Freaked Out

[varthurs]

I have been gluten free for 3 weeks (confirmed celiac by blood work and biopsy) and I have also been lactose free for 1 week.

Today when I went to the bathroom, my stool was yellow and had oil around it.

Does this mean I have eaten something with either lactose or gluten? This is the first time I've ever seen this and it scared me. I have been super careful about what I'm eating, so don't see how I could have made a mistake.

[LuLuBee]

I have been gluten free for 3 weeks (confirmed celiac by blood work and biopsy) and I have also been lactose free for 1 week.

Today when I went to the bathroom, my stool was yellow and had oil around it.

Does this mean I have eaten something with either lactose or gluten? This is the first time I've ever seen this and it scared me. I have been super careful about what I'm eating, so don't see how I could have made a mistake.

Hi Varthurs,

I wish I had an answer for you. I have been working on being gluten-free for about a week. I have noticed a difference in my stools too. I make the assumption that its just a "cleaning out" of the bowels. I'll be curious what the regulars have to say. Good Luck to you on 3 weeks "clean"!

[kareng]

For me, poop was all over the place - color & texture. I figure that there might be some damaged stuff to clear out the first few weeks.

I also think it takes a while - months or years, to get the whole system back on track.

[gilly31]

I agree with the previous posters that it is probably nothing to worry about it. Your body is likely just readjusting.

However, I'm going to add the cautionary note. If the pale stools continue for the next few days and you are having other symptoms (severe abdominal pain, severe fatigue...more than just the usual stuff), you may want to contact your health professional. Unusually pale or light-colored stool can be caused by an interruption of in the process of bilirubin metabolism (which involves your gall bladder and liver).

Again, it's probably nothing, but keep on eye on the toilet bowl for the next few days.

[Cujy]

I know this won't help, but I was just diagnosed last week and been on the diet for a few days, my stool before was bloody, mucousy and oily too....The blood only came with the pain, now though I havn't had the pain as of late, but the mucous is still there. Not too worried about it, more worried about kidney issue Im having. Did you ask your doc about the mucous? I would, I like driving my doc mad with questions!!

[GFinDC]

You might do better with some probotics sand some digestive enzymes. Going gluten-free is a big change in diet for you, but how about all those millions of little bacteria critters in your gut? The are all suddenly having to eat different, unfamiliar foods too, and their regular standby of gluten is gone. They may get pretty upset by that change, and start dieing off in drives, or even attacking each other. Different strains of bacteria may become prominent and formerly viable ones may die off. All that change is enough to cause GI upset. Probiotics and no sugar may help. But it will take some time to get things settled down.

[Strawberry-Jam]

The oil means you are malabsorbing fat at the moment. When your gut heals this should stop, but you can help yourself by taking digestive enzymes with ox bile when you eat. The ox bile helps break down the fat. You can also eat less fat for the time being, since you're not absorbing it properly, and focus on taking probiotics and eating gut-healing foods.

I have trouble on and off with fat absorption as well. too much fat and I get nauseated and have frothy D. When I'm taking probiotics and enzymes this gets a bit better. I find that I tolerate olive oil, peanut butter, and avocado better than animal fat, cashews, or other oils. idk why.

[aeraen]

For me, poop was all over the place - color & texture. I figure that there might be some damaged stuff to clear out the first few weeks.

I also think it takes a while - months or years, to get the whole system back on track.

I'm glad you followed up w/ an explanation, Karen. You had me scared for a moment.

[Luddie]

I have been gluten free for 3 weeks (confirmed celiac by blood work and biopsy) and I have also been lactose free for 1 week.

Today when I went to the bathroom, my stool was yellow and had oil around it.

Does this mean I have eaten something with either lactose or gluten? This is the first time I've ever seen this and it scared me. I have been super careful about what I'm eating, so don't see how I could have made a mistake.

Over the past 3 years I've had all varieties, and found that when I was taking too much fish oil I had a problem. I have been on many elimination diets, causing all sorts of bowel issues, and finally decided (in addition to no gluten) to again do away with eggs and dairy and solanaceous vegetables (joint pains). I've also added -- very slowly at first -- raw (unpasteurized) sauerkraut. I eat some everyday, and I do believe it has helped as the bowel frequency, color and consistency have all improved to what I would consider "better" than before I was diagnosed!! So, there is hope. You really do have to take the time to read, study the literature, communicate on this site with others, and most important, as has been said by others: listen to your own body. Write everything down. I made up a weekly chart to keep track of all my supplements, what foods I was eating, how the bowels were behaving and anything else I needed to track. It helps immensely. I feel that I'm definitely on the right track finally, and it has been a long, tedious fight!

Best of luck.

Luddie

[CR5442]

Also don't forget that gluten, though it has torn your villi to shreds, has put a coating of gloop on your intestinal lining, which has protected you to some degree from the leaky gut you would otherwise have. What may be happening is that larger food particles than normal are making their way in to the bloodstream and to the liver, where it is struggling to cope. More toxins/stuff to deal with would normally cause a thickening of the bile and paler stool. You might try a number of things to help this. L-glutamine is meant to help rebuild the gut lining... take 1 hour before eating. Slippery elm or marshmallow powder are also good, forming a protective coating on the bowel. To help the liver you can take bitters, there may be some ready made formulations from your local health store, alternatively the best one I find is rosemary made up in to a tea - three sprigs. Organic if possible. Hope this helps.

[tom]

Also don't forget that gluten, though it has torn your villi to shreds, has put a coating of gloop on your intestinal lining, which has protected you to some degree from the leaky gut you would otherwise have.

....

Wait .. .what?