Celiac Disease Support Group

Celiac disease is an auto-immune disorder of the digestive system that occurs in genetically-predisposed individuals. It is characterised by damage or flattening to all or part of the villi lining the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients. This damage is caused by eating anything with gluten (gliadin), a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley...

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Inconsistent intolerance?

iworry
iworry
My doctor and I had decided about a month ago that I have a gluten intolerance of some sort. I am very confused by my symptoms, though... Sometimes I eat something like a piece of cake and have terrible stomach cramps for hours and tons of diarrhea, sometimes I eat gluteny food and I just bloat up really severely and get constipated. I'm just confused, I feel like the inconsistency doesn't make sense. I got so frustrated that after being gluten free for over a month, I went nuts and ate a ton of gluten last night and all day today. I have not had very much stomach discomfort and NO diarrhea yet. I'm just so confused. I am bloated and feel a little constipated and off, but I don't understand how some days one piece of bread has me in my bed or on the toilet for hours on end and I can eat tons of it another time and not have the same result.

Does this happen to anyone else?
nanny1611
nanny1611
Every symptom you've experienced (or lack of symptoms) can be normal for YOU. Symptoms can vary with each person, but can also alternate or change within the same person. On top of the symptoms you've noticed, there's also the internal damage to intestines or other organs that you can't see (or don't realize until it's too late). Here is an article that might explain a little better.
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/symptomsofceliacdisease/a/celiacsymptoms.htm

One of the things that helped me ignore the gluten cravings was to find lots of recipes for GF substitutes. There are many recipes online, especially on Pinterest. As of now, I've pinned more than 1,500 "goodie" recipes that are all gluten-free or grain-free. I've also found main entrees and side dishes. Whenever I have a craving for something gluteny, I go through my recipes and find a similar GF recipe. This makes me realize that I'm not deprived. Plus I've tried lots of new recipes and foods. It's been a positive experience for me. Best wishes to you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
All of your symptoms sound like gluten intolerance to me.

It depends on which part of the small bowel is damaged what symptoms occur.
Say the part that absorbs vit B is destroyed from the cake binge. That will take a long time to show symptoms.
If the part that absorbs iron is damaged, that will show more quickly but only if the doctor runs blood tests.

To help with cravings, try remembering the terrible gas and pain from diarrhea when you look at that cake instead of remembering anything else.