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chest/esophagus/jaw pain

ironictruth

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ironictruth Proficient
ironictruth
Posted

Hello, so my biopsy was negative after a month long gluten challenge following a year gluten free. I do have the gene as well as 2 weak positive tests which turned negative after 5 weeks going gluten free post biopsy. i was gluten-free for nearly a year prior. 

My question is, does anyone else get horrible chest/esophagus pain? It even goes into my teeth when it is really strong . it seemed to get a lot worse with lots of indigestion toward the end of my gluten challenge and continued for another 2 weeks after. I started eating gluten again about 2 weeks ago In order to retest in another 6 months Or so. I then decided 2 positive tests, a family member with confirmed celiac, and my having the gene is enough to just go gluten free. so I stopped eating gluten 4 days ago but yesterday I had two of these attacks. They scare the heck out of me because it of course sounds like a heart issue i.e.  angina. I have appointments coming up with a cardiologist. I don't lose my breath or become sweaty or nauseous. I take a lot of Tums and actually had a couple of glasses of wine when it happened last night and it seemed to relax it very quickly. that made me think maybe it's an esophageal spasm but I don't feel like there's any food stuck in my esophagus.

I have had heartburn in the past during pregnancy and it sucks but this is much much worse. I've also had an infected bile duct And my gallbladder removed before so I know what my body can handle pain wise.

Does anyone else get this and if so does it last for a while after going gluten free? in other words does it go away eventually? Don't worry I'm following up with the cardiologist and if it gets really bad I'll go again to the ER. I have already been and everything was fine. it just might calm my mind to hear other stories.

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SLLRunner Enthusiast
SLLRunner
Posted

@ironictruth, welcome!

Yes, I have had the same type of symptoms-chest pain, tingling in face and extremities, esophagus felt like it was closing up, jaw pain. It was especially bad in the fall when my partner had a medical emergency that ended in life-saving open heart surgery (he's well now).  At that time, I was living off hospital cafeteria food, coffee, on leave from work for several weeks, and under a great amount of stress.  I even had an ekg, which ruled out heart problems.  I just had my endoscope last Friday and am waiting for the results. Several biopsies were taken, one of which was for h-pylori. 

My GI doctor told me that gluten sensitivity is an acceptable diagnosis. I would be surprised if I did have celiac disease because I know no one in my family who exhibits the symptoms for the same. My mom has been deceased for several years and could have had it and not known; she could not drink milk and had some food allergies.  My grandmother was lactose intolerant, one of her daughters as well, and I am also.  Shows how certain things run in families.

After my endoscopy I have cut gluten from my diet and  this is the first time in months I am beginning to feel better.  I have had horrible acid reflux, and I am reading that many people with GERD eat a gluten free diet because it helps acid reflux, and I can also vouch for this!

Have you talked to your doctor about theses episodes? If not, I would do so. 

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ironictruth Proficient
ironictruth
  • Author
Posted

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I had also began to notice numbness and pressure in my head, dizziness and my hands falling asleep at night (regardless of sleeping position). 

Keep me posted on your results! 

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SLLRunner Enthusiast
SLLRunner
Posted
7 hours ago, ironictruth said:

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I had also began to notice numbness and pressure in my head, dizziness and my hands falling asleep at night (regardless of sleeping position). 

Keep me posted on your results! 

But, have you spoken to your doctor about these symptoms? It's not a good idea to allow them to go unchecked. 

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ironictruth Proficient
ironictruth
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Posted

 Omg yes, my doc knows because it scared the heck out of me. Upcoming stress test as a result of the chest pain. The dizziness and numbness she kind of dismisses to sinuses and sleeping position. But I am not so sure...

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SLLRunner Enthusiast
SLLRunner
Posted
10 hours ago, ironictruth said:

 Omg yes, my doc knows because it scared the heck out of me. Upcoming stress test as a result of the chest pain. The dizziness and numbness she kind of dismisses to sinuses and sleeping position. But I am not so sure...

Whew! Glad your doctor is aware.

The thing is, there are over 300 symptoms for celiac disease, but some of those symptoms could be for illnesses other than celiac. Many symptoms can overlap too--in other words, a person can be having acid reflux from an untreated ulcer but the symptoms can mask a heart attack, or someone can be having a heart attack and think they are having acid reflux.  

In any event, I'm glad your doctor is in the know.  As for the dizziness and numbness  being from allergies and sleeping position....I would get a second opinion on that one. 

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