Gluten-Free And Constipated - Help

[Melindaki]

I have been recently diagnosed with Celiacs via genetic test. For the last 2 years I have had increasing problem with distended pregnant-like stomach and terrible constipation. The symptoms grew worse and worse until my stomach was always distended by 10-12 inches greater than normal and I was incapable of having a BM without a laxative. Finally I began vomiting every morning from overwhelming nausea. Of course, my doctor thought I was pregnant despite my knowledge to the contrary.

Now I've been gluten-free for over a month. I have been quite vigilant. My stomach is now flat and I'm able to fit into clothes I haven't been able to wear in over a year! However, I am still incapable of having a natural BM. My C. is uncomfortable and chronic. My doctor recommended I take Sennekot, but when I do I get terrible D. I just want some natural movement. I'm meeting with a dietician this week to see if I can change my eating habits to help. Right now I eat yogurt and fruit for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and dinner is variable.

My doctor thinks I need a laxative with stool-softener...but when I take it I have D. I think it's more of a motility issue rather than stool consistency. But if I don't take a laxative or drink Sennea tea, I can go over two weeks with no movement. Any ideas???

Kind of a icky topic, but I needed to vent to someone...

[Matisse]

I have been recently diagnosed with Celiacs via genetic test. For the last 2 years I have had increasing problem with distended pregnant-like stomach and terrible constipation. The symptoms grew worse and worse until my stomach was always distended by 10-12 inches greater than normal and I was incapable of having a BM without a laxative. Finally I began vomiting every morning from overwhelming nausea. Of course, my doctor thought I was pregnant despite my knowledge to the contrary.

Now I've been gluten-free for over a month. I have been quite vigilant. My stomach is now flat and I'm able to fit into clothes I haven't been able to wear in over a year! However, I am still incapable of having a natural BM. My C. is uncomfortable and chronic. My doctor recommended I take Sennekot, but when I do I get terrible D. I just want some natural movement. I'm meeting with a dietician this week to see if I can change my eating habits to help. Right now I eat yogurt and fruit for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and dinner is variable.

My doctor thinks I need a laxative with stool-softener...but when I take it I have D. I think it's more of a motility issue rather than stool consistency. But if I don't take a laxative or drink Sennea tea, I can go over two weeks with no movement. Any ideas???

Kind of a icky topic, but I needed to vent to someone...

When I eat any dairy, including yogurt, I get constipated. I notice that you eat yogurt. Magnesium supplements help me with the constipation I get from calcium supplements (or in the past dairy), as I have not had dairy in several months. I stopped dairy at the same time as gluten. You do need to learn how much magnesium you can take because too much can also cause diarrea.

You said you were diagnosed with genetic tests. My understanding is genetic tests alone do not diagnose gluten intolerance. If you have the DQ2 or DQ8 gene you are at higher risk of celiac, but many people have those DQ genes and don't have celiac/gluten intolerance. Did you also have blood tests?

[Fey]

I have the same issue. I'm trying magnesium supplements, Pearls acidophilus, lots of fruit... and when it gets too bad, I try Target brand's women laxatives. They're easier on my system.

[burdee]

If you had normal regularity before going gluten free, your gluten reactions (softer stools) may have masked other intestinal problems which you now experience. I agree that taking magnesium supplements will help, because many celiacs are magnesium deficient. I also encourage you to take daily probiotics. If those contain FOS (prebiotics), you may suffer even more bloating. So avoid probiotics with FOS. You can try all the usual constipation solutions (more liquids, more fiber, more exercise, etc.). However magnesium will draw more fluid into the colon for softer stools and probiotics will increase motility.

Also consider whether you have dairy or other food allergies. An ELISA blood test can tell you tha more easily than guessing or trying to eliminate all the possible foods which may cause allergy reactions. (You could be allergic to almost ANYTHING, including the supposedly 'harmless' or no reaction foods.)

If you have eliminated all sources of gluten, taken magnesium and probiotic supplements and diagnosed and eliminated any possible food allergies, then consider getting a stool test for pathogenic intestinal bacteria, parasites or candida. All those can cause constipation, as well as diarrhea.

SUE

[Ahorsesoul]

Try some prunes every day. Adjust amount you eat, 3 to 5 a day should be enough.

[missy'smom]

You poor thing! I relate to some of what you said. A strong cup of black tea(esp. loose tea leaves) helps, as does abdominal exercizes-squeeze and release-like pregnancy Kegals. I was SO suprized by my food allergy testing and the following results of dietary experiments. I eliminated ALL(26! what a suprize!) those that I tested pos. to (via skin testing, per allergist's recommendations) for 4 weeks and felt NOTHING after meals- NOTHING at all! It was wonderful and strange at the same time! When I started to re-introduce foods at the rate of one per week or less often, I found that many of them caused GI symptoms. On a good day, free of allergens and irritants, well hydrated, I have several well formed, healthy BM's per day.

[Kim27]

I have had the same problem with C since 2004, that is what started all my doctor visits and finally led to a Celiac dx just this year! I have been through the ringer with C remedies. Laxatives and stool softeners do nothing at all. What has worked the best for me over the years is a combination of Magnesium Oxide Tablets (vary between 1-3 a day) and a dose of Miralax every few days. Along with now the gluten-free diet, that has been working wonders, and it's the best it has been since 2004! Try some Mag Oxide and Miralax (Both are gluten-free medicines) and both are over the counter.

[Kim27]

I wanted to add to that... Mag Oxide and Miralax work more for motility issues, like you think you have!

[dilettantesteph]

I second the prune suggestion. Figs also work and give you some variety. Also be sure to drink enough water.

[RiceGuy]

As others have said, magnesium does help with C. It does draw water into the intestines, so be sure to drink lots of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. You don't have to drink a lot at once. Start with two glasses, then a glass every hour should be fine. It does depend on how much magnesium you take, and how much water your body requires, but you'll get into the swing of it, I'm sure. The effectiveness of magnesium oxide is greatly increased if you take something acidic with it (especially citric acid) like citrus fruit juice. Vitamin C may work too, though not quite as well I think.

Do start slow however. Too much magnesium in the beginning can have you in pain until the intestines "catch up". Around 200-400mg per day should be fine to start with. Then increase by 200mg every few days until you get the right level of relief.

As was mentioned, other intolerance such as dairy can also cause C. If you suspect something in addition to gluten, other top allergens (dairy, soy, eggs, corn, nuts, peanuts, shellfish) would probably be a good place to start.

The right digestive enzymes can also be helpful.

For some folks, more fiber simply doesn't work, or can even make things worse, so watch for that.

[Looking for answers]

I second mag supplements and eliminating dairy. Dairy causes the same issues with me.

[O.N.]

...

My doctor thinks I need a laxative with stool-softener...but when I take it I have D. I think it's more of a motility issue rather than stool consistency. But if I don't take a laxative or drink Sennea tea, I can go over two weeks with no movement. Any ideas???

I was straggling with bad C for the last 2 years before I was diagnosed with celiac. I was having the same problem for the first 5 months after I went gluten-free. I didn

[my.oh.my]

What usually helps is enough water, eliminating dairy and adding fiber to your diet. I assume that prunes do a good job as well but for those (like me) who hate them try supplements containing Psylium Husk!

[bluebonnet]

definitely drink up the water for ease but i have to say if you aren't allergic to them ... chickpeas! lots of good fiber in them and just being honest here, they move things along. throw 'em on your salad or eat them on their own or as a side dish.

here's how i like 'em:

preheat oven to 400

glass pie pan/pryrex baking dish

1 can drained and patted dry chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans)

lightly drizzle olive oil over and sprinkle to taste- cayenne, chili powder and pinch of salt.

bake for 15 min (stir around mid way thru cooking).

dig in!

i usually do 2 cans if making for the whole family.