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

How Long Does It Take To Heal?

alucard4545

Recommended Posts

alucard4545 Explorer
alucard4545
Posted

So I've been on the Gluten Free diet for about 7 months now but I still don't feel completely better. I try my very best to not get glutened, I rarely eat outside because I fear contamination. Just a quick background:

Before I went on this diet my main symptoms were: abnormal bowel movements every morning + Stomach nausea.

Since being on this diet my nausea symptoms seem to have disappeared completely! but not my bowel movements. Though less severe than before, I still have to pass uncomfortable bowel movements several times every morning before I'm ready to start the day.

Will my insides ever heal completely so I can feel normal again? Or did my 5 and a half years of being undiagnosed damage my insides enough so that I may never be completely healed? Can anyone relate to this?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Marilyn R Community Regular
Marilyn R
Posted

Unfortunately, the answer to your question is unknown. It took me almost two years to feel better, but I'm quite a bit older than you and think I went undiagnosed (even though I'm self diagnosed) for several more years than you did.

At seven months, if you're still having trouble with your BM's, I'd suggest trying to figure out what other foods are giving you issues.

You may have developed new food allergies or intolerances. Common ones include soy, dairy, corn, grains and foods from the nightshade family. Some celiacs have problems with MSG, nitrates, other additives. I advocate going to an allergist for skin prick testing if you haven't already done that. I was astonished to learn I was highly allergic to pecans and turkey.

Good luck to you! Your recovery time should be significantly shorter than mine because you found out earlier. Try to eat like your grandparents (or great grandparents) did, very simply with a meat, a starch and a vegetable or fruit. (Fresh is best, simple is best, try to keep a food diary .) For me, reactions to what I ate can vary from 30 minutes to a full day. Some people have reactions two days later. It's a puzzle.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Healing times vary, hon, so it is difficult to say.

Have you eliminated dairy? It can cause these problems as well.

Just a thought!

Try some probiotics?? They help with bowel issues.

alucard4545 Explorer
alucard4545
Posted
  • Author

Unfortunately, the answer to your question is unknown. It took me almost two years to feel better, but I'm quite a bit older than you and think I went undiagnosed (even though I'm self diagnosed) for several more years than you did.

At seven months, if you're still having trouble with your BM's, I'd suggest trying to figure out what other foods are giving you issues.

You may have developed new food allergies or intolerances. Common ones include soy, dairy, corn, grains and foods from the nightshade family. Some celiacs have problems with MSG, nitrates, other additives. I advocate going to an allergist for skin prick testing if you haven't already done that. I was astonished to learn I was highly allergic to pecans and turkey.

Good luck to you! Your recovery time should be significantly shorter than mine because you found out earlier. Try to eat like your grandparents (or great grandparents) did, very simply with a meat, a starch and a vegetable or fruit. (Fresh is best, simple is best, try to keep a food diary .) For me, reactions to what I ate can vary from 30 minutes to a full day. Some people have reactions two days later. It's a puzzle.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've never heard of the skin prick testing for allergies. Perhaps that's something I should look into.

alucard4545 Explorer
alucard4545
Posted
  • Author

Healing times vary, hon, so it is difficult to say.

Have you eliminated dairy? It can cause these problems as well.

Just a thought!

Try some probiotics?? They help with bowel issues.

No I haven't eliminated anything from my diet but gluten. I also try to eat as healthy as I can. I would be so disappointed if I were discover I had an intolerance to dairy, I couldn't imagine giving up milk.

sa1937 Community Regular
sa1937
Posted

No I haven't eliminated anything from my diet but gluten. I also try to eat as healthy as I can. I would be so disappointed if I were discover I had an intolerance to dairy, I couldn't imagine giving up milk.

At 18-months following my diagnosis, I was still having issues and could not figure out what was causing them as I was very careful with my diet, did not eat out, etc. Listen to Irish Heart and start taking probiotics (Culturelle for me). I cannot tell you how amazingly well I feel.

I did pretty much give up dairy right away and I missed dairy products beyond belief even though I never missed gluten. At 9-months gluten-free, I started to test the waters with very small amounts of hard cheeses. I am now able to eat dairy products without issue. Even though you might benefit from giving them up now, you may be able to add them back into your diet later unless you are also casein intolerant.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

No I haven't eliminated anything from my diet but gluten. I also try to eat as healthy as I can. I would be so disappointed if I were discover I had an intolerance to dairy, I couldn't imagine giving up milk.

Sylvia and I both had to give up dairy for longer periods because we are older and took a bit longer to heal our villi. But, now we are able to eat dairy products. :) yaay!

I highly recommend the probiotics (Culturelle DF is a good one) to everyone because celiac guts NEED them.

Newly Dxed celiacs are often lactose intolerant because lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down the sugar lactose, is produced in the tip of the villi.

When the villi get blunted in celiac disease, sometimes the ability to digest lactose is decreased and you can become TEMPORARILY lactose intolerant. This may cause bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc. After you go gluten-free, the villi will heal and most people are able to tolerate dairy foods again.

I wonder why your GI doctor did not suggest this to you? Mine was pretty adamant I stay off it for as "long as I could stand it" :) he said.

Don't start worrying that things are not headed in the right direction---it's still early in your healing process and it may take 6 months or longer.

Try the non-dairy route and the probiotics and see if things improve.

Just some suggestions for you!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Marilyn R Community Regular
Marilyn R
Posted

:)Another thing is that your autoimmune system has decided it doesn't like wheat. It attacks. You take away wheat and consume other things that you love and can have. The protein in dairy is similar in shape and structure to dairy, and your autoimmune system is ramped up and ready to fight. Maybe it's fighting dairy.

You took away the favorite warrior, but the autoimmune system is on a rampage and wants to continue to kill. I used to get seriously bad colds every six months, but I haven't had a cold or the flu in two years.

Going dairy free is tough, but it is glorious to be able to have it again. I'd highly suggest it. Coconut milk isn't bad. I wasn't really wild about hemp or rice milk. Almond milk bugged me (maybe bedause of the tree nut alergy).

alucard4545 Explorer
alucard4545
Posted
  • Author

Sylvia and I both had to give up dairy for longer periods because we are older and took a bit longer to heal our villi. But, now we are able to eat dairy products. :) yaay!

I highly recommend the probiotics (Culturelle DF is a good one) to everyone because celiac guts NEED them.

Newly Dxed celiacs are often lactose intolerant because lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down the sugar lactose, is produced in the tip of the villi.

When the villi get blunted in celiac disease, sometimes the ability to digest lactose is decreased and you can become TEMPORARILY lactose intolerant. This may cause bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc. After you go gluten-free, the villi will heal and most people are able to tolerate dairy foods again.

I wonder why your GI doctor did not suggest this to you? Mine was pretty adamant I stay off it for as "long as I could stand it" :) he said.

Don't start worrying that things are not headed in the right direction---it's still early in your healing process and it may take 6 months or longer.

Try the non-dairy route and the probiotics and see if things improve.

Just some suggestions for you!

Wow, I didn't know that the villi produced the lactase. And no my doctor never mentioned going dairy free. It was just strict gluten free diet at first, and then she told me to take a multivitamin once a day and folic acid twice a week to see if I feel better. My next appointment with her is in March.

I'm really thinking about all of this now and I'm starting to consider knocking out the dairy too, even if it bugs my mom :D (She does most of the cooking in the house)

alucard4545 Explorer
alucard4545
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and insight. I appreciate it. I'll start looking into dairy free stuff, and I'll try and get the DF culturelle.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Wow, I didn't know that the villi produced the lactase. And no my doctor never mentioned going dairy free. It was just strict gluten free diet at first, and then she told me to take a multivitamin once a day and folic acid twice a week to see if I feel better. My next appointment with her is in March.

I'm really thinking about all of this now and I'm starting to consider knocking out the dairy too, even if it bugs my mom :D (She does most of the cooking in the house)

It's best if you learn all you can about celiac disease now--so you can best help yourself for the rest of your healthy life! :)

Learn about villi and digestion and autoimmunity. It may illuminate some things for you!

Knowledge is power, kiddo :D

Adapting to dairy free is not a big deal. Use coconut milk (So Delicious brand is yummy--right in the dairy case in a red container) and they make yogurts, "ice creams" too. All gluten-free. Or almond milk.

Marilyn R Community Regular
Marilyn R
Posted

It's best if you learn all you can about celiac disease now--so you can best help yourself for the rest of your healthy life! :)

Learn about villi and digestion and autoimmunity. It may illuminate some things for you!

Knowledge is power, kiddo :D

Adapting to dairy free is not a big deal. Use coconut milk (So Delicious brand is yummy--right in the dairy case in a red container) and they make yogurts, "ice creams" too. All gluten-free. Or almond milk.

So Delicious has a web site and printable coupon too, just in case you're interested.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

So Delicious has a web site and printable coupon too, just in case you're interested.

I Am--thank you, Marilyn!! :D

  • 1 year later...
brossjoyce Newbie
brossjoyce
Posted

I was just diagnosed about three weeks ago.  The allergist took me off diary and eggs as well as gluten.  I am taking krill oil tabs, vit. D and a heafty multiple vitamin, and daily probiotics.  She also told me to take an OTC anti-inflamatory BCM-95.  My first week after diagnosis was terrible, even though the diarrhea stopped the gut (bloating, nausea, headache and rumbling) continued.  Now, 3 weeks into healing ... it's better and I can tell I'm on my way to recovering.  I have been really sick for about 3 years, but thought it was caused from my well water.  I started getting water delivered, but my stomach problems & diarrhea got progressively worse.  My 38 yo. daughter called several months ago and told me she has celiac disease and I should get checked out.  I finally went to an allergist and she told me after hearing my history that I had celiac disease.  I also have another autoimmune problem ... hashamoto's disease, which caused severe fatigue.  But thank God, I didn't have silent celiac otherwise I would not have sought a cause for my abdominal problems.  

 

I still have nausea and minor rumbling ... but nothing like I did have.  I am resolved that the healing is happening, it will just take time.  I never want to go through what I have experienced the past three years and I am learning everything I can.  I think going to an allergist is a good idea ... to find out what else may be causing you trouble.  There is a family history of dairy sensitivity and boy do I love milk ... but it doesn't love me.  I may be able to have eggs and/or dairy in the future, but for now ... my gut needs to take it easy so healing can happen.

 

I am ordering the BCM-95 from Amazon next week.  From what I have read ... inflammation plays a large role with celiac disease.  I plan to order 

Super Bio-Curcumin (400mg)

by Open Original Shared Link

 

which costs $2163 and if you have Prime you will get free shipping.  I wish you the best and hope this will help.

C-Girl Contributor
C-Girl
Posted

I'm surprised I don't see more on this forum about FODMAPs. I was diagnosed recently, and didn't see any improvement in my symptoms after just cutting out gluten, but when I got on the FODMAP elimination diet, I saw immediate improvement. I can always tell when I eat something banned by mistake - immediate cramps, diarrhea. It's different from being 'glutened' - that is like being hit with a hammer of fatigue on top of the gut symptoms. Of course the diet is pretty boring. I really miss apples and onions. I'm hoping that in a month or so I can start adding some of those back - as long as I can keep from being glutened. :(

NoGlutenCooties Contributor
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

Just wanted to add that digestive enzymes are really helpful too.  They help break down the food that your body isn't ready to break down on its own yet - which can help speed up the recovery too.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,961
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Noa
    Newest Member
    Noa
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      If black seed oil is working for his Afib, stick to it, but if not, I can say that ablation therapy is no big deal--my mother was out of the procedure in about 1 hour and went home that evening, and had zero negative effects from the treatment. PS - I would recommend that your husband get an Apple watch to monitor his Afib--there is an app and it will take readings 24/7 and give reports on how much of the time he's in it. Actual data like this should be what should guide his treatment.
    • Jacki Espo
      Covid caused reoccurrence of DH without eating gluten

      By Jacki Espo · Posted

      This happened to me as well. What’s weirder is that within a couple hours of taking paxlovid it subsided. I thought maybe I got glutened but after reading your post not so sure. 
    • Mari
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Tiffany. Thank you for writing your dituation and  circumstancesin such detail and so well writte, too. I particularly noticed what you wrote about brain for and feeling like your brain is swelling and I know from my own experiences that's how it feel and your brain really does swell and you get migraines.    Way back when I was in my 20s I read a book by 2 MD allergist and they described their patient who came in complaining that her brain, inside her cranium, was swelling  and it happened when she smelled a certain chemical she used in her home. She kept coming back and insisting her brain actually swelled in her head. The Drs couldn't explain this problem so they, with her permission, performed an operation where they made a small opening through her cranium, exposed her to the chemical then watched as she brain did swell into the opening. The DRs were amazed but then were able to advise her to avoid chemicals that made her brain swell. I remember that because I occasionally had brain fog then but it was not a serious problem. I also realized that I was becoming more sensitive to chemicals I used in my work in medical laboratories. By my mid forties the brain fog and chemicals forced me to leave my  profession and move to a rural area with little pollution. I did not have migraines. I was told a little later that I had a more porous blood brain barrier than other people. Chemicals in the air would go up into my sinused and leak through the blood brain barrier into my brain. We have 2 arteries  in our neck that carry blood with the nutrients and oxygen into the brain. To remove the fluids and used blood from the brain there are only capillaries and no large veins to carry it away so all those fluids ooze out much more slowly than they came in and since the small capillaries can't take care of extra fluid it results in swelling in the face, especially around the eyes. My blood flow into my brain is different from most other people as I have an arterial ischema, adefectiveartery on one side.   I have to go forward about 20 or more years when I learned that I had glaucoma, an eye problem that causes blindness and more years until I learned I had celiac disease.  The eye Dr described my glaucoma as a very slow loss of vision that I wouldn't  notice until had noticeable loss of sight.  I could have my eye pressure checked regularly or it would be best to have the cataracts removed from both eyes. I kept putting off the surgery then just overnight lost most of the vision in my left eye. I thought at the I had been exposed to some chemical and found out a little later the person who livedbehind me was using some chemicals to build kayaks in a shed behind my house. I did not realize the signifance  of this until I started having appointments with a Dr. in a new building. New buildings give me brain fog, loss of balance and other problems I know about this time I experienced visual disturbances very similar to those experienced by people with migraines. I looked further online and read that people with glaucoma can suffer rapid loss of sight if they have silent migraines (no headache). The remedy for migraines is to identify and avoid the triggers. I already know most of my triggers - aromatic chemicals, some cleaning materials, gasoline and exhaust and mold toxins. I am very careful about using cleaning agents using mostly borax and baking powder. Anything that has any fragrance or smell I avoid. There is one brand of dishwashing detergent that I can use and several brands of  scouring powder. I hope you find some of this helpful and useful. I have not seen any evidence that Celiac Disease is involved with migraines or glaucoma. Please come back if you have questions or if what I wrote doesn't make senseto you. We sometimes haveto learn by experience and finding out why we have some problems. Take care.       The report did not mention migraines. 
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Jmartes71 That is so much like my story! You probably know where Laytonville is and that's where I was living just before my 60th birthday when the new Dr. suggested I could have Celiacs. I didn't go on a gluten challange diet before having the Celiac panel blood test drawn. The results came back as equivical as one antibody level was very high but another, tissue transaminasewas normal. Itdid show I was  allergic to cows milk and I think hot peppers. I immediately went gluten free but did not go in for an endoscopy. I found an online lab online that would do the test to show if I had a main celiac gene (enterolab.com). The report came back that I had inherited a main celiac gene, DQ8, from one parent and a D!6 from the other parent. That combination is knows to sym[tons of celiac worse than just inheriting one main celiac gene. With my version of celiac disease I was mostly constipated but after going gluten-free I would have diarrhea the few times I was glutened either by cross contamination or eating some food containing gluten. I have stayed gluten-free for almost 20 years now and knew within a few days that it was right for me although my recovery has been slow.   When I go to see a  medical provide and tell them I have celiacs they don't believe me. The same when I tell them that I carry a main celiac gene, the DQ8. It is only when I tell them that I get diarrhea after eating gluten that they realize that I might have celiac disease. Then they will order th Vitamin B12 and D3 that I need to monitor as my B12 levels can go down very fast if I'm not taking enough of it. Medical providers haven't been much help in my recovery. They are not well trained in this problem. I really hope this helps ypu. Take care.      
    • knitty kitty
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Fascinating.
×
×
  • 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.