Constipation Issues

[JoLuvsFurries]

Hello all! So after roughly 13 to 14 years we finally discovered I have celiac. I'll skip all of the stuff and symptoms leading up and jump to the heart of the matter.

I've only been gluten free since July 10th of 2020. Not very long I know. I saw an immediate improvement. I had regular BMs on the daily for two weeks but then came the constipation.

My doctor took x-rays which revealed I was very "backed up". He told me to use powdered Miralax. I followed his exact advice and I believe got cleaned out. I don't go back for one more week but feel constipated again.

I am 100% gluten free. From spices to canned foods and beyond. I don't use my air fryer that used to cook gluten foods or my toaster even. I take fiber supplements and eat veggies and fruits as well as drink a lot of water.

How do I deal with this? The food restrictions don't bother me at all. I find it fun and challenging to cook certain favorites as gluten free, as well as discovering new dishes.

But when constipated I get rectal pressure, lightly. I am so new to all of this. How should this be handled? I'll admit, the constipation (though it sucks) is quite a change from the before symptoms of diarrhea that happened sometimes up to 6 times a day before I would break down and take immodium.

Any advice is appreciated!

[trents]

Welcome aboard, JLF!

It can take months for your body to adjust to life without gluten and to attain some measure of gut healing. What you describe is very common. But make sure you are getting lots of fluids and regular exercise. Fiber laxatives can setup like concrete in your bowels if you don't drink plenty of fluids as you use them.

[JoLuvsFurries]

Ahh, I wasn't aware that I needed so much water with fiber supplements. I'm currently drinking about a liter of water a day. It really hasn't been that long. I know I have a long way to go before things settle down and begin to heal. Does constipation at least settle some once things begin healing and much time has passed? I do understand everyone is different so that may be impossible to answer. Should I even take the fiber supplements if I'm getting it from food? Thank you so much for replying! 

[knitty kitty]

JoLuvsFurries,

A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water every time you visit the loo.  

Also discuss with your doctor about checking for vitamin and mineral deficiencies as proper follow up care for Celiacs.  

Magnesium and thiamine deficiencies can cause constipation.  Make sure you get plenty of healthy fats, omega-3's, in your diet.  You know how oil will float on water?  The body uses that same concept to keep water in your intestinal tract.  Without enough healthy fats, the water seeps out of, leaving things dry inside.  And all that fiber needs lots of water, like trents said.  You may be getting enough fiber from your food especially if you've added lots of veggies.  

Hope this helps!

 

 

[trents]

My PCP wants me to drink 64 oz. of water daily. That's in addition to what you are getting in your solid food and adding to things like hot breakfast cereal.

Take seriously what knitty kitty has said about getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, particularly Magnesium. Think about it, why is milk of magnesium sold as a laxative? It would not hurt you to start taking some magnesium glycinate which is one of the most easily tolerated forms, not as likely to cause diarrhea. I take 100mg daily. Make sure you check for gluten-free with any supplements you take.

[Kate333]

Hi JLF.

You mention you use Miralax and Imodium.  Imodium is not gluten-free, so perhaps that is the reason for your lingering digestion issues.  

Here is a link you may find helpful, a list of the best gluten-free alternatives for constipation, D, and heartburn medications and also the ones to avoid:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/gluten-free-diarrhea-constipation-and-heartburn-drugs-4139871

Pelvic floor pressure/pain/tightness can also be a factor--both a cause and a result of chronic C/BM straining.  PTs specializing in PF/constipation issues can help with that.

I am also a "newbie" to the strict gluten-free diet (since March).  Although my G antibody blood test numbers have dramatically declined on the gluten-free diet, they are not yet back to normal and I still have both D and C issues.  I don't take any OTC meds, only 1 Metamucil (Psyllium Husk powder) pill a day.  It helps a bit but I still have digestion issues so perhaps I am not getting enough daily fiber (25-30 grams a day recommended).  Honestly, I don't expect to see any changes in my BMs until ALL G is gone from my body and blood tests are back to "normal".  As others have said, that can take awhile. 

In the meantime, it sounds like we are doing all we can to help heal.   Now for the "easy" part:  patience...:).

 

 

 

[JoLuvsFurries]

All great advice and information! I didn't know that about immodium but I haven't taken it since going gluten free because the diarrhea hasn't been the problem, only the constipation. I will talk to my doctor about checking for any vitamin issues. 

[ravenwoodglass]

57 minutes ago, Kate333 said:

  Imodium is not gluten-free

 

 

 

I don't know about the liquid but I have taken Immodium caplets for years when needed and never had an issue. I am extremely sensitive to gluten and had no reaction at all. This does not apply to lopermide by all companies so get the name brand when needed.

http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/list.htm

Imodium multi symptom chewable-No gluten or any carbohydrates, (contains milk powder)

Imodium multi symptom caplet- No gluten or any carbohydrates

Imodium AD Caplet- No gluten or any carbohydrates

Imodium AD – No gluten or any carbohydrates

Imodium AD EZ Chew- No gluten or any carbohydrates, (contains milk powder)

Imodium AD Diarrhea Medicine for Children Liquid- No gluten or any carbohydrate

Edited August 15, 2020 by ravenwoodglass

[Kate333]

Ravenwoodglass,

Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Imodium-brand products, does not test for G contents and will not guarantee their products are gluten-free.  I discovered that after I noticed no gluten-free label on their capsule packaging, then called the company to ask/check.  

I just wanted JLF (a fellow "newbie") to be aware so she can be careful to avoid even the possibility of G exposure in OTC medications. 

I am glad you don't have any problems with them, but that doesn't mean others won't.  Also, milk powder (and other starches commonly used in OTC meds) can pose issues for many of us with other food concerns (e.g., dairy, corn, soy, potato allergies). 

Since gluten-free diet is currently the only effective treatment for celiac disease, and gluten-free drug lists tend to become outdated (your list link is dated 2017), I prefer not to take a chance on OTC meds.  

[JoLuvsFurries]

I actually only use the great value brand of anti-diarrhea (when I did use them) and from what I read they are gluten free. I've checked out my meds and hygeine stuff too, to be safe.

[cyclinglady]

3 hours ago, Kate333 said:

Ravenwoodglass,

Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Imodium-brand products, does not test for G contents and will not guarantee their products are gluten-free.  I discovered that after I noticed no gluten-free label on their capsule packaging, then called the company to ask/check.  

I just wanted JLF (a fellow "newbie") to be aware so she can be careful to avoid even the possibility of G exposure in OTC medications. 

I am glad you don't have any problems with them, but that doesn't mean others won't.  Also, milk powder (and other starches commonly used in OTC meds) can pose issues for many of us with other food concerns (e.g., dairy, corn, soy, potato allergies). 

Since gluten-free diet is currently the only effective treatment for celiac disease, and gluten-free drug lists tend to become outdated (your list link is dated 2017), I prefer not to take a chance on OTC meds.  

Ravenwoodglass has Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) which is the celiac rash.  A gluten exposure is visible.  Our DH members are like “canaries in mine” and Ravenwoodglass has been on the diet for well over a decade, if I recall.  I trust her valuable advice.  
 

No pharmaceutical is going to go the extra mile to offer gluten free medications because the do not have to.  Somehow, the FDA excluded them from any of the gluten free recommendations that have little oversight and is mostly “on your honor” (this bill is in Congress again and going nowhere.  But with all the drugs supplied from overseas, recall and shortages, maybe things will change).  For now, few companies will say their product is gluten free even if their ingredients are gluten free.   This comes from their legal department.   
 

For anyone who is really concerned about gluten-free in their medications, contact Valisure.  They are an online pharmacy who actually tests medications for purity and gluten.  You can even get supplements.  Compounding pharmacies are another option if you have an intolerance to say, corn.  The gluten-free drug list is a place to start and then follow up on either pillbox (gov site) or your pharmacist (make them work for you!) 

Edited August 15, 2020 by cyclinglady

[cyclinglady]

@JoLuvsFurries

While it might be something in your diet, your constipation might be due to damage from celiac disease.  My transit time was long.   No prep for my colonoscopy worked.  I had to do a double prep for my colonoscopy (had both endoscopy and colonoscopy).  Yikes!   Time and the gluten free diet may soon resolve your issues.  Just something else to consider.  

[JoLuvsFurries]

3 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

@JoLuvsFurries

While it might be something in your diet, your constipation might be due to damage from celiac disease.  My transit time was long.   No prep for my colonoscopy worked.  I had to do a double prep for my colonoscopy (had both endoscopy and colonoscopy).  Yikes!   Time and the gluten free diet may soon resolve your issues.  Just something else to consider.  

I also went more thoroughly today through my pantry and realized I'd inadvertantly glutened myself 3 times this past week. OMG! My dairy free ice cream on a stick had wheat and I had one several days ago. And twice when I've had salad this week I realized the "real bacon bits" also had wheat. *face palm*

I had the contents of my entire pantry and fridge out. Haha! I got rid of everything that wasn't labeled gluten-free (given away to my parents because food is too expensive to waste) and went to the store and took my time and repurchased gluten free items that stated it. I also ordered from Thrive Market. I did keep my husband's snacks that I don't touch anyway.

I have zero gluten items now. From canned food to veggie brown gravy mixes to spices, snacks, etc.

LESSON LEARNED! And that's to NEVER just assume. Read! Thank you everyone for commenting and providing all of this help. I appreciate it so much.

[trents]

We've all been there and done that and still get caught occasionally by gluten in foods you would never expect to find it in. I mean like, who would ever suspect there is wheat in most soy sauces but then you actually read the label and lo and behold, there it is!

[cyclinglady]

1 hour ago, JoLuvsFurries said:

I also went more thoroughly today through my pantry and realized I'd inadvertantly glutened myself 3 times this past week. OMG! My dairy free ice cream on a stick had wheat and I had one several days ago. And twice when I've had salad this week I realized the "real bacon bits" also had wheat. *face palm*

I had the contents of my entire pantry and fridge out. Haha! I got rid of everything that wasn't labeled gluten-free (given away to my parents because food is too expensive to waste) and went to the store and took my time and repurchased gluten free items that stated it. I also ordered from Thrive Market. I did keep my husband's snacks that I don't touch anyway.

I have zero gluten items now. From canned food to veggie brown gravy mixes to spices, snacks, etc.

LESSON LEARNED! And that's to NEVER just assume. Read! Thank you everyone for commenting and providing all of this help. I appreciate it so much.

Mystery solved!  😊.  When new, best to stick to real food with simple ingredients (e.g. banana, carrot....) When you are not felling well, it is hard to read all those labels!  I love bananas.  I have a stash sliced and frozen.  A nice treat in place of ice cream.  Not processed.  My kid adds drizzled gluten-free chocolate to her batch.  
 

More advice?  Know that celiac disease is like a chameleon. Symptoms can wax and wane.  

Edited August 16, 2020 by cyclinglady

[trents]

CL raises another product awareness when mentioning chocolate syrup. Some brands actually have wheat in them.

[ravenwoodglass]

10 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

Ravenwoodglass has Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) which is the celiac rash.  A gluten exposure is visible.  Our DH members are like “canaries in mine” and Ravenwoodglass has been on the diet for well over a decade, if I recall.  I trust her valuable advice.  
 

No pharmaceutical is going to go the extra mile to offer gluten free medications because the do not have to.  Somehow, the FDA excluded them from any of the gluten free recommendations that have little oversight and is mostly “on your honor” (this bill is in Congress again and going nowhere.  But with all the drugs supplied from overseas, recall and shortages, maybe things will change).  For now, few companies will say their product is gluten free even if their ingredients are gluten free.   This comes from their legal department.   
 

For anyone who is really concerned about gluten-free in their medications, contact Valisure.  They are an online pharmacy who actually tests medications for purity and gluten.  You can even get supplements.  Compounding pharmacies are another option if you have an intolerance to say, corn.  The gluten-free drug list is a place to start and then follow up on either pillbox (gov site) or your pharmacist (make them work for you!) 

While I am comfortable using name brand Immodium and trust the company if others are not comfortable then there are brands that do have the gluten-free label. Thanks to the virus I lost my job and I recently purchased a generic from Wegmans, Top Care brand, that does have that gluten-free on the box. Whether they actually test or not who knows. It is very rare that I have to use any but even us long timers (almost 18 years) can sometimes make a mistake so I like to keep it on hand.

[ravenwoodglass]

7 hours ago, JoLuvsFurries said:

I also went more thoroughly today through my pantry and realized I'd inadvertantly glutened myself 3 times this past week. OMG! My dairy free ice cream on a stick had wheat and I had one several days ago. And twice when I've had salad this week I realized the "real bacon bits" also had wheat. *face palm*

I had the contents of my entire pantry and fridge out. Haha! I got rid of everything that wasn't labeled gluten-free (given away to my parents because food is too expensive to waste) and went to the store and took my time and repurchased gluten free items that stated it. I also ordered from Thrive Market. I did keep my husband's snacks that I don't touch anyway.

I have zero gluten items now. From canned food to veggie brown gravy mixes to spices, snacks, etc.

LESSON LEARNED! And that's to NEVER just assume. Read! Thank you everyone for commenting and providing all of this help. I appreciate it so much.

As CL said it is advised to go whole foods at first but we all need a  treat now and then and it is easy to make a mistake especially early on.

I found Hormel bacon bits recently that are labeled gluten free. The bag ones are great for those that live alone and don't want to spend the cash on uncooked bacon that could go bad before finishing.  There are plenty of 'stay fresh' chemicals but no gluten or soy. Soy is a big no for me in anything because it will bind me up for days.

Be aware also that transit time can vary. For example after my first coloscopy I asked the doc it I could take the clean out stuff periodically since my D stopped for 3 days. It was heaven since I had D 24/7 for years at that point. The look on his face was priceless. Too bad they didn't do an endo at the same time as it would have saved me a couple more years of pain. Anyway, after diagnosis I discovered that after a glutening and the resulting D it would be a couple days before I had another movement. I wasn't really constipated it is just my transit time is a bit slow and the D had cleaned me out.

If you are having actual C it might be helpful to add more fruits and maybe some prune juice to your diet. I hope things get better for you soon. Fresh and whole are the way to go at first but we all need a treat we didn't have to make ourselves once in a while. Don't be too hard on yourself for your slip up it happens to everyone especially at first.

 

 

[Agonism]

Drinking water can have some kind of effect and lessen the pain, but it may or may not work on you.

[cyclinglady]

Believe me, I use processed foods!  It is just some simple advice when you feel overwhelmed trying to buy food and read labels as a newbie.  
 

Those Hormel  bacon bits?  Just like regular bacon.  So handy to have.  Costco (I suspect Hormel makes them) carries a larger size.  I keep it in the freezer and it lasts months and months after being opened.   Great on salads and sprinkled on eggs.  We love bacon in our family.  

[trents]

Costco, if you have access to one, is a wonderful resource for the gluten-free/Celiac community. Their Kirkland store brand products are clearly labeled if they are gluten-free and they seem to have made a significant effort to offer products that are gluten-free when wheat/barley/rye are not needed as essential ingredients.

Edited August 16, 2020 by trents

[Kate333]

 

15 hours ago, JoLuvsFurries said:

I also went more thoroughly today through my pantry and realized I'd inadvertantly glutened myself 3 times this past week. OMG! My dairy free ice cream on a stick had wheat and I had one several days ago. And twice when I've had salad this week I realized the "real bacon bits" also had wheat. *face palm*

I had the contents of my entire pantry and fridge out. Haha! I got rid of everything that wasn't labeled gluten-free (given away to my parents because food is too expensive to waste) and went to the store and took my time and repurchased gluten free items that stated it. I also ordered from Thrive Market. I did keep my husband's snacks that I don't touch anyway.

I have zero gluten items now. From canned food to veggie brown gravy mixes to spices, snacks, etc.

LESSON LEARNED! And that's to NEVER just assume. Read! Thank you everyone for commenting and providing all of this help. I appreciate it so much.

Don't be too hard on yourself...A learning curve is very common, esp. in the first months after diagnosis.  As a relative newbie, I still find it difficult to figure out what is safe and/or gluten-free, esp. when labels list so many ingredients with vague or esoteric names (e.g. "modified food starch"...."xanthan gum"..."ammonium phosphatide emulsifier" etc.).  I never realized how much weird-named "stuff" is in processed/packaged foods until I started closely reading labels after my diagnosis.  You almost need to be a professional chemist to be able to understand any of it...:).   

Be especially careful with gravy mixes, soups.  Lots of gravy, soups contain gluten as "thickeners".   When I told my GI doc I was confused by all these labels, he laughed and said, "I have no idea what that any of that stuff means.  But if any of those ingredients were really healthy, they would probably be listed in plain English."   He said to just stick with fresh foods for now to minimize the chance of gluten CC and facilitate faster healing.   

[DJFL77I]

only cook fresh food

[oatmeal]

On 8/15/2020 at 1:03 AM, JoLuvsFurries said:

Ahh, I wasn't aware that I needed so much water with fiber supplements. I'm currently drinking about a liter of water a day. It really hasn't been that long. I know I have a long way to go before things settle down and begin to heal. Does constipation at least settle some once things begin healing and much time has passed? I do understand everyone is different so that may be impossible to answer. Should I even take the fiber supplements if I'm getting it from food? Thank you so much for replying! 

 

[oatmeal]

Oatmeal helps with both constipation & diarrhea, it really works as a regulator. I find i like the old fashioned rolled oats. Every morning i eat gluten free oatmeal-5g fiber, chia seeds sprinkled over oatmeal when done.1 tablespoon-5g  some kind of fruit ??- 1/4 cup of chopped pecans 2 !/2 g.  For the liquid you can use coconut, almond milk or reg, milk or water . I use pure maple syrup to sweeten it. Its  easier to digest then honey. i have also have used brown sugar.That should give you 13 or 14 g for the day. this really works. I have had both, diarrhea and constipation   I have sprinkled it on salad in mashed pota, etc, Im not sugesting that you get all you fiber for the chia's. Most beans have 5-6g  I use black beans in salads & anywhere else i can add then. 1 cup of canned green beans have 4g. 

9 hours ago, DJFL77I said: