Relief From Gluten Free Diet...is It Celiac?

[coltsfan18]

I am 25 years old and have been suffering with abdominal cramping, gas (awful gas), bloating, and inconsistent bowel movements since as long as I can remember. It started getting really bad a few years ago when I started running and realized I couldn't run well when I felt awful. The only thing that relieved me was going to the bathroom, which I didn't do often, but when I did it was very diarrhea-ish. Usually about lunchtime, mid afternoon I get crampy and bloaty and I have to run home after work to try to pass gas or go the bathroom.

I always assumed I had constipation because I always felt like I needed to go, but couldn't, and the only time I felt relief was from having a bowel movement. I was actually diagnosed with IBS-C from my PCP and was put on fiber, which surprisingly didn't help with my symptoms, although I did go a little more often. Then I was put on Miralax which just made my stools very gross, but didn't help with symptoms. I am very active, drink a lot of water, and eat a good diet of fruits, veggies and a lot of WHOLE GRAINS to get my carbs in for running and training. I just think if it was IBS it would have gotten better.

Last week, I saw a different PCP and she suggested that it may be something I am eating. We talked and it occured to me that it got worse when I was fiber loading or carbo loading. She suggested trying to eliminate gluten for a trial. I did for one full week and felt FANTASTIC! All of my symptoms were miraculously gone, and I felt amazing. I felt like I lost 10 lbs! My runs were getting better and I didn't have to run home after work to sit on the toilet. My husband even commented that I was in such a better mood. Today, I went back to eating gluten and just had a bowl of cereal, some breaded chicken and lunch and I felt back to the way I was. Doubled over in pain, gassy, bloated, irritable, etc.

I have an appointment with a GI doc in 5 days and I know I should keep eating gluten before I get tested, but I don't know if I can knowing how bad it makes me feel. Do you think I am gluten intolerant and do I need to keep eating that horrible stuff until my appointment? My rice bread isn't looking so bad anymore...

Thanks for reading my long post. I appreciate any advice!

[mushroom]

I am 25 years old and have been suffering with abdominal cramping, gas (awful gas), bloating, and inconsistent bowel movements since as long as I can remember. It started getting really bad a few years ago when I started running and realized I couldn't run well when I felt awful. The only thing that relieved me was going to the bathroom, which I didn't do often, but when I did it was very diarrhea-ish. Usually about lunchtime, mid afternoon I get crampy and bloaty and I have to run home after work to try to pass gas or go the bathroom.

I always assumed I had constipation because I always felt like I needed to go, but couldn't, and the only time I felt relief was from having a bowel movement. I was actually diagnosed with IBS-C from my PCP and was put on fiber, which surprisingly didn't help with my symptoms, although I did go a little more often. Then I was put on Miralax which just made my stools very gross, but didn't help with symptoms. I am very active, drink a lot of water, and eat a good diet of fruits, veggies and a lot of WHOLE GRAINS to get my carbs in for running and training. I just think if it was IBS it would have gotten better.

Last week, I saw a different PCP and she suggested that it may be something I am eating. We talked and it occured to me that it got worse when I was fiber loading or carbo loading. She suggested trying to eliminate gluten for a trial. I did for one full week and felt FANTASTIC! All of my symptoms were miraculously gone, and I felt amazing. I felt like I lost 10 lbs! My runs were getting better and I didn't have to run home after work to sit on the toilet. My husband even commented that I was in such a better mood. Today, I went back to eating gluten and just had a bowl of cereal, some breaded chicken and lunch and I felt back to the way I was. Doubled over in pain, gassy, bloated, irritable, etc.

I have an appointment with a GI doc in 5 days and I know I should keep eating gluten before I get tested, but I don't know if I can knowing how bad it makes me feel. Do you think I am gluten intolerant and do I need to keep eating that horrible stuff until my appointment? My rice bread isn't looking so bad anymore...

Thanks for reading my long post. I appreciate any advice!

If you intend going through the celiac testing you must continue eating gluten until the testing is done, otherwise your results will be affected (blood testing measures antibodies to gluten which are produced when gluten is present, the endoscopy measures damage to the small intestine which can start to heal in the absence of gluten).

From your symptom description, I would say "Welcome to the club." And, by the way, welcome to the forum.

[sixtytwo]

So............I think you made the ultimate test and passed it. If you think you need to go through the testing, then go ahead and eat all of the gluten, but what difference will it make. You know the answer already. You have celiac disease and should not eat gluten. Do you need the GI doctor to tell you what you already know? I have only a gluten intolerance, not celiac disease, but I just know it and and don't eat gluten. This cannot be proven by any test and so I just go with what I know in my head and heart. I just feel better. Doctors just don't get it, mostly.

Barbara