I’m in pain

[Chris butcher]

Why do I keep feeling pain when I eat foods 

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum. Can you tell us more about your situation? Have you been diagnosed with celiac disease? Are you gluten-free? If so, for how long, and is your diet strict?

[Chris butcher]

My head is mashed up. I had a blood test done. And it came back has a positive celiac result. I’m waiting in having a camera put into my stomach hopefully soon. But I’m still waiting. I’m finding it a mine field getting the right foods in my life ATM but I’m feeling really bad pains every time I eat gluten free foods. I’m losing weight. And feel depressed 😔 I’m thinking about quitting my job 

I’ve never been on a forum before so I’m struggling with it and how to get around it. I’m not the best at tech. 

[cristiana]

Hi Chris

I am so sorry to hear you are in pain.

For clarity, are you saying that you can eat gluten containing food without it upsetting you, but gluten free food causes you pain?

Cristiana

[Chris butcher]

Yeah. I’m just finding my feet with it all. But I’m getting terrible stomachache and pains in my windpipe. I’ve change my diet to GLUTON FREE but along the way I think I’ve made mistakes and consumed GLUTON. is it normal to be keep having these pains. It’s depressing me. 

[Chris butcher]

HI Christina. Did you also have pains for a long time until you got it under control. 

[trents]

Hi, Chris. The pains you feel are probably not in your windpipe but in your esophagus. They are very close together in the chest so it is easy to get them confuse. The esophagus is a tube that connects you throat to your stomach. If in fact there is pain in your windpipe when you eat you may be experiencing severe acid reflux.

Also, you should not start a gluten free diet until after they put the camera into your stomach. Actually, they push the camera through the stomach into the upper part of the intestines called the small bowel. Celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel and they will be looking for this damage. If you begin a gluten free diet ahead of that procedure, healing of the small bowel lining will start to take place and they may not be able to see the damage they are looking for. This would present a confusing diagnosis as it would be in conflict with the bloodwork. 

There are some ingredients that are commonly found in gluten free foods that cause distress for many people. One of them is xanthan gum.

[cristiana]

Hi @Chris butcher

@trents is right, you probably are having pain in your oesophagus.  Although I am on a strict gluten free diet, yes,  I do get bouts of it from time to time.  Mine appears to be related to reflux and/or gastritis. 

When it gets bad I try to go back to a very simple diet, eating food like white fish or really well cooked chicken (I put chicken breast in a pot in the oven with water, carrots and potatoes, with a few herbs thrown in, and slow cook it for about four hours on a low temperature, so that the meat is literally falling off the bone).  If you google reflux or gastritis diets you will see all sorts of suggestions and I suspect you will find them helpful.  Essentially, dropping spicy or fatty foods, acidic foods and coffee and tea for a while can be helpful, and avoiding alcohol.  Chamomile is very good for a sore stomach, we have Spanish family and it is go-to 'cure' for digestive symptoms!

Also, do you find foods repeat on you a lot?  You are burping quite a lot?  When that happens that hurts my throat and even my tongue and mouth.  I think it is all that pressure from my stomach, and not just stomach acid.  I had a lot of this kind of wind when I was first diagnosed and I found foods to avoid at that point were oats, soya and dairy which my system couldn't cope with temporarily.  I can eat them all now, but you might wish to keep a food diary and you will probably soon see a pattern is emerging of foods which cause you trouble. 

Frequent small meals are better than big ones - you don't want to over fill your stomach.  Also, try sleeping with a wedge pillow as that will stop acid creeping up into your throat, which can make it painful and tense.

My consultant recommended I used Gaviscon before I go to bed, it again stops the acid entering the throat and damaging it.  You might wish to try it after meals tool (I used Advanced and don't need to take too much). Try to have your last meal 2-3 hours before you sleep, as it is good not to go to bed on a full stomach.

One other thought - have you been put on iron supplements?  These can be hard on your stomach and certainly they make me feel very uncomfortable.  You might wish to ask your doctor to change your iron supplement to ferrous gluconate which is much easier on the system, or FLORAVITAL (don't whatever you do take Floradix, it has gluten in it!).  Other medication like aspirin or Ibuprofen, or even certain types of antibiotics, can cause burning stomach and throat.  Speak to your GP about any medication that might be causing symptoms.

I hope some of these tips might help, and that your endoscopy happens soon.  Please come back to us if we can help further.

And on the job front - you should start to feel better in time, once you have your diagnosis and you start to master the diet.  Do you have sympathetic employers who might be able to support you at this time?

Cristiana

 

 

Edited June 4, 2024 by cristiana

[trents]

Antacid over the counter meds like Gaviscon and Tums don't keep the stomach acid from enter the esophagus and throat but they do lower the acid level (so that it isn't as irritating). And that's okay to do that on a limited basis but not constantly as lowering acid levels would also inhibit digestion of food.

[Chris butcher]

Thanks Trents. 
I’ve been having the pains for over 4 months I’d say maybe longer. But I’m scared now to even touch any Gluton due to the suffering it’s honestly awful pains I’m getting. Yes I’m thinking it’s my esophugus not my wind pipe. Is this pain normal for most people with the celiac disease 🦠 

I’m on ESOMEPRAZOLE for my acid reflux. Is this the right medicine for me??     

[Chris butcher]

Is it normal for me bring in bad pain every day.  Or is there something more sinister going on with my stomach. My doctors are not very good here in the UK 

[trents]

5 minutes ago, Chris butcher said:

Thanks Trents. 
I’ve been having the pains for over 4 months I’d say maybe longer. But I’m scared now to even touch any Gluton due to the suffering it’s honestly awful pains I’m getting. Yes I’m thinking it’s my esophugus not my wind pipe. Is this pain normal for most people with the celiac disease 🦠 

Acid Reflux/GERD is very common in the celiac population. Chris, you should get checked out for other gut maladies that are often found in the celiac population such as an H. Pylori infection or SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). You probably need an upper GI scoping to check for a hiatal hernia as well or an ulcer.

Edited June 4, 2024 by trents

[cristiana]

I wonder if it is the same product in the States because, according to my gastroenterologist here in the UK and the NHS website, Gaviscon does help stop acid going up the throat.  

 

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/gaviscon/#:~:text=About Gaviscon,-Gaviscon can be&text=The medicine works by forming,and reduces pain and discomfort.

"Common questions about Gaviscon

1. About Gaviscon

Gaviscon can be used to treat heartburn (acid reflux) and indigestion.

The medicine works by forming a protective layer that floats on top of the contents of your stomach. This stops stomach acid escaping up into your food pipe. Gaviscon also contains an antacid that neutralises excess stomach acid and reduces pain and discomfort."

 

As well as neutralising acidity, of course.😊

Cristiana

 

Edited June 4, 2024 by cristiana

[cristiana]

@Chris butcher

Having seen a lot of posts on this forum over the years, it is a very common worry.  When one is feeling so unwell, it is not surprising one is thinking , "Can this just be coeliac disease?"  I certainly thought that.

But you know what, it could just be that, and if you have had it some time, it might take you a while to heal.

However, It is good you are having an endoscopy because you will then know if you have reflux or gastritis. They will also be able to see if your throat is inflamed.  I know it is easy to say but try not to worry - not knowing is really a difficult time, but once they have seen what the issue is, you can get the targeted treatment you need.

 

[cristiana]

@Chris butcher

As you are feeling so unwell, it might be worth requesting a cancellation appointment from your hospital.   Perhaps worth ringing the hospital concerned and to speak to the booking team, to ask them to please contact you if anything comes through?  Do you know how much longer you have to wait?

But that aside,  I think because you are feeling so unwell you should go back to your doctor and let him/her know.  They might also be able to speed up your endoscopy?

Edited June 4, 2024 by cristiana