Anyone With This Problem?

[glutengal]

I am new to the gluten free diet and have been having a problem with constipation since starting it. I started the diet because I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 8-9 mths. ago and have asthma that started 10 years ago ( family history), as well as a history of bronchitis that I've had since I was a little girl.

At the time I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I had a bout of diarrhea that contained a lot of blood that was only this one time and later that night the blood and diarrhea disappeared as fast as it came on and I went to the ER who could find nothing wrong. But for the next 14 days I had constipation and went to the doctor who did a CT Scan with Contrast and could not find anything wrong. The doctor told me to take miralax which I did for a week and that put things back on track. In the 8-9 months since then I have had no blood or diarrhea but bm's had been only every few days(some float and some sink).

Now to what actually led me to try going gluten free.....

My daughter who had a brain tumor at 6 years old (she is now 25) has had problems over the years with indigestion, headaches, sinus congestion, a lingering cough, and frequent earaches. Several months ago she started getting more frequent headaches with one that lasted everyday all day for 2 weeks and every headache prescription the doctors tried did not alleviate it at all. I was worried about a recurrence of her tumor which was not very likely this many years out but still a concern. They ran tests and no tumor (thank god). I then talked to her neurologist who mentioned that gluten intolerance can contribute to headaches. I did not really look into this at that time as after a few more days the headache finally went away. Since that time she would still get the weekly headaches,but the indigestion started getting to be everyday as well as she complain of her stomach hurting every time she would eat. I then found out about celiac disease and asked for her to be tested. They did a blood test and biopsy (still on gluten) and they both came back negative, but the biopsy showed gastritis. I then decided to go ahead and put her on a gluten free diet, this was 2 1/2 mths.ago and she has responsed extremely well. All of the headaches, stomach aches, indigestion etc. have gone. I hope it continues for her.

So my daughters success is what led me to try going gluten free because I have heard it could possibly help hypothyroidism and asthma. My father was diagnosed last year with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Mantel Cell and has been taking B-12 injections for years ( I have been told these could be linked to Celiac).

Well as I stated I have been constipated since I started going gluten free a week and a half ago. I have tried every suggestion given to me (ground flaxseed- 3tbsp.daily, magnesium supplements 600mg daily, and prunes- 3 daily) and have only a 2 small bm's the size of a milk dud that float (in past they would sink and float) about 2 days ago and nothing since. I have only been eating fruits, veggies, meat (chicken breast, tuna and salmon and 1 turkey chop), salad with spinach, lettace and tomato, small amount of yogurt (not everyday), a little beans, a little brown rice and quinoa and some almonds and sunflower seeds. I am not sure what is going on as to why I would be this constipated going gluten free. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance and sorry so long of a story.

[ravenwoodglass]

I do have a suggestion, try some sweet potatoes. I get horrible C from soy and I came across sweet potatoes as a 'treatment' for both C and D when I was reading a book on Chinese 'food' medicine. It has helped me a lot perhaps it would work for you.

[glutengal]

I do have a suggestion, try some sweet potatoes. I get horrible C from soy and I came across sweet potatoes as a 'treatment' for both C and D when I was reading a book on Chinese 'food' medicine. It has helped me a lot perhaps it would work for you.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try this today and let you know what happens in a few days.

[katie may]

Have you eaten quinoa before going gluten-free? If you haven't, it may be the culprit.

I don't know if you get bloated with your C but if you do, pay attention to whatever makes you feel that way. Beans, grains, fruits - whatever causes discomfort. I used to tell myself it was just normal but it's not. After going gluten-free you will almost def have trouble with other foods, especially if you do have Celiac or gluten intolerance, but hang in there.

If things don't get much better DO NOT listen to the docs when they tell you that you don't have a real problem, that it's okay when people don't have a bm except for every 3 days or so. 2 weeks is way too much and if you're uncomfortable ( I lived like that for almost 3 years and am still struggling!), it could be chronic constipation.

If all else fails, look into the SC Diet. I haven't officially started yet but have cut back on grains and already notice a difference - mostly regular BM for the first time in years! Carbohydrates may be a problem for you. Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall is a great resource & so is her website.

God bless you with healing!

[OptimisticMom42]

Hello, My Name is Ruth Ann and I've been gluten free for five months (except accidental poisonings). Sorry, it just struck me as funny that I sound like I'm at an AA meeting! Anyhow, I'm only just now getting well enough to digest complex carbs. For awhile even rice and potatoes were very hard on my system. The constipation was bad. I even went to a liquid diet for a bit, then added eggs back in because my sugar was going to low. And I was taking 1000mg's of magnesium (500mg AM, 500mg's PM) now I'm down to 500mg PM only. Also as I've posted several times drinking huge glasses of water with two tbs tart cherry juice concentrate and maple syrup was very helpful. Both have a lot of nutrition and anti inflammatory properties.

One more thing dairy can be very constipating. But if you drop the yogurt you may want to take a probiotic.

[glutengal]

Have you eaten quinoa before going gluten-free? If you haven't, it may be the culprit.

I don't know if you get bloated with your C but if you do, pay attention to whatever makes you feel that way. Beans, grains, fruits - whatever causes discomfort. I used to tell myself it was just normal but it's not. After going gluten-free you will almost def have trouble with other foods, especially if you do have Celiac or gluten intolerance, but hang in there.

If things don't get much better DO NOT listen to the docs when they tell you that you don't have a real problem, that it's okay when people don't have a bm except for every 3 days or so. 2 weeks is way too much and if you're uncomfortable ( I lived like that for almost 3 years and am still struggling!), it could be chronic constipation.

If all else fails, look into the SC Diet. I haven't officially started yet but have cut back on grains and already notice a difference - mostly regular BM for the first time in years! Carbohydrates may be a problem for you. Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall is a great resource & so is her website.

God bless you with healing!

Thanks for your reply. I do get more gas but do not have any pain. The last time I was constipated I got low back pain that I don't have now. I will look at the SC Diet. Do you have a link?

[glutengal]

Hello, My Name is Ruth Ann and I've been gluten free for five months (except accidental poisonings). Sorry, it just struck me as funny that I sound like I'm at an AA meeting! Anyhow, I'm only just now getting well enough to digest complex carbs. For awhile even rice and potatoes were very hard on my system. The constipation was bad. I even went to a liquid diet for a bit, then added eggs back in because my sugar was going to low. And I was taking 1000mg's of magnesium (500mg AM, 500mg's PM) now I'm down to 500mg PM only. Also as I've posted several times drinking huge glasses of water with two tbs tart cherry juice concentrate and maple syrup was very helpful. Both have a lot of nutrition and anti inflammatory properties.

One more thing dairy can be very constipating. But if you drop the yogurt you may want to take a probiotic.

Hello Ruth Ann and thanks for your input. I think I will try staying away from the grains for awhile, as well as the dairy. I do take a probiotic (not sure if it's necessarily the best one). It was also suggested to try sweet potatoes for the constipation and I was planning to try that today. I do drink lots of water, but what kind of cherry juice concentrate do you use and also the maple syrup. I've never liked cherries but I am willing to give it a try if it will help.

[MDRB]

I think this a problem for a lot of people who have gone gluten-free because the foods that replace gluten foods are usually much lower in fiber than the regular stuff...Try eating lots of fruit and vegetables as well as drinking lots of water, if this doesn't work then there are other options to try like taking magnesium supplements or eliminating other foods that could be causing the problem.

[TreEkonomix]

I am new to the gluten free diet and have been having a problem with constipation since starting it. I started the diet because I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 8-9 mths. ago and have asthma that started 10 years ago ( family history), as well as a history of bronchitis that I've had since I was a little girl.

At the time I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I had a bout of diarrhea that contained a lot of blood that was only this one time and later that night the blood and diarrhea disappeared as fast as it came on and I went to the ER who could find nothing wrong. But for the next 14 days I had constipation and went to the doctor who did a CT Scan with Contrast and could not find anything wrong. The doctor told me to take miralax which I did for a week and that put things back on track. In the 8-9 months since then I have had no blood or diarrhea but bm's had been only every few days(some float and some sink).

Now to what actually led me to try going gluten free.....

My daughter who had a brain tumor at 6 years old (she is now 25) has had problems over the years with indigestion, headaches, sinus congestion, a lingering cough, and frequent earaches. Several months ago she started getting more frequent headaches with one that lasted everyday all day for 2 weeks and every headache prescription the doctors tried did not alleviate it at all. I was worried about a recurrence of her tumor which was not very likely this many years out but still a concern. They ran tests and no tumor (thank god). I then talked to her neurologist who mentioned that gluten intolerance can contribute to headaches. I did not really look into this at that time as after a few more days the headache finally went away. Since that time she would still get the weekly headaches,but the indigestion started getting to be everyday as well as she complain of her stomach hurting every time she would eat. I then found out about celiac disease and asked for her to be tested. They did a blood test and biopsy (still on gluten) and they both came back negative, but the biopsy showed gastritis. I then decided to go ahead and put her on a gluten free diet, this was 2 1/2 mths.ago and she has responsed extremely well. All of the headaches, stomach aches, indigestion etc. have gone. I hope it continues for her.

So my daughters success is what led me to try going gluten free because I have heard it could possibly help hypothyroidism and asthma. My father was diagnosed last year with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Mantel Cell and has been taking B-12 injections for years ( I have been told these could be linked to Celiac).

Well as I stated I have been constipated since I started going gluten free a week and a half ago. I have tried every suggestion given to me (ground flaxseed- 3tbsp.daily, magnesium supplements 600mg daily, and prunes- 3 daily) and have only a 2 small bm's the size of a milk dud that float (in past they would sink and float) about 2 days ago and nothing since. I have only been eating fruits, veggies, meat (chicken breast, tuna and salmon and 1 turkey chop), salad with spinach, lettace and tomato, small amount of yogurt (not everyday), a little beans, a little brown rice and quinoa and some almonds and sunflower seeds. I am not sure what is going on as to why I would be this constipated going gluten free. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance and sorry so long of a story.

Hello Glutengal!

I suffered the same problem after I was diagnosed. I also have hypothyroid, as well as "borderline" diabetes. So I know what it feels like to have to really modify the diet. What has helped me the most with the big C has been drinking LOTS of water and eating LOTS of soluble fiber and healthy fats together.

This is what I've done about the issue, and now I have almost daily regularity on that front.

Reduce stress as much as possible-- seriously, this is a BIG help.

Aim to drink 2/3 your body weight in ounces of water per day.

Take a daily multivitamin that contains the full B-Spectrum, trace minerals, and (personal preference) digestive enzymes. And of course, make sure it's gluten-free!

Eat whole grains in combination with healthy fats. This keeps your blood sugar from spiking and provides a good amino acid profile, as well as gives you the anti-inflammatory properties of the fats and the fiber of the grains. Examples: Brown Rice and olive oil. Buckwheat and avocado. Sorghum and peanut butter. I like to bake rolls of my favorite grain (I get the whole grain flour) and top them with an all natural nut butter.

Avoid things that have "partially hydrogenated" anywhere in the name. I don't know why, but those kinds of foods always give me trouble. Even little things like coffee creamer-- trouble.

Avoid corn sugars...those also give me a lot of trouble. If you must have a sweet, choose one with cane syrup or honey.

Avoid artificial sweeteners-- also hard on the digestion.

This is the combination that works for me: as far as supplements go, all I take is a good multivitamin and L-arginine (helps with circulation, I have noticed good results from it).