Chest pain from celiac

[Betsy Crum]

Hello everyone

I have been gluten free since 2007. I never had any testing done but all my symptoms ( headache, fatigue, diarrhea, brain fog etc..) disappeared when I stopped eating gluten. For the last 15 years or so, when I accidently eat gluten I get severe chest pains that last around 5 or 10 minutes sometimes I can barely breath. This is my only real symptom. The weird thing is that recently I have had this exact same chest pain without having any wheat ( I know I had no gluten). My whole world is getting tossed upside down with this. How can this pain be happening when I haven't had gluten? Was this never really a gluten symptom? Do I have a new intolerance? I'm so confused why I would have this pain without having gluten. Any thoughts?

[Scott Adams]

It sounds like you've done an amazing job managing your health since going gluten-free in 2007, and it must be incredibly frustrating to experience these unexplained chest pains now. Since you were never formally tested for celiac disease, we can't rule out whether you have celiac or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), but your clear symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet suggests gluten was definitely a trigger.

The chest pain you describe could have several possible causes. First, it might not be gluten-related at all - many people with gluten issues develop new sensitivities over time, especially to foods like dairy, soy, or high-FODMAP ingredients. Acid reflux (GERD) is another strong possibility, as it can cause nearly identical chest pain and may be triggered by foods other than gluten. Stress and anxiety can also manifest physically this way, particularly if you're worried about accidental gluten exposure. And of course, it's always wise to rule out any cardiac issues with your doctor.

I'd recommend keeping a detailed food and symptom diary for a few weeks, noting everything you eat along with stress levels and symptoms. Trying a brief elimination diet of common irritants (like dairy or acidic foods) might reveal new triggers. If the pain persists, seeing a gastroenterologist could help identify whether you've developed something like GERD, EoE (eosinophilic esophagitis), or other digestive conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Please don't blame yourself - our bodies change over time, and what worked for 15 years might need adjusting now. Your pain is real and worth investigating, even if gluten isn't the culprit this time. Many in our community have gone through similar experiences, so you're definitely not alone in this frustration!

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Betsy Crum!

That you have either celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) seems not to be in doubt as the classic symptoms of headache, fatigue, diarrhea, brain fog, etc.) cleared up when you went gluten free. The chest pains with breathing difficulty onset being so quick after the consumption of gluten, even in the early years, suggests to me that phenomenon is not related to gluten intolerance. It sounds more like an allergic reaction. Perhaps this has been extended to include other food proteins. Have you had any allergy testing done?

[Betsy Crum]

14 minutes ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, @Betsy Crum!

That you have either celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) seems not to be in doubt as the classic symptoms of headache, fatigue, diarrhea, brain fog, etc.) cleared up when you went gluten free. The chest pains with breathing difficulty onset being so quick after the consumption of gluten, even in the early years, suggests to me that phenomenon is not related to gluten intolerance. It sounds more like an allergic reaction. Perhaps this has been extended to include other food proteins. Have you had any allergy testing done?

I don't have health insurance so I have never had any testing done. I always thought if I stay away from gluten Ill be fine but I suppose that isn't enough anymore. I will look into getting an allergy test. Thank you for your input! 

[Betsy Crum]

20 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

It sounds like you've done an amazing job managing your health since going gluten-free in 2007, and it must be incredibly frustrating to experience these unexplained chest pains now. Since you were never formally tested for celiac disease, we can't rule out whether you have celiac or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), but your clear symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet suggests gluten was definitely a trigger.

The chest pain you describe could have several possible causes. First, it might not be gluten-related at all - many people with gluten issues develop new sensitivities over time, especially to foods like dairy, soy, or high-FODMAP ingredients. Acid reflux (GERD) is another strong possibility, as it can cause nearly identical chest pain and may be triggered by foods other than gluten. Stress and anxiety can also manifest physically this way, particularly if you're worried about accidental gluten exposure. And of course, it's always wise to rule out any cardiac issues with your doctor.

I'd recommend keeping a detailed food and symptom diary for a few weeks, noting everything you eat along with stress levels and symptoms. Trying a brief elimination diet of common irritants (like dairy or acidic foods) might reveal new triggers. If the pain persists, seeing a gastroenterologist could help identify whether you've developed something like GERD, EoE (eosinophilic esophagitis), or other digestive conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Please don't blame yourself - our bodies change over time, and what worked for 15 years might need adjusting now. Your pain is real and worth investigating, even if gluten isn't the culprit this time. Many in our community have gone through similar experiences, so you're definitely not alone in this frustration!

Thank you for your response! I have considered starting a food diary in the past, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start.  

[Wheatwacked]

Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to rib pain. Chest pain stemming from the ribs ccould be costochondritis, which involves inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone. This pain can range from mild to severe, potentially mimicking heart attack symptoms, and is often worsened by breathing or movement. Other potential causes include muscle strain, rib fractures, or even referred pain from other conditions. 

It will also help to chose vegetables low in omega 6.

[cristiana]

My chest pain has been caused by costochondritis, as well as times when iron supplements has given me such bad bloating it has put pressure on my back and chest, and reflux can do the same.

Also, along the lines of Wheatwacked's suggestion above, is it possible you had an injury to your chest/ribs way back that is being set off by either some sort of gastrointestinal bloating/discomfort?

I distinctly remember really hurting a rib over forty years ago when I misjudged a wall and thought it was just behind me but in fact it wasn't.  I fell badly against the wall and I think I cracked a rib then.  For some strange reason I didn't tell anyone but I think had I gone to hospital an X-ray would have revealed a fracture. I think that rib has not been right since and I am sure that bloating makes it worse, as well as heavy lifting.

Edited July 13 by cristiana

[TheFuzz]

I had similar pains after going gluten-free.  Turns out it was more related to undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.  Because celiac is an immune dysfunction disease, it's possible you have another underlying one.  I wish mine had been identified much sooner, so you may want to look at symptoms of diseases like RA and lupus to see if you have other symptoms that might point you in the right direction to ask the right questions.