Gluten-Sensitivity Isn't Always About Diarrhea

Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.

Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

Post Reply
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35349
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Gluten-Sensitivity Isn't Always About Diarrhea

Post by tex »

Hi All,

We tend to think of gluten-sensitivity in terms of serious diarrhea issues, but for some people, that isn't the way it presents. Consider this case:
This isn’t a diet of choice for Tiffany Gragg; it’s a necessity.

When Gragg started experiencing acid reflux, nausea and stomach cramping for no reason eight years ago, she had no idea what was causing it. It took three years for doctors to diagnose Gragg with celiac disease, a digestive condition making people intolerant to gluten, a protein found in many foods containing wheat, barley or rye.
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/featu ... ent-255953

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Tex,

Our own Alice here is a case in point. I don't believe she had any D yet had major gluten sensitivity.

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35349
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Polly,

I believe you're right. I had forgotten about her story. And, as I recall, gluten seems to be her only sensitivity, and the GF diet works beautifully for her, but she does indeed have MC, and not celiac disease.

Thanks.

Love,
Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
User avatar
Gabes-Apg
Emperor Penguin
Emperor Penguin
Posts: 8367
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia

Post by Gabes-Apg »

I think what irritates me the most regarding these situations, people have to be chronically ill for a period of time before a doctor will acknowledge that gluten could be the main trigger.
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Deb
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1657
Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:01 pm
Location: Previously MN now GA

Post by Deb »

I had some pretty severe acid reflux for a year or two before the MC. I did notice that it got much better when I ate a lower carb diet (lightbulb goes off :idea: ) and is essentially a non-issue since I went gluten free.
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Gabes,

That irritates me, too, almost as much as when someone with MC has gone GF on their own, seen great improvement, tells their doc, and then is told that diet can be stopped because it doesn't work anyway. Even when told it WORKS, some docs say to stop it. I will never understand that line of thinking. :roll:

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35349
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Deb wrote:I had some pretty severe acid reflux for a year or two before the MC. I did notice that it got much better when I ate a lower carb diet (lightbulb goes off :idea: ) and is essentially a non-issue since I went gluten free.
That makes me wonder how many people with undiagnosed MC might be taking PPIs, and watching their symptoms get worse, instead of better. :roll:

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
User avatar
Joefnh
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 2478
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:25 pm
Location: Southern New Hampshire

Post by Joefnh »

Great post Tex. As i have talked about before, I believe I was dealing with MC symptoms for a number of years. Mostly they were some unexplained D, but mostly it was fatigue with muscle and joint pain from eating gluten.

--Joe
Joe
ant
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1676
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:59 pm

Post by ant »

I had some pretty severe acid reflux for a year or two before the MC. I did notice that it got much better when I ate a lower carb diet (lightbulb goes off Idea ) and is essentially a non-issue since I went gluten free.
That is sure what happened to me. Acid reflux, which I had pre MC dx and GF diet, is now gone.

Best, ant
----------------------------------------
"Softly, softly catchee monkey".....
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35349
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Ant wrote:That is sure what happened to me. Acid reflux, which I had pre MC dx and GF diet, is now gone.
So, in a perfect world, whenever a patient reported chronic and severe acid reflex issues, instead of reaching for the prescription pad, to write out a prescription for a PPI, a doctor would start thinking about the best ways to screen the patient for a possible diagnosis of MC, before the disease becomes fully developed, and the other symptoms present.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
ant
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1676
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:59 pm

Post by ant »

Dear Tex

They did not think of Celiac or MC back then..... and never did a gene test nor endoscopy/colonoscopy. If they had been able just to do the genes that would have been a big red flag.

But, (for the sake of accuracy) they prescribed Gaviscon, which I believe (??) is not a PPI.

Best ant
----------------------------------------
"Softly, softly catchee monkey".....
Post Reply

Return to “Main Message Board”