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

Ibs And Celiac?

Alex33

By Alex33
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Alex33 Newbie
Alex33
Posted

anyone diagnosed with both? do you have a hard time telling the symptoms apart? how do you manage them?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kayo Explorer
kayo
Posted

I am. My opinion is that IBS isn't really an illness, just a label doctors hand out to describe a set of symptoms when they're too lazy to find out the real cause. I believe my IBS is celiac, that they are one in the same.

AlysounRI Contributor
AlysounRI
Posted

IBS stands for "I'm basically stumped" ...

It's a nothing diagnosis. :angry:

If you present with symptoms of IBS you should get checked for celiac disease.

If you are not diagnosed with celiac disease, then you have non-celiac gluten intolerance.

Either way, I, too, believe that cutting out the gluten in your diet will take care of your IBS.

hypersof Apprentice
hypersof
Posted

I am. My opinion is that IBS isn't really an illness, just a label doctors hand out to describe a set of symptoms when they're too lazy to find out the real cause. I believe my IBS is celiac, that they are one in the same.

Yep, I agree. I think a lot of us have been diagnosed w/ IBS before discovering the celiac thing...

I am "only" gluten intolerant/ sensitive/ whatever, but I have to point out that before going gluten-free, absolutely NOTHING I tried -for several years- to relieve the IBS symptoms worked (be it water/ fiber intake, eating a very balanced diet, not too much fat/ spicy food, always eating small amounts and slowly, exercising, relaxing...really, I was trying hard!) but it just kept getting worse.

Then, removing gluten from my diet reversed the process and I am now getting better.

Not all 100% perfect, but it is definitely going the right way so I have hope (I have been gluten-free for 10 weeks now)

So, my two cents are, either IBS is really celiac and it is going to get better on a gluten-free diet; or if the symptoms persist, maybe they are caused by something else?

skigirlchar Newbie
skigirlchar
Posted

my dr doesnt even diagnosis IBS because he feels it's really a "catchall" diagnosis when there is something else wrong but the insurance company doesn't want to pay for more expensive tests.

by following the gluten-free/cf/sf diet, my "ibs" symptoms have all but disappeared

eastvangal Newbie
eastvangal
Posted

Yup, me too with the IBS diagnoses. I also tried everything- ibs drugs, macrobiotic diet, yeast-free diet, 17 years of antidepressants, colonics, a naturopath, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, fiber, laxatives, transcendental meditation...

I too think is IBS is Celiac Disease.

WheatChef Apprentice
WheatChef
Posted

See sig. It literally just means that something is wrong in your bowels.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

My "IBS" went away when I stopped eating gluten. Mom's "IBS" went away when she stopped eating fructose. I have a friend with "IBS" who is intolerant of soy and nightshades. It seems to me that IBS is a symptom of a lot of different food intolerances.

zergcoffeebean Newbie
zergcoffeebean
Posted

I was given the IBS diagnosis when I had my colonoscopy and gastroscopy they didn't see anything indicative of anything else. So there, I got IBS. That was when I was 16. So, 9 Years ago. The only medication that ever seemed to help was buscopan. Nothing else seemed to do anything. I tried diets and food elimination. (Not going gluten free though, I hadn't ever heard of that, the concept didn't exist in the reality I was walking in.) Only recently when my last doctor asked me if I had ever been tested for Celiac disease did the idea ever come up. Going gluten free eliminated my symptoms, completely. Now, I just get "IBS" when I've been glutened some how, and usually only after the next day.

starrytrekchic Apprentice
starrytrekchic
Posted

Add me to the group initially diagnosed with IBS...but didn't really have that.

My doctor didn't even test for anything! He just listened to my tummy, listened to my description, and told me I had IBS. I was a freshman in college and clueless--no idea I should have pursued it further. 11 often miserable years later and finally everything has resolved due to being gluten free.

I'm also skeptical that IBS actually exists as a separate illness. Seems like it's more of a symptom of an illness, rather than an illness itself.

Alex33 Newbie
Alex33
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for your replies everyone.

So, a few years ago I was officially diagnosed with IBS by my doctor, with minimal testing I'll admit. I now do not have insurance so I cannot go back for a celiac test, or other tests for that matter. I have tried to go gluten-free to test myself (I was very diligent and careful about it) and also cut out dairy at that time too. I think I went gluten-free for roughly a month or so and did not see much, if any change. I know a month isn't THAT long, but from what I've read, I should have seen some improvement?

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I felt better after two weeks of a really strict lamb/rice/veggies elimination diet. When I tried to reintroduce wheat, my symptoms came right back.

K8ling Enthusiast
K8ling
Posted

I am gluten-free and I still am classified as "IBS" because I get symptoms around my period. Hormones can cause IBS.

Nor-TX Enthusiast
Nor-TX
Posted

Along with being gluten intolerant, I have Colitis, Dairy intolerance, IBS and Gastro Paresis. Being on this diet along with dairy free, fresh veggie and fruit free, has helped alot. I still have issues with some foods and still trying to work out all the kinks, but feeling much better than I did. The biggest issue is that food is on my mind every minute... what to eat, what to buy, when to eat, how much to eat.... *sigh*

DownWithGluten Explorer
DownWithGluten
Posted

I am. My opinion is that IBS isn't really an illness, just a label doctors hand out to describe a set of symptoms when they're too lazy to find out the real cause. I believe my IBS is celiac, that they are one in the same.

I agree. Probably everyone diagnosed with 'IBS' has some more specific condition. Such as Chron's, celiac, other food intolerance, maybe even conditions we haven't discovered yet.

I was diagnosed with IBS "C-D." I used to post on an IBS board, and was struck with how varying everyone's symptoms/triggers were. That's when I got a little suspicious...

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. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      Hi @KathyR37 and a very warm welcome here. I am so very sorry that you are going through all of this. I just wanted to check, have you ever been tested for any other gastrointestinal conditions? Cristiana
    2. trents
      - trents replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      @KathyR37, I would suspect that in addition to gluten intolerance, you have other food intolerances/sensitivities. This is very common in the celiac community. The most common offenders are oats, dairy, soy, corn and eggs with dairy and oats being the big two. Have you considered this? Have you tried keeping a food diary to detect patterns?
    3. Theresa2407
      - Theresa2407 replied to Theresa2407's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Probiotics

      thank you for your advice. I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated. I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    4. KathyR37
      - KathyR37 replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are fee...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,814
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ColbyBowlin
    Newest Member
    ColbyBowlin
    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

    • cristiana
      New here

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @KathyR37 and a very warm welcome here.  I am so very sorry that you are going through all of this. I just wanted to check, have you ever been tested for any other gastrointestinal conditions? Cristiana  
    • trents
      New here

      By trents · Posted

      @KathyR37, I would suspect that in addition to gluten intolerance, you have other food intolerances/sensitivities. This is very common in the celiac community. The most common offenders are oats, dairy, soy, corn and eggs with dairy and oats being the big two. Have you considered this? Have you tried keeping a food diary to detect patterns?
    • Theresa2407
      Probiotics

      By Theresa2407 · Posted

      thank you for your advice.   I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated.  I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    • KathyR37
      New here

      By KathyR37 · Posted

      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and  gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem I have is a gag reflex out of this world and if something doesn't taste good it is not going down. Most commercially made breads and such taste like old cardboard.Pastas are about the same. I did find one flour that I like and use it regularly, but it is so expensive! All gluten free food is way more expensive. I only eat twice a day because I cannot afford to buy all that. We live on a very low income so my food purchases are quite limited.
    • Scott Adams
      New here

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are feelings many in the community know all too well. Your question about whether you should just eat what you want and manage the symptoms is a heartbreaking one, born from years of frustration. It's crucial to know that the diarrhea is a sign of ongoing damage to your small intestine from gluten, and simply managing the symptom with Imodium doesn't stop that internal harm or the risk of other complications. The fact that you are still getting sick within an hour of eating, even while trying to be gluten-free, is a huge red flag that something isn't right. This could be due to cross-contamination in your kitchen (e.g., using a shared toaster, colander, or condiment jars), hidden gluten in foods, or the possibility of another concurrent condition like refractory celiac disease. Don't give up!  This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):    
×
×
  • 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.