27 replies to this topic

[jesimae]

I have been gluten-free for 2 years now. I'm careful, but have glutened myself a couple of times. The last time was just before Christmas, when I had to get IV fluids from dehydration. I was vomiting and having diarrhea so much in only 4 hrs that I needed 2 bags of fluids just to get my blood pressure back up to somewhat normal.

First off, it seems that most other celiacs primarily have diarrhea. Is vomiting normal?

Second, I was told I have Baretts esophagus at the time of diagnosis because of severe gerd. Anyone else have this?

My biggest concern ( for the moment) is that no matter my diet, I have horrible reflux. I take 40 mg of prilosec every morning, and sometimes end up taking another 20 later in the day just to be able to keep food down. Lately it seems to be getting worse and worse.

Someone please tell me what else I can do to help with this. I am miserable.

[shadowicewolf]

I -had- severe GERD. At its hight i had a steady raw throat. It took almost a year to heal from that. Right now, it has died down a bit.

What are you eating? I still cannot eat spicy, greasey, or rich foods without being "bit". Can't do caffine either.

I take no meds because at one point, i was on some of the higher end ones and it was just making it worse.

I sleep on an incline pillow as well. I used to wake up feeling like i couldn't breathe. Not fun at all.

When i was still on gluten, I would have both vomiting and "D" on a near daily basis (both of which stopped with the diet).

Night time was the worst by far for the GERD.

I got off the meds, watched what i ate and its pretty much died down (mind you it still gets me on occasion, but not the day to day basis).

[flowerqueen]

I have not heard of Prilosec presumably it's a PPI. If that is the case I'm not sure you should be taking more later in the day. Have you seen a doctor recently? There may be a more appropriate treatment for your condition. I take a PPI each morning and for a long while they worked, but I started to have more problems and took indigestion tablets later in the day until eventually I was eating them like candy. After much research I realised that I had a rebound reaction to these indigestion tablets and managed to cut them out and the problem settled down. I weaned myself off them by sipping soda water (I don't know if it's called something different in the U.S., but basically it's a mixer drink which contains bicarbonate of soda and carbonated water and I even take a little glass to bed with me to sip if I wake up. I am back to taking my PPI (Lansoprazole) and no indigestion tablets now. I was wondering if you need to redress the balance. I would definitely speak to a professional though as Barretts esophogus needs treating properly.

[mommida]

Go back to the doctor and see if there is any further treatment for the Barret's Esophagus.

My daughter also has Eosinophilic Esophagitus, (diagnosed with an endoscopy with biopsy). The symptoms were the same as gluten, "D", vomitting, "stomach" pain, some sore throat complaints, headaches, reflux, some difficulty swallowing, and food may get stuck in the throat.

Different foods "trigger" the damaging reaction (eosinophils remain active for 12 days damaging normal tissue) Keep a food journal,
the pain is much worse at night. Sleep propped up.
Slurpees, and other frozen things help. Honey helped soothe my daughter's throat. Would put it in warm water maybe a bit of lemon and call it tea.

[mommida]

She would take Previcid. Helped a little too.

[flowerqueen]

I forgot to say, my husband put our bed on blocks at the head of the bed, which helped. So I could rest better without having to be permanently propped up on pillows, as it's hard getting restful sleep otherwise.

[shadowicewolf]

Propped up pillows do not work. They support the kneck in a bad way, thus the reason i use an incline pillow.

[mommida]

I actually did mean an incline pillow. when she was younger we did use plywood under the mattress with an incline wedge under the wood. So the whole mattress was on an angle. Simple pillows just don't really work.

[mushroom]

I actually did mean an incline pillow. when she was younger we did use plywood under the mattress with an incline wedge under the wood. So the whole mattress was on an angle. Simple pillows just don't really work.

THIS!!! is what makes travelling difficult Walking around with a huge wedge tucked under your arm

[shadowicewolf]

THIS!!! is what makes travelling difficult Walking around with a huge wedge tucked under your arm

I'd rather carry one around then deal with reflux at night.

[jesimae]

Went to doc today. He put me on carafate and set up a GI consult. I have not seen a specialist since we moved here 2 years ago. He fussed at me about not going to see GI doc. He said I should be having an EGD every 6 mos to a year. He said esp since I have Barrett's esophagus. Waiting on scheduling.

However, I took the carafate and was waiting an hour before eating when I became acutely ill. Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fainting. That is what happens every time I'm glutened. Coincidence? If I had accidentally glutened myself before this morning, it could explain why my reflux is so bad...

Now I feel incompetent. Anybody see a nutritionist?

[flowerqueen]

Can I ask, is Carafate gluten free? In the UK all medicines prescribed by a doctor have a licence number. I was told by a pharmasist that medicines with a licence number (in UK) are gluten free. Is this the case in your country?

[gluten-is-kryptonite]

I was having really bad acid reflux and also realized that I had an issue with salt. When I started reducing the salt in my diet I no longer get the acid reflux! I couldn't believe it!

[GFinDC]

When you get older you can fall asleep sitting in a chair. That should help.

[jesimae]

flowerqueen I've been wondering about that. I am not sure how to find out which drugs have gluten???