I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance.. I went to the doctor because I was having diarrhea for about 6 months. She gave me some medicine for IBS which I quit taking because it just slowed everything down and my other symptoms weren't relieved. I went online and read abuot gluten intolerance and quit eating it altogether and felt instantly better within 2 days. Now, I don't have the diarrhea, but I still feel like Santa Claus and I"m now having the OPPOSITE problem. I've taken citrucel and fiber sure both of which HELP, but make it too bulky?? Anyway, I haven't been back to my doctor since she gave me the med for IBS. Do I now need to go back to her, or see a specialist and if so what kind?? Does anyone recommend the Celiac Disease test?? I've heard conflicting stories.

Your problem may not be gluten alone. Many of those intolerant to gluten also have problems with dairy (either lactose intolerant or casein allergy or both) or soy or other grains such as corn. I was immediately better after going gluten-free, but continued to have problems. I had the Allergix IGg blood test
for 90 different foods and they came back positive for milk, beef, cranberries, yeast and chocolate. When I cut them out all of the problems (digestive and rashes) disappeared.
Good luck with the doctors - they are always looking for horses but gluten-free people are zebras.

My suggestion is to cut out dairy (and anything with casein or caseinate added to it). This can cause both bloating and constipation. It could be that your body reacts one way to gluten and another to casein. Take away the gluten and the casein reaction can take over. Or you could be lactose intolerant, too.

How long have you been gluten-free, by the way? It took my system quite some time to work its way back to normal.

Did you ADD anything to your diet when you went gluten-free, or start having appreciably more of something? If so, that could be your culprit.

I also had this problem after giving up gluten 2 months ago. I gave up dairy (lactose) a month ago and things improved again but mild constapation was a problem until I tracked down cassein as a culprit, it's in lactose free milk, rice cheese, soy cheese. Try this for 6 months and you may be able to add some dairy back into your diet.

I have not been diagnosed as coeliac. The only test my doctor offered me was the single blood test a year ago which proved low IgG score therefore it's unlikely that I have coeliac disease i.e bad villous atrophy. However, I feel much better on this diet, no diarhea, no stomache ache, nausea, gas, bloating (unless accidentally eaten a glutinous food) and better digestion of other foods I prevoiusly thought 'difficult' - beans, raw vegatables, red meat. My mother and grandmother are coeliac/Dermititis Hepitiformis respctively and only found out when they reached 60. My mother has suffered a host of illnesses relating to gluten, anemia etc. I didn't want to wait intil I got really sick like her before trying this gluten-free diet and have been told by a couple of other doctors that if it makes you better then it probably is gluten.

Do get tested but if all comes back negative but you get better on a gluten-free diet. Stick with it, it's just not worth being sick all the time!

Thanks to all of you for your input. I will definitely try to cut out the dairy, although I will find this difficult. I did finally go back and they did a blood test for celiacs disease which came back negative. They did however find out ( after a few very uncomfortable tests ) that I have an intestinal parasite, and diverticulosis. They told me to stay away from nuts and seeds. I do feel MUCH better. but not 100% and I'm staying gluten free.
If I go off of dairy does that include any and everything that has milk in it?? Could I try lactose free cheese or milk?? And is casein found in all dairy products??

Casein isn't found in ghee, because that is 100% fat. I've heard that butter has very little casein, but still has some. Lactose-free products will obviously spare you the lactose (the sugar) but not casein (the protein).

To avoid casein, you have to avoid all dairy ingredients (milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, whey, etc.) plus anything with casein or a caseinate in the list of ingredients. The latter thing can trip people up if they don't look. Casein gets added to things labeled as "veggie" cheese, for instance.

If you were on a gluten-free diet when you got your blood test, you can't be diagnosed properly. The test measures antibodies in your blood. Celiacs only make antibodies in response to gluten. If you want a proper diagnosis, you have to do a gluten challenge. I can't believe your doc tested you although you have been gluten free. It's a wasted test.

You should see a GI who understands celiac disease. In what city will you be going to a doctor? Maybe we on the boards can help you find a good one.

Another cause of bloating in a healing celiac is SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It can be treated with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (see Elaine Gottshall's "Breaking the Vicious Cycle") or with intestine-specific antibiotics. If your doctor isn't aware that this is a common occurence after celiac disease diagnosis, you should get another GI or try to educate him.

Others are on the right track about other food allergies. I'd investigate that first.

Kit

thanks for that information. I will definitely go to a gi. My bloating is out of control, even if I DON'T eat, it's ridiculous. Also, my abdomin makes very loud noises quite often. Hopefully I will get this resolved soon, but thanks everyone for all of the useful info.!