need some information
 

Hi all

I have PN and want to try a glutten free diet. I have started reading the information on this site, but I have a problem.

I have very very bad constipation even though I eat plenty of veg and fruit. I have to eat a massive bowl of " All Bran " every morning.

I will not be able to eat this, so I plan to take number of senna pills each night. Does senna tablets have any type of glutten in them.

Also I eat a lot of quorn ( made from fungi ) Is this all right to eat.
Maybe you don't have quorn in the USA. I live in the UK

Thanks in advance and best wishes

Hi, lots of celiacs have constipation instead of the runs from gluten, and it resolves with a strict gluten free diet! (if caused by gluten)

Have you had any celiac blood tests done at your doctor's?

Senna is a plant, or seed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senna_(genus)

I haven't had a test yet but aim to very soon

Hi, Bernie.

I have an observation about Senna. This is one laxative people should not take every day. There is some concern that everyday use of Senna, changes the bowel. They have seen blackened areas during colonoscopies, for example. There is a worry this change may lead to colon cancer.

There are other choices. In the stimulant category is Dulcolax, biscodyl.

For fiber, you could try, the new soluble fiber called Benefiber.
It is tasteless and can be mixed into foods easily.
http://www.benefiber.com/fiberHealth/faqs.shtml
It claims to be gluten free, but others here may know more about that than I do.

Some people find Miralax works but the FDA is looking at it for chronic use, as problematic.

Do you eat prunes and dates?

And lastly there are magnesium supplements. Typically magnesium citrate works for some. Phillips makes a magnesium oxide tablet now, for gentle constipation relief.

Speaking as a long suffering gluten intolerant, have you tried giving up dairy. Dairy is very constipating for me, and I didn't think I needed to give it up, but, surprise, I did. It also caused me to have severe insomnia. I amnow on a yeast free diet for yeast overgrowth. I read a few weeks ago, that butter can be ok for those who are dairy intolerant, so I tried it...the constipation came back with a vengenence.

They say that close to 80% of Americans actually have some intolerance to gluten, and most will never know it. If you get tested for celiac, and it comes back negative, try gluten free any ways and see what happens. I have doctors who tell me I am celiac, and some who tell me I absolutely can't be because of my DQ1 genes, but, gluten would kill me. The tiniest amount of cross contamination makes me sick for weeks. In America, the general consensus is, 20ppm of gluten is safe for us, but it's not, and it definitely is not safe for me, even 5ppm makes me ill.

So, get tested, then definitely try gluten free.

Try beans and rice. I would avoid eating too many prunes. In the short run try an emema.

Try a magnesium powder that you add to herbal tea. It helps your muscles relax and it is a natural stool softener. The product I use is called 'Calm' and it is sold at most natural food stores.