Question Concerning Stool And Energy

[EV21]

I have been on my gluten free diet for about a month or so and I have noticed some improvements concerning stomach cramps and bloating. However one thing that has really been concerning to the point that I feel like I have an obstruction in my bowels, is that I have more narrow than normal stool. I have tried looking for information on google but everyone describes their stools as pencil thin, when mine seems to be about the thickness of a cigar. I wanted to know if this is something that is normal and I shouldn't worry about since I'm in the process or healing. And another problem I seem to have is that if I wake up earlier than normal, I require several BM instead of just the one on a later day.

Also my energy levels are way down since I'm not absorbing iron and other essential minerals. I've been eating a good amount of iron rich foods yet I haven't noticed a change. I was wondering if there is something I am doing wrong.

Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated.

Matt

[Thea-Bug]

Try Floradix for the iron. It's expensive but it works. It's liquid iron and you can buy it at Whole Foods. I noticed that the pills made me sick, the iron in vitamins wasn't enough for me (probably b/c it wasn't absorbing), and the food wasn't getting enough in me, either.

As for the stools, I wouldn't worry. Or, I say that because mine are not at all pencil thin and they seem perfectly fine! But maybe I'm wrong about that one. I always thought they were supposed to be banana size in circumference....?!

[Jen Dex S]

I know that the thin stools actually can be caused by a lack of fluid too - are you drinking enough water? So many people don't. If you are and you feel obstructed, I would talk to your doctor. Especially if you have other signs of a blockage - pain, bloating.

[bartfull]

That "pencil thin" and three times each morning was exactly where I was BEFORE I went gluten free. Now, a little over two months in, it's once a day. They had become thicker, but I am still having problems some mornings - no "shape" at all, and I see the food I ate yesterday. I THINK it's because I never used to eat vegetables, and my body doesn't know how to handle fiber. It seems that I can eat all the broccoli and cauliflower I want, but the last couple of days I have been eating organic summer squash out of a friend's garden. And there it is the next morning, looking almost as fresh as it did when I ate it. I KNOW there is no gluten or corn in summer squash. That's the only thing that I have changed. But you know what? It tastes so good I don't mind!