Frequent Belching continues despite being 10 mo. Gluten free

[MJ Crowley]

Hello everyone - especially Seniors,

I am an active and healthy senior woman (77) diagnosed 11 months ago with Celiac (IgG, IgA positive blood test; HLA DQ8 gene; positive endoscopy).  I have been gluten free for 10 months.  My entire digestive system feels so much better - no more bloated belly or gas pains, no more constipation.  However, what drove me to the gastroenterologist -  frequent deep belching and burping (even after just drinking water) -  has not improved at all. In fact it seems to be getting worse.  I have tried stopping supplements, various foods, did a fod-map diet etc.   One does not see very many references to frequent belching as a symptom of celiac.  I do not have heart burn.  Has anyone else had this experience?   Since I ate gluten all my life, this diagnosis was a surprise.  Am I just impatient about the length of time healing will take?    And yes, I keep a gluten free kitchen and read all my labels.    Any thoughts or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, MJ!

Complete healing of the small bowel villi takes an average of about two years. That said, I would be more concerned if you weren't belching or your belches were wee little ones all the time. I say this because it could indicate you have low stomach acid. We often see this, particularly with those who have been on PPI (proton pump inhibitor) therapy for acid reflux.

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum!

Have you tried any probiotics? also many people with celiac disease have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Are you taking some good B complex vitamin supplements, vitamin D, magnesium citrate, Thiamine, etc.?

[MJ Crowley]

27 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

Welcome to the forum!

Have you tried any probiotics? also many people with celiac disease have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Are you taking some good B complex vitamin supplements, vitamin D, magnesium citrate, Thiamine, etc.?

Thank you for the reply.   Yes, I have taken all you mentioned plus, Vitamin K, CoQ10, and Ganoderma Lucidum for many years. I recently did a cellular level deficiencies test which indicated low B-12 and B 7.  In February I began taking just those since when I tried the doctor recommended B-complex, it irritated my interstitial cystitis.  Also added a mineral supplement.  Belching has gotten worse since adding the latter items.  I'm just not sure the belching is related to the celiac at all?  I do have a small hiatal hernia, but the Dr. said it was too small to cause problems.

[tessa25]

Flamingo B complex gummies do not bother my IC when taken with food.

[cristiana]

I suffer from this from time to time.  I think I may have found the solution for me - that that if I take two or three days of a PPI (omeprazole or similar) it seems to help.  I also suffer from gastritis and I think this belching comes before any other symptoms of gastritis become noticeable, in my case a burning stomach.

[MJ Crowley]

12 hours ago, tessa25 said:

Flamingo B complex gummies do not bother my IC when taken with food.

Thanks.

[Posterboy]

On 3/6/2021 at 2:01 PM, MJ Crowley said:

Hello everyone - especially Seniors,

I am an active and healthy senior woman (77) diagnosed 11 months ago with Celiac (IgG, IgA positive blood test; HLA DQ8 gene; positive endoscopy).  I have been gluten free for 10 months.  My entire digestive system feels so much better - no more bloated belly or gas pains, no more constipation.  However, what drove me to the gastroenterologist -  frequent deep belching and burping (even after just drinking water) -  has not improved at all. In fact it seems to be getting worse.  I have tried stopping supplements, various foods, did a fod-map diet etc.   One does not see very many references to frequent belching as a symptom of celiac.  I do not have heart burn.  Has anyone else had this experience?   Since I ate gluten all my life, this diagnosis was a surprise.  Am I just impatient about the length of time healing will take?    And yes, I keep a gluten free kitchen and read all my labels.    Any thoughts or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

MJ,

My guess is for Ulcers???

11 hours ago, cristiana said:

I suffer from this from time to time.  I think I may have found the solution for me - that that if I take two or three days of a PPI (omeprazole or similar) it seems to help.  I also suffer from gastritis and I think this belching comes before any other symptoms of gastritis become noticeable, in my case a burning stomach.

Often it is a cristiana describes it can feel like a "a burning stomach"....or as I have described it....someone is putting a cigarette butt out in your stomach...

It is from a H. Pylori infection..... here is an article about it...

https://www.healthline.com/health/excessive-burping#h-pylori-infection

H. Pylori happens when we get too Low in stomach acid or can  no longer produce it ourselves...(which is more common as we age)

Here is an article that explains well why we get ulcers when our Stomach Acid get's low...

https://www.hhmi.org/news/excessive-growth-bacteria-may-also-be-major-cause-stomach-ulcers

Mastic Gum has been shown to be helpful for H. Pylori....

Drinking Cabbage juice is considered a  home remedy for it.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,

[GFinDC]

On 3/6/2021 at 3:01 PM, MJ Crowley said:

Hello everyone - especially Seniors,

I am an active and healthy senior woman (77) diagnosed 11 months ago with Celiac (IgG, IgA positive blood test; HLA DQ8 gene; positive endoscopy).  I have been gluten free for 10 months.  My entire digestive system feels so much better - no more bloated belly or gas pains, no more constipation.  However, what drove me to the gastroenterologist -  frequent deep belching and burping (even after just drinking water) -  has not improved at all. In fact it seems to be getting worse.  I have tried stopping supplements, various foods, did a fod-map diet etc.   One does not see very many references to frequent belching as a symptom of celiac.  I do not have heart burn.  Has anyone else had this experience?   Since I ate gluten all my life, this diagnosis was a surprise.  Am I just impatient about the length of time healing will take?    And yes, I keep a gluten free kitchen and read all my labels.    Any thoughts or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hi MJ,

Many people with celiac are lactose intolerant at first.  So it may help to stop eating all dairy for a while.

Celiac disease can cause damage to the small intestine which can lead to bacterial imbalance in the gut.  Cutting out dairy, sugar, and carbs may reduce gassiness.  Peppermint tea can help relieve stomach gas.  It makes it easier to burp.

Often it seems people do better on a whole food diet of meats, veggies, nuts, eggs and fruit.   Avoiding processed foods is helpful even if they are gluten-free.

Betaine HCL can help with digestion and also digestive enzymes.

I hope you feel better soon.

[cristiana]

Just to add... H. Pylori is definitely a cause of gastritis but in my case I've had three scopes with multiple samples/biopsies taken and they've never found it.  Perhaps it is well hidden!  I tend to get gastric symptoms when I'm accidentally glutened, when I take certain medication (anti-biotics and NSAIDS) and also if I over indulge in cake and other rich goodies. 

I can't recall if this has been said but you may best to avoid oats (even the pure oats, which are gluten-free) for about six months. Then try to introduce them again.  A lot of coeliacs tolerate them but a few of us don't - in fact, I'm one of the minority that can't.

Another thing is when I have these burping episodes I find it really helps if I only sip water at meal times but take in my fluid a while after eating.  I find this helps my digestion.  

 

[MJ Crowley]

13 hours ago, Posterboy said:

MJ,

My guess is for Ulcers???

Often it is a cristiana describes it can feel like a "a burning stomach"....or as I have described it....someone is putting a cigarette butt out in your stomach...

It is from a H. Pylori infection..... here is an article about it...

https://www.healthline.com/health/excessive-burping#h-pylori-infection

H. Pylori happens when we get too Low in stomach acid or can  no longer produce it ourselves...(which is more common as we age)

Here is an article that explains well why we get ulcers when our Stomach Acid get's low...

https://www.hhmi.org/news/excessive-growth-bacteria-may-also-be-major-cause-stomach-ulcers

Mastic Gum has been shown to be helpful for H. Pylori....

Drinking Cabbage juice is considered a  home remedy for it.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,

Thanks Posterboy, 

 I have had at least 3 negative H.Pylori tests over the past 3 years, the last one in October 2020.  The scope also confirmed negative for H. Pylori.

Appreciate your thoughts, however.

MJ

[MJ Crowley]

9 hours ago, GFinDC said:

Hi MJ,

Many people with celiac are lactose intolerant at first.  So it may help to stop eating all dairy for a while.

Celiac disease can cause damage to the small intestine which can lead to bacterial imbalance in the gut.  Cutting out dairy, sugar, and carbs may reduce gassiness.  Peppermint tea can help relieve stomach gas.  It makes it easier to burp.

Often it seems people do better on a whole food diet of meats, veggies, nuts, eggs and fruit.   Avoiding processed foods is helpful even if they are gluten-free.

Betaine HCL can help with digestion and also digestive enzymes.

I hope you feel better soon.

I have been dairy free (with the exception of occasional cheese) since 2005 and have also tried Betaine HCL - although not since going gluten free.   It's possible I have some SIBO and I did a round of Rifaximin treatment 2 years ago prior to getting the Celiac diagnosis.  Perhaps I am just impatient for my digestive system to heal. I have found few people being troubled by all day long belching (with no heartburn).  Perhaps I should be grateful that it is the only symptom.

Thanks for your thoughts,

MJ

[MJ Crowley]

4 hours ago, cristiana said:

Just to add... H. Pylori is definitely a cause of gastritis but in my case I've had three scopes with multiple samples/biopsies taken and they've never found it.  Perhaps it is well hidden!  I tend to get gastric symptoms when I'm accidentally glutened, when I take certain medication (anti-biotics and NSAIDS) and also if I over indulge in cake and other rich goodies. 

I can't recall if this has been said but you may best to avoid oats (even the pure oats, which are gluten-free) for about six months. Then try to introduce them again.  A lot of coeliacs tolerate them but a few of us don't - in fact, I'm one of the minority that can't.

Another thing is when I have these burping episodes I find it really helps if I only sip water at meal times but take in my fluid a while after eating.  I find this helps my digestion.  

 

Gluten-free oats are a mainstay of my diet.  Perhaps you are right, and I will have to give them up for awhile.  It's the one food I've never tried giving up.   That will be tough...(even worse than giving up sugar).  I will also try leaving fluid intake to after eating.   Thanks,  MJ

[Scott Adams]

Many celiacs, including myself, are diagnosed with H. Pylori at the time of their celiac diagnosis. I was given antibiotics for it at the time, but clearly the reason I had this issue was the condition of my intestines at that time.

[icelandgirl]

Hi MJ!

I have had this deep belching issue before as well!  In my chart, my Dr put it down as eructation.  I wound up doing some elimination stuff to figure out what was going on, which isn't all that fun to do, but it was worth it in the end. 

I found that my probiotic was part of the problem.  It contained inulin and I just can't digest it properly.  I've since then switched to a different probiotic and it's much better.  I also found that carrageenan is an issue for me.  It's added to a number of things including yogurt, ice cream, etc.  I can still have those items as long as they don't have carrageenan.  Finally, at the time I was drinking almond milk and eating a lot of almonds (trying to be healthy) and as it turns out, that was an issue for me as well.

These may not be things that bother your digestive system, but sometimes doing an elimination diet is very helpful in determining what is.  As a woman, I also did not feel comfortable going around with this huge, loud belches all day.

I hope that you get some relief!

[trents]

Inulin is included in many, many health-oriented snacks and foods these days like protein bars and energy bars. Almost any prepared snack food that has high fiber content will have inulin, usually made from chicory root. These are sugar alcohols that are indigestible and notorious for giving many people gas and bloating.

[icelandgirl]

1 minute ago, trents said:

Inulin is included in many, many health-oriented snacks and foods these days like protein bars and energy bars. Almost any prepared snack food that has high fiber content will have inulin, usually made from chicory root. These are sugar alcohols that are indigestible and notorious for giving many people gas and bloating.

That's true.  At the time I didn't know that inulin and chicory root fiber were the same thing.  I knew from previous experience that chicory root and I did not get along.  Switching to a probiotic without inulin was very helpful for me!

[AnnaNZ]

Hi MJ

I wonder if you will read this 3 years on... did your burping ever cease? Did you figure it out?