Poop

[Eliza13]

I have been gluten-free for about 3 weeks and my stools have definitely changed, but I am still having frequent bowel movements (not as often, but still frequent). DO THE FREQUENT BOWEL MOVEMENTS MEAN THAT I AM STILL NOT ABSORBING NUTRIENTS AS WELL AS I SHOULD? Despite the frequency, I have noticed some positive changes: mucous is gone, stool no longer float, stool is still broken but is getting longer and longer with some being occasionally very long (these excite me LOL). I'm also curious about the mucous: Does the presence of mucous mean more intestinal damage?

I also have a q'n about vitamins. When I take them, my urine turns a bright colour. Does this mean that they are going right through me, or is this normal when taking vitamins.

Q'n about starches. Which of these three are starchiest: Potatoes, Rice or beans? It seems that I can handle rice best of the three.

Thanks a million. If you can only respond to one paragraph, please let it be the first!

[KaitiUSA]

I also have a q'n about vitamins.  When I take them, my urine turns a bright colour.  Does this mean that they are going right through me, or is this normal when taking vitamins.

I have heard when you have bright yellow urine that it means you are not drinking enough water. When you drink enough water it should be almost clear.

There could be other factors(such as vitamins) but I have heard that plays a key role because alot of people do not drink the required amount of water everyday.

It sounds to me that with your stools you have seen a change and it seems like you are headed in the right track. If I were you I would definitely be happy. Going frequently doesn't always mean a bad thing(as long as they are normal. I go 2-3 times a day but it's normal and my doctor says that is good because you are getting the toxins out of your body. Him and my mom always say "at least you know your septic tank is not backed up"

[Eliza13]

LOL @ septic tank. As always Kaiti, you've been a great help. How do you know so much???

Is malto-dextrin gluten free?

[KaitiUSA]

Maltodextrin in the US has to be specified on the label if it is made from something other then corn(except with meds) so it's safe here unless specified.

Not sure what the policy is anywhere other then here.

I know alot because I have researched hours and hours of this stuff. I am majoring in dietetics, and writing a book and this stuff is my passion and so that also helps when you are doing what you love. I also read tons of books in my spare time about this stuff. And I have been to so many doctors some of the doctors have been so helpful and give me such useful info...it just adds up from all the time and info. Some even have my email addresses and contact me when they have other celiac patients and then I say....go to celiac.com!!!!

[skbird]

Hi - I know that B vitamins will make your urine bright yellow. Not sure which one of them it is but every time I take a B supplement, I'll have the bright yellow urine. I thought it was weird but have learned that it is fairly universal.

I can't comment on the poop, suffice to say when I am feeling the best, mine is something like your's. I'm happy to have a couple BMs a day - if I don't I start to get worried about what I ate. Mine is not consistent though - I do have to admit I check on a regular basis...

There's a saying I picked up at one point - "Better out than in!" and I think as far as poop is concerned, that's something to live by.

Stephanie

[gabrielle]

I do know for a fact that vitamins can make your urine have more of a flourescent yellow color, also the odor can be a little stronger.

I just watched Oprah about 2 weeks ago and there was this doctor on that wrote a book called "The Owner's Manual: YOU" and he discussed poo

He said that our bowel movements should:

a.) have very little sound when hitting the water

b.) should have a curve to it

c.) should not be hard or tear our skin when passing

d.) and lastly should not be a dark tarry color.

Isn't lovely that we can discuss our bowel movements, without batting an eye!

Best of luck!

[kvogt]

What's brown and round and sits on a piano bench?

Beethovan's first movement!

Normal stool is dark brown, smooth and requires little cleaning afterwards.

Passing it should be a relatively pleasant non-event. After a time of gluten-free and subsequent return to normalcy, you will realize you "went" and didn't have any anxiety or fixation on "it". You will think about something besides your stool quality or your post-event cleaning effort. Passing of stool is often stimulated by eating, so if you eat thrice daily you may pass stool three times.

[Wandering Hermit]

<monty python>

What's brown and sounds like a bell?

Dungggggg

</monty python>

Well I am still patiently waiting for my stools to get back to normal. But here is something I noticed when I was still on gluten. After I had D, I would usually not gor for at least a whole day. Then when I finally went 2 days later it was perfect and wonderful.

But if I go everyday it is still sort of loose and there is always a lot of cleanup. Which has led to some lovely hemohroids (sp?). Not fun at all.

[jenvan]

Okay, I feel funny joining in on the "stool" discussion, but... I've been gluten-free for a few months and mine haven't changed at all. Perhaps my weren't as bad to begin as some of yours...but I can always see undigested food. What's that all about ?!

[skbird]

Mine change and then they change again. Reading the perfect stool, according to Oprah's expert - I have had those at times. But most of the time they float, are lumpy, sometimes burn, require cleanup (though not bad in the last week or two) and often times have food in them still undigested. Not bad. Usual suspects mostly like corn and nuts.

I have been trying this stuff, liquid whey (think it's called Moloksan or something like that) and it's pretty intense tasting - NOT like whey protein powder at all. Anyway, it is supposed to be a prebiotic and when I take it twice or more a day I do have almost perfect stool. I also take an additional probiotic with it. But those days are pretty rare.

I've been pretty bloated the last month or two now and am beginning to wonder if something else is bothering me. I eat dairy - according to EnteroLab am not sensitive to casein - and a one month diet without didn't improve my life at all so I am back on it. I am wondering about corn. I don't have much of a reaction to corn that I can tell but a couple of times recently after eating nachos (corn chips, cheddar, garlic, and sour cream - I can't eat salsa) I have had heartburn. Could be all the fats but usually fats don't cause me problems. I do, however, crave corn - something I don't do with any other grain. Pre-gluten-free I was low carb and just pre-low carb I was addicted to my corn chips, corn tortillas, corn whatever. I'm thinking of giving it up again for a month to see what happens...

Anyway, if you aren't having normal poops, then I guess the search isn't over... bummer!

Stephanie

[Peaches503]

Just to add to the discussion about vitamins. . . I know that vitamins can turn your urine bright yellow, and they can also turn it green. This is because the vitamins react with certain things that are already in your system, i.e. Iron. So, if you have funny-colored urine, I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's more than likely from the vitamins.

-Peaches

[Ally2005]

One thing I have noticed is that I am extremely sensitive to all kinds of foods. If I eat just plain fish, chicken certain types of fruit and veggies, almond butter, crackers, and gluten-free waffles. That's it! If I eat anything else..I pay. My stools are becoming more normal as long as I stick to this type of eating. I'm hoping in time I will be able to eat more.

Ally

[mytummyhurts]

Ummm...I hope this isn't TMI, but I have a girl ? about the vitamins. I was taking them and my urine did turn like a flourescent yellow and then after a few days I got really bad feminine itching. So I tried stopping them and it went away. Does anybody know if vitamins could have been the cause?

[mytummyhurts]

Funny!

I asked if it was to much information on a post detailing people's bowel movements!!

[jenvan]

Abby- Hi girl! What's in your vitamins? Is it a mainline brand or a more "natural" brand?

[mytummyhurts]

Abby-  Hi girl!  What's in your vitamins?  Is it a mainline brand or a more "natural" brand?

Hey! I'll have to look when I get home. I don't remember off hand.