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Trying to find out what’s wrong with my bowels...... could be gluten intolerant??

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Celiac Disease
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Posted 7/21/2018 5:36 AM (GMT -8)
Hello,

I have major issues with my GI tract. It’s been getting worse over the last few years. I am 48 and had normal bowel habits as a kid, but now i have daily gas, frequent heartburn, at least 5 loose bowel movements (good days) and 12-15 (bad days), tingling in both hands at night that has developed over the last year, numbness in the toes (from lumbar disc issue), i have gained weight over the years and cannot get the weight off, certain foods give me instant diarrhea- chinese or hibachi gives me violent episodes (sometimes before i get home from the restaurant), anxiety (worsening), irritability, ADD, insomnia, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.

Even on days i don’t have many bowel movements, my stomach constantly bubbles and rumbles with gas. I am switching jobs in a few weeks ( would be 2 months before the good insurance kicks in) and will have stellar insurance. Should i just hold off on changing anything with my diet and get tested or go ahead and try to go gluten free?

Also, is it worth cutting back on gluten or do you have to be totally gluten free to see a change?

Thanks so much!!
Posted 7/21/2018 6:13 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Nacho,

Waiting 2 months to get tested seems rough. I would think you’d want to try to go gluten free now to see how it makes you feel. I have celiacs. Going completely gluten free made an enormous difference for me. I noticed a substantial difference in gut health within 72 hours. After a week, my intestinal issues were gone. I continued to see improvements over the next several months in things like energy level and concentration. You’ll need to be completely gluten free. You’ll need to get very aggressive about reading labels. Gluten is in surprising places. Licorice candy. Salad dressings, soy sauce, canned soups. The phrase “modified food starch” means gluten. Do your research. Be willing to ask for a gluten free menu when eating at restaurants. I’ve now been gluten free for 6 years. You get used to it. I don’t find it to be a chore at all.

Good luck to you. If a definitive diagnosis is important to you, you can always reintroduce gluten to your diet once you have good insurance. Testing starts with blood work. The initial blood work needs to be while you have gluten in your system. If you respond well to being gluten free, you may not need to see a doctor.
For many, a diagnosis of either celiacs or gluten intolerance doesn’t really matter.
Posted 7/21/2018 1:32 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you for taking time to reply. What is strange to me is that can’t find any reason to why i have good days and bad days. To day has been ok. That’s the reason i wonder if it gets worse with a larger intake of gluten on the bad days? I’m gonna plan a gluten free diet and give it a shot. Thanks again!
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