUT-- it takes time. I am only 3 months gluten free and I was able to start eating larger meals probably about a month and a half in or so. It depends on how often you get accidentally glutened. Even now revert to that old feeling at times so its not completely gone, but its getting alot better.

Bloating still bothers me but not any where near like it used to. I take a digestive enzyme (super digest away), Fennel seed pill, probiotics and liquid fish oil (about 10 times more potent than the pills) and those have really helped bring down the inflamation (which is what usually causes the bloating). I also drink alot of apple cider vinegar tea, but i suffer from C so im not sure if it is good to raise the aciditiy of your stomach if you have D. Keep working at it and be patient. It takes a while for us to get all fixed up!

As for the diet-- do whatever makes you feel best. Maybe try out the paelo diet and see if you feel good. I was vegan for a whole year (before diagnosed) and it made me feel alittle bit better, but didnt help with my symptoms over all. If you cant eat alot of food, it might be a good diet just to make sure that what you ARE eating is high in nutritional value. Good luck.

weeza Newbie
weeza
Posted
  • Author

Wschmucks-Thanks for the info. I have been hesitant taking enzymes and such because I am so new at reading labels but have found and very knowlegable natural store that my be able to double check ingredients with me. I feel like I look like a turtle with the shell in front. This is a new "adventure" for me but spending 45 yrs just doing whatever, I am now learning how to read my body. Can you imagine never paying attention to your body for 45 yrs. Well live and learn. Thanks again for your help.

chasbari Apprentice
chasbari
Posted
Wschmucks-Thanks for the info. I have been hesitant taking enzymes and such because I am so new at reading labels but have found and very knowlegable natural store that my be able to double check ingredients with me. I feel like I look like a turtle with the shell in front. This is a new "adventure" for me but spending 45 yrs just doing whatever, I am now learning how to read my body. Can you imagine never paying attention to your body for 45 yrs. Well live and learn. Thanks again for your help.

I too am newly diagnosed. Have been gluten free since right before Thanksgiving but was still having problems with foods that are supposed to be safe. Grains and things. I also would eat only because it was time even though I had that bloat all the time. Went Paleo last month and cannot believe how much better I am feeling. I had forgotten what it meant to actually be truly hungry. I am finding that chicked is the only thing that seems to be problematic thus far and I am following it very strictly as I also have rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogrens...which have responded incredibly well to the paleo diet. I find I have to guard vigilently against any soy as well.

Good luck!

Chuck

wschmucks Contributor
wschmucks
Posted
Wschmucks-Thanks for the info. I have been hesitant taking enzymes and such because I am so new at reading labels but have found and very knowlegable natural store that my be able to double check ingredients with me. I feel like I look like a turtle with the shell in front. This is a new "adventure" for me but spending 45 yrs just doing whatever, I am now learning how to read my body. Can you imagine never paying attention to your body for 45 yrs. Well live and learn. Thanks again for your help.

It is definetly trial and error, but you can always call the company or look it up online. I google products on my blackberry in stores ALL the time. Let me know if you have luck with the Paleo diet-- I was recently thinking about it too, I just dont know if I could do no sugar or grains...I think I would need one or the other. But if it really helps I'd do anything!

YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted

I have found the paleo diet to be very helpful over the years especially when I don't feel well, although I would also add root vegetables to it...

Bea

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

I'm pretty paleo. I eat rice crackers occasionally, and I won't turn down sushi, if offered :P , but I don't prepare other grains for myself.

I eat root veggies in the winter (I'm not as interested in them in the summer), but I aim for the weird ones - parsnips and rutabagas and maybe beets. Minimal potatoes.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I most definately feel better eating Paleo-ish. Over the holidays, I upped my consumption of grains and sugar and in addition to gaining weight and feeling bloated, my digestion suffered. I had more D and lower abdominal discomfort.

I've gone back to meats, poultry, veggies (except legumes), fruits and nuts (walnuts and almonds), and tea and feel so much better already.

I also limit white potato to once a week or so.

WW340 Rookie
WW340
Posted

My stomach didn't start getting flat until I gave up grains almost entirely. I am not on a particular named diet, but I mainly eat meat, veggies - cooked and raw, fruit, eggs, cheese, and nuts. I occasionally have rice or a potato. I feel much better eating this way.

I never really had to eliminate dairy. It doesn't seem to bother me. I use dairy based dips with my raw veggies. I rarely eat grain based foods anymore. Once in a while I will treat myself to just a few gluten-free crackers or waffle.

oceangirl Collaborator
oceangirl
Posted

Hi!

I eat pretty Paleo as well and whenever I have symptoms again I revert to it religiously. My diet primarily consists of: Fish, meat, chicken, nuts, greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, (not so Paleo) veggies and fruits and I can eat raw sugar in tea; it doesn't seem to bother me.

I eat sweet potato quite often and white potato very rarely. I can tolerate Tinkyada but not rice. (Makes no sense, I know...)

Most common veggies and herbs that work are: swiss chard, romaine, garlic, basil, sweet potoatos, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, butternut, winter, and acorn squash.

Most common fruits: BANANAS! I've introduced oranges and grapes and cherries are very good. Strawberries and blueberries which I tend to make into homemade jam. I can also tolerate V8.

All this after almost 4 years and 2 years of that being gluten, soy, dairy, egg, legume, nightshade and citrus free! Now I am gluten, soy and legume free.

Hope this helps!

lisa

YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted
Hi!

I eat pretty Paleo as well and whenever I have symptoms again I revert to it religiously. My diet primarily consists of: Fish, meat, chicken, nuts, greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, (not so Paleo) veggies and fruits and I can eat raw sugar in tea; it doesn't seem to bother me.

I eat sweet potato quite often and white potato very rarely. I can tolerate Tinkyada but not rice. (Makes no sense, I know...)

Most common veggies and herbs that work are: swiss chard, romaine, garlic, basil, sweet potoatos, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, butternut, winter, and acorn squash.

Most common fruits: BANANAS! I've introduced oranges and grapes and cherries are very good. Strawberries and blueberries which I tend to make into homemade jam. I can also tolerate V8.

All this after almost 4 years and 2 years of that being gluten, soy, dairy, egg, legume, nightshade and citrus free! Now I am gluten, soy and legume free.

Hope this helps!

lisa

How nice you can eat tomatoes again! Shows you can get better after a while...

Wish I could have cheddar cheese! but it seems to still not be got for me. However yogurt I could almost eat all day...

Bea

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,685
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tdouglas2901
    Newest Member
    tdouglas2901
    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

    • Scott Adams
      Draft gluten-free ciders… can they be trusted ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I'd go with a vodka tonic, but that's just me😉
    • Rejoicephd
      Draft gluten-free ciders… can they be trusted ?

      By Rejoicephd · Posted

      That and my nutritionist also said that drinking cider is one of the worst drink choices for me, given that I have candida overgrowth.  She said the combination of the alcohol and sugar would be very likely to worsen my candida problem.  She suggested that if I drink, I go for clear vodka, either neat or with a splash of cranberry.   So in summary, I am giving ciders a rest.  Whether it's a gluten risk or sugars and yeast overgrowth, its just not worth it.
    • Inkie
      Tea Bags and Gluten

      By Inkie · Posted

      Thank you for the information ill will definitely bring it into practice .
    • Scott Adams
      Tea Bags and Gluten

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While plain, pure tea leaves (black, green, or white) are naturally gluten-free, the issue often lies not with the tea itself but with other ingredients or processing. Many flavored teas use barley malt or other gluten-containing grains as a flavoring agent, which would be clearly listed on the ingredient label. Cross-contamination is another possibility, either in the facility where the tea is processed or, surprisingly, from the tea bag material itself—some tea bags are sealed with a wheat-based glue. Furthermore, it's important to consider that your reaction could be to other substances in tea, such as high levels of tannins, which can be hard on the stomach, or to natural histamines or other compounds that can cause a non-celiac immune response. The best way to investigate is to carefully read labels for hidden ingredients, try switching to a certified gluten-free tea brand that uses whole leaf or pyramid-style bags, and see if the reaction persists.
    • Scott Adams
      Inconclusive results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a challenging and confusing situation. The combination of a positive EMA—which is a highly specific marker rarely yielding false positives—alongside strongly elevated TTG on two separate occasions, years apart, is profoundly suggestive of celiac disease, even in the absence of biopsy damage. This pattern strongly aligns with what is known as "potential celiac disease," where the immune system is clearly activated, but intestinal damage has not yet become visible under the microscope. Your concern about the long-term risk of continued gluten consumption is valid, especially given your family's experience with the consequences of delayed diagnosis. Since your daughter is now at an age where her buy-in is essential for a gluten-free lifestyle, obtaining a definitive answer is crucial for her long-term adherence and health. Given that she is asymptomatic yet serologically positive, a third biopsy now, after a proper 12-week challenge, offers the best chance to capture any microscopic damage that may have developed, providing the concrete evidence needed to justify the dietary change. This isn't about wanting her to have celiac; it's about wanting to prevent the insidious damage that can occur while waiting for symptoms to appear, and ultimately giving her the unambiguous "why" she needs to accept and commit to the necessary treatment. This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.