TOPIC: New PMDD - Need Encour.;-also Gluten Intolerant

Hi,
I finally found a doc yesterday who believed me. He's running a bunch of blood-work, and then discussed information - in print - with me about PMDD. He knows it's real!! And it suddenly hit me like a brick - every single one of those symptoms IS ME for 2-3 weeks a month (I ovulate earlier than day 14).

The last 5 months have gotten so out of control, simple choices make me crawl into a hole. One day, after a screaming mental fit through the house, my poor new husband couldn't get me out of the fetal position on the floor for hours.

Ironically, my best friend was diagnosed last year, and she has had a wonderful response to Serafem. I am in such a crisis right now that I am going to start on Serafem for about half my cycle, as little as I can, but something to help get me started (I know meds are discouraged). But I plan to begin the cycle diet as well.

However, I have been gluten intolerant for 4 years, and already follow much of this diet, including no alcohol and no caffeine, little eating out. So I cannot have all the whole-wheat, whole-grain products. Any advice? I"m in such an overwhelmed stage right now, I cannot even fathom beginning this process. I think I will take it baby steps at a time. For me, switching to soy milk and dairy products will be the easiest thing and also biggest chunk of my diet.

Any encouragement is much appreciated.

Welcome Izalivis,

You are one lucky girl who's able to work with a physician who knows and understands PMDD-- Congratulations. BUT don't stop there, you will also need to find yourself a Gastroenterologist who specializes in Celiacs or Gluten intolerance if you haven't already. I've found many women who suffer from PMDD are also gluten intolerant or sensitive. You need to get a diagnosis for celiacs prior to going gluten free. But you don't necessarily have to have a positive diagnosis to be gluten sensitive.

The malabsorption and intestinal damage created by the gluten intolerance is the underlying CAUSE of your PMDD, so it's vitally important that you comply to a gluten free and probably lactose free diet at all times. This is the only way you will cure your PMDD as well as be able to live a healthy life -symptom free.

The Sarafem is only a band-aid for your PMDD symptoms and not the long-term solution. Right now I would suggest you look for a Celiacs support group regardless of a positive diagnosis at this time, (you will find a link to many groups in the Celiacs and Gluten forum towards the bottom of the board)

I've been working on a gluten free diet plan for the Cycle Diet but have much more work to do on it to verify gluten free products. (gluten is in everything!) You will find some wonderful website links that can help you find a local support group.

Avoiding gluten and lactose is not the only thing you need to be aware of, but you need to make sure you're getting a balanced diet, something that may go out the window when someone begins the gluten free diet.

Sorry I'm preaching here but you're one of those lucky women who knows the probable cause of your problems.

Feel free to share with us how things are going for you anytime you need.
Thanks for your wonderful post and I wish you the best of luck, always.

Well, I was diagnosed 4 years ago with gluten intolerance, and have been on a gluten free diet for that long. I have investigated every website, health food store, support group, internet information, calling stores and manufacturers, restaurants, etc. etc. So I"m already doing all of that. How can that be causing such PMDD now? My dietary habits have only improved over the years, not worsened. Cannot something else be the underlying cause? I mean, I noticed this huge change in me months ago when I stopped using natural progesterone cream the first 10 days of my cycle (my doc is aware of and addressing this issue as well).

I"m also confused by your post discussing gluten sensitivity/intolerance/celiac. You mention them all as separate things, but overlapping and meaning different things for the woman. And I've been followed by an allergist for 6 years, including multiple allergic testing, and not been told I was lactose intolerant.

Is the cycle diet something where every small change helps? Or is it an all-or-nothing issue?

THanks.

Hi,

Yes, they are different terms that have different meanings but are also encompassing. Please pardon my assumption, I would have hoped being gluten intolerant you would already be familiar with these terms, or have been taught by your support group or a dietitian specializing in Celiacs. You say you were diagnosed "gluten intolerant", but did you also receive a Celiac diagnosis?

A [b:a9e2156758]Gluten intolerance[/b:a9e2156758] equates to =Celiacs, based on an IgG and/or IgA immune response, but not necessarily an IgE response.
A [b:a9e2156758]Gluten allergy[/b:a9e2156758]=Celiacs and an IgE immune response with the possibility of an anaphylactic shock response.
A [b:a9e2156758]Gluten sensitivity[/b:a9e2156758]= is basically an IgA and maybe an IgG but not considered Celiacs. This can be brought on by stress or a suppressed immune system or the beginning of Celiacs.

-Most Celiacs are also lactose intolerant due to the villi damage, but once your intestines are healed dairy can be added back. Yogurts are low in lactose so should be well tolerated.

In order to be diagnosed Celiac you must have a positive IgG, IgA or positive transglutaminase (tTG) test, along with a positive biopsy.

There's also a group of people classified as "Latent Celiacs" who test negative but have family members with Celiacs that also show symptoms.

I would suggest you pick up a wonderful book by Dr. Peter Green called [i:a9e2156758]Celiacs Disease, A Hidden Epidemic[/i:a9e2156758]. He's a specialist at Columbia University in NYC who's also a researcher in this area. His book is very well written and should be required reading for anyone who suspects Celiacs or a gluten intolerance.

What tests did your doctor do? Did you tell him of your gluten intolerance?

If you're getting even small amounts of hidden gluten in your diet, you could be causing malabsorption problems for yourself up and down the intestines. So yes, you could be deficient in many areas even if your intakes are good. The most common mal-absorbed vitamins and minerals are B12, folate, Calcium and iron, these are normally absorbed in the areas commonly hit by Celiac disease in the upper part of the small intestines. I'm hoping your doctor is testing for these nutrients.

This is the problem with gluten sensitivity or Celiacs-- the malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals can manifest into other health problems.

Please read through the articles in the Celiacs forum for more detailed information and the article about food allergies. This might be helpful to clarify what is really an allergy and what is an intolerance.

If you want to have your current diet analyzed, please email me for an appointment to talk over the phone. I charge $25 for the diet analysis, and can give you some suggestions on areas that may be of help to you.

I will be moving this thread to the Cycle Diet support forum.