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Back And Rib Pain After Being Glutened

bridgetm
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bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted

I've noticed that quite a few people have mentioned muscle and rib pain as symptoms and I'm wondering if my symptoms are similar or if I need to keep looking for the cause:

I took some Target brand Acetaminophen over the weekend and had the usual abdominal symptoms of a glutening, especially on Sunday and Monday. Since then that pain and discomfort has slowly isolated to just the lower left quadrant. However, I noticed some back pain on Monday night which I originally thought was due to helping my sister move on Saturday (3rd floor, no elevator), but stretching did very little to improve it. The pain continued to spread: upper and lower back, ribs, chest, shoulders, neck and even my jaw and the muscles at the base of my skull.

If I rub any of those areas, it feels as if there's a bruise. Actually bruises, plural, might be more appropriate as I feel like I was clubbed repeatedly with a baseball bat. It seems to be superficial, my muscles are not overly tight. I had similar (though much less severe) pain the last time I was glutened so I'm thinking that it fits my timeline for consuming glutenous painkillers (ironic, eh?). This pain is also similar to how I feel when I get a severe asthma flare-up, but that can't be it since I've had very few respiratory symptoms.

Does this pain sound familiar to anyone? I am pretty sure it was the gluten, but I'm always afraid that I am missing something.

Thank you. Bridget

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k2626 Explorer
k2626
Posted

I've noticed that quite a few people have mentioned muscle and rib pain as symptoms and I'm wondering if my symptoms are similar or if I need to keep looking for the cause:

I took some Target brand Acetaminophen over the weekend and had the usual abdominal symptoms of a glutening, especially on Sunday and Monday. Since then that pain and discomfort has slowly isolated to just the lower left quadrant. However, I noticed some back pain on Monday night which I originally thought was due to helping my sister move on Saturday (3rd floor, no elevator), but stretching did very little to improve it. The pain continued to spread: upper and lower back, ribs, chest, shoulders, neck and even my jaw and the muscles at the base of my skull.

If I rub any of those areas, it feels as if there's a bruise. Actually bruises, plural, might be more appropriate as I feel like I was clubbed repeatedly with a baseball bat. It seems to be superficial, my muscles are not overly tight. I had similar (though much less severe) pain the last time I was glutened so I'm thinking that it fits my timeline for consuming glutenous painkillers (ironic, eh?). This pain is also similar to how I feel when I get a severe asthma flare-up, but that can't be it since I've had very few respiratory symptoms.

Does this pain sound familiar to anyone? I am pretty sure it was the gluten, but I'm always afraid that I am missing something.

Thank you. Bridget

In my experience when I have had this pain its been my pancreas inflammation or GERD (causing esophogeul pains)

AliSha097 Rookie
AliSha097
Posted

In my experience when I have had this pain its been my pancreas inflammation or GERD (causing esophogeul pains)

Usually when I accidently eat gluten I first notice with severe lower left abdominal cramping and it moves up my back to right in bewteen my shoulder blades. The first time this happened to me I thought I was dying. My ER doctor said a lot of time the pancreas starts acting up and causes these symptoms. :angry:

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

It's crazy how painful it can actually be and there are so many possible causes. Heart attack came immediately to mind, but I'm 99% sure that's not it B)

My mom reminded me tonight that I was on Prednisone last week to head off an asthma flare-up and these symptoms are similar to those side-effects. I had pushed that to the back of my mind. This must be a nasty combination of gluten- and prednisone-induced inflammation in addition to whatever bugs are going around campus with finals week quickly approaching. :angry::(

k2626 Explorer
k2626
Posted

Alisha-I have been dx as having flares of chronic pancreatitis...I have never had an acute attack (thank God). I get upper left stabs of pain about an inch and half under my breast. My drs have been dumbfounded as my scans have all been clear (thank God again as dad died of pancreatic cancer) The new GI I consulted with is the one that said he is 95% sure its due to possible celiac disease, which he feels would also account for my yrs of GERD and also neuropathy issues (stabbing joint pains, electrical stabbing pains, muscle twitching all over etc) Results pending!

Isnt it interesting how when you consult different drs they all say something else?

AliSha097 Rookie
AliSha097
Posted

Usually when I accidently eat gluten I first notice with severe lower left abdominal cramping and it moves up my back to right in bewteen my shoulder blades. The first time this happened to me I thought I was dying. My ER doctor said a lot of time the pancreas starts acting up and causes these symptoms. :angry:

Both times I went to the ER they said I was having a esophageal attack...this GERD issue, is this gluten related? or a whole nother problem? Eeek!

AliSha097 Rookie
AliSha097
Posted

Alisha-I have been dx as having flares of chronic pancreatitis...I have never had an acute attack (thank God). I get upper left stabs of pain about an inch and half under my breast. My drs have been dumbfounded as my scans have all been clear (thank God again as dad died of pancreatic cancer) The new GI I consulted with is the one that said he is 95% sure its due to possible celiac disease, which he feels would also account for my yrs of GERD and also neuropathy issues (stabbing joint pains, electrical stabbing pains, muscle twitching all over etc) Results pending!

Isnt it interesting how when you consult different drs they all say something else?

Yes it is! The range of answers that the doctors give is frustrating at best! I struggle with that issue often. My future mother in law also has celiac and her and I are often comparing what our doctors have to say. It seems we are never on the same page. When I first started going to the doctor with celiac symptoms *having no clue what it even was at the time, they tested me and it came back negative. The doc told me it was just bad nerves and all in my head. After a year of suffering, he finally double checked with another test, and well what do ya know!? Maybe I should get a second opinion about this issue he mentioned with the pancreas. I hope that everything gets better for you. Sounds very painful!

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k2626 Explorer
k2626
Posted

Yes it is! The range of answers that the doctors give is frustrating at best! I struggle with that issue often. My future mother in law also has celiac and her and I are often comparing what our doctors have to say. It seems we are never on the same page. When I first started going to the doctor with celiac symptoms *having no clue what it even was at the time, they tested me and it came back negative. The doc told me it was just bad nerves and all in my head. After a year of suffering, he finally double checked with another test, and well what do ya know!? Maybe I should get a second opinion about this issue he mentioned with the pancreas. I hope that everything gets better for you. Sounds very painful!

Yes, I have had what was dxd as gerd for about 4 yrs....with me, I get stabbing chest pains as what I imagine a heart attack to feel like. I did think it was my heart at first and after that cleared my dr at the time put me on aciphex for acid/gerd and it helped, though I was on the meds for almost 2 yrs verses the 8 wks they recommend! I dont know if it was celiac causing it or underlying pancreas issues at the time. The esophogeul spasms do hurt and are scary, I always wonder when I have heart like pains how I will know one day if it IS my heart or the spasms.

The pancreas pains I get are like quick squeezing pains in my epigastric area-left side. That only scares me because my dad died of pancreatic cancer so anything dealign with the pancreas I want NOTHING to do with. I would imagine I should have my gene test back by Monday, that will make it two wks.

I am going to be so disappointed if that is not the cause behind my stomach and other very odd neuro issues.

katifer Apprentice
katifer
Posted

your symptoms sound Exactly how i used to feel before i knew about gluten intolerance---- i felt like that all the time and have only felt it again when having gluten.

AliSha097 Rookie
AliSha097
Posted

Yes, I have had what was dxd as gerd for about 4 yrs....with me, I get stabbing chest pains as what I imagine a heart attack to feel like. I did think it was my heart at first and after that cleared my dr at the time put me on aciphex for acid/gerd and it helped, though I was on the meds for almost 2 yrs verses the 8 wks they recommend! I dont know if it was celiac causing it or underlying pancreas issues at the time. The esophogeul spasms do hurt and are scary, I always wonder when I have heart like pains how I will know one day if it IS my heart or the spasms.

The pancreas pains I get are like quick squeezing pains in my epigastric area-left side. That only scares me because my dad died of pancreatic cancer so anything dealign with the pancreas I want NOTHING to do with. I would imagine I should have my gene test back by Monday, that will make it two wks.

I am going to be so disappointed if that is not the cause behind my stomach and other very odd neuro issues.

That is awful. It sounds like we have had similar attacks, but mine seems very mild compared to what you are describing. I know the feeling of wondering whether or not it is a heart attack some day or just a spasm. Very scary. I guess if the time ever comes *hopefully not... we will know! I hope you fell better soon.

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for your help. Just knowing that it's normal makes me feel better.

I am feeling much better today. In just one more week I will be home with farmer's markets nearby and Udi's bread within the same area code. :D

k2626 Explorer
k2626
Posted

Thank you all for your help. Just knowing that it's normal makes me feel better.

I am feeling much better today. In just one more week I will be home with farmer's markets nearby and Udi's bread within the same area code. :D

Glad you are feeling better!! If it comes up again, try an antacid and if that doesnt help go get your amalyse and lipase drawn..

lynnelise Apprentice
lynnelise
Posted

I have gotten this pain off and on ever since my gallbladder was removed. According to my GI it's bile reflux going into my stomach. It has caused me to develop gastritis. I call it the bone crushing rib pain. It usually lasts about 30 minutes and then I feel bruised and sore for a day or two afterward. Staying gluten-free has helped this problem tremendously and I usually see a flare afer being glutened.

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

Glad you are feeling better!! If it comes up again, try an antacid and if that doesnt help go get your amalyse and lipase drawn..

I am already taking Prilosec daily. But I see my doctor for a follow-up hemoglobin check in a week so I'll ask if he'll order a few other tests as long as I'm there.

  • 10 months later...
deezer Apprentice
deezer
Posted

I am already taking Prilosec daily. But I see my doctor for a follow-up hemoglobin check in a week so I'll ask if he'll order a few other tests as long as I'm there.

Bridget, How are you doing now? Any clarity on what caused the problem? I am having these exact same challenges - left upper quadrant abdominal pain and also "brusing" pain all over - my entire ribcage and most of my back is quite tender.

  • 7 years later...
Genelle Newbie
Genelle
Posted
On 5/5/2010 at 3:47 PM, bridgetm said:

I've noticed that quite a few people have mentioned muscle and rib pain as symptoms and I'm wondering if my symptoms are similar or if I need to keep looking for the cause:

 

I took some Target brand Acetaminophen over the weekend and had the usual abdominal symptoms of a glutening, especially on Sunday and Monday. Since then that pain and discomfort has slowly isolated to just the lower left quadrant. However, I noticed some back pain on Monday night which I originally thought was due to helping my sister move on Saturday (3rd floor, no elevator), but stretching did very little to improve it. The pain continued to spread: upper and lower back, ribs, chest, shoulders, neck and even my jaw and the muscles at the base of my skull.

If I rub any of those areas, it feels as if there's a bruise. Actually bruises, plural, might be more appropriate as I feel like I was clubbed repeatedly with a baseball bat. It seems to be superficial, my muscles are not overly tight. I had similar (though much less severe) pain the last time I was glutened so I'm thinking that it fits my timeline for consuming glutenous painkillers (ironic, eh?). This pain is also similar to how I feel when I get a severe asthma flare-up, but that can't be it since I've had very few respiratory symptoms.

 

Does this pain sound familiar to anyone? I am pretty sure it was the gluten, but I'm always afraid that I am missing something.

 

Thank you. Bridget

Left quadrant pain is usually an indication of diverticulitis

Breaux Newbie
Breaux
Posted
(edited)

I get pain in both by left and right ribs that feels like a pressure at times, and other times it feel like its bruised. I've been on a gluten free diet for 2 weeks now and still feel it, but some of the other symptoms are being alleviated. I do not know the metabolic process that would cause this to occur (inflammation or gas build-up), but I'd imagine that there are folks out there that also get this pain/pressure feeling you are having. 

Edited by Breaux

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