Hi all,
I was just diagnosed with celiac disease today, after going to my docter for having acute, severe abdominal cramping that started about an hour after a strenuous tennis match. The cramps lasted for approx an hour, then subsided. I then got them again after a match I played 2 days later, and then the cramps just stayed in mild, chronic form for the next 2 weeks. I feel a little better now. The puzzling thing is that the cramping was triggered by the exercise, but I can find no evidence that Celiac is triggered by exercise. What are your thoughts/Knowledge?

Sandylulu

INteresting. Malabsorption of nutrients needed to avoid muscle cramping maybe? Not sure. Anyway, glad you got diagnosed, and can start eating right. Good luck to you.

That's really interesting. I never really thought about it, but both times in my life that I was really feeling the symptoms were when I was exercising strenuously (and losing weight). Like Bully4U said, it probably has to do with the malabsorption of nutrients and our bodies reacting because we need even more nutrients when we exercise. Also I think when we have symptoms of D then we are already more dehydrated then we should be and exercise will only cause us to need more water. Very interesting post! Thanks!

Emily

There weren't any suspect ingredients in your sports drink, were there?

During the first match I ate a Power Bar, and the second match I drank Gatorade. I think Gatorade is safe, but I am assuming that the power bar is not. I have eaten Power Bars for years with no problems.

It is interesting to consider the malabsorption of nutrients as a culprit for the cramping, as well as dehydration. I have made a conscious effort to hydrate, including adding more salt to my drinks/water, and the last two times I have exercised, the cramps were not as bad.

I appreciate the replies. Thanks--

What power bar did you eat?
I believe all of these have gluten in them - at the very least, oats.

Interesting, but I would suspect either dehydration or gluten also.....I lifted weights (excessively and intensely ) for 20 years, and was a very serious technical rock climber, and never had anything like that. Intestinal problems, for me, didn't start until the last 4 - 5 years, and I'd given up climbing and strenuous weights by then......

I never had a lot of the digestive symptoms associated with celiac. However, during the times I was dealing with intestional problems, I found that I would sometimes get "runner's diarrhea" triggered by an intense or long run.

I also lift weights regularly, swim, and do the other cardio machines in the gym but none of those activities has ever caused problems for me.

I definitely feel so much better when I am getting my exercise!

This is a very interesting question and I tend to agree with some of the answers - during strenuous exercise while you are malnourished your body cannot handle the exertion. I was diagnosed after I had begun bicycle training. I was seeing stars and feeling faint while biking and, finally, all day long. I discovered that I was severely anemic. We eventually discovered that the anemia was due to celiac disease. I feel that exercise saved my life because if I hadn’t been pushing myself and having such serious problems, I may never have been diagnosed with celiac disease. The exercise didn’t cause the celiac disease but it brought it to my attention - to be sure!

After 3 years on a gluten free diet I’m working to get strong again and I’m doing pretty well. Now my problem is that I’m 50 years old and it’s harder to push myself!