So, I ran a little experiment the other day. It was during my chocolate addiction week and I figured I could get away with it, since the huge amounts of chocolate didn’t seem to have any immediate consequences….. Little did I know!
To tell this story, I must however begin with how it all started. About 9months ago, I went into a Gluten Free shop, actually looking for some more interesting grains to add to my home-made muesli. Upon talking to the shop owner, she suggested that I displayed many of the symptoms of someone who was gluten intolerant. I didn’t really want to believe it or acknowledge it but a part of me also felt compelled to research the whole idea of gluten intolerance. I did and I was shocked to discover the close connection between Gluten intolerance and Endometriosis. You can watch the video on my thoughts, way back then….
Anyways, so it took me a good few months to finally decide to experiment on whether or not I was gluten intolerant. I ate no gluten for 2 weeks and then had a big bowl of pasta. The reaction was immediate. I got bloated, headachy and just felt tired. It was decided…. I was gluten intollerant! Now, I had the arborious task of trying to eat gluten free, when my diet had so many yummy gluten filled foods in it!
Well, it has been 9months and I had been 98% gluten free. I account for 2% which goes on some sauces and little bits and pieces within what we eat that contain gluten.
I must tell you that the results have been amazing!
One of the main things that has happened is that I have lost that bloaty, spodgy look – you know what I mean… kinda plumpy looking but not really fat? The most impressive thing that I have lost is the little stomach I used to always have. I mean this is huge! I had honestly tried so many things to get rid of it for years – I even bought the Ab Circle Pro! 
Nothing worked and I just landed up buying shirts to cover my slightly podgy stomach. I just took it as part of my body or part of having endo.
I also lost heaps of weight – probably cos I couldn’t eat biscuits anymore! I also have better digestion and don’t get as tired as easily!
Little did I know…. it was the gluten all along!
So, getting back to my story about the chocolate cake. James and I went out for a nice dinner and I ordered a salad, which unfortunately wasn’t quite enough, so I thought I would treat myself and have some dessert – something I have honestly not had in months! – normally I opt for Lemon Sorbet. So, I ordered a piece of chocolate cake for us to share. It was honestly so delicious! It was moist and tasty and rich and sweet and well…. I won’t go on too much cos some of you are just starting out on the gluten free thing and I don’t want to make it too hard! I really thought it would be okay and that I would maybe feel a little bloated but that I could overcome it.
Well, about 30minutes later, I honestly felt like absolute crap! – Best word to describe it! My stomach swelled up and I looked like I was pregnant! I got this instant feeling like I needed to go to the toilet, there was pressure down there! Off I went to the toilet but the bloating and full feeling didn’t go away…..it got worse!
I went home and tried everything I could think of – ginger tea, camomile tea, omega 3 oil and eating dates to encourage movement! Nothing worked! I was bloated, tired, irritated and sore. So sore! I had forgotten what sore felt like…..and this was a loud and expressive: SORE! Swelling, pulsing and that overly bloated feeling all came back to me!
I really didn’t think I would have such a severe reaction or I wouldn’t have had the cake! It was not worth all this pain!
It took me a whole 2 days to recover from this one piece of cake and I will never doubt the connection between gluten and endometriosis ever again! The two simply don’t mix well!
I know we are not all gluten intolerant but it has been proven that girls with Endometriosis are more likely to have these affects as we suffer from poor digestion.
You can get a blood test to assess if you are gluten intolerant or you can do what I did and follow the two week test – don’t eat it for two weeks and then add a whole heap and test your results. That means, no barley, oats, flour (unless it tastes gluten free) and avoid soy sauce and sweets – many are made with wheat flour.
I know it is hard initially and there are many things to temp us – biscuits at work were my hardest! Thing is, the results I have experienced have been amazing! Unbelievable in fact! I will never go back to gluten – that piece of chocolate cake proved how important sticking to gluten free for Endo is!
What is your experience with gluten and endo? Do you recognise the response in your body? Does it affect you? Love to hear your thoughts!
Author of Cure Endometriosis & Eating with Mel.
I’ve been eating gluten free for about 7 weeks now. I’ve been on the endo diet for the same amount of time. I’m hoping this next period will prove to be less painful! =] I do still eat oats though. Take a look at this link for oat and gluten relation. http://www.livestrong.com/article/366274-do-steel-cut-oats-contain-gluten/
How often do you eat sugar desserts Mel? I’ve been cutting it out as completely as I can. I even make my own sugar and diary free hot cocoa! =] Also I went to a market close to home called Whole Foods and they had the dates with almonds covered in coconut, I remember you mentioning them and I got so excited when I saw them that I bought them on a whim and boy are they great!
Hi Rachel,
Well done for sticking to the endo diet for 7 weeks already! That is fabulous. I have always debated the oats thing and I am keen to test them again on myself. The only way to know is really to cut them out for a period of time and then add them in and see how your body reacts. Some people seem to be fine on oats while others say they still get a bad reaction. Maybe it is also the way we prepare them. I have heard that soaking them the night before really helps with the digestion part.
Sugar used to be the same tempter to me too when I first started. I personally think it is actually a sign of Candida overgrowth, that we miss it so much – maybe even an emotional healer of sorts too
I think the fuzz balls are fine – even those should only be in small amounts. Promise you won’t miss them nearly as much in a few months
I barely eat them now – only on special occasions and then the cravings last for days again afterwards…. better without them
YES! I cut out gluten towards the end of November last year, and I have never ever felt better. I used to take so many painkillers supposedly for endometriosis pain, but now that’s all gone. I haven’t had a single moment of pain since changing my diet, and it used to be almost daily. Incredible
Wow Stacy! That is awesome to hear and that it made such a big difference!
Hi Mel,
I cut out gluten a year ago and feel so much better. Not sure whether you’ve seen this. But here is some recent research re: celiac disease and endometriosis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21840904
Hi Tani,
Makes sense really!
No hadn’t seen this one! Thanks for sharing! Quite interesting
Hiya
The same applies to me, gluten does me no favours and within 24 hours of cutting it out I have a noticeable improvement. But it is SO hard to stick to. I seem to love all the things which are bad for me
I saw an excellent nutritionist in the UK who writes specifically about endo and diet. She recommended I avoid gluten and I was shocked at how much difference it made. Not only did the pain reduce, it felt as though I could think more clearly and I felt ‘lighter’ somehow.
I had a test for coeliac disease but it came back negative, however my understanding is you can still be gluten intolerant without being coeliac…. all I know is how I feel when I avoid it and that speaks louder than any test result. I just wish endo didn’t mean a lifetime off the baguettes and cakes!!
Right, this post has prompted me to make a concerted effort to reduce the gluten in my diet again! Good luck to anyone else who tries it.
Emma
Hello, I have gluten intolerance as well. My side effects are a little different from yours Mellisa. I have the bloating but the worst part of it I have severe pain in my stomach and a low grade fever as well… I can also have diarrhea and vomiting depending how my body reacts.( sorry for using strong words).
Does anyone else have these symptoms or others…?
Thanks for the such great blog Melissa!!!
God Bless
Hi Olga, well that is much more distinctive! At least you will be guaranteed to never go back on gluten! My pleasure
Hi Melissa – I have been gluten free for a little over a year now and I will never ever go back! I gave it a try to address my thyroid problems and I’m sure it has helped with the endo too. Like you my bloating/digestion improved but also my MOOD made a dramatic swing for the better. While there are some good GF alternatives you can buy if you really feel the need for something like a pizza or cookie, one of the best things is it forces you into a more whole-foods diet (wheat and barley ingredients seem to be most processed foods – even ones you might not think). I would encourage readers just to give it a try like you did – don’t get caught up in thinking it’s the trendy thing to do and it won’t help. Just give it a go and see if you don’t feel better. Now, if I could only be as disciplined with giving up caffeine and chocolate!
Totally relate to that one Mary! I totally agree with you – it encourages more fruit and veg cos those seem to be the healthiest and safest options!