Celiac And Ibs

[daniela]

Hi everyone

I am looking for members who have discovered that they are Ibs after keeping a good gluten-free diet.

I was diagnosed a year and a half ago as a celiac. the doctor said that it will pass after a while

with a good diet - all these excessive visits in the restroom.

Time passed, it improved, but still there are days where I ran to the toilets a few times a day.

It fest like bad stomach but it wasn't. I made other tests (chrone, blood tests) and the doctor

said that I have Ibs too. There is no real test to show if it is or it isn't, just by the symptoms it is

assumed to be the case.

anyone with the same combination???please write to me back,

danielajosef@walla.com

[StrongerToday]

mine acts up when I'm stressed, which - according to my dr's theory - is how IBS is supposed to work. Your bowels are irritated, and uh... do what you got to do... then your fine. Mine did clear up after going gluten-free but really improved after I started an anti-depressant. The gut is your second brain, it has all the hormones and other chemicals of the brain so it makes sense that when my brain is stressed, my gut is stressed too.

[jerseyangel]

This is my feeling--when IBS is given as a diagnosis or as an explaination of symptoms, there is really something else going on. Have you thought about additional intolerances? Foods or additives that you may be reacting to? When we remove the gluten from our diets, many times we will feel better at first, but then notice some symptoms returning. Possibly, our intestines as they heal, are able to absorb more--this would include things that we are sensitive to. I have been gluten-free for 1 year, but a lot of GI symptoms returned for me after 4-5 months. Turns out, I was reacting to several other foods--the ones listed in my signature. It's been about 3 weeks since I've identified and cut out all of them, and I feel better again. Do you eat dairy, soy, or corn? These seem to give a lot of people problems. These intolerances are not a simple thing to identify, but it can definately be done! Contact me anytime if you want

[key]

I deal with the same thing. I was diagnosed with celiac a year ago and felt great for a few months pretty much and then still have IBS symptoms when I feel I am gluten free 100%.

So I too started on an antidepressant. I just started on Lexapro at 10mgs. I felt 100% better even the first week. I also changed a few things at the same time. ONe being my shampoos and conditioners. Anyway, I am willing to do whatever it takes to reclaim my health. I have been very against antidepressants, but other then a headache and insomnia the first two days, I haven't had any side effects. They say that SSRI's can help IBS. I have had alot of stress in the past few years and I think it all added up.

I hope you find the answers. It is very frustrating.

Monica

[BRUMI1968]

I've had "IBS" my whole life. Well, actually Celiac no doubt, but only found that out a month ago. I have been worse with the gas/bloating since i quit gluten (had quit wheat two years ago).

I know that one thing that helped my IBS was quitting nightshades. Many people with IBS are prone to that problem.

Also, my nutritionist says that I have to rebuild my gut in order for my digestion to work right. If I just quit gluten, that would be good, but I need to rebuild what I should've had all these years. So I'm on some stuff to rebuild the lining of my intestine, promote and repopulate with good bacteria, and get the right vitamins/minerals to fix up my guts. (Then we move to the liver.)

Have you done any rebuilding activities, like supplements?

Also, walking really helps IBS, as does Yoga.

[Katie O'Rourke]

I have the same problem. Diagnosed and gluten free for nearly three years now, but a few months ago doctor said it was IBS. I accpeted teh diagnosis simply because they wanted to do exploratory surgery, as my gut keeps bleeding when i get D and my gut has never really healed even though I have been gluten-free for quite a while now, and dont slip up very often. Doctor said it is probably refractory coeliac disease, but theonly treatment for this is an immune system supressant/corticosteroid, and he wouldnt give me it becuse of ym age - he said it would wreck my immune system.

So I settled for diagnosis of IBS, and tablets, which do work very well, btu unfortunately they dont stop it coming back. Was originally on Meberine hydrochloride, which works for symptoms of coeliac disease too, when you've been glutened. However, it lost its effectiveness at that time as I was having serious gut problems (hence them wanting to do surgery), so I got stronger tablets called alverine.

You should ask your doctor about these as I really find they work.

If you want to talk to em at all, please email me: katie_orourke_11@hotmail.com

[BRUMI1968]

Another thing I thought of is to not necessarily believe in the exclusivity of each part of our bodies - the colon being the colon, the arm being the arm ... they are all connected.

And in this way, alternative medicine can often be a good choice. I see an Ayurvedic doctor from India. Ayurved means science of life, and it is thousands of years old. (Western medicine is less than 200 years old in most ways - not to say it doesn't have its strengths, it does...but so does ancient wisdom.)

Anyway, might want to think about exploring other options like that, acupuncture, naturopaths, meditation, hands-on healing (for diagnosis/treatment), etc.

Good luck.

[jerseyangel]

Bully 4 You makes a good point. I had been sick for many years, with really no help from the doctors I was seeing. I was mis-diagnosed many, many times, and as a result endured unnecessary medications (and their consequences) and all of the other things that come with it. About a year before I was finally diagnosed, I sought the help of a Kinesiologist on the suggestion of my sister. I saw Jimmy Scott, Phd., the founder of Health Kineisology. He was literaly the first person to tell me that I should not eat wheat, oats, barley or rye. The point being that he looked at me as a whole person--and did not just focus on any one problem. I think there is a lot to be said for this approach--if for nothing more than to give us a different perspective.

[cmdt]

Hi

I just read your posting, and it sounded a lot like what I've been dealing with since I was diagnosed in January. After a few weeks, I started feeling better. The bone and joint pain, irritability, and insomnia that I had been dealing with for a very long time have disappeared. But the intestinal symptoms continue. I have had extensive repeat blookwork, and at this point it is clear that I am doing a great job of keeping away from gluten. I see the celiac specialist and the nutritionist again this week, and want to be armed with the right list of questions to ask them both, because sometimes I get the feeling they're just "grasping at straws" to try to figure it all out.

As I read the replies to your posting, I am even more overwhelmed. I too have had a particularly stressful past few years, that has only been worse since my diagnosis (circumstances that are out of my control for the most part). The first GI doc I saw initially diagnosed me with IBS. The celiac's only showed up when other things were being ruled out. So I guess that IBS was just ruled out then. It appears that it's not only quite possible, but probably that you can have both things going on.

The nutritionist at the celiac center had me cut out all artificial sweetners, and cut way back on sugar. (I was consuming very little of any of these things to beging with.) It seemed to help a bit initially, but I'm right back to where I was before. The same thing happened when I cut out lactose a few months ago. As I read the replies from Patty(?) it make me fear that I will wind up there soon. What do you eat???

Just to give you a bit more background info: my family has been extremely supportive. My 15 year old daughter is also in the process of being diagnosed. After going gluten free in February, she is on a gluten trial since April per the pediatric GI specialist so she can be "officially" diagnosed.

So any suggestions would be welcome, as I am reaching point of great frustration with the whole ordeal.

[Nancym]

My IBS continued, though not quite as painfully, until I got off the dairy products too. IBS is just another term for "We don't know what the heck is wrong with you".

[Guest Robbin]

I was dx with IBS many years ago and like another poster said-it's a label when they just plain don't have a clue- I highly recommend you keep a food journal. This was what led me to my other food intolerances. It is a little like a mystery novel sometimes, trying to get to the bottom of it, but so worth it. I can actually go to the store without cramping up and running for a bathroom.

[lindalee]

I've had "IBS" my whole life. Well, actually Celiac no doubt, but only found that out a month ago. I have been worse with the gas/bloating since i quit gluten (had quit wheat two years ago).

I know that one thing that helped my IBS was quitting nightshades. Many people with IBS are prone to that problem.

Also, my nutritionist says that I have to rebuild my gut in order for my digestion to work right. If I just quit gluten, that would be good, but I need to rebuild what I should've had all these years. So I'm on some stuff to rebuild the lining of my intestine, promote and repopulate with good bacteria, and get the right vitamins/minerals to fix up my guts. (Then we move to the liver.)

Have you done any rebuilding activities, like supplements?

Also, walking really helps IBS, as does Yoga.

What are you doing for the rebuilding? I don't have the pain - mine is brain fog and being tired. Thanks, LindaLee

[key]

cmdt,

I gave up soy for the past few weeks and have felt much better. I tried soy milk again last night and felt so sick. I know I didn't have gluten yesterday, but had a "gluten-like" reaction from the soymilk. I am avoiding now. This is hard since I am vegetarian. I drink a small amount of milk in my coffee and eat some sour cream. I don't seem to have problems with dairy, at least as long as it isn't in large amounts. I have felt great for two weeks. I have changed several things though.

I am sorry you are having alot of stress in your life. I have not done a food journal and know I probably should. I feel good though without the soy. Maybe you should try it too, if you are consuming any. I am vegetarian, but thinking of learning to cook fish or something. I have never cooked meat or eaten it, but substituting my diet with m&m's and chips isn't healthy. I am trying very hard to be healthy, but it is frustrating sometimes. I am just glad I have had a good two weeks!

Hang in there and hope you find the answers.

Monica

[lindalee]

cmdt,

I gave up soy for the past few weeks and have felt much better. I tried soy milk again last night and felt so sick. I know I didn't have gluten yesterday, but had a "gluten-like" reaction from the soymilk. I am avoiding now. This is hard since I am vegetarian. I drink a small amount of milk in my coffee and eat some sour cream. I don't seem to have problems with dairy, at least as long as it isn't in large amounts. I have felt great for two weeks. I have changed several things though.

I am sorry you are having alot of stress in your life. I have not done a food journal and know I probably should. I feel good though without the soy. Maybe you should try it too, if you are consuming any. I am vegetarian, but thinking of learning to cook fish or something. I have never cooked meat or eaten it, but substituting my diet with m&m's and chips isn't healthy. I am trying very hard to be healthy, but it is frustrating sometimes. I am just glad I have had a good two weeks!

Hang in there and hope you find the answers.

Monica

I couldn't stand it anymore. I got into the m&m's last night!!! LINDA lEE

[julie5914]

HOw long have you been gluten-free? I started really feeling better after about 8 months on the diet, and I gave up dairy 6 months in. Could be intolerance to something else, could be accidental something or other (I never know). Could be stress. It affects your gut no doubt. For some reason I can't potty when traveling. It's crazy, like I don't want to leave tracks or something. IBS is a bit of catch-all phrase with no one cause and no one treatment. We all have IBS in a way because our bowels are certainly irritable, but we know gluten usually causes that. Sometimes other things could cause it too though - we're still human.