GERD vs celiac

[herminia]

For years I experienced stomach issues with pain, nausea, etc. I was always told I had GERD. About 5 years ago a smart new med school grad decided to test for gluten allergy. Voila! The test was positive. I was referred to a dietitian, and my issues disappeared within days after I changed my diet. I slip sometimes, but at least I know how my symptoms can be controlled if I just DON'T eat the wrong stuff.

[Scott Adams]

Just to clarify, it sounds like you had blood tests done for celiac disease, and they were positive, is that right? If so, it's not an allergy, but is an autoimmune disease. 

[OfcVal]

On 3/16/2023 at 5:21 PM, herminia said:

For years I experienced stomach issues with pain, nausea, etc. I was always told I had GERD. About 5 years ago a smart new med school grad decided to test for gluten allergy. Voila! The test was positive. I was referred to a dietitian, and my issues disappeared within days after I changed my diet. I slip sometimes, but at least I know how my symptoms can be controlled if I just DON'T eat the wrong stuff.

The very same thing happened to me.  I was following the instructions for “Gerd” and ulcers, but kept getting sicker, then it was two more years before they found the Celiac (2011).  I cut gluten out right away, but still got sicker.  It took another two years and they found the Microscopic Colitis.  Once that was being treated, the gluten-free diet worked and the Gerd got better.  It is so discouraging to continue with symptoms and the doctor believes “you” are doing something wrong so they don’t investigate.  I have been told three times (later endoscopies) that I am negative for Celiac.  It turns out that it is because I was strictly gluten free, but the undiagnosed colitis was causing the same symptoms. 

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum @OfcVal, it's great to hear that you discovered the sources of your symptoms and have recovered.

[herminia]

I feel your pain. It was my old- school doc who kept denying that I was allergic to gluten AFTER my initial positive reaction...I was no longer eating gluten so of course I would test negative. Even the younger docs said it wasn't gluten allergy until after a Christmas holiday when I ate every sort of cookie, pie, gravy I wanted. Wonderful for half a day but sick as a dying dog within a few hours. Went back to doc next day, got tested, numbers were sky-high.I have no issues with GERD....issues arise only when I eat the dreaded wheat, barley and rye.