IBD-Related fatigue and the Gluten Free diet

Hi,

I just went gluten free about a week ago and am not finding so far that it is helping me. I had not had any significant gastro symptoms for over a year, but have had severe fatigue and some muscle/joint aches. Has anyone had a reduction in fatigue or aches (not gastro symptoms) on a gluten free diet? If so, how long did it take to experience relief?

My brief med history (in case someone has thoughts on what else might work):
*I was diagnosed two years ago with IBD (Indeterminate Colitis--which is kind of a hybrid of Crohn's Disease and UC).
*I was on Asacol HD for two years and my gastro symptoms (blood and mucus in stool, liquid stools, frequent pooping) stopped and have not really returned apart from very small flares for a day or two every 3 months or so.
*about six months ago, my immune system crashed. Though I did not have gastro symptoms, I had inflammation in my eye (which is rare, but part of IBD) that has subsided with heavy use of Prednisone. My fatigue worsened to the point that I cannot fully function and can no longer work or do many routine activities, especially physical activity or exercise.

Please share if you have thoughts, ideas, or insights. Thanks!!

As far as gluten free......I have been GF for about 2 months and I know it has helped be sleep much better (wife agrees) and also some weight loss. I have read that it may take closer to 1 month to see some results so I say stick with it for at least a few more weeks until you give up on it. Many have had success with it. Good luck:)

ccclllsss, what foods have you eliminated in your gluten free diet?

Gluten can be found in some of the most conspicuous places. Deli meats, soy sauce condiments, and almost always oatmeal/oats, unless specified GF.

An effective way to abstain from gluten or wheat is by reading allergen warning labels on the back of a product.

My experience with gluten is that it caused upset stomach, gas, and possibly joint pain.

ccc,

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, I concur with the advice you've already received.

1 week isn't enough on gluten free, and then you have to be careful of the hidden sources of gluten.

As far as your joint pains, they could even be caused by use of the meds: prednisone and mesalamines can both cause joint pains.

 

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses to my post.

To answer a few questions that you collectively asked, I have been tested for Celiac, anemia, low Vitamin D, and many many other things and all of the tests were negative so the doctors think it reasonable to assume my fatigue is due to IBD and that there are no adjustments to be made to my vitamin regime to help.

With my IBD, I became gradually more run down and tired for about two years, but was generally able to function. Then last September I caught the flu, strep throat, a very bad cold, and bronchitis all within a few weeks of each other which knocked me out completely and put me on total bed rest for several months. Though I am glad to say that I got over all of those illnesses, my energy level has not rebounded fully or even to the 50% energy I had in the early days of my IBD diagnosis. It has been six months now, so that is what prompted me to seek other options such as the GF diet. I have been on Prednisone for 4 months (and will be done with tapering off of it completely in a few more weeks). It gave me a false sense of energy, but also serious insomnia. My fatigue started well before I was on the Prednisone, so I don't think that's the source of my problem, though it has not helped it.

I was on 2,400 mg of Asacol HD for nearly two years to control gastro symptoms, but have remained without gastro symptoms since I got off of it about 6 weeks ago. The only meds I am still taking are 0.5 mg of Prednisone and also I take two packets of VSL#3DS probiotics.

Thanks and if you have any more ideas I welcome them! :)

I would suggest you look into LDN, low dose naltrexone (you can see the last post on the UC Rsources page).

It will help your UC (hopefully into remission), and will boost your immune system - which it sounds like you need.