New To Gluten Free And Weight Loss/gain Concerns

[flartista]

I just found out on Wednesday that I am gluten intolerant. I still have to do a lab for Celiac. Either way I do not want to get Celiac disease. My doctor told me the reason I've always had a tummy bulge was caused by the inflammation happening in my intestines which causes excess cortisol to be released which allows the body to hold onto fat and store fat but does not allow the body to lose fat. I have suffered from constipation all of my life (except when I smoked cigarettes and drank coffee). I had irregular periods for most of my life and my obgyn put me on birth control to regulate my cycles. Everything was masking my problems. I am hypothyroid recently diagnosed and I am taking Armour. I take trazodone to sleep half a dose every night. I know untreated gluten intolerance leads to hypothyroid however I didn't know I was gluten intolerant. Either way since I quit smoking three years ago all my symptoms came to a head and all these things changed. All I know is that somehow smoking masked some of my problems. I have to take bio-identical hormones as well. I'm only 36 and not in pre-menopause but it sure feels like it. I really hope not eating gluten will change things and that I can stop taking trazodone to sleep and maybe my thyroid will start doing it's job. Can a gluten-free diet reverse symptoms? Also, I tried ww's to lose weight before finding out I was gluten sensitive and I had cut out carbs and felt much much better but I still had wheat here and there. Now I'm going crazy eating all kinds of expensive gluten free cookies and icing. Eating sugar can't be good but I can't stop. One thing at a time right. Also it seems dairy free and gluten free should be done at the same time. Do you really have to do it that way? How can I stay away from the gluten free high carb high calorie treats? Any advice on all of the above? Thanks, Tonia (also I spent hours trying to find products that I already own to determine if they are gluten free. Not every gluten free product is labeled. Are there easier web sites that I'm not aware of ?)

[Doodles]

I feel your pain!

I just found out 2 weeks ago that I have Celiac disease (my biopsy was negative but the blood work shows positive). I had heard about it in the past but did not know much about it. If I really looked back on when I started have bowel changes I would have to say it was when I had my gall bladder removed. But thought things were getting better until just like you I quit smoking 3 years ago and all of the sudden I have all of these medical issues showing up. I as well thought to myself maybe it was a hormone issue. But over the last 3 years I now have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and possible fibromyalgia (doctor isn't too sure he believes I have that but long story). Granted after I quit smoking I gained 20lbs. I am sure the weight has a lot to do with the high blood pressure and the diabetes and sleep apnea (although both run in the family) Although after reading about all of the symptoms of Celiac disease it seems to explain alot.

I know I have a lot to learn about this disease and hoping that changes I now need to make will help me become healthier and feeling better.

I don't think I answered any of your questions but wanted to let you know that your not alone and to wish you the best of luck.

[flartista]

I feel your pain!

I just found out 2 weeks ago that I have Celiac disease (my biopsy was negative but the blood work shows positive). I had heard about it in the past but did not know much about it. If I really looked back on when I started have bowel changes I would have to say it was when I had my gall bladder removed. But thought things were getting better until just like you I quit smoking 3 years ago and all of the sudden I have all of these medical issues showing up. I as well thought to myself maybe it was a hormone issue. But over the last 3 years I now have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and possible fibromyalgia (doctor isn't too sure he believes I have that but long story). Granted after I quit smoking I gained 20lbs. I am sure the weight has a lot to do with the high blood pressure and the diabetes and sleep apnea (although both run in the family) Although after reading about all of the symptoms of Celiac disease it seems to explain alot.

I know I have a lot to learn about this disease and hoping that changes I now need to make will help me become healthier and feeling better.

I don't think I answered any of your questions but wanted to let you know that your not alone and to wish you the best of luck.

I hope people who have experienced this will respond as well. I find it interesting that smoking almost aided all my physical problems. I know that it is far worse to smoke but what a way to learn about your true health. I hope we both get better!

[lischro]

Hi flartista- I am a 24 year old female, and have also been living with the crazy bloating- the tummy bulge, chronic constipation for a few years and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 3 years ago. I finally was tested for celiac last week and am waiting for my results. I've done a ton of research and am convinced that I am (at least)gluten intolerant and am starting my gluten-free diet today.

It's gotten to the point, for me, that I have so many symptoms (constipation, weight gain, bloating, irritablity/mood swings, tingling lower legs, lower back pain, nail ridges/dents, tummy buldge, dry skin/eczema etc) that I thought were still related to my thyroid, but after doing so much research I realize that this fits me to a "T"

I am very excited to try the gluten free diet... because I am just ready to feel better!

Good luck! I am still very new to all of this and can only recommend reading everything you can- I also found this site and these forums to be extremely helpful.