Gluten Free 3 Months And Constipated

[KatV1985]

So I have been gluten-free for just over 3 months now...have had a few accidental glutenings (while i was still learning), but otherwise have not had too many issues making the switch.

While eating gluten I was going to the bathroom about 3-4 times a day (sometimes D sometimes normal). For the first month I was eating the processed gluten-free foods with no problem...had what doctors might call "picture perfect" BM's...then came the constipation...continued to eat processed foods for another couple of weeks and then decided to completely cut them out of my diet as I read on here they can cause bloating and constipation....well I have not eaten gluten free bread, crackers, pasta, cereal etc for almost 2 weeks now and I am still as constipated as ever. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables all day and drink lots of water.

I have hypothyroidism and that is the only thing I can think of that would be causing the C. I almost feel like I am at a lose/lose situation here because while eating gluten I had stomach pains, D, tired, achey, back pain....now gluten free and I am always bloated (like can't have a bite of food without feeling full in my lower stomach), have cramps from not being able to go to the bathroom, anxiety due to not being able to go, restlessness, and it is taking WAY more effort to lose weight since I am not digesting and getting rid of the food I am eating.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone with Hypothyroidism has had the same problem. If there a safe fibre supplement that you can take daily to help with this problem? I am taking stool softners occasionally (as suggested by my doctor) just to help a little as I am almost in tears because my lower stomach hurts so bad after eating (usually by bed time I am ready to cry).

[zentex]

I think I wrote this exact same post a week or so ago...constipation hit me hard at the 3 month mark. Umm...no pun intended.

I was nearly ready to go to Urgent Care when things started happening. It took several doses of psyllium(over a week's time); several doses of mineral oil and two doses of regular laxatives to get me going. I hate, hate, hate using laxatives; they are so harsh and make me feel unwell.

After that one bad week of not going, I've been okay. I've tried to up my intake of water and fiber rich foods (hard to do without wheat fiber). I'm eating lots of beans, fruits and vegetables. I've also stayed on the psyllium powder: two doses a day followed by a tall glass of water. I'm going with the plain, because I can buy it in bulk.

Good luck and if you stumble on anything that works, please share!

[KatV1985]

Hi Zentex,

Yes I did read your post (and I think I commented that I too had this problem!). It's sooo frustrating!

I am concerned that my hypothyroidism is not helping my cause! I have been feeling alright today since taking stool softener last night but otherwise I have no clue what to do. As I mentioned I have cut out the processed foods thinking it would help...but yet I am still not going.

Do you just get psyllium powder from a local drug store? I contemplated getting Metamusil (and it did not say anything about gluten in it) but I wasn't sure (I also have tried it before and it gave me bad gas). Maybe I should try the psyllium powder. Do you know if it is safe to use daily?

I have never had this problem as I was always going 3-4 times a day so now I just feel helpless and bloated!

[burdee]

So I have been gluten-free for just over 3 months now...have had a few accidental glutenings (while i was still learning), but otherwise have not had too many issues making the switch.

While eating gluten I was going to the bathroom about 3-4 times a day (sometimes D sometimes normal). For the first month I was eating the processed gluten-free foods with no problem...had what doctors might call "picture perfect" BM's...then came the constipation...continued to eat processed foods for another couple of weeks and then decided to completely cut them out of my diet as I read on here they can cause bloating and constipation....well I have not eaten gluten free bread, crackers, pasta, cereal etc for almost 2 weeks now and I am still as constipated as ever. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables all day and drink lots of water.

I have hypothyroidism and that is the only thing I can think of that would be causing the C. I almost feel like I am at a lose/lose situation here because while eating gluten I had stomach pains, D, tired, achey, back pain....now gluten free and I am always bloated (like can't have a bite of food without feeling full in my lower stomach), have cramps from not being able to go to the bathroom, anxiety due to not being able to go, restlessness, and it is taking WAY more effort to lose weight since I am not digesting and getting rid of the food I am eating.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone with Hypothyroidism has had the same problem. If there a safe fibre supplement that you can take daily to help with this problem? I am taking stool softners occasionally (as suggested by my doctor) just to help a little as I am almost in tears because my lower stomach hurts so bad after eating (usually by bed time I am ready to cry).

After years of chronic constipation, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and began to abstain from gluten. I thought that would resolve my constipation. After more allergy tests and abstaining from 6 more diagnosed allergens, I still struggled with constipation. After diagnoses and treatment of 8 gastrointestinal infections over a 4 year period, I still struggled with constipation. (I loved C-diff, because it caused chronic diarrhea, which gave my hemorroids a break from constipation!) During all those years I took lots of vitamin C and magnesium, ate loads of fibrous foods, drank lotsa liquids and exercised daily. All that kept me 'regular', but with hard stools. Finally, after a year of continual respiratory infections, I found a doc who looked for causes of my ongoing problems. She diagnosed Hashimoto's thyroiditis and prescribed thyroid supplements. However, T4 supplements didn't resolve my constipation. Further tests showed I didn't easily convert T4 to T3. So I needed T3 and T4 supplements. Those somewhat decreased my constipation. However, I still needed large amounts of daily magnesium for normal stools. Recently we increased my T3 dosage, while maintining my T4 dosage. I'm finally able to reduce the magnesium and still have normal stools.

If you're taking thyroid supplements and still have constipation, despite fluid, fiber, etc., you may need a different combination of thyroid supplements (more T3?) or increased dose to resolve regularity issues. However, you may also have other, yet undiagnosed food allergies. An ELISA (blood) test can diagnose other food allergies.

[zentex]

I've found the psyllium to be useful. It's not habit forming nor it is a chemical. You can take it for life, it's a natural fiber source; the husk from a seed.

It also made me gassy when I first started taking it, but in time that lessened back to normal. For what it's worth...the gas that I have now is less smelly than pre-psyllium. TMI, I'm sure!

I prefer the bulk because it's cheaper and not flavored with sugars, sugar substitutes and other crap. With Metamucil and the generic equivalents, you have to take a larger dose to get the same number of grams of fiber due to the fillers. My natural grocery store carries pure psyllium in bulk so that's what I buy.

It takes some getting used to--the nasty thick liquid. I find it better in smoothies, which are supposed to be thick.

It's said to also help control blood sugars, manage weight and cholestrol. One possible precaution...it is a grain therefore some could be allergic to it.