Nwbie Needs Help For Unexplained Gi Issues

[katie may]

Oh my! I feel so overwhelmed!

I'm only nineteen and still just a baby in this celiac world. Even though I gave up gluten almost two years ago, I have problems and am thinking by the research I've done that I may be struggling with leaky gut and candida issues on top of other allergies/intolerances known and unknown. I have so many questions!

What kind of doctor could tell me if I have leaky gut or candida? And will any doc actually HELP by working with me about it? I had a friend dietician in Dec 2007 who said I probably had gluten issues so I went to an allergist when I could. He told me in Jan 2009 that I was very likely a celiac and had allergies to corn, soy, dairy, and peanuts - a big hit! I finally got to see a GI after this past spring sem ended and he confirmed the celiac disease with an endoscopy. Then his office sent a letter that basically said if I don't have any other questions that'd be all. I knew about the Celiac already!

What about the symptoms I came to see him for? I am almost constantly bloated and constipated and reacting badly to food and have been for about 3 years. I wasn't eating gluten when that test was taken - I hardly eat anything other than lettuce, bananas, and a couple of grains and meats. My doc told me to get enough fiber (that not everyone uses the bathroom everyday) and to see a nutritionist for the gluten-free diet, as if I hadn't told him I'm well acquainted. (sorry for the frustration)

What advice can you give me, friends? Has anyone successfully gotten rid of food allergies/intolerances and/or leaky gut? Are there other problems I need to be tested for? Has anyone gone through/is going through something similar? Im clueless, so thank you in advance for whatever you have to offer!

[OptimisticMom42]

Oh my! I feel so overwhelmed!

I'm only nineteen and still just a baby in this celiac world. Even though I gave up gluten almost two years ago, You're not a baby. You're a grown woman and have been gluten free longer than many of us.

What kind of doctor could tell me if I have leaky gut or candida? I knew I had candida because my skin smelled like wonder bread, and I had recurrent vaginal yeast infections. I cut my carbs and take acidophilus pearls to get rid of it. I know the pearls are working when it get this itchy, icky feeling between my fingers when I wake up in the morning.

What about the symptoms I came to see him for? Have you read up on elimination diets and rotation diets?

I'm sorry if my posting sounds harsh but the truth is that you will probably have to figure this out on your own unless you are happy with adding a dr's diagnosis of IBS to your celiacs.

Take care

RA

[katie may]

Thank you Optimistic -

I dont think figuring it out on my own is harsh at all. I'm glad to know so I don't waste more time waiting on the doc.

I have not read up much on elimination/rotation diets but have heard of them & wondered about them. I'll def look more into the matter and give it a try.

Thanks for your help & encouragement!

[GFinDC]

Hi,

Elimination diets are a great tool. They say that caprylic acid helps with candida also. It is found in coconut milk and can also be bought as a supplement. It can take some time to sort things out so don't feel bad if you make some mistakes along the way. Celiac is a lifelong condition so your time spent reading and learning about it can help you for life.

I am surprised to hear your endoscopy showed damage after 2 years gluten free. That seems like a long time to not be healed if you are strictly gluten-free. That makes me kind of wonder if you are really sticking to the diet 100%? Your diet needs to be as 100% gluten-free as you can make it. Little bits of gluten do make a difference and can set you back. The advantage to being strict about it is yuo have the chance then to heal and to absorb your nutrients and vitamins better. Which can help you with feeling better and having more energy.

I think a mostly whole foods diet is the best way for people to go. Limiting the number of processed foods you eat will make it easier to identify the foods that cause problems.

Welcome to the site!

[Darn210]

I am surprised to hear your endoscopy showed damage after 2 years gluten free. That seems like a long time to not be healed if you are strictly gluten-free. That makes me kind of wonder if you are really sticking to the diet 100%? Your diet needs to be as 100% gluten-free as you can make it. Little bits of gluten do make a difference and can set you back. The advantage to being strict about it is yuo have the chance then to heal and to absorb your nutrients and vitamins better. Which can help you with feeling better and having more energy.

I was going to say the same thing . . .

I had a friend dietician in Dec 2007 who said I probably had gluten issues so I went to an allergist when I could. He told me in Jan 2009 that I was very likely a celiac and had allergies to corn, soy, dairy, and peanuts - a big hit! I finally got to see a GI after this past spring sem ended and he confirmed the celiac disease with an endoscopy. Then his office sent a letter that basically said if I don't have any other questions that'd be all. I knew about the Celiac already!

Did the allergist do a blood test for Celiac? Did the GI?

What about the symptoms I came to see him for? I am almost constantly bloated and constipated and reacting badly to food and have been for about 3 years. I wasn't eating gluten when that test was taken -

What test? The endoscopy? If you have Celiac and you still have damage and symptoms, then you really need to take a look at whether you are truly gluten free. If any of the testing you had done "recently" was a blood test, and it was positive for Celiac, then you are still ingesting gluten somewhere.

That being said . . . Here is a quote from Momma Goose from another thread . . .

There are other causes for the blunting of the villi, as in alcohol abuse and malnutrition, as well as a few other intolerances.

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Although villous atrophy is not exclusive of celiac disease, it is considered a crucial finding. Other causes of blunted villi include tropical sprue, malnutrition, intolerance to cow's milk, soy protein intolerance, and infectious gastroenteritis. However, most of these conditions can be readily excluded on the basis of clinical history and laboratory data.

[AliB]

What has done more than anything to help my GI issues and Candida is to radically cut my carb intake. Most gluten-free foods are unfortunately typically higher in carbs than gluten foods so unless you are off all grains, starches, sugar and most dairy gluten-free is not always the answer for many.

You may need to have a little extra protein and more fats (but not trans-fats, hydrogenated or heated vegetable oils, including margarine). Natural fats such as butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and ghee are ok and even the much and very wrongly maligned animal fats. Most veg is fine apart from root veg like potatoes and parsnips (carrots can be eaten in moderation) and some fruits are ok in limitation.

There is much research coming out now to show that it is not fats that are the monsters but carbohydrates, and especially refined carbs. Yeasts love undigested carbs and their activity will often help to keep the cycle of gut damage going.

I had already gone much lower carb, but over the last two weeks I have really reigned it in and even in that short time I can see the external signs of the 'fungus factory' rapidly diminishing, and that gives me confidence that the internal ones are too.

Needing carbs in our diet is fallacy - there are many cultures, such as the Inuit, who eat virtually no carbs whatsoever yet are fit and healthy and suffer with little or none of our 'Western' diseases. However, where they have adopted the Western diet, disease has followed rapidly on its heels.

I follow the SCD but any low-carb regime is beneficial - I am sure that everyone would benefit - not just those who are gluten intolerant, or like me, also Diabetic.

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[katie may]

Hey guys

Sorry this response has to be so quick:

I forgot to mention that before the GI did a blood test a couple of months ago, he had me eat gluten for a week before - like my first time in forever! So, I havent been completely gluten-free until now.

He and the allergist did blood tests, and the GI did an endoscopy to be sure a few weeks ago.

I am very intrigued about the SCD and am looking into it.

Thank you all for the websites and advice!!!!