Lost A Lot Of Weight After Going Gluten Free

[MomOf2PrettyGirls]

I've been semi over weight my entire life, however after self diagnosing myself a few months ago, i've dropped a lot of weight very easily.

I've never been able to lose weight easily. Actually, I couldn't lose weight at all, even with strenuous excercise. Since going Gluten Free (also Dairy Free(gives me stomach cramps and D), Corn Free(gives me headaches and sinus infections), and Cane Sugar Free(gives me heart palpitations and sweats)) i've lost about 12-15lbs. I don't feel bad, my stomach never hurts anymore and i have more energy, but it's just a bit scary to me.

I'm always terrified something major is wrong. I have such extreme acid reflux or GERD that i'm taking 2 Ranitidine at bedtime every night and sometimes I still have flare ups. I haven't been diagnosed by a GI, but rather my general physician. I do have a GI appt at the end of this month, so i'm anxious about that.

I was bulimic for almost 3 years when I was a teenager and i'm always terrified that that caused esophagus damage. Now that I have such bad reflux and pain, and not losing weight makes me automatically think cancer I hate being a worry wart. Any words of advice?

[Mtndog]

I know we always assume the worst! But I bet you may need something stronger than zantac. There are MUCH better acid reflux medications out there that actually help your esophagus heal (nexium is what I'm on. I took 4 zantac a day and still had problems. It's good that you're going to see a GI.

After going gluten-free, some people gain, some people lose weight. Could it be that you're eating healthier, less processed foods? dairy has a lot of calories and cutting out that with sugar couold easily cause weight loss. I lost 20 pounds after giving up the 8 glasses of milk I used to drink every day.

Don't worry, just follow up with the GI and keep us posted.

[MomOf2PrettyGirls]

Thank you! I am such a worry wart and always assume the worst.

My family told me the same thing. I cut out all processed foods, sweets, caffeine, snacks, dairy, etc.. and that was mainly what I previously ate. A LOT of cheese and sweets and bread!

[ravenwoodglass]

You say you went on the diet a few months ago. I would not be concerned. If the weight loss has come about during a very short time frame, like a week or two, and you have not increased your activiity level and are consuming the same calories then you might want to get checked out. Otherwise I would relax.

I lost about 15 lbs myself in just the month after diagnosis, but in my case it was mostly water weight. I went from a size 12 to a 4 during that time, mostly due to losing the bloat. I have now held steady at a good weight for my frame for the 7 years since diagnosis.

[bittykitty]

Mom I completely understand.I've probably lost 30 pounds since the end of Febuary, and it's still coming off.I actually had to cut back on my exercise a month ago,because I wasn't eating enough to keep up with my old hour a day routine.(my appetite is lesss than half of what it was, and, now that most dairy is out,consists of tea,produce,fish and chicken).Strange to flip from"I can't lose weight" to "I can't keep it on" so quickly.

[mamaesq]

I was diagnosed on October 2 and have lost nearly 30 lbs since then. I ran anywhere up to 7 miles at a time 4-6 times a week last summer and kept gaining instead of losing. Once I was diagnosed, I stopped running (mainly because of weather and laziness), but that's when my weight began to drop. Within two weeks I was down over 5 lbs and by December I had lost 20 lbs. I've slowly lost the rest over the last 7 months, and would probably have lost more if M&Ms weren't gluten free. I really only need to lose another 10-15 lb, but I'm back into a 4/6 from a 12/14 so I'm not complaining!

In Gluten Free for Dummies it says that overweight celiacs tend to lose and underweight celiacs tend to gain because as the intestine starts to heal, the body begins absorbing nutrients properly. In my case, I think my body got out of starvation mode and finally started to let go of all the excess baby weight.

I think it's an added benefit of being gluten free!!

[EJR]

I've been semi over weight my entire life, however after self diagnosing myself a few months ago, i've dropped a lot of weight very easily.

I've never been able to lose weight easily. Actually, I couldn't lose weight at all, even with strenuous excercise. Since going Gluten Free (also Dairy Free(gives me stomach cramps and D), Corn Free(gives me headaches and sinus infections), and Cane Sugar Free(gives me heart palpitations and sweats)) i've lost about 12-15lbs. I don't feel bad, my stomach never hurts anymore and i have more energy, but it's just a bit scary to me.

I'm always terrified something major is wrong. I have such extreme acid reflux or GERD that i'm taking 2 Ranitidine at bedtime every night and sometimes I still have flare ups. I haven't been diagnosed by a GI, but rather my general physician. I do have a GI appt at the end of this month, so i'm anxious about that.

I was bulimic for almost 3 years when I was a teenager and i'm always terrified that that caused esophagus damage. Now that I have such bad reflux and pain, and not losing weight makes me automatically think cancer I hate being a worry wart. Any words of advice?

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know that I also have developed almost all of my digestive problems since having gall bladder surgery (Dec. 07). Prior to that I had a problem with dairy (diarrhea & some bloating) and an allergy to eggs.

Since the surgery everything has gone crazy. I don't seem to be able to eat gluten now and many, many other foods. I have lost a total of 50 pounds since my gall bladder surgery. I was 168 lbs. (slightly overweight) and now weigh in at 118. I'm 5'7" so I'm now slightly underweight. I'm 63 years old and am fighting real hard not to loose anymore weight. It is very hard though with so many dietary restrictions.

I have a 'hiatal hernia' and have found that as long as I sleep with the head raised on my bed this stops a lot of the regurge for me. Have you tried any of the proton pump inhibitors? They helped me for a few weeks but then started to give me a lot of bowel pain so I stopped them. For some reason I'm not having much problem with regurge anymore like I used to. Perhaps it is the change in diet? my new bed with a head that can be raised? or perhaps my weight loss.

Sure hope you find some relief for your regurge. Have you had an upper endoscopy to have your esophagus checked?

Joyce

[beanpot]

I lost about 10lbs off of my small frame, but I don't feel bad and I think its mostly a good thing. I've developed a liking for baking gluten-free - muffins, cookies, quick breads, pancakes, which I think stabilizes my weight now and is very fun and satisfying.

You can try looking up what your weight should be based on your height, and just make sure you aren't too far off the mark with that. Also your doctor should be able to determine if you are too thin.

[MomOf2PrettyGirls]

Thank yo uall so much. That really eases my nerves. I keep telling myself it has to be the change in diet. I was so used to smothering everything in cheese and eating lots of sweets and breads. Now I basically eat raw fruits, veggies, lean meats, and everything made of rice (rice tortillas, rice milk etc..)

That is interesting to hear that overweight tend to lose weight and underweight tend to gain. It makes sense though.

Joyce that is so strange isn't it? I had a few problems after my daughter was born in Oct, but nothing like what occurred after my gallbladder surgery. It's awful now!

Thank you all again!

[EJR]

Thank yo uall so much. That really eases my nerves. I keep telling myself it has to be the change in diet. I was so used to smothering everything in cheese and eating lots of sweets and breads. Now I basically eat raw fruits, veggies, lean meats, and everything made of rice (rice tortillas, rice milk etc..)

That is interesting to hear that overweight tend to lose weight and underweight tend to gain. It makes sense though.

Joyce that is so strange isn't it? I had a few problems after my daughter was born in Oct, but nothing like what occurred after my gallbladder surgery. It's awful now!

Thank you all again!

Hi again,

Going back to the gall bladder surgery and the problems it can cause in some people. One specialist that I saw actually says that the digestive problems that I am having (including the very sore lower bowel) are likely caused by the gall bladder surgery. He said it can take a very long time for the digestive system to readjust after this surgery in some people. You are probably aware that the gall bladder acted as a 'holding tank' for bile and released bile when fat was eaten to enable proper digestion. When it is removed the bile from the liver drips into the large intestine. Bile is very alkaline and in some people causes diarrhea and bloating. They give people Questeran (cholestyramine) for this problem. It is supposed to soak up the excess bile in the bowel. Unfortunately I can't take the stuff as it makes me very stomach sick. For about 8 months after the surgery I had constant diarrhea but now I seem to have developed alternating very loose bowels and constipation. Questeran is quite constipating. Has your doctor ever suggested this to you?

Joyce

[MomOf2PrettyGirls]

No, I haven't seen my doctor again. I have never heard of that either..hmm. I agree it is taking a long time to recover from the surgery. So many told me it was a breeze, but mine was painful for a long time.

When you say sore lower bowel, what do you mean (sorry if that is to personal) My stomach is tender to touch right above my belly button and below my stomach. What would that be? Could that be where a possible Ulcer would be located? It is only tender at certain times. (early in the morning, when i'm very hungry, when laying on my back and one of my kids plops down on my stomach) I think it sounds like an Ulcer, but i'm not sure.

[Korwyn]

I was diagnosed on October 2 and have lost nearly 30 lbs since then. I ran anywhere up to 7 miles at a time 4-6 times a week last summer and kept gaining instead of losing. Once I was diagnosed, I stopped running (mainly because of weather and laziness), but that's when my weight began to drop. Within two weeks I was down over 5 lbs and by December I had lost 20 lbs. I've slowly lost the rest over the last 7 months, and would probably have lost more if M&Ms weren't gluten free. I really only need to lose another 10-15 lb, but I'm back into a 4/6 from a 12/14 so I'm not complaining!

In Gluten Free for Dummies it says that overweight celiacs tend to lose and underweight celiacs tend to gain because as the intestine starts to heal, the body begins absorbing nutrients properly. In my case, I think my body got out of starvation mode and finally started to let go of all the excess baby weight.

I think it's an added benefit of being gluten free!!

Looking back on it now, my symptoms began showing up when I was about 19. I also started gradually gaining weight. When I was in my early 20's I was actively (heavily) studying and pursuing Martial Arts. I was going to class 4 nights a week and on Saturday (a total of 11 2 1/2 to 3 hour classes). It was all I could to to maintain my weight at 190 lbs. When I was 18 I weighed 178.

[EJR]

No, I haven't seen my doctor again. I have never heard of that either..hmm. I agree it is taking a long time to recover from the surgery. So many told me it was a breeze, but mine was painful for a long time.

When you say sore lower bowel, what do you mean (sorry if that is to personal) My stomach is tender to touch right above my belly button and below my stomach. What would that be? Could that be where a possible Ulcer would be located? It is only tender at certain times. (early in the morning, when i'm very hungry, when laying on my back and one of my kids plops down on my stomach) I think it sounds like an Ulcer, but i'm not sure.

Hi Again,

When I say lower bowel pain, I'm referring to the colon and large bowel rather than stomach and small intestine. And yes, apparently for most people gall bladder surgery is a breeze but for about 2 or 3 of the patients develop long term diarrhea/bloating and other digestive problems.

The pain that you are describing sounds like it is either stomach or small intestine or possibly the transverse large bowel. Apparently the damage in celiac disease is in the small intestine. Ulcer pain is often reduced by eating so it sounds possible.

Joyce