Odd Benefits Of Going Gluten Free

[Poppi]

Sara you can still have s'mores but make them with gluten free chocolate chip cookies!

YUM, YUM, YUM, even better!

That sounds good! I use the kinnikinnick s'moreables (gluten-free graham crackers). They are great. On Sunday night my husband had taken the wee one in to bed and my son wanted help with his s'more so without thinking I helped him squish it and then went back to eating my own. I had that "oh NO!" sinking feeling that I had messed up as I was licking the marshmallow off my fingers. Sure enough the stomach rumbling started an hour later.

[Poppi]

Well, we talk about poop, hemorrhoids, vomit ...why not about something as wonderful as sex???!!

To be even more frank, both men and women can have "intimacy issues" associated with celiac--(it affects every body system and delicate tissues, hormone levels , etc.) and some people have severe pelvic pain as a result of celiac as well--so, if they also disappear after going gluten-free-- then people can resume that part of their lives as well.

And BTW, I must have missed this development somehow--CONGRATS on a 100% gluten-free house! I am happy for all of you!!

I have had a problem called cytolytic vaginosis for well over a year. It is fairly horrible and makes life somewhat miserable (and sex impossible) for 2 weeks out of every month. Last month is was better and this month.... GONE! Yippee!

And yup, we are on day 5 of complete gluten free-ness. Some huge adjustments to be made for sure, my little kids are both in mourning for squishy white bread and campbell's chicken noodle soup. The two older girls head back to Vietnam for the summer in a couple of days so they aren't an issue yet and my oldest son is still eating gluten downstairs as I am taking in to request the bloodwork on Thursday.

[IrishHeart]

I have had a problem called cytolytic vaginosis for well over a year. It is fairly horrible and makes life somewhat miserable (and sex impossible) for 2 weeks out of every month. Last month is was better and this month.... GONE! Yippee!

uh-huh....um, I have a suggestion for you...a tip from a GYN and a women's health PT involving probiotics and inflammation in tissues and where to "place them"...works like a charm!!!...um, I'll send you a PM!!

[celiacSuzie]

It's been less than a year for me having been gluten-free, but I've noticed, in this short time improvement (not all out cure though) of my low thyroid (hair's growing back & not falling out all the time), more energy, fibro's almost disappeared... most importantly for me, exercise (which I love) is easier!

Not so much b/c I'm in less pain, but I feel like I've got the energy to keep on moving, whereas before, on a gluten-based diet, I'd be half way through a workout & be ready for a nap... sometimes even falling asleep immediately after a full hour workout. Now, I don't get that.

I too have noticed improvements & changes in my nails, hair, skin, ability to taste food, less pain, more mental focus, better rest.

Yay for gluten-free!

[NutmegCT]

New member here. About five years ago I tried an experiment where I stopped eating anything with wheat (not gluten free diet - just no wheat products).

My digestive problems slightly improved.

But the big thing I noticed was that I no longer had "hay fever" from grass pollen.

Prior to my giving up wheat, my allergy doctor gave me the "24 pin pricks" sensitivity test. Twenty-three showed nothing; one actually swelled my arm up twice the normal size. That was "grass pollen".

I figure that wheat is a grass, so abstaining from wheat actually let my body recover from its grass sensitivity. Thus, the grass pollen didn't cause nearly the reaction it used to.

Just thought someone might like to know.

Tom in CT

[Jungle]

I never have to eat another piece of store bought birthday cake with the inch of gag me icing again just to be polite.

And at potlucks etc. I don't have to wait to eat because I've brought my own food I can eat when I am ready.

[IrishHeart]

I never have to eat another piece of store bought birthday cake with the inch of gag me icing again just to be polite.

:lol: yuck....and no more of those "pink and blue icing roses" either...

[love2travel]

:lol: yuck....and no more of those "roses" either...

Too funny! Or the lettering on those fake cakes with gag icing and brutal roses that is spelled incorrectly such as "Congratulation's" or "Hapy Brithday!" You know those functions where there are about 50 tables and one is called up at a time to serve yourselves? My husband and I inevitably have been either dead last or second last for some reason. Maybe next time I could pull out my own food, sit at the table and act like a glutton in front of all the other poor saps who must wait their turn. (I actually have not been to such a function since gluten-free nor would I, anyway, but to think about eating in front of hundreds of starving business people dressed in suits and gowns who are acting fake/prim/proper is sort of fun in a morbid way.) Don't get me started on those functions...

[wheeleezdryver]

for years, every spring (when the days get longer, and all of a sudden our skin is getting more sun exposure) I would get a rash of red bumps all over my hands and arms. They were never itchy or painful, or anything like that. I went gluten- free last August-- this spring I still had a few bumps show up, but NOTHING compared to what it was like in years past.

and, it seems, when I have gotten glutened recently, the bumps seem to look worse then the day before.

the red bumps/ rash have made thier appearance... I apparently glutened myself good last week (with either Private Selection (Fred Meyer) ice cream or Fred Meyer yogurt, of all things....grrr...) my left arm (as I'm the car driver, that's the one that gets the most sun exposure), from my wrist to my elbow looks like 35 mosquitoes attacked it (so, I can kinda relate to you all's talk about them buggers!) plus a few above my elbow and on my hand. At least it doesn't hrut too bad. grrrr... live and learn!

[wheeleezdryver]

I never have to eat another piece of store bought birthday cake with the inch of gag me icing again just to be polite.

And at potlucks etc. I don't have to wait to eat because I've brought my own food I can eat when I am ready.

That's a VERY good one--- I'll have to remember that one!

with my husband having a physical disability, I used to either get food for him first which ws okay with me... he is a slow eater, plus by getting his food first, I could see was available so I could know what I wanted to get when I went back for myself) or carry two plates and get food for both of us at the same time-- which of course would hold the line up.

So, if I bring my own food, all I hafta do is get his food, then I could sit down and eat!- sounds good to me! (especailly if i bring something to eat that would make EVERYONE else drool! ... turn about is fair play, right?!?! :))

[Austin Guy]

Within 48 hours of going gluten free 7 weeks ago acne on my back vanished. I used to get it every summer and one problem was that it itched a lot. I would scratch and bleed and stain shirts, sheets, etc. I've noticed that my skin in an overall sense is better as well. Not as dry, no blemishes and my face actually looks younger. Pretty amazing!

[Judy3]

I'm 7 months gluten free - My odd things that happened (and maybe not so odd but surprising to me) My diabetes has gotten so much better that I'm off medication completely and the flaking and peeling inside my ears has gone away...

yay! I'll have to see about the mosquito's.. hmmm that would be cool!!

It's official... I am no longer a mosquito magnet... who'da thunk. I was at an outdoor concert on Saturday and everyone including the band was complaining about getting eaten alive. I did not have one bite. I pulled a couple of them off of me but they weren't biting... hmmmm

This is wonderful!! Hope it continues

[Bubba's Mom]

It's so encouraging to see all the improvements you all are having!

I still have so many of the bad symptoms, but I feel more hopeful now.

One REALLY big thing that bothers me is that all of my allergies became more pronounced about 2 years ago. I was having trouble breathing. Got tested and had tons of positive hits. I've been getting 2 shots a week ever since and they're still out of control. I hope once I heal I'll have less trouble with all of those allergies too!

My Dentist is pretty sharp. Over a yar ago she said my teeth and gums seem to be getting affected by my immune system. I have no idea how she knew? Now that I'm Dxed I keep realizing there were TONS of clues!

I have to add to my eyebrows with eyebrow powder..now that I'm Gluten-Free maybe they'll grow back? BUT then I might have to go back to shaving my legs?

I love learning things here!

[love2travel]

I feel no different now than I did since going strictly gluten-free 5 months ago (gluten-free house, no CC). But I wasn't feeling sick from gluten to begin with. The only thing I notice is, as I already mentioned, my fingernails are now straight. I cannot wait until some neuro issues disappear! Now, however, I am having abdominal issues so I think it is time to begin an elimination diet. My physical and bloodwork is coming up in two weeks so perhaps we can narrow it down.

Seasonal allergies were extra bad this year and the mosquitoes adore me.

[Sarah Alli]

I have had a problem called cytolytic vaginosis for well over a year. It is fairly horrible and makes life somewhat miserable (and sex impossible) for 2 weeks out of every month. Last month is was better and this month.... GONE! Yippee!

I would kill to get your results. The last gyno I saw told me my pain was vestibulitis and said, "good luck!" My PCP suggested it was probably related to my chronic abdominal pain. I never considered that it might be related to my possible gluten intolerance... it's good to know other people have seen results on gluten-free diets.

:lol: yuck....and no more of those "pink and blue icing roses" either...

Eeeewww... thinking about storebrand cake is making me feel ill. It's my birthday and my sweet ole' mamma ordered me a chocolate cake from a local gluten free bakery. I'm pretty excited.

[Bubba's Mom]

Eeeewww... thinking about storebrand cake is making me feel ill. It's my birthday and my sweet ole' mamma ordered me a chocolate cake from a local gluten free bakery. I'm pretty excited.

Do you think your Mom would adopt me?

[Marilyn R]

As for benefits of going gluten-free, we are saving money!!!

I've been gluten-free for 15 months. At first it was more expensive because I was buying really expensive repacements for the processed food we were used to. That didn't always work out so well, probably because I have more food intolerances,

By eliminating dining out and cooking only whole foods, we're saving over $300.00 per month.

And by the way, my neighbor has a great skeeter spray. She mixes ground up rosemary, lemongrass, water, cheap vodka and citronelle and lets it steep, then strains it through layers of muslim and bottles it in cheap spray bottles and gives it away for presents. It works really good.

The other thing I like about going gluten-free is that I have real fingernails again! They used to be paper thin and would tear off and expose the nail bed.

Sleep is good. I used to miss a good night's sleep terribly. Same with sense of humor. I'm not missing horrible depression. And I really appreciate not having uncontrollable D. Hope that's not TMI. Good luck to everyone.

[catsmeow]

I also seem to not be as attractive to bugs as I used to be. I rarely get bit anymore.

Another oddity is that my eyebrows used to stop about 2/3's of the way across and since being gluten-free for a few years they go all the way to where they should end. A little thing, maybe, but it makes a difference.

The eyebrow thing is also a sign of hypothyroidism. My husband is hypothyroid and has this issue. Here is a link to auto-immune symptom checker. The eyebrow thing is listed under "hair"

Open Original Shared Link

[IrishHeart]

I would kill to get your results. The last gyno I saw told me my pain was vestibulitis and said, "good luck!" My PCP suggested it was probably related to my chronic abdominal pain. I never considered that it might be related to my possible gluten intolerance... it's good to know other people have seen results on gluten-free diets.

I am sorry your GYN was so unsympathetic.

You need a new GYN!! (in my humble opinion)

Vaginal/pelvic floor pain can be a result of gluten

intolerance! The lack of tissue integrity is often associated with gluten exposure and nutritional deficiencies. Inflammation in the body can cause many associated GYN issues--the tissues, ligaments and muscles of the pelvic floor are greatly impacted.

My GYN saw inflammation from a swab she took and said "I never

saw dyspareunia or vaginitis as being gluten-related until you asked me about it. Now, I know what to do to try and help women with these disorders and burning pain"(glad I was so persistent about getting this pain treated!)

My PT --who specializes in pelvic floor pain treatment--suggested I use vaginal probiotics. (yup, just put one right up there every night! and the results are amazing. I take probiotics orally as well and that has helped me immensely with getting things to calm down. I was burning from head to toe. I could not sit without pain for 3 years.

I heard a similar dismissive remark as you did from a urogynecologist I consulted. He suggested I take huge doses of neurotin and anti-depressants and just "live with" the burning pain from the waist down. huh? No way! I suffered from more than a few GYN issues in my life (including endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, multiple miscarriages--which we NOW know are celiac-related--and a very early menopause)

Then, I developed an inablity to sit comfortably and had burning pain in my buttocks, hips, pelvis, legs when the celiac triggered for good.My GYN, PT and I agree---This pelvic floor pain is certainly related to bowel inflammation and muscle weakness from gluten intolerance as well as estrogen depletion. It can cause pudendal nerve entrapment-and that is no picnic.

There are physical therapists who deal with this kind of pelvic floor pain. You do not have to live with vestibulitis or vaginitis or painful intercourse! There are treatments. Search for someone in your area to help you. Google Pelvic floor pain and physical therapy. There is a registry of PTs.

Since using probiotics "up there" --it has greatly reduced the inflammation and pain! I do stretches from the PT and the GYN gave me estrogen cream to apply to the area. The nutritional deficiencies associated with these GYN issues are : vitamin E, vitamin A,Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin B9--Folic Acid. (I learned all this from several sources, including Recognizing Celiac Disease by Cleo Libonati, RN and Heal Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein PT.

Celiacs often have a folate deficiency (I did)and since

supplementing with prescription folic acid, I am not exhausted and the issues of the pelvis are greatly reduced.

Have your vitamin/mineral levels been tested? It may give you a clue as to what may be deficient.

Please--try to get someone to help you resolve this pain.

No one should have to "live with" these painful symptoms--and if they are related to your gluten intolerance--you should get relief from a gluten-free diet and some nutritional support.

Sorry this is a long post, but having lived with this pain and searching endlessly for relief (before I knew I had celiac disease) I hate to hear that others are suffering from similar issues.

Hope this helps!

[angel9165]

I dodged a lunch outing I didn't want to go to.

I too must confess to this!

[Sarah Alli]

I am sorry your GYN was so unsympathetic.

You need a new GYN!! (in my humble opinion)

Vaginal/pelvic floor pain can be a result of gluten

intolerance! The lack of tissue integrity is often associated with gluten exposure and nutritional deficiencies. Inflammation in the body can cause many associated GYN issues--the tissues, ligaments and muscles of the pelvic floor are greatly impacted.

My GYN saw inflammation from a swab she took and said "I never

saw dyspareunia or vaginitis as being gluten-related until you asked me about it. Now, I know what to do to try and help women with these disorders and burning pain"(glad I was so persistent about getting this pain treated!)

My PT --who specializes in pelvic floor pain treatment--suggested I use vaginal probiotics. (yup, just put one right up there every night! and the results are amazing. I take probiotics orally as well and that has helped me immensely with getting things to calm down. I was burning from head to toe. I could not sit without pain for 3 years.

I heard a similar dismissive remark as you did from a urogynecologist I consulted. He suggested I take huge doses of neurotin and anti-depressants and just "live with" the burning pain from the waist down. huh? No way! I suffered from more than a few GYN issues in my life (including endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, multiple miscarriages--which we NOW know are celiac-related--and a very early menopause)

Then, I developed an inablity to sit comfortably and had burning pain in my buttocks, hips, pelvis, legs when the celiac triggered for good.My GYN, PT and I agree---This pelvic floor pain is certainly related to bowel inflammation and muscle weakness from gluten intolerance as well as estrogen depletion. It can cause pudendal nerve entrapment-and that is no picnic.

There are physical therapists who deal with this kind of pelvic floor pain. You do not have to live with vestibulitis or vaginitis or painful intercourse! There are treatments. Search for someone in your area to help you. Google Pelvic floor pain and physical therapy. There is a registry of PTs.

Since using probiotics "up there" --it has greatly reduced the inflammation and pain! I do stretches from the PT and the GYN gave me estrogen cream to apply to the area. The nutritional deficiencies associated with these GYN issues are : vitamin E, vitamin A,Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin B9--Folic Acid. (I learned all this from several sources, including Recognizing Celiac Disease by Cleo Libonati, RN and Heal Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein PT.

Celiacs often have a folate deficiency (I did)and since

supplementing with prescription folic acid, I am not exhausted and the issues of the pelvis are greatly reduced.

Have your vitamin/mineral levels been tested? It may give you a clue as to what may be deficient.

Please--try to get someone to help you resolve this pain.

No one should have to "live with" these painful symptoms--and if they are related to your gluten intolerance--you should get relief from a gluten-free diet and some nutritional support.

Sorry this is a long post, but having lived with this pain and searching endlessly for relief (before I knew I had celiac disease) I hate to hear that others are suffering from similar issues.

Hope this helps!

I'm responding to this in a personal convo if you don't mind, just cause I feel weird about taking over the thread talking about my lady region...

[loneferret]

Wow..man maybe I'll finally get rid of that third arm.