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

Constipation!

missj

Recommended Posts

missj Rookie
missj
Posted

I'm wondering how common constipation is instead of the "D". That is my primary symptom along with nausea. My doc said that it is not a "classic" symptom but from what I have read on here, constipation is super common. Is this more common with gluten sensitivity than with actual Celiacs? How many of you have the big "C" and instead of the big "D" as the primary symptom? Sorry if it's TMI or you don't want to share. I'm just super curious about all of this and how others presented in the beginning. The two people I know with Celiac had the more classic symptoms and have severe reactions to being glutened.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


etta694 Explorer
etta694
Posted

I'd like to know this too, since I get the big D that practically does me in. When it hits - not a gurgle, not a cramp, not a toot - ZERO movement :blink: and then I start to turn grey. It took 3 weeks last time to get things moving again. :) There... how that for TMI. But I am curious because it seems most people have C.. I meant D.. it seems most people have D.

Here's a C thread

ladymiss Rookie
ladymiss
Posted

I've had 'C' most of my life. I just thought it was 'normal' for my body to only have a BM every 4 days or so.... My naturopath was aghast to find this out. This was the case even when I was a vegetarian for 15 years.

Only in the last three to four years have I had monthly rotating bouts of C and D. And finally as my health came crashing in me, mostly D.

I recently received the diagnosis of gluten intolerant.

TMI TMI :rolleyes: but an interesting thread.... :)

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Your doc was wrong. Constipation and diarrhea are each classic symptoms of gluten intolerance, or alternating between the two. However, he was not taught that in medical school :P

Igg postive Rookie
Igg postive
Posted

I'm wondering how common constipation is instead of the "D".

Missj,- I primary have C with bouts of D. The thing is I have hypothyroidism. The one main symptom of hypothyrodism can be C. So that may be causing it or gluten. I was positive to the IGG test so I am at least have gluten Intolerance but will know more after my biopsy. Its best to have a proven celiac doctor check you out.

ElseB Contributor
ElseB
Posted

I have diagnosed Celiac, and I've never ever have D, only C.

Emma-Lee Rookie
Emma-Lee
Posted

"C"!!!!!!!!!! This is why I did not think I could have Celiac. But now I know that I do....so I think either

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

oh boy..... yes- C is extremely extremely CLASSIC... C was my biggest problem... the D usually came with lactose. and then i went thru phases where it was all malabsorption bms... fatty, floating... lymphatic material.. (SORRY TMI)

but ya, C was the most common for me

salexander421 Enthusiast
salexander421
Posted

Still going through the testing process but I definitely already know I have some form of gluten intolerance and my problem is mostly constipation. It seems like I'll be constipated for a week or so and then it's the cramping and having to rush to the potty, but not necessarily D just having to go all of a sudden. This is probably TMI but there's also times when all that comes out is gas and mucous...gross :P

Constipation has also been both my girl's main problem, they're still in the testing process also.

shopgirl Contributor
shopgirl
Posted

It was my symptom too for a couple years before I was diagnosed. But I think there were some other issues going on there too

etta694 Explorer
etta694
Posted
:lol:
nuttmegs17 Apprentice
nuttmegs17
Posted

I'm C for the records - every 3 days about :)

Is there a test to determine malabsorption...I have floating stools but my puffy face and lightheadedness/dizziness (despite balanced diet) is making me think it is all catching up with me.

catarific Contributor
catarific
Posted

Prior to September 2010, I had always been constipated. Then all of a sudden I had this terrible flare up (or food poisoing, whatever) and then I had been D since until very recently. I came down with a sinus infection and my doctor prescribed ampicillin (small doses - 250 mg) because of my D. But now - the D has totally stopped - how weird - and I am back to C again after 6 months suffering with D. And the malabsorption issues seems to have stopped and the other food tolerances have too (fruit, corn, rice). Yesterday I had a fruit salad with banana and pineapple and the day before strawberries! It is definitely in the C phase again - after the antibiotic. Is this normal?

shopgirl Contributor
shopgirl
Posted

Prior to September 2010, I had always been constipated. Then all of a sudden I had this terrible flare up (or food poisoing, whatever) and then I had been D since until very recently. I came down with a sinus infection and my doctor prescribed ampicillin (small doses - 250 mg) because of my D. But now - the D has totally stopped - how weird - and I am back to C again after 6 months suffering with D. And the malabsorption issues seems to have stopped and the other food tolerances have too (fruit, corn, rice). Yesterday I had a fruit salad with banana and pineapple and the day before strawberries! It is definitely in the C phase again - after the antibiotic. Is this normal?

Hmm. Have you tried probiotics? Maybe you have some kind of intestinal flora imbalance from the D and the antibiotics.

txplowgirl Enthusiast
txplowgirl
Posted

Hah! I got everyone beat I think. Before I went gluten free I had a BM maybe once ever 4 to 6 weeks, for me that was normal. I was like that as far back as I can remember.

I can remmeber fighting with my mother and grandmother when I was 9, the were trying to give me an enema.

The dr's kept telling me to eat more fiber, kept giving me rx's for differnt laxatives. Nothing ever worked, just made me sick.

Now. regular like clockwork.

ladymiss Rookie
ladymiss
Posted

hey, i just thought to share something interesting i learned today.

i spoke with my naturopath about recent health screen results (from a health fair includes blood test). my cholesterol levels have gone up significantly from last year. it's only been in the last few months that i've gone gluten free. but i have been eating a diet high in animal proteins- as i couldn't tolerate legumes for a while. she knows that i've had ongoing bouts of constipation. she said when constipated the body reabsorbs the cholesterol from the waste left in the gut. yikes! she also mentioned that if eating animal proteins, to pay attention if they seem to be related to bouts of C. and something else to consider, the more fiber/ veggies and fruits one is eating, the more water you need to drink to help with C and moving things through.

goodnews Apprentice
goodnews
Posted

This is a great thread to see...I haven't been diagnosed yet, but I have C as well and was reluctant to purse Celiac testing because of that. But I have read a lot more about it and see how common it is. I am waiting on the genetic test to come back and my dr. may want to do another endoscopy to get more samples if I have the genetic markers for it (he only took ONE of my small intestine and said that it was inflamed and the report said it could be indicative of celiac). He recently told me to start miralax to help with the constipation. It is worth a shot. Sometimes I do go once a day, but it is typically hard to go and sometimes I only go a couple times a week.

cap6 Enthusiast
cap6
Posted

My C just keeps getting worse. I thought I was getting well but now with the C I feel crummy more days than not. If C is a symptom of celiac why do I still have it? Makes no sense. I have been gluten-free for a year, don't cheat, am not tempted to cheat and have been glutened very few times. I am so frustrated. :angry:

missj Rookie
missj
Posted
  • Author

My C just keeps getting worse. I thought I was getting well but now with the C I feel crummy more days than not. If C is a symptom of celiac why do I still have it? Makes no sense. I have been gluten-free for a year, don't cheat, am not tempted to cheat and have been glutened very few times. I am so frustrated. :angry:

When I tried my first 100% gluten free diet my constipation got worse because I wasn't getting enough fiber. I have heard FiberCon is the best supplement to try. Anything with that cilium husk stuff will bloat you up more before working. You can also try some magnesium oxide supplements as well, as they draw water into your colon. Just play with the dose until you find one that works well for you.

Also, I have done a mag citrate clense (2 bucks at the drug store)a few times and it usually helps a bit. Then you can start with a nice fresh colon! I hope this helps a little! Good luck!

  • 1 month later...
Lalama Apprentice
Lalama
Posted

Just reading all these posts about C. I have been having this issue for the last two months. And with it-my periods have been extremely painful. My naturopathic doctor put me on these physilium husks capsules (which also have some other natural ingredients) and I have been taking them for about 6 weeks now. They helped me to go-but I was having D instead of a normal bm-and felt kind of bloated from them. But I have been doing a lot of research and I don't think it's good to take them for as long as I have been. Not sure if that's the case? But since stopping them I am now feeling backed up again and really bloated. Very frustrating...

Whatnext? Rookie
Whatnext?
Posted

Yes constipation is definitely a symptom. My symptoms were constipation, gas and bloating. Oh and excruciating stomach aches every so often.

My blood tests recently came back positive for Celiac. I just had a biopsy (to confirm and check the extent of damage) on Tuesday but the results are back yet.

hsmomof6 Rookie
hsmomof6
Posted

As a kid I would be very irregular, only once every 3 to 4 days, but then I'd get bouts of D. As an adult, I would be mostly C and then 10 months ago everything went crazy and I was mostly D alternating with extreme C. I started losing weight like crazy and that's when we started looking for a cause. They checked everything. I've had scopes from both ends, CTs of my abdomen and small bowel, blood tests for all sorts of things. It took them 10 long months to finally check me for Celiac. I've been gluten-free for almost 4 weeks now (other than a few accidental glutenings in the early weeks) and I am now regular for the first time in my life. What a difference.

deaja Rookie
deaja
Posted

For years I've had C then D then a few days of C, etc. I always thought it was just me. I was either C or going multiple times a day. My docs never thought that was enough reason to test me for gluten/celiac until I specifically asked for it.

Now that I'm going gluten-free, I've been C, but I think my system will stabilize and just needs a little time. (It hasn't even been 3 weeks.)

Speaking of the first paragraph, can I say that I'm kind of annoyed with the GI doctor (not so much my general practicioner) who in January kind of acted like everything must be in my head since all tests came back fine and never even brought up gluten!

BeckyMR Newbie
BeckyMR
Posted

Hah! I got everyone beat I think. Before I went gluten free I had a BM maybe once ever 4 to 6 weeks, for me that was normal. I was like that as far back as I can remember.

I can remmeber fighting with my mother and grandmother when I was 9, the were trying to give me an enema.

The dr's kept telling me to eat more fiber, kept giving me rx's for differnt laxatives. Nothing ever worked, just made me sick.

Now. regular like clockwork.

I haven't posted on here much, but have learned so much from everyone on here :-) I am not officially diagnosed, but know that I am at least gluten intolerant. I too have always had SEVERE "C" since I was a child. I have been to the Dr. numerous times and told that I need to eat more fiber and drink more water. We have been working on our diet as a family for the last few years and getting more and more educated on what is healthy etc. We have eaten a limited gluten diet during this time. I just put together about a month ago that I was gluten intolerant so I have been 100% gluten free for about a month (to my knowledge at least). I am also working with a doctor to get my adrenals, thyroid and hormones back in balance. Even doing all that, I am still taking 2 doses of Miralax a day to go to the bathroom once daily. The first week I was gluten free I went 2X a day, but then it went back to just the one time. How long before I can expect to start going on my own without aid??? I would love to hear other peoples experience on this.

  • 4 months later...
gailc Newbie
gailc
Posted

The big 'C'? 12 days for me, laxatives and stool softeners did not work. Doctors said over a period of about 30 years, 'what was normal for me was normal', but then they shut me off before i was able to say 12 days, so they never heard that. 5 laxatives, one a day on day 7 thru 11 worked, or did it? It was day 12. First I ever heard of 'normal' numbers was on the Dr. Oz show, he got concernecd if less than 3 a week. I yelled at the TV 'HOW ABOUT ZERO!!!'.

on the gluten-free diet after two weeks, every day and stool softeners when gluten-free, just one on one day worked for 14 days(it was an experiment).

My worst was about 6 weeks--miserable, then I went cross-country skiing for about 8 hours, very strenuous. that worked.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • 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.