Bloating And Constipation

[pookie91260]

Hi,

I have been Celiac for about a year now. I still hve a lot of prbolems with, bloating, gas, constipation and loose stools. I am very dilligent about watching what I eat. I dont want to live on dulcolax and gas-ex the rest of my life. DOes anyone still ahve this problem? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

[Ahorsesoul]

Keeping a food and feeling journal may help you track down what exactly is bothering you. When you went gluten free did you also go dairy and soy free to let your intestines heal? If not, that might help.

[burdee]

After I'd been diagnosed with gluten and casein intolerance (and noticed sensitivity to soy), I obsessively abstained from gluten, dairy and soy for 2 years. However, during that time I still had continual constipation, bloating and cramping pain. Fortunately I met a naturopath who believed that 'ibs' symptoms were caused by (1) gluten intolerance, (2) other food allergies, (3) intestinal bacterial infections, (4) intestinal fungal infections, and/or (5) intestinal parasites. So he recommended that I take the ELISA (blood) test for over 100 different foods and a stool test for bacteria and fungal overgrowth. Those tests revealed 2 more allergies (eggs and cane sugar) as well as a klebsiella infection. After abstaining from my 5 allergies and treating the klebsiella infection, I finally had normal (not constipated) stools FOR AWHILE (2-3 months).

However I soon returned to my 'normal' constipation, cramping and bloating. Another ELISA test for herbs and spices revealed 2 more allergies (vanilla and nutmeg), another bacterial infection (enterobacter clocae) and very low good bacteria. After eliminating those new allergens from my diet, treating the enterobacter infection and taking high dose probiotics to replenish my gut health, I again felt pretty good and had normal stools FOR AWHILE (2 months).

A later stool test revealed I had an intestinal parasite (cryptosporidium) and candida (fungus). So I treated for those. However, I did not return to completely normal stools. I also developed more symptoms of cramping pain, bloating as well as nausea. So I requested another stool test this year.

The last stool test revealed I had clostridium difficile or c-diff, which can be VERY difficult to eliminate, especially if the doctor doesn't catch the infection immediately or doesn't prescribe a strong enough, long enough treatment. Unfortunately I fought c-diff for the past 6 months (with 5 recurrences). I'm still doing a tapered treatment regimen to eliminate that bacteria. However, all my symptoms disappeared.

Best of all I haven't been constipated for almost 7 months now. (People with c-diff usually get diarrhea. However, after the diarrhea disappeared, I had (and still have) normal stools. I believe I've finally resolved the c-diff problem.

Long story short ... Constipation is a SYMPTOM that your intestines aren't healthy. Don't just treat that symptom with laxatives. If you're certain that you're not getting any sources of gluten, test for other food allergies. Guessing what causes your symptoms with elimination diets is too difficult. If you know all your other food allergies and abstain from those foods, but you still have constipation, get stool tests for intestinal bacteria, fungus and/or parasites. Parasites are a lot more common in this country than most people imagine. Also taking probiotics (with live, viable 'good' bacteria) can increase motility in your intestines, which can resolve constipation. However food allergies or bad 'gut' bugs can also cause constipation.

SUE

Hi,

I have been Celiac for about a year now. I still hve a lot of prbolems with, bloating, gas, constipation and loose stools. I am very dilligent about watching what I eat. I dont want to live on dulcolax and gas-ex the rest of my life. DOes anyone still ahve this problem? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

[YoloGx]

I agree--a food diary is essential if you are still having troubles. You could also consider going off the common allergens at first to see if that helps--like soy, milk, eggs, coconut, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, corn and of course sugars. I would also suggest going on either a whole grain diet or, to be more radical, a grain free diet (depending on how much trouble you are having. ). Generally its better to eat not as much carbohydrate. The paleo diet as well as the specific carbohydrate diet come to mind. I have also started a forum here I call "Back to Basics" using common sense as my guide--and for the most part staying off a heavy reliance on grain flours. Even if they aren't glutenous, they can cause a host of problems such as candida overgrowth, too much sugar leading to blood sugar problems etc. For optimum health quickly digested carbs like this should be considered a treat rather than a mainstay. Eating more vegetables no matter what should also help as well as some basic digestive enzymes that include bromelain/papain.

Bea

[pookie91260]

Thanks so much for all the great advice. I have been lactose intolerant my whole life. I discovered my soy intolerance after i was diagnosed with celiac. I am hyperglycemic so i do watch my sugars as well. I eat fruit and salad every day. never thought tomatos or peppers could be a problem. I think I will ask for the ELISA and find out what other allergies i may have. Like you i'm sure, I was so sick for so long before diagnosis, and i was eliminating the wrong food from my diet. Who wuld think a peice of toast would ever make yu sick right? after all, isnt that what you eat when you dont feel good?? I am going to look at bac to basics now and please tell me more about those enzymes bromelain and papain. again thanks so much for all help.

Dawn

[pookie91260]

Hi Bea,

Where can I find back to basics??

thanks

Dawn

[YoloGx]

Hi Bea,

Where can I find back to basics??

thanks

Dawn

Here's what its called: