Sounds like celiac to me! Classic case at that. Check out www.celiac.com

 

Defenitely check out if you have celiac disease. It's simple.
I have the same problems as you do, akthough I tested negative for celiac. I was diagnosed with IBS four years ago, about the time I introduced legumes and whole grains into my diet. They told me to eat more bread for the fiber, but I knew bread made me feel worse.
How do you prepare your whole grains?
When you eat meat do you also eat the fat or do you choose lean cuts?
Your symptoms are very much IBS, but there are no same person with this condition and likely we have different causes.

There's a great article on IBS (as well as other digestive complaints like constipation) on www.westonaprice.org. Click to enter on the picture on the first page. Choose "Ask the Doctor" to your left.

I would try and see what happens if you cut out heavy carbs, like all grains, as well as legumes for some time. I usually get bloated from starchy foods. Make sure to increase fat in your diet to make up for the loss of energy. Good fats are all animal fats, as well as olive, coconut and small amounts of flax oil.

 

Thanks morsan and Satori,
I don't worry too much about fat, I use a lot of olive oil and don't trim off much fat from meat. We only buy whole grain pasta, bread etc and eat only brown rice. I also try to vary the types of grains we use. My son was tested for celiac disease (it came out negative) when he was small but I've never been tested. I have an appt. with a gastroenterologist but not until April. I have heard that Chinese medicine practitioners are often helpful for digestive problems so I am looking into that. I am starting to experiment with a lower carb diet but I really worry about whether its healthy. The information on IBS is so convoluted. Each piece of advice seems to contradict every other piece. I guess I'm just really tired of feeling awful and I don't know what I should try next. BTW, I am pretty active but I've been carrying around about 20 extra pounds since having babes. I am still nursing my dd. Even though I'm exercising a lot I can't seem to lose the weight.

 

Have you seen any Naturopathic doctor?
If u haven't....I'd highly recommend my ND.I think he is a right doctor for you in this matter.He is an author of 4 books...some of his books called" Eating alive ; prevention thru good disgestion"
Dr.Jonn Matsen -tel:604 986 7774.He is in North Vancouver.Very nice guy.

 

There's plenty of proof that a low-carb diet is indeed healthy. Especially considering that you can't loose weight despite exercising heavily. But you need to be in tune with your body because every body is different. Most of us has overloaded on carbs which has bad effects on blood sugar mechanisms in the body. I thought I could never do without carbs (because I was addicted) but I feel so much better when cutting out the heavy ones. I have different days and the best ones are those that I eat no grains or very little, especially no bread, even the "wholesome" stuff.
You shouldn't cut out all carbs, just the ones that make you feel bad. To get an idea of what could be causing problems, use a GI index, and then start fooling around. As long as you don't become fanatic there's nothing to fear. I suggest you read different sources on this topic and don't dive into Atkins or other fad diets. The reason there's so many diets out there is because everyone is so different.
Many people with GI problems that I've come across on discussion forums have been greatly improved by cutting out heavy carbs (esp pasta and bread, even whole grains). The only way you'll know if it's for you is by trying it.
High index carbs often cause over-weight as well as blood sugar problems.
A good place to start would be www.mercola.com and www.westonaprice.org (this is not a low-carb site but has very good info on traditional diets, and some good discussion forums where many people adhere to a low-carb diet).
Some may say that you don't need to compensate for the loss of carbs with a gain in fats, but I beg to differ. I consider it dangerous to not increase your fat intake when lowering carb consumption. However, some people do gain weight when eating lots of fat so again it's individual. Eat as much as you crave. My husband lost 20 pounds while cutting out grains and consuming lard, beef tallow and lots of fatty meat. Plus got rid of the heartburn.

Josefina.