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More Constipated After Going Gluten Free?!

lischro

By lischro
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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lischro Apprentice
lischro
Posted

My main symptom for the last 3 or so years has been constipation... chronic constipation. Needless to say I've been told, like many of you, that I have IBS. Worthless. Anyway, since going gluten free about 3 weeks ago, I have noticed feeling more constipated! Maybe this is in my head?

I no longer have awful, overwhelming stomach pains after I eat, so I love that already..... but the bloating and constipation won't stop!

I still eat a lot of fiber- that hasn't ever been the issue. I eat healthy and not a lot of processed foods so I don't know why it's taking so long to get better.

I take miralax like a feind and have for like a year and a half- but I thought since going gluten-free it would get better pretty quickly.

Just feeling a little discouraged.... when will I feel better?!

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juppygirl Newbie
juppygirl
Posted

Are you drinking enough? Are you having too much fibre? - you may have needed it before as a result of gluten causing constipation, but not now. Consider something like fybogel (psyillium husks) which can be adjusted wether you want to relieve constipation or cause it!!!

leikela Newbie
leikela
Posted

I understand what you're talking about. Though unfortuntely, I don't have any answers or tips. Chronic constipation was one of my biggest symptoms before I was diagnosed with Celiac 3 months ago. Certain things have gradually gotten better. For awhile I thought my constipation was getting a little better too. But lately I'm feeling the effects of it again. My very low abdomen is painful to the touch. When I do have a bowl movement they are hard little things. >_<

So you're not alone, I'm in the same boat you're in! If you find out anything post it on here! =)

Ahorsesoul Enthusiast
Ahorsesoul
Posted

Constipation was one of the things Dr Murray told me could happen to people after going gluten free. 3 to 5 prunes every morning should take care of the problem. Also increase your fiber intake. Beans are good for this is you tolerate them. The key is to eat prunes and or fiber daily. Not just when you are feeling constipated.

lischro Apprentice
lischro
Posted
  • Author

Unfortunately prunes do nothing at all for me, but I eat beans for protein and fiber as I don't eat any meat. So it's not a new thing for me to be constipated, but I just thought I would be relived sooner than later after going gluten free.

Leikela- it is unbelievably helpful to know that you understand! It's beyond frustrating, as you know. Everyone wants to help but I feel bad when I say I've tried everything.... I don't mean to shoot people down, but it's the truth. I thought once I started gluten-free eating it would be the quick fix thing I've been longing for.... but I guess it's a slow process. Have you ever tried amitiza- the prescription? I tried it but had some bad side effects and it's really expensive... plus it didn't even work!

zero Newbie
zero
Posted

I have also experienced constipation after becoming gluten free though it is more at the annoying level rather than something I am concerned about. And I also don't eat meat but eat lots of rice and beans so maybe there is a connection there. I figured it was because of the removal of the whole grains from my diet. I use some natural laxatives but I can't say that it does much. I think it has gotten a little better over time but mostly I just try to eat enough salad for roughage and to stay away from rice cakes. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

miles Rookie
miles
Posted

For me gluten free oatmeal works wonders, in the beginning I ate fruit, lots of veggies, little meat and still had problems, until I found gluten free oats.

Some still cannot tolerate gluten free oats but if you can it may help, it helps me immensely.

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runningcrazy Contributor
runningcrazy
Posted

I had the same problem. The only thing that EVER helped regulate it, like perfectly regulate it, is taking a magnesium supplement daily. You can adjust it. Take enough to the point where you have regular bowel movements, if it becomes diarrhea, lower the amount you take. Plus, magnesium is great for heart function

Marz Enthusiast
Marz
Posted

I never suffered from constipation until I went gluten free :( My symptoms were always the other way, now I know how it feels to be on the other side, and I must say I now feel great sympathy for those that suffer from const every day. D:

I've discovered that it gets a ton worse when I get accidently glutened. Like "traces of gluten" in a product can cause const for 2 days. Recently it's been like 5 days without a BM, and me thinking "Gosh, when should I see a GP about this?? Let's go take a ton of laxatives..." :blink:

So for those new to this, if you're getting constant constipation, make sure you're not still getting glutened by trace amounts?

Did a quick search, because I'm also trying to find relief from this. Going to try the following:

- Magnesium supplements (Apparently citrate better than oxide) - many celiacs have malabsorption issues, magnesium deficiency is common, and Mg is very NB for smooth muscle contraction/relaxation.

- More water (already drinking a lot, but I guess you can always have more)

- Eating *less* fiber (Been eating a lot of fiber, veges, fruit, prunes, brown rice. It hasn't helped a *sod*). Some people on this forum reported fiber actually caused constipation for them. So maybe our digestive systems (maybe while healing), needs less fiber for a while.

Good luck on getting it sorted out, let us know what works for you!

cap6 Enthusiast
cap6
Posted

I have suffered with chronic constipation all of my life. (they used to call me the constipation kid when I was little) I have now been gluten free for 5 months and the constipation is still bad. Prunes don't help, high fiber, beans, metamucil 2x's a day, drink lots of water - none of it helps. I have been taking two stool softners in the p.m. and one in the a.m. and that works but.... I don't think that is good to keep taking them. If I cut back on them then I am in trouble. My friend who is a nurse advised that I start the softners after I was so bad that 2 fleets & a ducalax didn't work! Grrrrr This is all so frustrating. I tell myself that except for the constipation at least I feel good now. So I guess it's not all bad!

runningcrazy Contributor
runningcrazy
Posted

I have suffered with chronic constipation all of my life. (they used to call me the constipation kid when I was little) I have now been gluten free for 5 months and the constipation is still bad. Prunes don't help, high fiber, beans, metamucil 2x's a day, drink lots of water - none of it helps. I have been taking two stool softners in the p.m. and one in the a.m. and that works but.... I don't think that is good to keep taking them. If I cut back on them then I am in trouble. My friend who is a nurse advised that I start the softners after I was so bad that 2 fleets & a ducalax didn't work! Grrrrr This is all so frustrating. I tell myself that except for the constipation at least I feel good now. So I guess it's not all bad!

You should try magnesium supplements. I had the same problem, my doctor had me on 2 doses of miralax, 2 doses of dulcolax, and 2 doses of colace. It was horrible! I felt so bad taking all of them, and they barely even helped. I tried prune juice, hot lemon concoction, etc. The magnesium has regulated me and its good for you too. Good luck!

BRUMI1968 Collaborator
BRUMI1968
Posted

Dairy constipates me - I mean one teaspoon of butter will hit me the next day. I don't know if you do dairy, but it is a common culprit as well.

I did read a good article once on what is needed to have good bowel movements: bulk, water, lubricant. Are you getting enough oil in your diet? or fat rather?

I get C come and go - but had it my whole life from when I was 2 until I got diagnosed three years ago. It is WWWWWAAAAAAAAAYYYYY better, but I still fall victim to it. Dairy - in less than a day. Bananas do it to me, if I eat more than one a day, or more than a few days in a row (smoothies just aren't as good w/o bananas).

I agree with the magnesium, and vitamin C helps too. An Ayurvedic herb called Trifala also helps.

Good luck.

Marz Enthusiast
Marz
Posted

Prunes don't help, high fiber, beans, metamucil 2x's a day, drink lots of water - none of it helps.

Have you tried Magnesium supplements? Just curious if they helped at all for you if you did? All the fiber in the world won't help if your smooth muscle is not contracting sufficiently to move things along.

tweeks2010 Apprentice
tweeks2010
Posted

Hi, I also have the same after going gluten free. My absolute best friend is BLUEBERRIES! I love them. They work fast. Eat about 1 cup/day in the morning (or whenever) and do it everyday. 1 serving of blueberries has 8.1 grams fibre in it...with is almost 3 times more fibre thans metamucil pysillium fibre has in it. SERIOUSLY..THESE WORK. I put mine in a smoothie everyday and don't miss a day. When you skip a day or too...you go back to being contipated. The only down side to this...is you bowel movement will be blue...LOL. If you can deal with that..go for the blueberries! :)

**Metamucil or other fibre supplements can sometimes hold gluten in your system for longer. So if you get gluten the best thing to do..is not take your fibre supplemts...it takes longer to go through your system and thickens while in your stomach/intestines. Best shot at cleaning yourself out after being gluten is blueberries...natural, effective and way quicker.**

EvieLS Rookie
EvieLS
Posted

I too was constipated most of my life until I developed wheat and other allergies, now I alternate between 'C' and 'D'. no one mentioned exercise, if it is too hot or rainy I pay for my lack of it. Hope this helps. :)

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