Celiac and chronic gastritis

[Jordan Carlson]

Hello everyone! I recently just had my endoscopy/colonoscopy to confirm my celiac diagnosis. I also was diagnosed with chronic gastritis. I believe it would be considered Lymphocytic Gastritis as  intraepithelial lymphocytes were present in my biopsy. But I am no doctor so please correct me if I am wrong! Anyways, looking for tips on how anyone else managed to get the gastritis under control as I am assuming that is the reason why some of my symptoms never went away even while being 100% gluten free. I have started pantoprazole 40mg daily and have been on it for about 2 weeks now. Works great at controlling my heartburn, but still get a burning sensation in my stomach after eating. Hoping someone has some advice for me. Thank you!

[Scott Adams]

Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like you’re on the right track with managing your gastritis. Lymphocytic gastritis is indeed associated with celiac disease, and the presence of intraepithelial lymphocytes could be linked to that. Pantoprazole is great for reducing acid, but the burning sensation might also be related to ongoing inflammation or irritation. Some people find relief by eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding irritating foods (like spicy, acidic, or fatty foods), and continuing to follow a strict gluten-free diet. Probiotics and stress management techniques might also help. It’s always a good idea to discuss any persistent symptoms with your doctor to ensure you're on the best treatment plan. Wishing you relief and healing!

[Beverage]

I had lingering acid reflux, silent reflux, dry cough after meals, exacerbated my asthma.

Doc tried to put me on acid reducers, but we need acid to digest and release vitamins so they can be absorbed in the intestines. If we reduce acid, food does not digest, and can rot or ferment and cause all kinds of havoc, which is probably what was causing my symptoms. 

I took a little over the counter acid reducer for a short time after that, and gradually weaned off until the things in this article really really really helped. You may not have hiatal hernia, I was not diagnosed with one, but these techniques will probably still help you:

https://drjockers.com/hiatal-hernia/

The heel thumping exercise (The Warm Water Fix), raising the head of the bed, and a sip of apple cider vinegar before meals with protein are the things that helped me the most.

Also DGL tablets are a life saver, I chew 2 after dinner now and rarely have issues. It COATS, but does not reduce acid. So it helps but does not suppress the acid we need for digestion:

https://www.amazon.com/Integrative-Therapeutics-Rhizinate-Deglycyrrhizinated-Licorice/dp/B001WUC406?psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_ec_pd_nav_hcs_rp_2_t

 

[Jordan Carlson]

Thanks for the reply's @Scott Adams and @Beverage! I will try the recommendations you both have. Starting to learn that one of the hardest parts post diagnosis is the trial and error stage as its not as simple as just eliminating gluten. But in the end it will result in me feeling much better and living a better life so I am up to the challenge! Thanks guys! 

[Scott Adams]

This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):

 

 

[McNeill]

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2007 the age of 59. I have had numerous issues with my intestines over that years since. I recently had a endoscopy that reveled that I also have esophagitis as well. Every time I eat, I had this terrible problem with my throat to where I can hardly speak clearly. I'm constantly clearing my throat.  Before I eat in the AM, my voice is fine, but as soon as I eat, I get this issue. Has anyone else had this problem? 

Thanks-Ann

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @McNeill!

Gastritis, GERD is common in the celiac population. It was/is one of mine as well. Mine is complicated by a hiatal hernia such that my LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) doesn't seal well.

Ann, you would so well to look into histamine intolerance/MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and a low histamine diet.

The damage done to our gut by celiac disease that results in poor nutrient absorption often damages the cells in the gut that produce something called DAO (Diamine Oxidase). DAO breaks down the histamines our body produces and the histamines we ingest from food. Gastritis/GERD is usually a byproduct of histamine overload. Histamines stimulate the production of stomach acid. Modern medications such as H2 blockers (e.g. Pepsid) and Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g. Prilosec OTC, Nexium) either the gut histamine problem in one way or another but have undesirable side effects when used long term.

[Wheatwacked]

On 8/14/2024 at 3:02 PM, McNeill said:

had a endoscopy that reveled that I also have esophagitis as well.

Hello @McNeill, Ann

My gut feeling reading your post is that even after these 14 years you still have unresolved nutritional deficiency.

If I might ask do you still have Celiac damage?  What foods cause the problem? Other symptoms?  

• The poor healing time might indicate iodine deficiency.  It is never checked.  We grew up eating a sandwich and a glass of milk, equal to at least 300 mcg of iodine a day.  According to a 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study, the median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) for the US population aged 6 and older was 133 µg/L.  A UIC of 100 µg/L is usually equivalent to an iodine intake of 150 µg per day.  A 150 mcg a day may stop goiter but it is not enough for healing; not to mention brain clarity.  In the US the safe upper limit is 1100 mcg.  In Japan it is 3000 mcg.  I take 1000 - 1500 mcg a day and my body clock is working backward.  My daughter-in-law takes 650 mcg and says her face is smooth as a baby's bottom.  Ever wonder why the Japanese students got smarter than our kids?  They took iodine out of our bread in the early '70s.  MRSA took off when they took the iodine out of Phisohex used for sanitation in hospitals.
• Thiamine deficiency can cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that can mimic gastritis, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. This condition is called gastrointestinal beriberi and can be caused by drug-induced gastritis, unbalanced nutrition, or pre-existing gastrointestinal disorders.  High calorie malnutrition is a type of malnutrition that can lead to thiamine deficiency, which can cause beriberi.  Another one disregarded.
• Choline as bile salts keep the juices flowing for digesting fats. Avoidance of eggs and beef as protection from high cholesterol (which by the way does'nt seem to be working) as caused an estimated 90% of us from eating even the minimum RDA of choline.  Biliary dyskinesia can occur when the gallbladder doesn't eject enough bile efficiently. The bile can back up and cause the gallbladder to swell, which can also affect gastric emptying. This would be the most important, I think, for you.
• Some research suggests that vitamin B6, along with other B vitamins, can help treat acid reflux and reduce the risk of reflux esophagitis. 
• Gastritis is a common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency because it can reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is required for the body to absorb vitamin B12.  B12 deficiency can lead to anemia.

These are not medicines.  They are essential nutrients that we only get through food.  The 100% RDA is only the minimum.  Luckily they are also available in pill form.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): Average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%–98%) healthy individuals

[Wends]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:02 PM, McNeill said:

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2007 the age of 59. I have had numerous issues with my intestines over that years since. I recently had a endoscopy that reveled that I also have esophagitis as well. Every time I eat, I had this terrible problem with my throat to where I can hardly speak clearly. I'm constantly clearing my throat.  Before I eat in the AM, my voice is fine, but as soon as I eat, I get this issue. Has anyone else had this problem? 

Thanks-Ann

Hi. I’m new to the forum. I posted on someone else’s yesterday about possible EGIDs esophagitis being the most common. I have family who sufferwith it. I too get the clogged throat but would say mildly and I manage by knowing certain things that set it off, and predominantly follow a restricted whole food diet in addition to gluten free. It can be antigen/allergen related. Keep a thorough food and drink diary and note your symptoms for at least a week if you can. It was the ENT specialist that told me this one. The gastroenterologist advised me strict gluten free diet because I was made so sick with possible coeliac disease but inconclusive as could not complete the gluten challenge for the biopsy diagnosis and I don’t have the standard high risk genes. Milk and dairy foods are the biggest culprit along with wheat. You’re gluten free so that eliminates the wheat. Avoid any possible wheat starch even if certified gluten free. It’s not suitable if sensitive to other components in wheat than gluten. Food needs to be completely wheat free not just gluten free if that makes sense? Do you eat gluten free oats? The culprit food (just one in the majority of patients sometimes two) is usually in the top six allergen groups (dairy, wheat (grains), eggs, nuts, soy, fish and shellfish), so figuring out which food is causal is the key. Keep the diary and then look for patterns. It’s well worth the effort.

[Wends]

On 8/8/2024 at 12:26 AM, Jordan Carlson said:

Hello everyone! I recently just had my endoscopy/colonoscopy to confirm my celiac diagnosis. I also was diagnosed with chronic gastritis. I believe it would be considered Lymphocytic Gastritis as  intraepithelial lymphocytes were present in my biopsy. But I am no doctor so please correct me if I am wrong! Anyways, looking for tips on how anyone else managed to get the gastritis under control as I am assuming that is the reason why some of my symptoms never went away even while being 100% gluten free. I have started pantoprazole 40mg daily and have been on it for about 2 weeks now. Works great at controlling my heartburn, but still get a burning sensation in my stomach after eating. Hoping someone has some advice for me. Thank you!

Sorry just getting a hang of how the forum works. My reply to Ann. is the same, and Hope is helpful to you! But should add gastrointestinal disorders EGIDs and for example chronic gastritis can benefit from figuring out the possible culprit food/s. In addition to avoiding irritating substances, spices, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, coffee, chocolate, milk, oil etc. keep a detailed food and drink diary and see if there are any patterns to your symptoms. The PPI meds may mask to begin but will help heal. But it’s important to do the course then slowly reduce and wean off. 

[McNeill]

Thank you for this information! I had not heard of an Iodine deficiency before. I'll check into that! I get most of my supplements from Natural Grocers in Colorado.  I do already take B12, but I should supplement that with B6, I would think. I don't take Thiamine either, so I'll have to add that to my supplements as well! I'll have to add Choline as well! My biggest problem is that my voice is very affected as soon as I eat. Before I eat breakfast, it's normal, after  I eat breakfast, I immediately get hoarseness and have difficulty speaking very loud or clearly at all. I assume that is from my Esophagitis--What say you?! 

Thanks for any additional insight you can offer!