Could this be celiac? (I have sjogrens)

[Tee210]

Hi all. I’m new to this community and just want to reach out to get your thoughts since you all seem to have a lot of knowledge. As a warning there is some tmi info about my stools. About 8 weeks ago, I had a terrible bout of Diarhea and indigestion and a few days later on vacation I had immediate burning in my mid to upper right abdomen after consuming some wine (almost on an empty stomach). The next night I had another alcoholic drink and the same burning thing occurred. I thought perhaps it could be an ulcer. Right after this Inthen became somewhat constipated. Ever since the onset of the symptoms mentioned above, I have also been having a lot of odd and uncomfortable feelings in my mid to upper right quadrant. Some bubbling, some minor pain especially after eating, and a bunch of abdominal tenderness especially under the right and even under the left rib (not pain but tenderness). The upper right part of my stomach just doesn’t feel quite right. It’s kind of hard to explain. I have also had some minor mid back pain especially when touched\pressed. I also have indigestion and it’s definitely worse when lying down and in the morning. 

The most concerning symptoms as of now is weeks of constipation but with pale (light tan/yellow stools) every single time. The stool is very smelly and hard to flush and somewhat thin. Now for the last 4 days I am back to experiencing Diarhea. The episodes of Diarhea has been everything from just water, to floating stools, to yellow/tan. Sometimes i can barely make it to the bathroom. I noticed coffee with cream, dairy and alcohol are some of the biggest triggers. To sum it up, my bowels are all over the place and totally inconsistent.

With the color of the stool being consistently tan/yellow accompanied by constipation and then alternating to Diarhea as well as all these strange feeling in my belly, I have become worried it’s something bad. They tested me for bacteria which was negative, and did a ton of blood work on my liver which all came back normal. They did an abdominal ultrasound which was normal and a ct of my abdomen which was normal. My CBC was all normal too with normal iron levels. They ruled out gallbladder/liver problems which kind of leaves me wondering about the pancreas or perhaps...celiac. The ct of the abdomen was clear though so it makes me feel a little better about god forbid pancreatic cancer.

Im scheduled for an endoscopy in a few weeks but was wondering if this sounds like it could be caused by celiac? 6 years ago I had an endoscopy and the gi dr said I did not have celiac then so I never really thought of celiac until just yesterday when I noticed something.  I was diagnosed  with Sjögren’s syndrome about 9 months ago (I had no obvious symptoms but my newborn son presented with neonatal lupus) so they traced it back to me and ran blood and confirmed sjogrens. Soooo... I happened to google and realized there is a lot of research indicating a strong correlation between sjogrens and celiac. 

Sorry for the long post...I’m just trying to get some answers. I guess the point of all this is do you think all of these symptoms could be celiac related especially given the fact that I have sjogrens? Also, do these symptoms seem consistent with celiac?

thank you so so much in advance. 

[squirmingitch]

I absolutely think you need to be tested for celiac. Yes, symptoms are there. Aren't they going to do a celiac serum panel before doing the endoscopy or at least alongside the endoscopy? You need to make sure you keep eating gluten every day until all testing is completed. That is of the utmost importance! 

Make sure the GI takes 4-6 preferably 6 endoscopic biopsies. The small intestine, when flayed out, is the size of a tennis court so damage can easily be missed.

[Gemini]

Yes, indeed.......I agree with Squirmy.  I have Celiac and Sjogren’s so it can happen.  You also need to know that Sjogren’s in and of itself can cause GI problems.  It can affect your internal organs.  Mine is just problematic for my eyes and mouth but Sjogren’s can cause other symptoms.  But your bathroom symptoms are highly indicative of Celiac and fat malabsorption.

[cyclinglady]

Just wanted to ask if a HIDA scan was done to check the functionality of your gallbladder and not just to look for stones.  A non-functioning gallbladder can not be seen on a CT or ultrasound.  

[Posterboy]

On 4/28/2018 at 8:09 PM, Tee210 said:

I guess the point of all this is do you think all of these symptoms could be celiac related especially given the fact that I have sjogrens?

Tee210,

Like Gemini many one this board we present with multiple diseases with/on/or before receiving our celiac diagnosis.

The rate of sjogrens disease in a celiac diagnosis can go as high as 15%.

here is a link about associated diseases common with/in a celiac diagnosis.

Open Original Shared Link

quoting on the connection in/with a sjorgen's diagnosis and celiac disease.

"The rate of celiac disease in Sjogren’s patients may be as high as 15%, and may often present as silent (asymptomatic) celiac.  Individuals with Sjogren’s syndrome may wish to consider screening for celiac disease, as adherence to a gluten-free diet may help alleviate symptoms when both conditions are present."

I would also suggest you look into Pellagra.

I had Celiac and developed Pellagra.

I just try and share my experience see my celiac.com posterboy blog post about me also developing Pellagra.

Pellagra has also been shown to be diagnosed in Sjogrens patients.

Open Original Shared Link

perhaps treating your celiac disease will help you treat two or three of your birds at once.

I now treating my Pellagra symptom's helped my GI problems.  I can not say it will help yours. 

I just know they are linked/associated conditions (Sjogrens/Celiac/Pellagra).

Good luck on your continued journey.

**** this is not medical advice but  I hope it is helpful.  . .  and if It doesn't help you maybe it will help the next person who reads this.

2 Timothy 2: 7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

Posterboy by the grace of God,