New Celiac: Dealing With The Dreaded "d"

[Silverfyre]

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for the last week or so and have finally decided to join such a great group of supportive individuals such as yourselves. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chris McCoy, I'm a computer technician and a fantasy author (starving of course!) who has recently found out that I have celiac sprue, just like my aunt. She has been dealing with it for almost twenty years and I have been battling my way through the gluten full foods of our society for the last two months. I am extremely honored to have a loving wife who has become gluten free with me, just to prevent me from becoming tempted to eat something that has gluten in it. We are lucky enough to have a local bakery and store that carries plenty of gluten-free goodies and bread that is actually worth eating. So, recovery is very possible...it's just this one problem that is killing me.

Diarrhea. Or as I have heard it called: "D"

The Dreaded "D" has kept me from doing anything for the last two months that requires not being near to a toilet. I've tried Imodium, have been gluten free for two months, and yet, I still have to use the bathroom ten or more times a day. It was suggested that I use psyllium (sp?) husks to help regulate myself but that hasn't helped that much. Any suggestions to help me out? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Chris

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Chris! Welcome to the board!!!

You have definitely come to the right place for support, advice and encouragement. You indeed are very lucky to have a wife willing to walk step by step with you through this disease.

When it comes to the big D, I am probably the expert on that aspect. Unfortunately, I cannot give you any magic cure to get rid of it. See, after being gluten free for forever and a day and still having permanent uncontrollable diarrhea, they finally did further testing on me and found out that I actually also have collagenous colitis. Collagenous colitis is a form of microscopic colitis that affects approx. 1 in 150,000 people. They have tried everything under the sun on me, two different types of steriod, and still didn't get it under control.

Perhaps after 6 months or so on the gluten-free diet (some people take 6 months to a year, depending on how much damage is done), your D will subside. But if not, maybe get your doctor to do a colonoscopy and take biopies to check for collagenous colitis (only a pathologist can diagnose it under a microscope, it is not visible to the naked eye since it involves changes in the cells in the wall). Google up collagenous colitis and see if it sounds familiar to you....

I find when I am out at the store, inevitably I have to rush to the bathroom. I have developed the "Two Flush" technique. (Sorry if this sounds graphic, but hey, with this forum, get used to it!!!!! ) As soon as I sit down, I start to flush because everything is rushing out all at once. If I flush "as I am doing the deed", then it's not around long enough to stink up the joint! Then I do the second flush after I have finished.

Again, welcome to the board and hope we can help you in any way. Just post away!

Karen

[mandigirl1]

Welcome!

Maybe your dreaded D is because you are "cleaning out" your system of a lifetime of eating food with Gluten??? D may take some time to go away. Did you ask your doctor what to do?

Good Luck!

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for the last week or so and have finally decided to join such a great group of supportive individuals such as yourselves.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Chris McCoy, I'm a computer technician and a fantasy author (starving of course!) who has recently found out that I have celiac sprue, just like my aunt.  She has been dealing with it for almost twenty years and I have been battling my way through the gluten full foods of our society for the last two months.  I am extremely honored to have a loving wife who has become gluten free with me, just to prevent me from becoming tempted to eat something that has gluten in it.  We are lucky enough to have a local bakery and store that carries plenty of gluten-free goodies and bread that is actually worth eating.  So, recovery is very possible...it's just this one problem that is killing me.

Diarrhea.  Or as I have heard it called: "D"

The Dreaded "D" has kept me from doing anything for the last two months that requires not being near to a toilet.  I've tried Imodium, have been gluten free for two months, and yet, I still have to use the bathroom ten or more times a day.  It was suggested that I use psyllium (sp?) husks to help regulate myself but that hasn't helped that much.  Any suggestions to help me out?  I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Chris

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Guest nini]

over 2 years into this gluten free diet and I still occasionally run into the dreaded "d"... most often when I have had too much dairy foods... Dairy causes a problem with a lot of celiacs until the intestines start to heal, so I would suggest limiting your dairy intake and see if that helps. I remember eating a ton of cheese and having my mom comment "oh that's gonna plug you up" and it had entirely the opposite effect on me. Instant running to the bathroom... and oh yes, the double flush is a must in public toilets, especially if you don't want to risk OVERFLOW!!!! (BTDT!!!!

[Claire]

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for the last week or so and have finally decided to join such a great group of supportive individuals such as yourselves.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Chris McCoy, I'm a computer technician and a fantasy author (starving of course!) who has recently found out that I have celiac sprue, just like my aunt.  She has been dealing with it for almost twenty years and I have been battling my way through the gluten full foods of our society for the last two months.  I am extremely honored to have a loving wife who has become gluten free with me, just to prevent me from becoming tempted to eat something that has gluten in it.  We are lucky enough to have a local bakery and store that carries plenty of gluten-free goodies and bread that is actually worth eating.  So, recovery is very possible...it's just this one problem that is killing me.

Diarrhea.  Or as I have heard it called: "D"

The Dreaded "D" has kept me from doing anything for the last two months that requires not being near to a toilet.  I've tried Imodium, have been gluten free for two months, and yet, I still have to use the bathroom ten or more times a day.  It was suggested that I use psyllium (sp?) husks to help regulate myself but that hasn't helped that much.  Any suggestions to help me out?  I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Chris

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Chris, Have you been tested for an immune response to dairy? Lactose intolerance is one thing but there is also an often bigger problem with casein (the milk protein) which has a structure nearly identical to the gluten (wheat protein). Dairy can give you a big 'D' problem big time. So also will other food to which your immune system mounts a response. You need a test that will let you know what other foods may be at fault. York Labs and Immuno Labs (Google to find) both do this testing. Claire

[otnemem]

I used to have really bad morning D (until they theorized that it might be celiac). When you take the Imodium might make a difference. I used to wake up and take two Imodium immediately. Then I would wait about two hours before my first small meal of the day. This seemed to regulate me, even though it was a gluten intolerance. You might try that - first thing in the morning, before shower, before ANYTHING...