How Do I Know If I'm Healing Or Ingesting Gluten?

[megsybeth]

I've been gluten free for just over two weeks and overall I feel great. I feel so much happier and more energetic. But my digestive system is definitely working some kinks out. I'm not in a lot of pain but I have more gas and cramping than I ever had before going off gluten. I know changes and discomfort are par for the course but I also want to know that I'm healing.

I think I'm doing pretty well on the diet. I can't do the whole stay at home for months and eat squash and chicken breasts but I'm careful about where I go out and talk to the people there and I think I'm on top of the foods. Is discomfort and gas and well, not quite diarrhea but not quite not diarrhea, if that makes any sense, normal after the diet?

I know a lot of us have lactose intolerance. Like I said my discomfort isn't that bad but am I damaging my gut if I ingest lactose before my body's ready? Should I cut it just in case?

[shadowicewolf]

Quit worrying, you're fine (no seriously, stressing out about it does NOT help at all). It takes time for the body to heal. Most of us take months before we resemble anything normal. If you have no issues with dairy, then don't cut it. Some do, some don't. Just because they do, doesn't mean that you have to.

[1desperateladysaved]

If you are be careful with your die,t and keep on working your analytical mind, sooner or later you will figure it out. I am 6 months gluten free and I can sympathasize with the confusion. I am having more of what I think is my body working on repair. I am only guessing what is going on. If the guess doesn't seem to still be flying tomorrow I will make a new guess.

Diana

[GFinDC]

HI,

Are you taknig probiotics and using digestive enzymes? The start of the diet can be rough. Things are changing in yuor gut and that can lead to upset/poor digestion. If you don't improve in a month you should consider changing something.

[megsybeth]

Thanks, everyone. I don't mean to seem like a worry wart but I'm one of those people who didn't really have GI issues recently befor the diagnosis (I think I've had celiac undiagnosed for thirty years and had stomach pains when younger). So I've gone from pretty much nothing to being very aware of the lower region of my digestive system. Very aware.

I am taking a probiotic. I have my first appointment with a celiac specialist on Monday and have been waiting to invest too much in supplements and probiiotics until she weighs in.

[SMDBill]

Megsybeth, I've been lactose intolerant my whole life. I avoided milk and suffered the consequences when I had cheese (plain, processed, block, pizza, tacos, etc.). When I went gluten-free I hoped that the probiotic and changes in my diet would lessen the lactose intolerance, but it seems to have actually enhanced it, unfortunately. I drink Lactaid instead of regular milk but the cheese still gets me. What I did was tried a dietary enzyme for lactose intolerance. They come in different strengths, but I tried the Up & Up from Target because it was pretty strong. I had zero issues after having an egg and cheese omelet, which previously would have caused quite a few issues. Could that be a possibility that could help you enjoy the dairy without harm? I think mine were 12 pills for less than $3 and they have larger quantities available. I just wanted a small one in case they didn't help.

[Pegleg84]

Hi Megsy

2 weeks is early days. A little gas and (almost) D is nothing to worry about too much. Keep at the diet, and things should settle down. You're healing, and your gut is adjusting to the fact that you aren't feeding it what you used to.

You can, as others have suggested, take probiotics and a good digestive enzyme (make sure both are gluten-free). That will help you digestive system adjust.

I'd wait 6 months until you worry about whether something else (like milk) is bothering you. But to be honest, even if you're perfectly gluten free, we all get a little bloated sometimes.

Happy Healing!

[kater]

Hi!

I'm new here, I was just officially diagnosed last week after a positive blood test and biopsy. I've been eating gluten-free for about a month, since right after the biopsy. I can sympathize...people keep asking me if I feel so much better now, but I haven't really noticed any change yet. I'm hoping that I'm not eating anything cross-contaminated, but I have heard that it can take a while for everything to heal up!