IC Disease

It is common for Interstitial Cystitis patients to also suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome so when I found this post on a wheat-free diet I was hopeful.  The reviews by women who have taken all wheat products out of their diet are having amazing results:  their IBS has improved and their symptoms have been eliminated. 

What really caught my attention from reading Anne’s story was that she suffered from chronic headaches, which is something that I suffer from and can’t seem to get rid of.  Once she eliminated wheat from her diet she no longer had headaches.  I admit that I am a little afraid to go wheat free because I am a bread eater and I love to eat wheat products, but if it helped these women maybe it will help me, too.

Here’s what both IBS sufferers had to say about their symptoms and their wheat-free diet experiences:

I have had trouble with chronic diarrhea and trouble gaining weight all my life, as well as headaches. (Well, the trouble gaining weight went away as I aged.) I even had trouble gaining weight when pregnant. I also had skin problems (rosacea, for one), energy highs and lows and low blood sugar. Also, lactose intolerance. Keep in mind that I am a health nut eating good, wholesome foods with lots of fiber, taking supplements and I am physically active.

As I entered my 50s I started having problems with what seemed to be rheumatoid arthritis (symmetrical pain in my hands and feet) and then leg cramps, but I tested negative for rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor really was little help. This summer my cousin told me she tested positive for celiac disease and that since it is hereditary I should look up the symptoms on the NIH website. (I had been told by my dermatologist that I should get tested as well.) I put off looking at the symptoms (not wanting to imagine avoiding gluten) and boy was I surprised to see all of my symptoms listed, including the symmetrical pains in my hands and feet, leg cramps and inability to gain weight in pregnancy.

Although I tested negative for celiac I went on a gluten-free diet anyway. What a difference! Normal bowel movements every single day, all the pain is gone, my energy level is consistent and I feel great. There are so many great gluten-free products in my grocery store that it is just a minor inconvenience, but well worth it. After six weeks I tried a bagel to see what response I would get and it wasn’t pretty. It has been about three months now and I feel wonderful. I have also noticed my waist has returned after disappearing when I turned 50.

Here is Louise’s story:

I have had bowel problems over many years. I suffer with a prolapsed bowel and general digestive problems (bloating, gas and constipation). My doctor has said that any bowel problem that is irregular is IBS. He does not believe that food intolerances exist and when I asked if I should try a wheat-free diet he said it was up to me. He advised high fiber but that makes my stomach swell.
I’ve been on a wheat-free diet for three weeks now and my muscle pains have reduced, my extremely bad headaches have gone and my tummy feels better. A few days ago I gave myself a day off and ate anything! I woke in the early hours with what I can only describe as a migraine which lasted all day and severe tiredness. Could this have been down to the wheat in the food I ate? Who knows, but I’m not willing to take that risk again.

You can read more great wheat-free diet reviews on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment website.