Jump to content

  • 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

What's Really Going On In There?

Sulevismom

Recommended Posts

Sulevismom Apprentice
Sulevismom
Posted

HI!

Whenever I get glutened I wonder about what is really going on. How is it that damage to my intestines results in:

bloating,

cramps,

joint pain,

anxiety,

fatigue,

depression,

head fog?

So, what causes the bloating: is it some kind of chemical reaction which causes gas? If so, what kind of chemical reaction? My glutening gas has a particular odour. Why? How much of the bloating is due to constipation? What causes that? Why does the digestive system shut down as it does for me or cause diarrhea as it does for others?

What causes the painful cramping? Do we have nerve cells on the inside of our intestines?

What about joint pain: does that have to do with nutrient deficiencies or does it have more to do with the autoimmune response in the body?

And how about the anxiety? How does a glutening affect the brain? Is it again the autoimmune response, or what?

The fatigue?! That's the big one for me, as a mom to a toddler needs her energy! Why so tired? What's happening throughout the body that makes it such an effort to lift a finger?

Depression: why do the eyes feel like crying, as if I'm cutting onions. And my heart so devastated?

Finally, the head fog. Is it that the neurons aren't firing as quickly? If so, why?

I appreciate any response I get to any of these questions, no matter how scientifically full of jargon. I know to expect that it's probably the case that the scientific/medical community doesn't yet have answers to all these questions, but if anyone knows more information, or has theories, that would be great!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Kim Hopkins Rookie
Kim Hopkins
Posted

Lots of great questions...the trouble is, so little is known for sure at this time. Regarding the depression link, check out this article (https://www.celiac.com/articles/21547/1/The-Celiac-Disease---Depression-Connection/Page1.html - I tried to hyperlink it, but it wouldn't work!), which describes a study where the results demonstrated that "intestinal mucosal dysfunction marked by...leaky gut (a very common occurrence with celiac disease)...plays a role in the inflammatory pathophysiology of depression." Also, this article (https://www.celiac.com/articles/21758/1/Gluten-Sensitivity-and-Depression/Page1.html) might be interesting - it describes how, after the digestive track, the nervous system is the next in line as the most affected by gluten. This may explain symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The article discusses how blood flow to the brain can also be effected, which may explain brain fog.

I would also recommend the book "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. It clearly makes the link between a disrupt in the gut flora (which is common in people with celiac disease), brain functioning, and each of the symptoms you listed. Dr. Campbell-McBride is a proponent of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, as discussed in the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall...another good read.

I have experienced the same symptoms as you, most of which went away with the gluten-free diet. However, 5 years into it, some of the symptoms came back. It was then that I learned about candida and gut health in general. When I started paying attention to and treating these things, my symptoms went away again.

Hope that is helpful and best of luck!

Kim

HI!

Whenever I get glutened I wonder about what is really going on. How is it that damage to my intestines results in:

bloating,

cramps,

joint pain,

anxiety,

fatigue,

depression,

head fog?

So, what causes the bloating: is it some kind of chemical reaction which causes gas? If so, what kind of chemical reaction? My glutening gas has a particular odour. Why? How much of the bloating is due to constipation? What causes that? Why does the digestive system shut down as it does for me or cause diarrhea as it does for others?

What causes the painful cramping? Do we have nerve cells on the inside of our intestines?

What about joint pain: does that have to do with nutrient deficiencies or does it have more to do with the autoimmune response in the body?

And how about the anxiety? How does a glutening affect the brain? Is it again the autoimmune response, or what?

The fatigue?! That's the big one for me, as a mom to a toddler needs her energy! Why so tired? What's happening throughout the body that makes it such an effort to lift a finger?

Depression: why do the eyes feel like crying, as if I'm cutting onions. And my heart so devastated?

Finally, the head fog. Is it that the neurons aren't firing as quickly? If so, why?

I appreciate any response I get to any of these questions, no matter how scientifically full of jargon. I know to expect that it's probably the case that the scientific/medical community doesn't yet have answers to all these questions, but if anyone knows more information, or has theories, that would be great!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scott Adams
      0

      Celiac Diner Sues Olive Garden After Gluten Mix-Up Leads to Medical Emergency (+Video)

    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed. Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Fruits & Veggies

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better. Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor. PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12. Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1. There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine. In Thiamine deficiency, the body...
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      Inmate with Celiac Disease Wins $630,000 After Jail Denies Gluten-Free Food

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,032
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    LynnH
    Newest Member
    LynnH
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed.   Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    • knitty kitty
      Fruits & Veggies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better.   Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor.  PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12.  Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the production of digestive juices (stomach acids).  This results in foods not being digested thoroughly.  If foods are not digested sufficiently, the vitamins and other nutrients aren't released from the food, and the body cannot absorb them.  This sets up a vicious cycle. Acid reflux and Gerd are actually symptoms of producing too little stomach acid.  Insufficient stomach acid production is seen with Thiamine and Niacin deficiencies.  PPI's like Tecta also block the transporters that pull Thiamine into cells, preventing absorption of thiamine.  Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are difficulty swallowing, gagging, problems with food texture, dysphagia. Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.  Vyvanse also blocks thiamine transporters contributing further to Thiamine deficiency.  Pristiq has been shown to work better if thiamine is supplemented at the same time because thiamine is needed to make serotonin.  Doctors don't recognize anxiety and depression and adult onset ADHD as early symptoms of Thiamine deficiency. Stomach acid is needed to digest Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in fruits and vegetables.  Ascorbic acid left undigested can cause intestinal upsets, anxiety, and heart palpitations.   Yes, a child can be born with nutritional deficiencies if the parents were deficient.  Parents who are thiamine deficient have offspring with fewer thiamine transporters on cell surfaces, making thiamine deficiency easier to develop in the children.  A person can struggle along for years with subclinical vitamin deficiencies.  Been here, done this.  Please consider supplementing with Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which helps immensely with dysphagia and neurological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.  Benfotiamine helps with improving intestinal health.  A B Complex and NeuroMag (a magnesium supplement), and Vitamin D are needed also.
    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1.   There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine.   In Thiamine deficiency, the body burns its stored fat as a source of fuel.  That fat pad between the aorta and digestive system gets used as fuel, too. Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test to look for thiamine deficiency.  Correction of thiamine deficiency can help restore that fat pad.   Best wishes for your recovery!   Interesting Reading: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31089433/#:~:text=Affiliations,tissue and results in SMAS.  
    • trents
      Positive biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      Wow! You're pretty young to have a diagnosis of SMA syndrome. But youth also has its advantages when it comes to healing, without a doubt. You might be surprised to find out how your health improves and how much better you feel once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that, when gluten is consumed, triggers an attack on the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestines where all our nutrition is absorbed. It is made up of billions of tiny finger-like projections that create a tremendous surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the person with celiac disease, unchecked gluten consumption generates inflammation that wears down these fingers and, over time, greatly reduces the nutrient absorbing efficiency of the small bowel lining. This can generate a whole host of other nutrient deficiency related medical problems. We also now know that the autoimmune reaction to gluten is not necessarily limited to the lining of the small bowel such that celiac disease can damage other body systems and organs such as the liver and the joints and cause neurological problems.  It can take around two years for the villous lining to completely heal but most people start feeling better well before then. It's also important to realize that celiac disease can cause intolerance to some other foods whose protein structures are similar to gluten. Chief among them are dairy and oats but also eggs, corn and soy. Just keep that in mind.
    • pothosqueen
      Positive biopsy

      By pothosqueen · Posted

      26F!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.