Gluten-Free For Years And Starting To Have New Symptoms

[runnerchic]

I have had Celiac for years and have eating a strictly gluten free (and vegetarian) diet for 3 years now. Last year I became pregnant with my son who was born in March.

Since his birth I have had lots of Celiac issues coming back. I have had diarrhea. This gets better and then worse. My regular doctor told me to try probiotics and increase my fiber, both of which do not seem to work. I have also started to bruise a lot again all over my legs (which makes me wonder if my anemia is back - something I had for years before I was diagnosed).

I am a very strict eater and never eat out anymore (because I have a 5 month old). I know there is no gluten in my diet and am worried why I have these symptoms. I have an appointment in mid-August with my GI doctor, but the constant diarrhea makes me so worried, particularly because I am breastfeeding and want to be sure my son is getting everything he needs.

Any advice or ideas much appreciated!

- also posted this on pregnant with celiac forum

[missceliac2010]

Any advice or ideas much appreciated!

Perhaps your pregnancy threw your body into an ultra-sensitive stage again? Pregnancy is taxing on our bodies, as is breastfeeding. In the beginning, I have heard others frequently suggest to go Lactose-free as well while your body heals. Maybe try that? Can't hurt right? Unless you already are lactose-free, in which case I am at a loss and will leave you in the good hands of the more experienced members!

In the meanwhile, good luck and get well soon! Being sick stinks, especially while trying to care for an infant.

Peace,

[Skylark]

That is scary. What has changed since the baby was born? Look at vitamins, medicines, lotions, soap, baby wipes, diaper lotion, anywhere gluten could be getting on your hands and into your mouth.

Also, if you have become hypersensitive to gluten, you may not tolerate "gluten-free" products like breads and cereal any more. Many of the commercial products have trace gluten and not all celiacs can eat them.

[GlutenFreeManna]

That is scary. What has changed since the baby was born? Look at vitamins, medicines, lotions, soap, baby wipes, diaper lotion, anywhere gluten could be getting on your hands and into your mouth.

Also, if you have become hypersensitive to gluten, you may not tolerate "gluten-free" products like breads and cereal any more. Many of the commercial products have trace gluten and not all celiacs can eat them.

I agree with Skylark, check all new products associated with baby, but also double check all your old stuff you have been using because sometimes ingredients or the way something is manufactured change. Take you diet to a whole foods diet as much as possible and see if that helps.

It could also be that you have developed a new food intolerance because of the pregnancy. I often hear my friends say they developed new allergies or intolerances after having a baby. Since you said you are vegetarian, I would suspect soy. Keep a food journal for a few weeks and see if you see a pattern in when you feel the worst, then start to remove things one at a time. This is sort of a reverse elimination diet, but with you breastfeeding you probably should not do a true elimination diet where you take it down to just a couple whole foods, at least not without a doctor's guidance.

[BRUMI1968]

Have you been tested for giardia and that type of thing? I ask because I notice that I always go straight to the Celiac Disease question whenever anything comes up for me, almost forgetting that zillions of illnesses and infections and stuff exist outside the realm of Celiac.

A few years ago I had a bout of emergency pooping - that is what I'd call it - I'd be out walking the dog and oh my gosh I was in big trouble. I actually stopped walking my dog anywhere that did not have a bathroom right there. This WAS NOT my MO with Celiac; I always had constipation. Anyway, I sent in samples and such and did not find anything. However, I did find out the myraid things it could've been. So I would urge to check for those things. (In the end, mine went away after putting pro-biotics in - we never found out what the problem was.)

Best of luck to you! Hopefully you'll find some hidden gluten in the new baby stuff ... but if not, think about the dreaded samples to the doc (yes, you have to keep some in your freezer for a couple days).

As to the bruising: that can be lack of vitamin C, vitamin K I think it is. If it does not get better OR you have little red dots in places on your skin that would have pressure on that at times (where your shoes press against your feet, where your seatbelt presses against your chest, etc.) - you should get your blood checked for platelets. You can get a disease called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, which is when your spleen kills off your platelets, and you can eventually bleed to death. Pregnancy can trigger this autoimmune disease. It is likely NOT this, but keep this in mind with the bruising if it does not get better or you see the dogs or your gums start bleeding or anything like that.

[Chakra2]

Your post caught my eye. I had my first baby in 2008 and it was only after the pregnancy that I started to really get sick. I have also been vegetarian for 19 years (but eating fish now). I'd like to share what my experience has been in case anything fits with what you're going through.

First,