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

Why Do My Symptoms Flare Up When I Excerise?


tomtom009

Recommended Posts

tomtom009 Apprentice

I've always only had one symptom, bloating. I've been gluten-free for almost 2 months and the bloating has improved, although I wouldn't say I'm 100%. But one of the problems I have ran into, no pun intended, is that after I run or do any kind of cardio exercise my symptom(s) flare up for days. I asked my doctor and he really had no clue, suggested it might be me swallowing air or something to do with my digestive system and eating too soon after working out. Last time I worked out I waited about an hour to eat and I made sure to eat really slow. Didn't seem to help.

anybody have a similar situation?

BTW I was never officially diagnosed celiac but it runs in my family (well 1 person has it out of like 50). The test came back negative BUT I had been gluten-free for about a month so that's probably why.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



lucia Enthusiast

When I was dealing with the worst of my GI symptoms, the same thing happened to me. I limited my activity then, mostly because of an intense dizziness. But I thought I should get *some* exercise. So, I decided to walk 20 minutes to an appointment and 20 minutes back (normally a really easy walk for me, I'm actually a biker). I had horrible, painful, stomach cramps come on immediately afterwards.

I'd suggest - and I know this will be painful for you - that you drop back the intensity of your cardio. Instead of running, I'd suggest brisk walking, for now. Exercise is great for our bodies, but I think right now, your body needs to heal more before you push it. Your body has been through a lot.

I don't even have a theory about why this might be happening. It's all so mysterious. I just know we have to listen to our bodies, especially since medical science can't explain what's going on.

Looking for answers Contributor

This happens to me too . . . lots of bloating. This is just a guess but maybe it has something to do with an electrolyte imbalance. I know many people with gluten intolerance also have adrenal fatigue (me as well), which causes imbalances such as these. Maybe with the sweat and exertion, it exacerbates the problem.

Mari Contributor

I have had real problems when I did too much physical labor not even hard work. I didn't get any particular pain but the cramping and spasms in my abdomen would keep me awake all night and there was always gas and bloating. I think but can't be sure, that this has gotten better since I took herbal remedies for intestinal candida. I also become dehydrated rapidly and that would slow down the food going through my intestine allowing the gut bacteria to ferment the food and result in toxin formation and inflammation. It's possible that keeping well hydrated with a balanced electrolyte sports drink might help.

dilettantesteph Collaborator

The same thing happened to me when I started exercising more vigorously. I found that when I rid my diet of more trace gluten, I could exercise even more vigorously without any more symptoms. Basically no processed foods. I figure it is probably best that I got my diet cleaned up.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,901
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      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
      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
      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
      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
      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.