Can Celiac disease be related to Interstitial Cystitis.

[mswhis]

I have recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease. I also have RA & Interstitial Cystitis.  I have tried many meds & treatments for the cystitis without relief & now wondering if the inflammation in my bladder could be related to my Celiac. I have started a gluten free diet hoping that this may relieve my symptoms.  I’m just getting started in this disease & would appreciate any comments & advice. Q

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @mswhis!

They may be related in the sense of both are autoimmune disorders and autoimmune disorders tend to cluster. If you have an autoimmune disorder, you are likely to develop others. But I would hesitate to say there is a cause and effect relationship between the two or that gluten could be contributing to your IC. It is certainly possible, however, as we keep adding to the list of known symptoms/medical conditions related to celiac disease which is a list of over 200 symptoms and conditions now.

Edited November 6, 2024 by trents

[mswhis]

Thank you for your information. I am just beginning my journey & looking for answers. 

[trents]

This article might be helpful to you as you begin your gluten free journey.

 

[cristiana]

Hi @mswhis and welcome to the forum!
 

I don't have IC but have suffered with standard cystitis on and off for years.  I have found D Mannose helpful - have you tried it?   I know that some IC sufferers have said that it has been beneficial to them.

[mswhis]

Yes, I have. Unfortunately it did not help me. Thank you for your input. 

[cristiana]

That's a shame, but on another tack - if you are coeliac with digestive issues, such as constipation, you may find that as they settle that might help somewhat. 

I've just had a quick read online and I see, for example, that constipation can exacerbate IC pain.

https://www.healthline.com/health/constipation/interstitial-cystitis-and-constipation

I suffer from pelvic pain and any digestive issues can greatly affect that.   It is like the extra pressure aggravates the nerves.  

[mswhis]

Thank you. Constipation is not a big problem, but have irritable bowel issues, more diarrhea. The burning chronic pain in my bladder is unbearable.  I also have increased pressure in my pelvis. 

[cristiana]

Well, @mswhis I too have IBS, and I think bloating has a similar effect to constipation.  Any changes that can lessen that internal pressure should help.  Do you have pain in your sacroiliac region, or along the pudendal nerve?  I have that.  But it does seem to be a lot better now than it was several years ago when I first started the gluten-free diet.

[mswhis]

I do have chronic pain in my back & sciatic nerve. The IC causes great pressure & pain In my pelvis. I am hoping that gluten free diet will reduce the inflammation & therefore, reduce my pain. 

[Scott Adams]

Here are two older articles we've done on this topic which might be helpful: