Rookie Trying To Cope.. Think Gluten's The Culprit..

[LundqvistSaves]

Hello everyone,

Please forgive me if this isn't the proper place to post, but I'm a 26 y/o male and I've been sick for the past year with no help from three different gastroenterologists. I think it might be gluten, but my test came back negative for celiac's, so perhaps just an intolerance? My main symptoms are a lot of gas, GERD, overall crappiness, fatigue, lack of sex drive, depression, and mostly a cramping pain in my upper stomach right below my ribs. This seems to be the most prevalent, along with a crazy bloating. I've been taking Nexium which has helped with heartburn, but that's about it. I also started taking this probiotic called VSL#3. It's really strong, take a look at it if you aren't familiar. I can't tell much yet from it since it's only been a week. I've also been unresponsive to any IBS meds my doctors have tried on me, so that leads me to think maybe it is gluten causing the trouble.

I went gluten-free back in October for about a month, but I couldn't tell if I was feeling any different. Unbeknownst to me, I was also consuming potatoes/french fries once a week unaware that they could contain gluten, as well. So, I'm really not sure what else to do. I've decided to go gluten-free again, and started about 4 days ago.

I'm looking to feeling better and I hope going gluten-free helps. It's put a lot of strain on my relationship. Some days I just don't know what to do anymore. I miss having fun with friends, feeling well enough to work out, and just feeling good about myself. I've also gained 20 pounds. Has anyone else had any similar situations? I hope maybe I can get better within a month..

Thanks a lot, everyone.

[andrewp]

Man Im 26 this year and for the last year have been trying to cope with the same s$#& as you have. Its hard. These days its enjoying the small things that seem to keep getting harder and harder. Summer time hits and you wanna have a beer and bbq.....CANT. I know what you mean by the relationships and depression hitting....I assumed it was just the great paying, but totally s$#&ty job i hate working that i was doing...now it seems to be gluten this and gluten that.

Hang in there man...for me 4 years ago this wasnt a problem... im hoping a new job will settle more nerves down and i wont be rocking a crazy schedule and be able to eat properly.

Thats what the majority of this is...eating healthy...and then theres the shampoos and soaps and stuff you gotta use differently!

But once again hang in there! Im in the same boat as you....frustration and panic attacks more severe than ever now but it will pass!

[IrishHeart]

First of all guys, you can have beer and BBQ, it just has to be gluten-free.

Welcome to the Forum!

Your raise a lot of questions. Let's see if I can help a little and other members can chime in. This is an amazing group of knowledgeable and supportive people.

Your symptoms sure sound gluten-related and negative test results do not automatically exclude celiac or NCGI. Many of us tested negative.

IBS is a common label given to a set of symptoms. We joke on here that it stands for the doctors' thinking: "I Be Stumped"

Many of us heard that, too.

GERD and IBS? I had those miserable symptoms for 25 years. No meds ever helped. Since DX and being gluten-free, they are GONE.

Regular Potatoes are gluten-free.

French fries, however, made in a fryer that is used for frying breaded products are not okay, as they will be cross-contaminated.

Taking a probiotic is a very good idea.

Unless you have a contact wheat allergy, too and DH (Dermatitis herpetiformis) you do not need to excessively worry about shampoo or topicals. Some people say they have reactions to wheat protein in these products, but the majority do not. I avoid them personally, but that's just me.

Be careful of your lipstick, though as that may get in your mouth. This goes for kissing gluten-eaters too. They should brush their teeth before getting too "involved".

Instead of writing a giant post again, may I direct you to the Newbie Info 101 thread in this section (COPING) and see if any of that information is helpful to you?

Best wishes.

It takes a lot longer than a few weeks to see symptom resolution. You'll have to be patient. Hang in there.