Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Constipation

pheobepander

Recommended Posts

pheobepander Newbie
pheobepander
Posted

Does anyone else have constipation issues after starting the gluten-free diet? I was hoping to at least a lb or two but I have actually gained weight and guess where it is sitting since it is not coming out. If you dealt with this how did you resolve it?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


momofk&n Newbie
momofk&n
Posted

I was dx 4 years ago, and one of the things that confused my doctors was that my system just stopped. No laxative, fiber supplement or anything helped. What worked for me was sticking to the gluten free diet, at night, try taking a Correctal. It is a laxative just for women and the only one that worked for me even when prescription ones failed. And if that doesn't help, try the Cabbage soup diet. If your weight is under control, don't follow it for the whole week, just two to three days, but it will flush your system and get your bowels functioning again. It can take 5 years for your intestines to heal. So for me, going on that diet every three to six months for a week seems to balance my system and keep things moving properly.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

the GI doc I went to said I probably don't have celiac because I never have diarreah. :P I'm always constipated. My blood test was 99% positive, and the endoscopy showed atrophy. Showed her didn't I? ;)

Why they're so stuck on diarreah as the be-all-end all sypmtom of Celiac boggles me! Not everyone gets diarreah!

I have been having a problem the past month or so and I wish I could figure out what would work to get things moving again! When I first went gluten free, I was fine, then I got this dang headache that won't go away no matter what, and any of the analgesics (though gluten free!) are all stopping me up. If I go without the alalgesics, my headache is blinding. If I take the analgesics, I don't poop. *sigh*

Usually flax meal and lots of water works for me though.

freeatlast Collaborator
freeatlast
Posted

Keep drinking lots of water. I sometimes make slaw with cabbage and yoghurt instead of mayonnaise and add some lemon juice, salt and pepper. Usually, I take two capsules of Cascara Sagrada capsules, with one glass of water that has one tablespoon psyllium fiber in it. That helps me. I also drink Swedish Bitters, about a tablespoon, in a cup of hot water.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

and sometimes you just gotta break down and take a laxative. Or two. :unsure::lol:

  • 2 weeks later...
Korinne-S Newbie
Korinne-S
Posted

and sometimes you just gotta break down and take a laxative. Or two. :unsure::lol:

I doubt laxatives will help. If anything they'll just mask the problem.

I take a tablespoon of Benefiber a day and up to two depending on how I'm feeling. Ingredients will probably freak you out just as much as they did me; says gluten free but uses wheat bran,I believe, as the fiber. I've never had any issues with it (very low ppm) but I switched anyway to the Walgreens off brand which uses corn bran just to be safe.

I've also started using coconut flour in anything I bake. Just throw in one part coconut and the rest an all purpose gluten-free flour. It's very high in fiber and protein and has helped me a lot. I eat Fiber Bread made with millet and flax in the brown package too. That's helped me to lower the amount of "Benefiber" product I need to take daily.

It is what it is. A gluten free diet is very low in fiber and it requires other substitutes to maintain a healthy diet. But I would not suggest laxatives unless you like the runs :blink:

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

adding more fibre to an already stopped up colon is just going to have more fibre stuck on top of an already stopped up colon!

Sometimes laxatives are really the only option. And then once the blockage is cleared, do your utmost to not get stopped up again.

I lost about 5 pounds in one day, and haven't had a problem since. I was very very tender in the middle section for a while though. Bruised from the inside I think!

Once you figure out what caused the constipation, then you know how to avoid it.

And ensuring you get adequate dietary fibre (about 25 grams) every day and ample water (min 2 litres). Fibre doesn't work without water.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


runningcrazy Contributor
runningcrazy
Posted

Does anyone else have constipation issues after starting the gluten-free diet? I was hoping to at least a lb or two but I have actually gained weight and guess where it is sitting since it is not coming out. If you dealt with this how did you resolve it?

Yes yes yes yes yes!

Uh its sucks!

Anyway--I still struggle but what has helped me AMAZINGLY is more magnesium. We bought some magnesium supplements(make sure its gluten free) I think it was either Magnesium Citrate or Oxide.

Anyway, start by taking like 800-1000mg for a few days. If nothing happens, bump it up a bit. If you get diarrhea, cut back a couple hundred. Keep experimenting until you get regular bowel movements.

I also take 3/4 teaspoon of pure psyllium husk in water every morning. Also make sure you are getting enough good fats and oils like olive oil and avocado.

jennifert Newbie
jennifert
Posted

I also had major constipation issues when I went gluten free...I couldn't understand especially since i was eating more veggies than ever. I switched to a gluten free multi-seed bread, and also started drinking a cup of prune juice every other day and it worked! :) Also, the magnesium supplements help a lot too.

jackay Enthusiast
jackay
Posted

Yes yes yes yes yes!

Uh its sucks!

Anyway--I still struggle but what has helped me AMAZINGLY is more magnesium. We bought some magnesium supplements(make sure its gluten free) I think it was either Magnesium Citrate or Oxide.

Anyway, start by taking like 800-1000mg for a few days. If nothing happens, bump it up a bit. If you get diarrhea, cut back a couple hundred. Keep experimenting until you get regular bowel movements.

I also take 3/4 teaspoon of pure psyllium husk in water every morning. Also make sure you are getting enough good fats and oils like olive oil and avocado.

I usually don't have a problem with constipation. I started taking calcium with magnesium citrate and got diarrhea. I had to switch back to a calcium supplement that doesn't contain magnesium. Whenever I do feel a little constipated, I take just one calcium with magnesium and it does the trick for me.

A good probiotic is also very helpful as is psyllium.

runningcrazy Contributor
runningcrazy
Posted

I usually don't have a problem with constipation. I started taking calcium with magnesium citrate and got diarrhea. I had to switch back to a calcium supplement that doesn't contain magnesium. Whenever I do feel a little constipated, I take just one calcium with magnesium and it does the trick for me.

A good probiotic is also very helpful as is psyllium.

Oh ya, thanks I forgot to add that probiotics are good, and i also take enzymes with most meals.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.