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

Is Extreme, Sudden Abdominal Bloating Part Of Celiac?

ksangie

Recommended Posts

ksangie Rookie
ksangie
Posted

A little background:

I was diagnosed with IBS and fibro back in 2006 due to mysterious pains and consitpation. They tested my EMA and it was negative, so no further tests were done. A (highly regarded) doctor from a university research hospital said it couldn't possibly be celiac and that test is accurate unless there is an IGA deficiency which he claimed I obviously didn't have due to my otherwise good health.

Fast forward to late 2009. I started having extreme joint pain in my feet, then my hands, then my other joints. They tested for RA and lupus, both negative. Then the really strange thing happened in January. My stomach swelled so that my waist is 5 inches larger than it used to be. I was totally poopooed for worrying about this by my PCP because I'm just 6 months past having a baby. I tried to tell him I'd regained my figure already, but he wouldn't listen. Anyway, my stomach swelled and has yet to go down.

Got a new PCP and he ran a celiac panel. My IGG was literally off the charts, my IGA was literally below the charts (IGA deficient?) and my EMA was negative. Awaiting my biopsy on Friday and the results of that next week.

Okay, to make a long question much shorter... Has anyone had extreme and sudden stomach bloating that has gone down after going on a gluten-free diet? I'm just praying this is related to Celiac and easily solved. I've yet to get a diagnosis of Celiac, but I'm actually hoping to.

Thanks for reading/ answering.

Angie

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Wolicki Enthusiast
Wolicki
Posted

Angie,

I am one of the few strange ones who never had bloating before going gluten free, I think it's because nothing stayed in me long enough to cause bloat.

When I first went gluten-free, it took a while for my body to figure out how to process everything, and I literally looked 8 months preggers :blink:

Now, if I get accidentally glutened or get cc, BOOM , massive bloating.

Regardless of your biopsy result, you could probalby benefit greatly by the diet. Testing isn't foolproof, and gluten intolerance will not show up on any test, only Celiac.

A strict dietary trial would probably give you a "firm" dx.

Janie

bekkaz Apprentice
bekkaz
Posted

A little background:

I was diagnosed with IBS and fibro back in 2006 due to mysterious pains and consitpation. They tested my EMA and it was negative, so no further tests were done. A (highly regarded) doctor from a university research hospital said it couldn't possibly be celiac and that test is accurate unless there is an IGA deficiency which he claimed I obviously didn't have due to my otherwise good health.

Fast forward to late 2009. I started having extreme joint pain in my feet, then my hands, then my other joints. They tested for RA and lupus, both negative. Then the really strange thing happened in January. My stomach swelled so that my waist is 5 inches larger than it used to be. I was totally poopooed for worrying about this by my PCP because I'm just 6 months past having a baby. I tried to tell him I'd regained my figure already, but he wouldn't listen. Anyway, my stomach swelled and has yet to go down.

Got a new PCP and he ran a celiac panel. My IGG was literally off the charts, my IGA was literally below the charts (IGA deficient?) and my EMA was negative. Awaiting my biopsy on Friday and the results of that next week.

Okay, to make a long question much shorter... Has anyone had extreme and sudden stomach bloating that has gone down after going on a gluten-free diet? I'm just praying this is related to Celiac and easily solved. I've yet to get a diagnosis of Celiac, but I'm actually hoping to.

Thanks for reading/ answering.

Angie

I am wondering the same thing Angie. I also get very bloated right after eating and also get a little cough for about 10 mins. or so. I had a baby 7 months ago. I sound just about like I could have written your post!

boysmom Explorer
boysmom
Posted

Yep, sounds about right to me. In my case, my tummy just never returned to normal after my 4th baby, which I attributed to it being my 4th baby ;). However, I had finally begun to suspect something wasn't normal a few months before I went gluten-free and had measured myself to see whether it was all in my mind. I found that I could gain 2-5 inches on my waist just by eating a small meal. Once I finally discovered celiac disease and went gluten-free I lost 8 inches off my hips (measuring around my lower abs also) and 2 1/2 inches off my waist the first month!

OptimisticMom42 Apprentice
OptimisticMom42
Posted

I ate a dill pickle and a handfull of walnuts and swelled to about the 7 month size. Started forcing down the cherry juice/maple syrup/miralax tonic as soon as the itching started and today I'm tired but things are moving again. Not sure if it was the pickle or if the walnuts were CC'd. Anyhow my tummy will be flat again in about a week :angry: Hate it when this happens.

DoodleDog Apprentice
DoodleDog
Posted

bekkaz,

My symptoms are identical to yours! Fiannaly I don't feel crazy! I was diagnosed with IBS, symptoms exactly like yours when I was 17 now I am 38. My stomach pains are in the middle of my abs above belly button...so I question if IBS is a correct diagnosis for me. REgarding the belly, I am very thin and thought my belly was due to children. And this past year my belly has been swelling to look like 3-5 months preg. after I eat sometimes. In addition, I have been having joint pain and numbness in feet, hands and other joints. RA test came back negative as with other tests. I was not tested for celiac. Doc said no reason for my fatigue and etc... So I have gone gluten free for about 2 months with cheating about 3 times. For about 2 weeks I have been swelling up like a baloon! I must be getting gluten somewhere. But I can tell you when I first went gluten free, I was not sure what to eat so I ate rice and stuck to safe, boring food items ... the result... a flat belly! So maybe the same will be true for you.

newgfcali Rookie
newgfcali
Posted

Ditto what DoodleDog described. I'm pretty thin, but when I was eating gluten, I would blow up and look like I swallowed a bowling ball. Very uncomfortable. Now that I'm gluten-free, my abdomen is almost flat, even after I eat. The only difference from what you're describing, Angie, is my belly would go down in size overnight, then blow up again the next day after eating gluten.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ksangie Rookie
ksangie
Posted
  • Author

Ditto what DoodleDog described. I'm pretty thin, but when I was eating gluten, I would blow up and look like I swallowed a bowling ball. Very uncomfortable. Now that I'm gluten-free, my abdomen is almost flat, even after I eat. The only difference from what you're describing, Angie, is my belly would go down in size overnight, then blow up again the next day after eating gluten.

My belly actually does get a bit smaller overnight and I just experienced it going down even further after fasting for yesterday's edoscopy (by about 3 inches.) Here's to hoping this is it and the biopsies come back positive!

CecilyF Rookie
CecilyF
Posted

My belly actually does get a bit smaller overnight and I just experienced it going down even further after fasting for yesterday's edoscopy (by about 3 inches.) Here's to hoping this is it and the biopsies come back positive!

CecilyF Rookie
CecilyF
Posted

I too have extreme bloating and the other symptoms you described. I went gluten-free December 7th and my bloating has been better, but I still cannot get into my pants. I've had NO weight loss whatsoever and am VERY discouraged. I feel 100 percent better. I also find that right before my cycle I get extremely bloated. I went back to my natural doc Monday, and he said my thyroid and hormones are out of whack too. Anyone have any wisdom or knowlege for me.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

It might be time for a visit to an endocrinologist. You need to get all your systems back into "whack" :)

Girrlock Newbie
Girrlock
Posted

Hi. Extreme bloating can be a symptom of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO.) SIBO is very common in people with Celiac disease. In fact one in ten people with Celiac also have SIBO.

Please review the relevant information on medicinenet: Open Original Shared Link

Its a great resource on SIBO. The treatment is completely different; and the diet, unfortunately is...stricter...than just going gluten-free. I have a SIBO; I made the mistake of eating at a gluten-free restaurant once and I got very bloated after!

For even more info, a recent Huff Post article called "All that Bloats is Not Celiac Disease" is helpful: Open Original Shared Link

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. HectorConvector
      - HectorConvector replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      310

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      An interesting note (though not something that I recommend) is that in the last couple of winters before this one, I drank tons of alcohol because I found it reveresed the pain substantially. It seemed it muted it, then I stopped worrying about it, and so on, so that it was reversing the sensitization cycle. I mean, strong alcohol. Not a few beers. Talking...
    2. HectorConvector
      - HectorConvector replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      310

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Update about this condition. Into late 2025/early 2026 the symptom, which is a clear stocking/glove pattern (it is now frequent in my hands as well as feet and lower legs) has basically outgrown the medication (Duloxetine, now at max dose of 120mg/day). I notice that strong pain occurs when my mind de-focuses in particular, then if I focus awareness...
    3. Known1
      - Known1 replied to Known1's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      10

      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      I did another Google Search and found this on the GE appliance website regarding their GE® RPWFE™ REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTER 3-PACK. Just go down the QA section and type the word gluten in the search. Here are the results: As mentioned in my last post, if you plan to use a filter it is a good idea to contact the manufacturer.
    4. Known1
      - Known1 replied to Known1's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      10

      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      I am sorry to hear you went through that @YoshiLuckyJackpotWinner888. That could not have been an easy thing to figure out. I just used Uncle Google to perform this search: "Can water filters contain gluten?" Here is the AI overview that was returned: Yes, some water filters can theoretically contain or be processed with gluten. While rare, certain...
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      The Dark Side of Gluten-Free: Counterfeit Labels and Global Food Safety Failures

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,579
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    cynthiamtalr144
    Newest Member
    cynthiamtalr144
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • HectorConvector
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By HectorConvector · Posted

      An interesting note (though not something that I recommend) is that in the last couple of winters before this one, I drank tons of alcohol because I found it reveresed the pain substantially. It seemed it muted it, then I stopped worrying about it, and so on, so that it was reversing the sensitization cycle. I mean, strong alcohol. Not a few beers. Talking 25% ABV stuff and well beyond any limit anyone has ever seen. Yes, bad for other reasons. But it was interesting, that even after stopping the alcohol (which I could do overnight, for some reason I don't get dependent) the nerve pain would stay "low" for a while, but then gradually ramp up again to where it was before. Obviously, that's not a long term solution as my liver would probably shrivel up and I'd go broke. So the pain clinic hopefully finds a better way to desensitize the condition.
    • HectorConvector
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By HectorConvector · Posted

      Update about this condition. Into late 2025/early 2026 the symptom, which is a clear stocking/glove pattern (it is now frequent in my hands as well as feet and lower legs) has basically outgrown the medication (Duloxetine, now at max dose of 120mg/day). I notice that strong pain occurs when my mind de-focuses in particular, then if I focus awareness again, the pain becomes inhibited. Pain is much worse after meals as has always been the case, and particularly after exercising for some time - the effect is accumulative over weeks. Even when my energy is excellent with no fatigue. Infact, last year doing cycling, it was the increased pain alone that made me have to reduce what I did. I got very fit and energetic, but had awful stabbing foot pains on the surface of the big toe, or sometimes heel, or anywhere in the skin of the foot and sometimes lower leg. These are not muscle pains or internal to the foot or leg. They are happening on the surface. I've had a referral back to the neurology department at my local hospital but the waiting list is a year long. I went back to the doctor who has been updated on everything and has looked over previous and recent blood tests, skin biopsy, and other tests. All tests reveal there is no nerve damage. Infact my nerve density in the biopsy showed much better than average nerve health. There are no nutritional deficiencies and I regularly supplement my diet with Vitamin D, B1 and B2, and Magnesium Glycinate. None of these have helped at all. The pain syndrome just outgrows everthing. It has now become investigated as a chronic pain syndrome with severe central sensitization. It takes less and less provocation to produce the same symptoms, which is indicative of a fault in the descending inhibition of pain mechanism and nociplasticity in the amplification of pain signals. As such I'm being referred to a pain specialist and will see what they recommend.
    • Known1
      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      By Known1 · Posted

      I did another Google Search and found this on the GE appliance website regarding their GE® RPWFE™ REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTER 3-PACK. Just go down the QA section and type the word gluten in the search.  Here are the results: As mentioned in my last post, if you plan to use a filter it is a good idea to contact the manufacturer.
    • Known1
      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      By Known1 · Posted

      I am sorry to hear you went through that @YoshiLuckyJackpotWinner888.  That could not have been an easy thing to figure out.  I just used Uncle Google to perform this search:  "Can water filters contain gluten?" Here is the AI overview that was returned: Yes, some water filters can theoretically contain or be processed with gluten. While rare, certain refrigerator or pitcher filters may use wheat starch as a binder for the activated carbon. For individuals with high sensitivity or celiac disease, contacting the manufacturer to confirm if they use wheat or corn starch is recommended.  Potential Risk: Some refrigerator and aftermarket filters may use wheat-based components to bind carbon, potentially causing issues for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Alternatives: Many water filters, such as those from AquaTru Water, are explicitly manufactured to be free of gluten, corn, and soy. General Safety: Most standard water filters are safe, and the risk of significant gluten contamination is low, but not zero for highly sensitive individuals.  If you are highly sensitive, checking with the specific manufacturer of your filter is the safest course of action. --End Quote
    • YoshiLuckyJackpotWinner888
      Water filters are a potential problem for Celiac Disease

      By YoshiLuckyJackpotWinner888 · Posted

      Most people are already deficient in minerals.  I can understand the concern. However, if you do happen to get enough through supplementation, drinking pure distilled water is not going to matter.  I happen to get over 100% of rda vitamins and minerals.   I push myself to get 4000 mg of potassium a day through food, drinks, and supplements combined. I don’t know anyone else that does. The rda is closer to 4700 mg a day. For anyone else that might be deficient, I suppose tap water might be a better option.  I personally can’t stand the taste of most city tap water sources.  I don’t mind mineral water and prefer it when possible. I recently found out we would need to drink 5 liters of San Pellagrino mineral water a day to get enough lithium to satisfy the suggested 1 mg a day. Unfortunately, this and other mineral waters can also have trace amounts of uranium that occur naturally in nature. Uranium is not a good thing to have in your water. I wouldn’t want that or naturally occurring lead in my water.  There is no perfect solution for drinking water.  Smart water distills and then adds back in some electrolytes.  I could evaporate two gallons day of tap water or mineral water and the remaining sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc… wouldn’t amount to what I already consume on a daily basis. I’m not worried about drinking distilled water. 
×
×
  • 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.