Getting Impatient With Improvements...

[jabberwife]

I've been gluten-free for a month. Better, and did one gluten challenge a week and a half ago, to see for sure that this is the root of my problems. It is...believe me! But I'm still dealing with C (I'll go maybe once or twice a week, tops) and gas/bloating, flatulence (which is nice and embarrassing) even when I eat something I KNOW is gluten free. I hardly eat out anymore, and I've checked labels super-carefully for hidden gluten and the like. I am still waiting for my Enterolab results, but why am I still having these issues? I eat enough fiber. It's getting old! Any ideas? I'm going to try dairy-free and artificial sweetener-free for a while (thinking maybe my Diet Coke causes some issues) but I know that typically when I eat a large amount of dairy at once currently I don't have any more issues than any other time. Arrrgh! Anyone have ideas? Am I just being impatient at letting my body heal itself from the gluten challenge and the gluten eating lifestyle? I was not as severely ill as many of you when I went gluten-free.

[Shiba]

I've been gluten-free for a month. Better, and did one gluten challenge a week and a half ago, to see for sure that this is the root of my problems. It is...believe me! But I'm still dealing with C (I'll go maybe once or twice a week, tops) and gas/bloating, flatulence (which is nice and embarrassing) even when I eat something I KNOW is gluten free. I hardly eat out anymore, and I've checked labels super-carefully for hidden gluten and the like. I am still waiting for my Enterolab results, but why am I still having these issues? I eat enough fiber. It's getting old! Any ideas? I'm going to try dairy-free and artificial sweetener-free for a while (thinking maybe my Diet Coke causes some issues) but I know that typically when I eat a large amount of dairy at once currently I don't have any more issues than any other time. Arrrgh! Anyone have ideas? Am I just being impatient at letting my body heal itself from the gluten challenge and the gluten eating lifestyle? I was not as severely ill as many of you when I went gluten-free.

Umm, drinking any coke is a bad idea. Celiac often leads to osteoporosis, and coke is full of phosphoric acid, which leaches calcium. THat's why even diet coke is limited in most schools here. It's particularly not recommenneded for teenage girls, as they need to be laying down calcium, not destroying it...

[Vladimir Gluten]

Have you started a food diary? I keep a food diary that tracks: the types of food I eat; the time that I eat it; any sympotoms I may get; and, the time of those symptoms.

Perhaps this will help you to figure out what's going on.

[ArtGirl]

I can surely relate. After three weeks gluten-free I started having other allergy symptoms and the D has not truly cleared up (although the violent symptoms have). Right now my skin is itchy, welts up if scratchd, and I am only a thin line away from breaking out in hives. I'm taking benedryl every night and that helps the symptoms (puts me to sleep, too), but don't know yet what is the culprit. Have removed dairy, corn, and now eggs from my diet. Next will be potatoes and then I don't know what else after that. My assumption is that after another month or two some of this will settle down as my gut heals. At least, that's the working theory for now.

From what I've read on this forum, some people recover quickly, others take much more time. I guess I'm in the latter group. Darn!

[mmaccartney]

I've been gluten-free for a month. Better, and did one gluten challenge a week and a half ago, to see for sure that this is the root of my problems. It is...believe me! But I'm still dealing with C (I'll go maybe once or twice a week, tops) and gas/bloating, flatulence (which is nice and embarrassing) even when I eat something I KNOW is gluten free. I hardly eat out anymore, and I've checked labels super-carefully for hidden gluten and the like. I am still waiting for my Enterolab results, but why am I still having these issues? I eat enough fiber. It's getting old! Any ideas? I'm going to try dairy-free and artificial sweetener-free for a while (thinking maybe my Diet Coke causes some issues) but I know that typically when I eat a large amount of dairy at once currently I don't have any more issues than any other time. Arrrgh! Anyone have ideas? Am I just being impatient at letting my body heal itself from the gluten challenge and the gluten eating lifestyle? I was not as severely ill as many of you when I went gluten-free.

Give it some time. You should feel better after one month, but not 100%. For me it took about 6-9 months before I was back to about 90%. After one month I was still getting contaminated as I didn't have the diet down as well as I do now, and I didn't know I was intolerant to casein, which is why a food diary is highly recommended; there are probably more foods that you are intolerant to that you don't know about.

And, don't forget cross contamination!!! If you are highly sensitive like me then very little bits of gluten can set your off. I've reacted to McDonalds fries, Amys gluten-free products, and other items that are gluten-free even ones that have been tested for gluten. For example, I eat Soy Delicous ice cream. They make a few flavors in pint size containers these are all gluten-free, and I've not had a problem. They also make smaller sizes, special flavors like cherry vanilla, and one with brownies. I reacted to the cherry vanilla which is gluten-free, and is routinely tested for gluten. I chalked it up to cross contamination as the factory lines are probably shared for the smaller sizes (where the larger probably has dedicated lines due to higher demand for common flavors like chocolate and vanilla), and the level was below the 200ppm testing capability.

For some of us highly sensitive label checking alone is not enough; I contact the companies and inquire as to their manufactoring processes so that I can understand the potential for cross contamination as well.

[Nancym]

I had to give up the dairy too. Your enterolab results might indicate that you should as well.

Are you using any artificial sweeteners with sugar alcohols? Anything ending in "ol" like Malitol or Sorbitol. Those produce horrible gas because the molecules aren't digestable and they go to the intestines where bacteria break it down, kind of like beans, only far, far worse.

[evie]

[quote name='jabberwife' date='Jul 18 2006, 07:46 AM'

and artificial sweetener-free for a while (thinking maybe my Diet Coke causes some issues)

Could be coke or anything with carbonation causing gas. I t may be too soon to expect much change too.

Some Dr.s have us go off dairy too, mine did. I am thinking about going back on for trial since I am nearing 6 months. Journaling is a good idea, helps you figure out problems, can't trust memories (most of us can't). . Takes a lot of patience put it pays off!! evie

[eeyor-fan]

I've been gluten-free for a month. Better, and did one gluten challenge a week and a half ago, to see for sure that this is the root of my problems. It is...believe me! But I'm still dealing with C (I'll go maybe once or twice a week, tops) and gas/bloating, flatulence (which is nice and embarrassing) even when I eat something I KNOW is gluten free. I hardly eat out anymore, and I've checked labels super-carefully for hidden gluten and the like. I am still waiting for my Enterolab results, but why am I still having these issues? I eat enough fiber. It's getting old! Any ideas? I'm going to try dairy-free and artificial sweetener-free for a while (thinking maybe my Diet Coke causes some issues) but I know that typically when I eat a large amount of dairy at once currently I don't have any more issues than any other time. Arrrgh! Anyone have ideas? Am I just being impatient at letting my body heal itself from the gluten challenge and the gluten eating lifestyle? I was not as severely ill as many of you when I went gluten-free.

Is your dish soap, facial soap, lipstick etc gluten-free?? You could still be injesting gluten without knowing it.

[taz sharratt]

I've been gluten-free for a month. Better, and did one gluten challenge a week and a half ago, to see for sure that this is the root of my problems. It is...believe me! But I'm still dealing with C (I'll go maybe once or twice a week, tops) and gas/bloating, flatulence (which is nice and embarrassing) even when I eat something I KNOW is gluten free. I hardly eat out anymore, and I've checked labels super-carefully for hidden gluten and the like. I am still waiting for my Enterolab results, but why am I still having these issues? I eat enough fiber. It's getting old! Any ideas? I'm going to try dairy-free and artificial sweetener-free for a while (thinking maybe my Diet Coke causes some issues) but I know that typically when I eat a large amount of dairy at once currently I don't have any more issues than any other time. Arrrgh! Anyone have ideas? Am I just being impatient at letting my body heal itself from the gluten challenge and the gluten eating lifestyle? I was not as severely ill as many of you when I went gluten-free.

i fell for you, it can be very frustrateing when you are not getting any better. ive been gluten-free since mid may and altho initialy i did feel a whole lot better i fell back to square 1. there has to be another intolerace which is makeing my tummy bloat and gas and im still getting bad C. ive started a food diary, what you said about coke, i too drink it i love coke i probably drink 1 can every day, im also dary intolearnt so the osteoperosis thing is a real worry, ive heard of a lot of people who are celiac are often dairy intolerant, it often goes together, give going dairy free a try.

[jabberwife]

I've checked all cosmetics, so I know it's not that. I do chew Orbit, which has sorbitol. Hmm...anyone know a good chewing gum that's not gonna do that to me? I'm horribly addicted to gum (used to smoke back in the day, quit 2 years ago) and so I'd like to find something else that's better for me.

I suppose I should log my food. I'm just so ready for Enterolab to hurry up! It's only been 2 weeks though since they received my samples.

Artgirl--I'm sorry to hear you're itching so bad, but in a way, glad to know I'm not alone in that. I have had itching with no visible symptoms too...on my legs only, mostly...and it welts up awful if I scratch. It's gotten better since being gluten-free, but funny thing is, when I play soccer, it gets worse for a day or two. Benadryl and hydrocortisone only barely help. I wonder what it is that causes me to do that.

[hez]

It took a good 6 months for the "d" to go away and have normal bm. I stopped drinking milk during that time because it made me sick. I have been gluten-free for over a year and I can drink milk again without any problems. I think my villi just needed to heal. It really did seem to take a long time for me to feel better.

Hez

[ArtGirl]

rtgirl--I'm sorry to hear you're itching so bad, but in a way, glad to know I'm not alone in that.

Me, too. In all the reading I've done on the forum, I haven't come across anyone mentioning itchy skin. If you ever find out what's causing this, let me know. I'm hoping that with healing this will diminish and eventually go away.

[jaten]

I discovered soy and dairy intolerances almost immediately after going gluten-free. Now, 7 mos gluten-free, I am able to add a little dairy back into my diet with no problems. I still largely avoid soy, but will try to add that back at some point too. Do look for patterns that point to other intolerances, and as everyone told me when I first joined this forum....give your body time to heal. I even had a huge backwards step at 3 or 4 mos, but that seems not unusual at any rate. Give it time. Eat "whole" foods vs. a lot of processed foods. Identify other intolerances. Be strict in avoiding gluten. Your body will come around.

[jenvan]

jabberwife-

I also have dairy problems...but one month not long at all on the gluten-free diet. Yes, some individuals notice improvements at this point, but a fair amount of us don't. It can take months to really notice improvement...it did in my case. I noticed bm type improvement after a few months, but it has taken quite a bit longer to notice an improvement in my energy levels. In the beginning, the diet takes a lot of discipline, esp for those who notice little changes. Stick with it and don't give up! I have 2 big recommendations for you, as I also had C...and it has taken me a while to really improve in that area. #1-Start a food/symptom journal. This will help you pinpoint foods and connect specific ones to symptoms. That is the way I figured out I can not tolerate dairy. Dairy is a very constipating to me. Soy can also be that way--it causes gas for lots of folks too. #2-Fiber supplement like psyllium. You may need a jump start to get your system going and help pull out some of the gunk that has been moving too slowly through your system. I recommend psyllium b/c it is natural and does a great job of cleaning on its way through your system. My C has improved much after eliminating gluten and dairy, but I still need a *boost* every once in a while. For me, occasional psyllium does the trick. Hope your improvement picks up pace--but don't lost heart yet!

[BeckyW]

jabberwife-

I also have dairy problems...but one month not long at all on the gluten-free diet. Yes, some individuals notice improvements at this point, but a fair amount of us don't. It can take months to really notice improvement...it did in my case. I noticed bm type improvement after a few months, but it has taken quite a bit longer to notice an improvement in my energy levels. In the beginning, the diet takes a lot of discipline, esp for those who notice little changes. Stick with it and don't give up! I have 2 big recommendations for you, as I also had C...and it has taken me a while to really improve in that area. #1-Start a food/symptom journal. This will help you pinpoint foods and connect specific ones to symptoms. That is the way I figured out I can not tolerate dairy. Dairy is a very constipating to me. Soy can also be that way--it causes gas for lots of folks too. #2-Fiber supplement like psyllium. You may need a jump start to get your system going and help pull out some of the gunk that has been moving too slowly through your system. I recommend psyllium b/c it is natural and does a great job of cleaning on its way through your system. My C has improved much after eliminating gluten and dairy, but I still need a *boost* every once in a while. For me, occasional psyllium does the trick. Hope your improvement picks up pace--but don't lost heart yet!

Just wondering...what is psyllium? Does it have a brand name? Is this something you can take on a regular basis to help keep the system regular?

Thank you!

[Rice Cakes]

I'm taking benedryl every night and that helps the symptoms (puts me to sleep, too), but don't know yet what is the culprit.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is not something I would recommend taking frequently - after doing so to aid sleep, I found it was making me very ill and I will no longer use it for anything.

[jenvan]

Just wondering...what is psyllium? Does it have a brand name? Is this something you can take on a regular basis to help keep the system regular?

Thank you!

Psyllium is basically a type of natural plant fiber, derived from seeds. It is used as a supplement and is often part of laxatives and stool softners. Unlike a laxative or stool softner though, psyllium by itself is a good, non-medicinal treatment for constipation. (Laxatives, medications are not safe for long periods of time...and IMO, don't absorb and pull out old stool like a bulking fiber supplement). Read the description below for more info. It typically comes in a powder (I don't recommend the pills) and you mix it in juice (in water it doesn't taste so good). You can take it once or twice a day. I usually take it in the morning. There are different brands and formulas, so you need to verify what you get is gluten-free. I have found one brand that myself and my family love. I know some folks have trouble with gas etc. taking psyllium, but this is gentle and hasn't caused an issues for us. It can take some experimenting to find the right amount. I take two rounded teaspoons in a full (8ish oz) of juice. Always follow this with a full glass of water. The psyllium forms a gel that absorbs/carries stool and liquid out. The brand we get has hibiscus in it also, which really seems to help with the "process." Some will recommend taking slippery elm, but that hasn't worked so great for us. Here is what we get: Open Original Shared Link We buy it from Nature's Sunshine online, but as part of a club. You could buy it online or if you have a natural food store, they could order it too. You can find other brands, this is just our favorite and I know its gluten-free. Remember to ck on what you get. If you have any other ?s, let me know!

Psyllium is produced mainly for its mucilage content, which is highest in P. ovata. Mucilage describes a group of clear, colorless, gelling agents derived from plants. The mucilage obtained from psyllium comes from the seed coat. Mucilage is obtained by mechanical milling/grinding of the outer layer of the seed. Mucilage yield amounts to approximately 25% or more (by weight) of the total seed yield. Plantago seed mucilage is often referred to as husk or psyllium husk. The milled seed mucilage is a white fibrous material that is hydrophilic (water-loving). Upon absorbing water the clear colorless mucilaginous gel that forms increases in volume by ten-fold or more. Psyllium is mainly used as a dietary fiber, which is not digested by action in the small intestine. The purely mechanical action of psyllium mucilage absorbs excess water while stimulating normal bowel elimination. Although its main use has been as a laxative, it is more appropriately termed a true dietary fiber.