Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

I’m in pain


Chris butcher

Recommended Posts

Chris butcher Newbie

Why do I keep feeling pain when I eat foods 


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Scott Adams Grand Master

Welcome to the forum. Can you tell us more about your situation? Have you been diagnosed with celiac disease? Are you gluten-free? If so, for how long, and is your diet strict?

Chris butcher Newbie

My head is mashed up. I had a blood test done. And it came back has a positive celiac result. I’m waiting in having a camera put into my stomach hopefully soon. But I’m still waiting. I’m finding it a mine field getting the right foods in my life ATM but I’m feeling really bad pains every time I eat gluten free foods. I’m losing weight. And feel depressed 😔 I’m thinking about quitting my job 

I’ve never been on a forum before so I’m struggling with it and how to get around it. I’m not the best at tech. 

cristiana Veteran

Hi Chris

I am so sorry to hear you are in pain.

For clarity, are you saying that you can eat gluten containing food without it upsetting you, but gluten free food causes you pain?

Cristiana

Chris butcher Newbie

Yeah. I’m just finding my feet with it all. But I’m getting terrible stomachache and pains in my windpipe. I’ve change my diet to GLUTON FREE but along the way I think I’ve made mistakes and consumed GLUTON. is it normal to be keep having these pains. It’s depressing me. 

Chris butcher Newbie

HI Christina. Did you also have pains for a long time until you got it under control. 

trents Grand Master

Hi, Chris. The pains you feel are probably not in your windpipe but in your esophagus. They are very close together in the chest so it is easy to get them confuse. The esophagus is a tube that connects you throat to your stomach. If in fact there is pain in your windpipe when you eat you may be experiencing severe acid reflux.

Also, you should not start a gluten free diet until after they put the camera into your stomach. Actually, they push the camera through the stomach into the upper part of the intestines called the small bowel. Celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel and they will be looking for this damage. If you begin a gluten free diet ahead of that procedure, healing of the small bowel lining will start to take place and they may not be able to see the damage they are looking for. This would present a confusing diagnosis as it would be in conflict with the bloodwork. 

There are some ingredients that are commonly found in gluten free foods that cause distress for many people. One of them is xanthan gum.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



cristiana Veteran
(edited)

Hi @Chris butcher

@trents is right, you probably are having pain in your oesophagus.  Although I am on a strict gluten free diet, yes,  I do get bouts of it from time to time.  Mine appears to be related to reflux and/or gastritis. 

When it gets bad I try to go back to a very simple diet, eating food like white fish or really well cooked chicken (I put chicken breast in a pot in the oven with water, carrots and potatoes, with a few herbs thrown in, and slow cook it for about four hours on a low temperature, so that the meat is literally falling off the bone).  If you google reflux or gastritis diets you will see all sorts of suggestions and I suspect you will find them helpful.  Essentially, dropping spicy or fatty foods, acidic foods and coffee and tea for a while can be helpful, and avoiding alcohol.  Chamomile is very good for a sore stomach, we have Spanish family and it is go-to 'cure' for digestive symptoms!

Also, do you find foods repeat on you a lot?  You are burping quite a lot?  When that happens that hurts my throat and even my tongue and mouth.  I think it is all that pressure from my stomach, and not just stomach acid.  I had a lot of this kind of wind when I was first diagnosed and I found foods to avoid at that point were oats, soya and dairy which my system couldn't cope with temporarily.  I can eat them all now, but you might wish to keep a food diary and you will probably soon see a pattern is emerging of foods which cause you trouble. 

Frequent small meals are better than big ones - you don't want to over fill your stomach.  Also, try sleeping with a wedge pillow as that will stop acid creeping up into your throat, which can make it painful and tense.

My consultant recommended I used Gaviscon before I go to bed, it again stops the acid entering the throat and damaging it.  You might wish to try it after meals tool (I used Advanced and don't need to take too much). Try to have your last meal 2-3 hours before you sleep, as it is good not to go to bed on a full stomach.

One other thought - have you been put on iron supplements?  These can be hard on your stomach and certainly they make me feel very uncomfortable.  You might wish to ask your doctor to change your iron supplement to ferrous gluconate which is much easier on the system, or FLORAVITAL (don't whatever you do take Floradix, it has gluten in it!).  Other medication like aspirin or Ibuprofen, or even certain types of antibiotics, can cause burning stomach and throat.  Speak to your GP about any medication that might be causing symptoms.

I hope some of these tips might help, and that your endoscopy happens soon.  Please come back to us if we can help further.

And on the job front - you should start to feel better in time, once you have your diagnosis and you start to master the diet.  Do you have sympathetic employers who might be able to support you at this time?

Cristiana

 

 

Edited by cristiana
trents Grand Master

Antacid over the counter meds like Gaviscon and Tums don't keep the stomach acid from enter the esophagus and throat but they do lower the acid level (so that it isn't as irritating). And that's okay to do that on a limited basis but not constantly as lowering acid levels would also inhibit digestion of food.

Chris butcher Newbie

Thanks Trents. 
I’ve been having the pains for over 4 months I’d say maybe longer. But I’m scared now to even touch any Gluton due to the suffering it’s honestly awful pains I’m getting. Yes I’m thinking it’s my esophugus not my wind pipe. Is this pain normal for most people with the celiac disease 🦠 

I’m on ESOMEPRAZOLE for my acid reflux. Is this the right medicine for me??     

Chris butcher Newbie

Is it normal for me bring in bad pain every day.  Or is there something more sinister going on with my stomach. My doctors are not very good here in the UK 

trents Grand Master
(edited)
5 minutes ago, Chris butcher said:

Thanks Trents. 
I’ve been having the pains for over 4 months I’d say maybe longer. But I’m scared now to even touch any Gluton due to the suffering it’s honestly awful pains I’m getting. Yes I’m thinking it’s my esophugus not my wind pipe. Is this pain normal for most people with the celiac disease 🦠 

Acid Reflux/GERD is very common in the celiac population. Chris, you should get checked out for other gut maladies that are often found in the celiac population such as an H. Pylori infection or SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). You probably need an upper GI scoping to check for a hiatal hernia as well or an ulcer.

Edited by trents
cristiana Veteran
(edited)

I wonder if it is the same product in the States because, according to my gastroenterologist here in the UK and the NHS website, Gaviscon does help stop acid going up the throat.  

 

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/gaviscon/#:~:text=About Gaviscon,-Gaviscon can be&text=The medicine works by forming,and reduces pain and discomfort.

"Common questions about Gaviscon

1. About Gaviscon

Gaviscon can be used to treat heartburn (acid reflux) and indigestion.

The medicine works by forming a protective layer that floats on top of the contents of your stomach. This stops stomach acid escaping up into your food pipe. Gaviscon also contains an antacid that neutralises excess stomach acid and reduces pain and discomfort."

 

As well as neutralising acidity, of course.😊

Cristiana

 

Edited by cristiana
cristiana Veteran

@Chris butcher

Having seen a lot of posts on this forum over the years, it is a very common worry.  When one is feeling so unwell, it is not surprising one is thinking , "Can this just be coeliac disease?"  I certainly thought that.

But you know what, it could just be that, and if you have had it some time, it might take you a while to heal.

However, It is good you are having an endoscopy because you will then know if you have reflux or gastritis. They will also be able to see if your throat is inflamed.  I know it is easy to say but try not to worry - not knowing is really a difficult time, but once they have seen what the issue is, you can get the targeted treatment you need.

 

cristiana Veteran
(edited)

@Chris butcher

As you are feeling so unwell, it might be worth requesting a cancellation appointment from your hospital.   Perhaps worth ringing the hospital concerned and to speak to the booking team, to ask them to please contact you if anything comes through?  Do you know how much longer you have to wait?

But that aside,  I think because you are feeling so unwell you should go back to your doctor and let him/her know.  They might also be able to speed up your endoscopy?

Edited by cristiana

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,097
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    John.B
    Newest Member
    John.B
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.2k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Not sure if related to coeliac disease but my ear ringing  has stepped up a notch since diagnosis.  Even since a child silence really hurts my ears - there is always a really loud noise if there is no other noise in a quiet room - but my brain has learned to filter it out.  Since diagnosis in my forties I also get a metallic ringing in my ears, sometimes just one, sometimes both.  But it comes and goes.   My sister also suffers now, we are both in our fifties, but she is not a coeliac, so for all I know it could just be an age thing.  I do get occasional stabbing pain in my ears but that has been all my life, and I do appear to be vulnerable to outer ear infections too.  So not a particularly helpful reply here, but I suppose what I am trying to say is it might be related but then again it could just be one of those things.   I think in the UK where I live doctors like you to report if you get tinnitus in just the one ear.  I reported mine but no cause was found.  Most of the time it is nothing but sometimes it can have a cause that can be treated, so perhaps worth reporting to your GP.  
    • Scott Adams
      Welcome to the forum, and thank you for sharing your story! It sounds like you’ve been through an incredible journey with your health, and it’s no wonder you’re starting to piece things together and wonder about celiac disease. Your experiences—from childhood through adulthood—paint a picture of symptoms that are often associated with celiac disease, though they can overlap with other conditions as well. The recurring sinus infections, being underweight as a child, chronic gastrointestinal issues, nutrient-related symptoms like cramps, and the persistent fatigue and brain fog are all things that many people with undiagnosed celiac report. Your reactions to gluten also stand out. The improvement in symptoms when you reduce or remove gluten, followed by the resurgence of pain and other problems when you reintroduce it, is a common experience for those with celiac or gluten intolerance. While your frustrations and trials with elimination diets might not have given you concrete answers yet, they’ve provided valuable clues. It’s also worth noting that celiac disease doesn’t always present in the classic way. Many people, like yourself, may not experience severe gastrointestinal distress but instead have “atypical” or extraintestinal symptoms like joint pain, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, and more. It’s a condition that can go undiagnosed for years, especially when symptoms are subtle, sporadic, or mistakenly attributed to other issues. The fact that you’ve sought alternative approaches to feel better shows just how determined you’ve been to find relief, even without a definitive diagnosis. Given your history and how your body responds to gluten, it would be worth exploring celiac disease further with a medical professional. Before removing gluten completely, it’s important to get tested while you’re still eating it, as going gluten-free beforehand can affect the accuracy of the results. A blood test for celiac antibodies (like tTG-IgA) is usually the first step, and if positive, an endoscopy may follow to confirm the diagnosis. If the testing process feels daunting, keep in mind that getting answers could give you clarity and help guide your health decisions going forward. Whatever the outcome, you’ve already made significant strides in identifying triggers and managing your symptoms. Your awareness and persistence are key, and this community is here to support you as you continue to seek answers. This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of blood test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.    
    • More2Learn
      Hi, I am new!  (Although I've used this forum as a reference over the past couple of years.) I'm just looking for some initial reactions to if I actually might possibly have Celiac Disease, or if I'm reaching here.  I have had lifelong health issues and not once has a doctor suggested I look into celiac. I always thought it was basically an extreme allergy that needed an EpiPen, and I know that's not me.  However, I stumbled upon some symptoms, realized I was wrong, and after some research I'm almost shocked at what I have found.  It seems like anything I've ever struggled with has a potential correlation to this disease!  I'm in my 40's, now.  Here is my journey to date... Issues as a Kid: tons of allergies, and had sinus infections all the time... however I didn't have hayfever-like allergies and the scratch tests didn't register much, it was more that when I was exposed to allergens (like say I spent hours with a cat) I was certain to get a sinus infection and it lasted months. was extremely skinny and everyone always said I was anorexic (I wasn't) always getting sick and the illnesses hang on for a long time always cold (my favorite thing to do is sit in front of a space heater or be out in 90 degree weather) intermittent bad constipation (still happens but not as severe) horrible toe cramps that would wake me up in the middle of the night As I got older (teenage/college years): acid reflux diagnosis learned that beer made me EXTREMELY sick, cannot tolerate it horrible issues with menstrual cycle - I wasn't regular, had awful cramps and PMS, sometimes cannot function the first couple of days night terrors/sleep walking more stomach issues - I learned I couldn't have black coffee.  I often had issues especially when traveling.  For example I finally noticed a pattern that I could never, ever eat at a hotel buffet spread - it would always make me sick afterwards. More recent problems: always tired periodic pain on right side that can be so painful I can't stand up straight. Have had all kinds of scans and doctors always say I'm fine.  I was so sure I had gallstones or my liver was failing but... nope. chest pain brain fog not diagnosed but many, many ADHD symptoms lots of inflammation, am overweight now toe cramps evolved into leg/calf cramps None of my symptoms from any era of my life ever really resolved, except I went from being skinny to ~20/30 pounds overweight, and as I got older I got less outright sinus infections.  Largely due to the pain in my right side and the fact that I always, always seem to pick up every illness, especially when traveling, I started pursuing alternative medicine paths... I did the Pritikin lifestyle, I tried an elimination diet, I followed the Root Cause Protocol, I did a Leptin reset.  A lot of these paths recommend removing gluten, and in the past year or so some of my symptoms have gone away!  Specifically less issues with toe cramps, sometimes the side pain would go away for a long time, and my acid reflux got much better.  But, because I was never diagnosed with any specific intolerance, I wasn't militant about the gluten - I had cut out dairy, soy, all kinds of things.  So I would say cross-contamination is ok, or make an exception at a group outing. Then one day, I just got frustrated and ate some normal slices of pizza... and my side pain came back!  I started doing research and now I'm here and wondering... could I have actually had this my whole life??!? Thoughts and observations welcome.           
    • Wheatwacked
      "grass-fed" meat by definition cannot contain wheat as it means the animal is only fed grass  organic meat can be fed wheat feed
    • Scott Adams
      Your symptoms would not be typical celiac disease symptoms, but still could be related due to possible nutrient deficiencies.  The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.      
×
×
  • Create New...