New diagnosis, dialing in. Would gluten free diet help me?

[drpearson7]

I was diagnosed in the last 9 months. Currently on & off Sulfasalizine. Current flare up not leaving. Has anyone found removing gluten to be helpful in reducing inflammation?
Thanks!

 

[Holly95]

I was only diagnosed in October this year, so I can't offer a lot of advice, other than I haven't personally found removing gluten to be helpful, I make my own bread and I make it gluten free, the other day I was only 3 bites into a fresh piece when I started swelling in my abdomen and getting insane amounts of pain.

I would encourage you to try going gluten free though, it wouldn't hurt to know what gluten does or doesn't do for you individually.

Personally I avoid Canola oil like the plague and find that helps a lot, it is a bit difficult because it means I also have to avoid anything that contains vegetable oil since that can contain canola oil... It's not fun, but it's good in a way because it cuts out a whoooole lot of already crappy, processed, full of sugar food that I used to be addicted to... And no more Mcdonalds/Wendys/Burger King etc, which was the most annoying, but also the best in a way

 

[Kina19]

I recently developed my first "official" flare this summer and it has yet to go into remission :thumbdown: Naturally, I started looking into any solution to help my pain and constant bathroom visits to avoid taking serious drugs (humira). I looked into the gaps diet, scd diet, AND paleo diet. I tried the paleo diet for a week (I kinda cheated and only went gluten/grain free) and found some pain relief that I did not notice at the time but it was HUGE how much the diet helped my pain compared to after I gave up on it. A majority of the diet was cutting out not only gluten, but every type of grain as well. I think it's a good idea to experiment and cut out gluten, or maybe even try one of those diets (you can learn more all over google). It's repetitive to hear but everyone is different and some peoples bodies digest things easier than others! You just have to try to have patience and test out what foods may be best to eliminate from your diet. I hope this helps a little!

 

[mccindy]

The best method is to keep a food diary. Start with a few foods you know work for you (for a lot of people, that's skinless, boneless chicken and rice). Once you're feeling all right and stable, try adding in one food. Wait a couple of days to see if there's any change. If not, now you know that food is safe. Then try another. You can do this with bread, veggies, or any other foods you suspect might be causing you problems. It's how I figured out I was gluten-intolerant.
The problem with just eliminating gluten is that if you aren't intolerant, the longer you go without eating it, the more difficult it gets for your body to process it, and eventually you will become intolerant, even if you weren't before.

 

[wild_one353]

Hello drpearson7!,

if you have celiac disease then yes it might help to reduce gluten.

i have found that gluten doesnt seem to bother me, but certain brands of wheat do, i can only eat gold medal whole what flour by making bread products myself.

also, processed bread made with yeast might irritate your disease, it is called saccharomyces cerevisiae. anything leavened seems to give me more pain, so i make my own wheat wraps from scratch, just flour salt and water.

I have managed my disease with diet and supplements alone and no drugns for 4.5 and have had no complications. here are some tips:
what could help reduce symptoms ive found is lowering lactose and sucrose consumption and avoiding meat. also, try using some coconut oil as an antibacterial and consider using a fiber supplement like inulin or apple pectin to feed good bacteria.

There is also a new treatment in F.D.A. trials that has put IBD in remission without drugs. Professor and Gastroenterologist Doctor Thomas J. Borody says it may have cured Ulcerative colitis already since patients have maintained remission without drugs for up to 13 years. The same may be possible for crohn's and that is why studies have begun all over the world. find out more here - http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=52400

 

[Mehita]

Have you been tested for Celiac? It's just a quick blood test, but you must be eating gluten at the time of the test. I just mention this because if you happen to have Celiac, gluten can physically damage your small intestine, whereas if you're gluten intolerant, but not Celiac, you just get some symptoms when you eat gluten. It might be good to know how strict you have to be on the gluten free diet.

Also, if you try it, be sure to try for a good 6 months. With adults, it can take that long to see improvement.

That being said, my son was dx'd with Crohn's and Celiac at age 8. We immediately had him go gluten free for the Celiac and that, coincidentally, kept his Crohn's in control for a good two years before it reared it's ugly head. I do think diet can help and it's worth a try... but I'd still encourage you to have a Celiac panel run before going gluten free.

 

[UnXmas]

I cut out gluten and it didn't help at all. You can get tests done to see if you have coeliac disease. Giving up gluten means quite a restrictive diet, so you shouldn't give it up unnecessarily. Also the test can give a false negative if you haven't been eating gluten prior to having the test done.

 

[UnXmas]

The problem with just eliminating gluten is that if you aren't intolerant, the longer you go without eating it, the more difficult it gets for your body to process it, and eventually you will become intolerant, even if you weren't before.

I'd not heard this before. I gave up gluten for a long time (several months) but now bread and gluten-containing cereals make up a lot of my diet, and are really safe foods for me (as long as they are refined, low-fibre versions). Do you always become less tolerant if you're not eating it? How does the intolerance occur?

 

[ronroush7]

I have been gluten free for about three years. I think I have more issues if I eat something with gluten rather than leaving it out of my diet. Best to you.

2

 

[ronroush7]

I would advise getting tested.

2

 

[LodgeLady]

Prior to my official Crohns diagnosis I resorted to a gluten free diet. Strict gluten free. I felt the benefits after 2 weeks and really started to feel wonderful 6 mos later. However I still got 2 major flares and knew diet was not the total answer. Since my diagnosis I remain gluten free except for occasional white bread. I am also on a low fiber diet until I gain remission. I can't wait until I can eat a raw vegetable!!


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[mccindy]

I'd not heard this before. I gave up gluten for a long time (several months) but now bread and gluten-containing cereals make up a lot of my diet, and are really safe foods for me (as long as they are refined, low-fibre versions). Do you always become less tolerant if you're not eating it? How does the intolerance occur?

I had to do some research after you asked me this. I'd heard it from both my GI and a dietitician. I've not found any evidence of studies proving that it's true - actually, I found postings from people who said they'd tried gluten-free for up to six months and still were able to go back to it. So perhaps the docs are basing their info on people who had gluten intolerance, gave it up, and just couldn't go back because they were intolerant in the first place? I've been eating gluten-free since about June, tried three separate times to go back and failed every time. I've read info on symptoms of gluten intolerance and I suspect I've had at least gluten sensitivity since I was a child and that my flare this past spring tripped it into a full intolerance? Any time I eat any gluten I have severe pain and bloating that can last for up to a couple of days. I've been tested (blood test) for Celiac and that came back negative, so it's got to just be an intolerance in my case.

 

[lblair]

It helped me so I contuine to follow the diet!!