Gluten-Caused Cramps

[dani nero]

It would be great to get as many to share their cramp-symptoms as possible. I have constant crams nowadays and it got me thinking, what if they're something else?

For those of you who get constipation, please join in too.

1. Do you get C or D?

2. How long before the cramps begin?

3. Does the pain occur in the same place or can it vary? (upper/lower abdomen and left/right)

4. How many days do the cramps last, and for how long each day?

5. Do you get back-pain? If yes, what type (location, is it movement-induced or constant and stingy?) and for how long?

5. Does muscle and joint soreness occur at the same time, before, after, or throughout?

6. Any specific signs that help you differentiate the cramps from other types of problems? (reflux/ indigestion/ period/ kidney/ gallbladder/ pancreas/ IBS)

I might add more questions later.

Thanks so much for those of you who take the time to share.

[ccheri]

From 2004 to 2007, I had a sharp, colicky pain on the right upper abdomen, right under the rib cage. I was tested for everything kidneys, liver, gallbladder, even had a investigative surgery where they took out my appendix, had a twisted colon, and basically my organs were out of place; but that didn't stop the pain. My stomache was visually, extremely bloated, varied c and d, and it didn't affect my appetite, which I thought was strange. Well, after 3 extremely painful years, I finally quit taking my vitamins (my doctor assured me that wouldn't cause such a pain), the pain stopped. It moved to my kidneys and so on, but that's another story. Three years later, my doctor informed me of Celiac's disease, so I believe, it's safe to assume it was the gluten in the vitamins that caused my pain. Every now and then, that area will hurt, like it was damaged. I'm guessing, if I wasn't a Celiac, it wouldn't of hurt. When, I eat gluten, I get extremely bad cramps, like you get when you have d. My son (celiac) and my husband (sensitive) both get d. I just wanted to share my story, just in case anybody else finds themselves with a phantom pain.

[Keshavdas]

Yup! Started getting them once in a rare while in my 20s and they became progressively worse in my 40's and 50s till I finally got a celiac diagnosis. Used to go to India where all my friends had the runs and I'd be there for months at time unable to have a BM - having to take laxatives constantly. My doctor always told me I didn't drink enough water; nonsense. Last few years, the least little thing would set me off. If I ate chlorella or any super green food - I'd end up on stool softeners for a month. Same thing if I had acupuncture that used electro-stimulation. I would get terrible gas - under my right rib and got sent for horrible hours-long MRIs drinking nasty radioactive milkshakes, endless sonograms and nothing every came up. Stopped gluten about a month ago and all is good in that department.

Still dealing with fatigue and some joint aches - but digestion is great. I hear that folks after getting gluten free can deal with caffeine - so hoping to risk drinking a normal cup of coffee again after years.