Could there be something more than my Celiac disease causing painful symptoms? stomach pain, nausea, headache?

Over a month ago I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and began a strict gluten free diet. I still have stomach pain, nausea, headaches and severe fatigue almost all the time. I am only 16 years old and have a very healthy diet. My doctor reccomended staying away from dairy for a few months because celiac disease can cause temporary lactose intolerance that can contribute to symptoms. I've cut out dairy for weeks and feel no better. Is it possible that there is something else contributing to my pain like some other disease or condition? The doctor has no idea why I am feeling so much nausea and said that after less than a month most people who have Celiac disease feel much better. I don't. Sometimes I have these really painful gas pains in my intestine on the left side and I have felt my stomach and it feels like my intestine is hard and lumpy on the left side.

I would say give it more time. Most celiac patients see relief in 2-6 weeks, HOWEVER it can take soem months, even years to heal the damage to the intestines. I assume you had blood work and/or an endoscopy ti diagnose the Celiac and your doc is familiar with Celiac and all its applications?
You could be eating gluten and not realize it. It can take much time to learn all the names for gluten and learn how to follow the diet.
Also, cutting out the gluten and the dairy can be quite a shock to your system and in turn cause the nausea, etc. Especially if u are replacing the dairy with soy, which can cause these symptoms in some ppl. And fake sugars (often found in "health" foods) can cause the symptoms listed.

I would say give it some more time and then see your doc again. He should do follow up blood work and possibly a secondary endoscopy to assure your villa are healing anyway.
These sites should help, feel free to email me for further info.

Most patients don't start having relief until about 6 weeks after going on a gluten free diet. The small intestine does not completely heal until 3-6 months after the start of the diet. Healed meaning you now have villi in your intestine again to absorb the nutrients into your blood stream. Since the treatment does not seem to be working you could have,unresponsive celiac disease. The most common reason for poor response is that small amounts of gluten are still present in the diet. Advice from a dietitian who is skilled in educating patients about the gluten-free diet is essential to achieve the best results. If you think there could still be a problem talk to your doctor again. Best of luck.

First of all stay with the gluten free diet. Keep it as simple as you can with the emphasis on fresh foods non processed with anything. Do you drink sodas? Sometimes a change in diet can cause you to drink more and if it is carbonated, then it could cause excess gas. So in the meantime, stay with the diet, keep a food/drink diary and work with the doctor to see what else it could be. Drink plenty of water and get on a good gluten free multivitamin to help your body rebuild. Good luck and let us know on here how you are doing.

As far as the Celiac Disease and going gluten free, it does take some time. You may want to check to make sure that you aren't getting any gluten. Sometimes that gluten can be secreted in some pretty sneaky places. Luckily for my husband I have food allergies so I've always been a label reader but even still I have missed things.

I know you said that you are only 16 years old. That pain, nausea, hardness and lumpiness on your left side concern me, though. Here are some questions and please don't get embarrassed. Are you on birth control pills? When was the last time you went in for a gyno appointment? Do you have painful periods? Celiac Disease and polycystic ovarian disease have been linked. I don't want to tell you this is what is wrong, but it does warrant having it checked out. It could be that you have BENIGN (meaning not cancerous but still uncomfortable) cysts on your ovaries.

My husband has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease but I had polycystic ovarian disease. I had the same symptoms you're having. It was really upsetting. Unfortunately, it wasn't diagnosed in time and my husband and I were never able to have children. I was forced to have a major hysterectomy at age 40. I may be completely wrong about your situation, but it doesn't hurt to have it checked out.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Perhaps a small abrasion on the small intestine or possibly an ulcer.

I'm sure you're aware of the major types of foods that have gluten in them (breads and such), but here are some foods that do have gluten that you wouldn't think:

Twizzlers (crazy huh?), soy sauce, oatmeal, some multi-vitamins, salad dressings, and much more.

Be sure to check the label on EVERYTHING you put into your stomach. Even if you're switching to a different brand, they may make the product a little different. Good luck, I know how hard it is, especially when you're only 16...