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I'm at a loss!
Pierow posted:
I posted this in the general digestive forum, but thought I'd see what you folks here think.
I've had some GI issues for a few years now, and currently my doctor(s) aren't being much help, as my symptoms doesn't seem to fit the IBS, Crohns, or cancer bill. Best guess right now is I may be slightly lactose intolerant, and possibly gluten intolerant (and I hope not both!), which I'm in the process of testing for myself. So far the results are promising, but not 100%. Of course I could just ask my doctor to be tested for them...
[br>[br>I get cramping almost daily in my lower right quadrant (my left side to those w/o any medical educating), in the descending colon, which is usually taken care of after a few bowel movements. Sometimes it'll cramp throughout the day with no need for a BM. I think it does it for fun. And for an added bonus when it's feeling especially grumpy, I'll get sharp stabbing pains in the same area for no reason.[br>[br>Gas: OMG am I tired of passing gas. I eat breakfast in the morning, and so far it doesn't seem to matter what I ate, but when I eat lunch, like clockwork, I start passing gas like it's going out of style. Some of the culprits seem to be certain cereals (eaten with Lactaid milk no less) that are wheat or oat based, waffles/pancakes, scrambled eggs (made with or without milk), cinnamon rolls. I even tried just eating an apple and some toast and it happened. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for it. Eat lunch; fart a lot. I seem to be getting night gas a lot too, which usually wake me up in the morning. Today I had some fruit for breakfast, then had a nice salad for lunch, and almost instantly it sounded like world war 3 was going on in my gut, with gas.[br>[br>Testing the LI theory: So far lactose intolerance seems to be the best explanation so far. I had trouble with milk when I was a baby, but never seemed to be a problem as I got older, or any other dairy products. I'm 34 now. I stopped buying regular milk and switched to Lactaid milk, which I'm quite enjoying. I don't get "milk farts" with that (gas smells like rotten milk) and the taste is more enjoyable. I've even tried Lactaid pills which have generated some success, but trying to narrow down problem foods is a real hassle. I've never read so many ingredient labels in my life!
I'm trying to weed out gluten which as most of you know is not an easy task. Eating fruit in the morning versus cereal and other things. Still cramping in my left side with some gas to go with it.[br>[br>In an attempt to regulate my GI tract, I've tried fiber bars, which makes for more BM's and a great deal of night gas (gluten heavy no doubt). My doc suggested probiotic supplements like Activia, but that only seemed to make things worse (perhaps due to lactose intolerance?) I'll have to find a probiotic supplement that doesn't contain whey or gluten.
Stool is generally loose and comes out sporadically. I don't know the last time I had a good solid BM, but never do I get diarrhea. It's just loose, like soft serve ice cream. And I'm never constipated.
[br>Anyone have any suggestions? I'm about to give up eating! (great weight loss plan, bad for other things)
I've had some GI issues for a few years now, and currently my doctor(s) aren't being much help, as my symptoms doesn't seem to fit the IBS, Crohns, or cancer bill. Best guess right now is I may be slightly lactose intolerant, and possibly gluten intolerant (and I hope not both!), which I'm in the process of testing for myself. So far the results are promising, but not 100%. Of course I could just ask my doctor to be tested for them...
[br>[br>I get cramping almost daily in my lower right quadrant (my left side to those w/o any medical educating), in the descending colon, which is usually taken care of after a few bowel movements. Sometimes it'll cramp throughout the day with no need for a BM. I think it does it for fun. And for an added bonus when it's feeling especially grumpy, I'll get sharp stabbing pains in the same area for no reason.[br>[br>Gas: OMG am I tired of passing gas. I eat breakfast in the morning, and so far it doesn't seem to matter what I ate, but when I eat lunch, like clockwork, I start passing gas like it's going out of style. Some of the culprits seem to be certain cereals (eaten with Lactaid milk no less) that are wheat or oat based, waffles/pancakes, scrambled eggs (made with or without milk), cinnamon rolls. I even tried just eating an apple and some toast and it happened. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for it. Eat lunch; fart a lot. I seem to be getting night gas a lot too, which usually wake me up in the morning. Today I had some fruit for breakfast, then had a nice salad for lunch, and almost instantly it sounded like world war 3 was going on in my gut, with gas.[br>[br>Testing the LI theory: So far lactose intolerance seems to be the best explanation so far. I had trouble with milk when I was a baby, but never seemed to be a problem as I got older, or any other dairy products. I'm 34 now. I stopped buying regular milk and switched to Lactaid milk, which I'm quite enjoying. I don't get "milk farts" with that (gas smells like rotten milk) and the taste is more enjoyable. I've even tried Lactaid pills which have generated some success, but trying to narrow down problem foods is a real hassle. I've never read so many ingredient labels in my life!I'm trying to weed out gluten which as most of you know is not an easy task. Eating fruit in the morning versus cereal and other things. Still cramping in my left side with some gas to go with it.[br>[br>In an attempt to regulate my GI tract, I've tried fiber bars, which makes for more BM's and a great deal of night gas (gluten heavy no doubt). My doc suggested probiotic supplements like Activia, but that only seemed to make things worse (perhaps due to lactose intolerance?) I'll have to find a probiotic supplement that doesn't contain whey or gluten.
Stool is generally loose and comes out sporadically. I don't know the last time I had a good solid BM, but never do I get diarrhea. It's just loose, like soft serve ice cream. And I'm never constipated.
[br>Anyone have any suggestions? I'm about to give up eating! (great weight loss plan, bad for other things)
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:I'm at a loss!I posted this in the general digestive forum, but thought I'd see what you folks here think.<br /><br />I've had some GI issues for a few years now, and currently my doctor(s) aren't being much help, as my symptoms doesn't seem to fit the IBS, Crohns, or cancer bill. Best guess right now is I may be slightly lactose intolerant, and possibly gluten intolerant (and I hope not both!), which I'm in the process of testing for myself. So far the results are promising, but not 100%. Of course I could just ask my doctor to be tested for them... <img src=http://img.webmd.com/community/images/pbpt.gif class=post_img />[br>[br>I get cramping almost daily in my lower right quadrant (my left side to those w/o any medical educating), in the descending colon, which is usually taken care of after a few bowel movements. Sometimes it'll cramp throughout the day with no need for a BM. I think it does it for fun. And for an added bonus when it's feeling especially grumpy, I'll get sharp stabbing pains in the same area for no reason.[br>[br>Gas: OMG am I tired of passing gas. I eat breakfast in the morning, and so far it doesn't seem to matter what I ate, but when I eat lunch, like clockwork, I start passing gas like it's going out of style. Some of the culprits seem to be certain cereals (eaten with Lactaid milk no less) that are wheat or oat based, waffles/pancakes, scrambled eggs (made with or without milk), cinnamon rolls. I even tried just eating an apple and some toast and it happened. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for it. Eat lunch; fart a lot. I seem to be getting night gas a lot too, which usually wake me up in the morning. Today I had some fruit for breakfast, then had a nice salad for lunch, and almost instantly it sounded like world war 3 was going on in my gut, with gas.[br>[br>Testing the LI theory: So far lactose intolerance seems to be the best explanation so far. I had trouble with milk when I was a baby, but never seemed to be a problem as I got older, or any other dairy products. I'm 34 now. I stopped buying regular milk and switched to Lactaid milk, which I'm quite enjoying. I don't get "milk farts" with that (gas smells like rotten milk) and the taste is more enjoyable. I've even tried Lactaid pills which have generated some success, but trying to narrow down problem foods is a real hassle. I've never read so many ingredient labels in my life!<br /><br />I'm trying to weed out gluten which as most of you know is not an easy task. Eating fruit in the morning versus cereal and other things. Still cramping in my left side with some gas to go with it.[br>[br>In an attempt to regulate my GI tract, I've tried fiber bars, which makes for more BM's and a great deal of night gas (gluten heavy no doubt). My doc suggested probiotic supplements like Activia, but that only seemed to make things worse (perhaps due to lactose intolerance?) I'll have to find a probiotic supplement that doesn't contain whey or gluten.<br /><br /><br />Stool is generally loose and comes out sporadically. I don't know the last time I had a good solid BM, but never do I get diarrhea. It's just loose, like soft serve ice cream. And I'm never constipated.<br />[br>Anyone have any suggestions? I'm about to give up eating! (great weight loss plan, bad for other things)
reblyman responded:
Hi Pierow,
I was recently diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. My doctor ran a whole bunch of tests, none of which came up as anything serious, but the diagnosis came after a "no fun diet." This required me to completely cut out everything with gluten- no wheat, no barley, nothing malted...no rye, and no triticale.
She also had me go on a low sugar diet, which is self explanatory.
It is SO hard to cut gluten out of your diet when you have been eating gluten all your life. It is absolutely necessary to cut it out completely in order to be diagnosed though. One small bit of gluten can set off the allergy. For example, if my hubby puts the knife in the peanut butter jar, onto his bread, and back into the jar, I can no longer use that peanut butter because of trace amounts of gluten.
I did the diet for a month, and all my symptoms went away.
You mentioned that you're replacing your gluten with other things like fruit. There are gluten free cereals (I love my gluten free oatmeal with some apple cut up in it and cinnamon on top!), pancake mixes (by Bisquick!) and even baking stuff for breads and such. It's all just made with a different kind of flour.
Try the diet, keep track of what you eat and how you feel after. Give it a month- cravings will go away and you may feel better. Just remember, if you stray from the diet- its just a big ol reset button.
I was recently diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. My doctor ran a whole bunch of tests, none of which came up as anything serious, but the diagnosis came after a "no fun diet." This required me to completely cut out everything with gluten- no wheat, no barley, nothing malted...no rye, and no triticale.
She also had me go on a low sugar diet, which is self explanatory.
It is SO hard to cut gluten out of your diet when you have been eating gluten all your life. It is absolutely necessary to cut it out completely in order to be diagnosed though. One small bit of gluten can set off the allergy. For example, if my hubby puts the knife in the peanut butter jar, onto his bread, and back into the jar, I can no longer use that peanut butter because of trace amounts of gluten.
I did the diet for a month, and all my symptoms went away.
You mentioned that you're replacing your gluten with other things like fruit. There are gluten free cereals (I love my gluten free oatmeal with some apple cut up in it and cinnamon on top!), pancake mixes (by Bisquick!) and even baking stuff for breads and such. It's all just made with a different kind of flour.
Try the diet, keep track of what you eat and how you feel after. Give it a month- cravings will go away and you may feel better. Just remember, if you stray from the diet- its just a big ol reset button.
Report This| Share this:I'm at a loss!Hi Pierow,<br /><br />I was recently diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. My doctor ran a whole bunch of tests, none of which came up as anything serious, but the diagnosis came after a "no fun diet." This required me to completely cut out everything with gluten- no wheat, no barley, nothing malted...no rye, and no triticale.<br />She also had me go on a low sugar diet, which is self explanatory.<br />It is SO hard to cut gluten out of your diet when you have been eating gluten all your life. It is absolutely necessary to cut it out completely in order to be diagnosed though. One small bit of gluten can set off the allergy. For example, if my hubby puts the knife in the peanut butter jar, onto his bread, and back into the jar, I can no longer use that peanut butter because of trace amounts of gluten.<br />I did the diet for a month, and all my symptoms went away.<br />You mentioned that you're replacing your gluten with other things like fruit. There are gluten free cereals (I love my gluten free oatmeal with some apple cut up in it and cinnamon on top!), pancake mixes (by Bisquick!) and even baking stuff for breads and such. It's all just made with a different kind of flour. <br />Try the diet, keep track of what you eat and how you feel after. Give it a month- cravings will go away and you may feel better. Just remember, if you stray from the diet- its just a big ol reset button.
Jess120181 replied to reblyman's response:
Hi Pierow, your situation is so scarily similar to mine....
My doctor had me try the dairy free diet and I did the lactaid chewable pills...but I still got the "milk farts" like you call them, after I had yogurt or ice cream. My dad has celiac's and I am at low-risk for the disease with the blood work that was done on me in November. Before my November appointment I had tried a GF diet for about 3 months (my dad suggested it) and felt great! Although there were times, like you said, after eating lunch at work that I would get so GASSY! Embarassing and they were the stinky kind. I was like, what gives??? I cut out gluten and the majority of the time I felt great but my doctor said to not rule out gluten until we test -you. SO I went back to eating gluten but did her non-dairy reccomendation. I called yesterday to say (after almost 2 months) that I am still getting cramps, bloating and nighttime gas...and I am using the lactaid!!!! So I wonder if I can be gluten intolerant and lactose intolerant too??? This diet is hard and stressful. The nurse just told me today to GO BACK to a GF diet and when I see my Doc in March we'll see where I am at. I know when I eat yogurt with lactaid I always put granola on it so I wonder if the granola with the wheat in it bothered me...hmm. They are sending me a packet of info so that I can start the GF diet again. I will try your suggestions, reblyman. THANKS!
My doctor had me try the dairy free diet and I did the lactaid chewable pills...but I still got the "milk farts" like you call them, after I had yogurt or ice cream. My dad has celiac's and I am at low-risk for the disease with the blood work that was done on me in November. Before my November appointment I had tried a GF diet for about 3 months (my dad suggested it) and felt great! Although there were times, like you said, after eating lunch at work that I would get so GASSY! Embarassing and they were the stinky kind. I was like, what gives??? I cut out gluten and the majority of the time I felt great but my doctor said to not rule out gluten until we test -you. SO I went back to eating gluten but did her non-dairy reccomendation. I called yesterday to say (after almost 2 months) that I am still getting cramps, bloating and nighttime gas...and I am using the lactaid!!!! So I wonder if I can be gluten intolerant and lactose intolerant too??? This diet is hard and stressful. The nurse just told me today to GO BACK to a GF diet and when I see my Doc in March we'll see where I am at. I know when I eat yogurt with lactaid I always put granola on it so I wonder if the granola with the wheat in it bothered me...hmm. They are sending me a packet of info so that I can start the GF diet again. I will try your suggestions, reblyman. THANKS!
Report This| Share this:I'm at a loss!Hi Pierow, your situation is so scarily similar to mine....<br /> <br />My doctor had me try the dairy free diet and I did the lactaid chewable pills...but I still got the "milk farts" like you call them, after I had yogurt or ice cream. My dad has celiac's and I am at low-risk for the disease with the blood work that was done on me in November. Before my November appointment I had tried a GF diet for about 3 months (my dad suggested it) and felt great! Although there were times, like you said, after eating lunch at work that I would get so GASSY! Embarassing and they were the stinky kind. I was like, what gives??? I cut out gluten and the majority of the time I felt great but my doctor said to not rule out gluten until we test -you. SO I went back to eating gluten but did her non-dairy reccomendation. I called yesterday to say (after almost 2 months) that I am still getting cramps, bloating and nighttime gas...and I am using the lactaid!!!! So I wonder if I can be gluten intolerant and lactose intolerant too??? This diet is hard and stressful. The nurse just told me today to GO BACK to a GF diet and when I see my Doc in March we'll see where I am at. I know when I eat yogurt with lactaid I always put granola on it so I wonder if the granola with the wheat in it bothered me...hmm. They are sending me a packet of info so that I can start the GF diet again. I will try your suggestions, reblyman. THANKS!
CalGal37 replied to Jess120181's response:
Jess, a large proportion of celiac people also cross-react to the major protein in dairy - casein. You many want to be checked for that issue. There's a great test that is put out by enterolab.com using fecal antibody testing. It's more accurate than the blood test and can be used to check for both casein and gliadin (gluten).
Report This| Share this:I'm at a loss!Jess, a large proportion of celiac people also cross-react to the major protein in dairy - casein. You many want to be checked for that issue. There's a great test that is put out by enterolab.com using fecal antibody testing. It's more accurate than the blood test and can be used to check for both casein and gliadin (gluten).
grandmotherx4 responded:
Hi Pierow,
We all have various intolerances besides gluten...& yes it is a daily pain in the neck. However with perserverance you too will find out where your problems are & learn to deal with them. After approx 20 yrs of battling w/the symptoms & was diagnosed in Jan 2011. With the biopsy in Feb confirmed Celiac. I'm lactose intolerant as far as milk/lactaid, butter, ice cream...can do others as sour cream, cream & cottage cheese, no icebert lettuce, small amts of 'some' fruits. On & on & on...so you learn as you go & have to adjust your 'thought' processes too... 'I have to for my health & life & I can do this'. It's a process for sure & you can figure it all out. Being a different situation for each of us...it's really up to each of us to figure out our own reactions to foods we eat...but talking helps. Perhaps you won't be free from symptoms altogether but it's a step by step process & having to manage the rest. Good luck & keep in touch.
We all have various intolerances besides gluten...& yes it is a daily pain in the neck. However with perserverance you too will find out where your problems are & learn to deal with them. After approx 20 yrs of battling w/the symptoms & was diagnosed in Jan 2011. With the biopsy in Feb confirmed Celiac. I'm lactose intolerant as far as milk/lactaid, butter, ice cream...can do others as sour cream, cream & cottage cheese, no icebert lettuce, small amts of 'some' fruits. On & on & on...so you learn as you go & have to adjust your 'thought' processes too... 'I have to for my health & life & I can do this'. It's a process for sure & you can figure it all out. Being a different situation for each of us...it's really up to each of us to figure out our own reactions to foods we eat...but talking helps. Perhaps you won't be free from symptoms altogether but it's a step by step process & having to manage the rest. Good luck & keep in touch.
Report This| Share this:I'm at a loss!Hi Pierow,<br />We all have various intolerances besides gluten...& yes it is a daily pain in the neck. However with perserverance you too will find out where your problems are & learn to deal with them. After approx 20 yrs of battling w/the symptoms & was diagnosed in Jan 2011. With the biopsy in Feb confirmed Celiac. I'm lactose intolerant as far as milk/lactaid, butter, ice cream...can do others as sour cream, cream & cottage cheese, no icebert lettuce, small amts of 'some' fruits. On & on & on...so you learn as you go & have to adjust your 'thought' processes too... 'I have to for my health & life & I can do this'. It's a process for sure & you can figure it all out. Being a different situation for each of us...it's really up to each of us to figure out our own reactions to foods we eat...but talking helps. Perhaps you won't be free from symptoms altogether but it's a step by step process & having to manage the rest. Good luck & keep in touch.
Wisconrose replied to grandmotherx4's response:
I too was having alot of the problems you mentioned and all the doctors would say is passing gas is normal even when you sound like a freigh train.
By trial and error I have elimated all lactose substituting Silk soy milk on cereal and in coffee. It comes in great flavors. Also am working on eliminating gluten. I have found great products in the the gluten free section of the grocery store.
I use fiber that is primary gluten free, also. I'm also sensitive to popcorn, and corn fructose sugar which is found in most commercial bakery and even in some gluten free products. So i'm reading more labels with extra care.
Its frustrating, but the rewards are immense as now I have periods of cramp free, gas free times when I can take part in activities without embarrassing gas.
It's hard to change eating habits at our age especially in our city which has so many gourmet food stores and restaurants.
The clinic also has a support group.
Normally I'd say which you luck, but it takes a lot of effort and education to change, but always remember that the rewards in comfort, health and social confidence are more important.
than that piece of cake or bowl of oatmeal. (Try cinnamon rice chex--but many rice cakes have corn fructose in them)
By trial and error I have elimated all lactose substituting Silk soy milk on cereal and in coffee. It comes in great flavors. Also am working on eliminating gluten. I have found great products in the the gluten free section of the grocery store.
I use fiber that is primary gluten free, also. I'm also sensitive to popcorn, and corn fructose sugar which is found in most commercial bakery and even in some gluten free products. So i'm reading more labels with extra care.
Its frustrating, but the rewards are immense as now I have periods of cramp free, gas free times when I can take part in activities without embarrassing gas.
It's hard to change eating habits at our age especially in our city which has so many gourmet food stores and restaurants.
The clinic also has a support group.
Normally I'd say which you luck, but it takes a lot of effort and education to change, but always remember that the rewards in comfort, health and social confidence are more important.
than that piece of cake or bowl of oatmeal. (Try cinnamon rice chex--but many rice cakes have corn fructose in them)
Report This| Share this:I'm at a loss!I too was having alot of the problems you mentioned and all the doctors would say is passing gas is normal even when you sound like a freigh train.<br /> <br />By trial and error I have elimated all lactose substituting Silk soy milk on cereal and in coffee. It comes in great flavors. Also am working on eliminating gluten. I have found great products in the the gluten free section of the grocery store.<br />I use fiber that is primary gluten free, also. I'm also sensitive to popcorn, and corn fructose sugar which is found in most commercial bakery and even in some gluten free products. So i'm reading more labels with extra care.<br /> <br />Its frustrating, but the rewards are immense as now I have periods of cramp free, gas free times when I can take part in activities without embarrassing gas.<br /> <br />It's hard to change eating habits at our age especially in our city which has so many gourmet food stores and restaurants.<br />The clinic also has a support group.<br /> <br />Normally I'd say which you luck, but it takes a lot of effort and education to change, but always remember that the rewards in comfort, health and social confidence are more important.<br />than that piece of cake or bowl of oatmeal. (Try cinnamon rice chex--but many rice cakes have corn fructose in them)
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