Interesting Dx Story

[Swingin' Celiac]

Hello, I'm brand new and this is my first post. I was wondering if there might be anyone out there who can understand or relate to my story.

Well it all began with a sore throat. I've been a singer for as long as I can remember, but a few years ago I developed this awful chronic sore throat that would get worse from singing. My sophomore year in high school I barely spoke it hurt so bad. So I went to an ENT and he gave me a tonsillectomy. I though all of my problems had been solved. I was wrong.

The sore throat persisted (though I will admit that it wasn't quite so bad as it was before) and so I tried to search for another cause. I thought I was singing improperly so multiple voice lessons and lots of $ later, not change. Back to the ENT, nothing.

Finally I found a pediatric ENT would diagnosed me with mild acid reflux in the throat and put me on a PPI for the reflux. He also thought my vocal usage might have been improper, so he sent me to a speech pathologist...nothing wrong there.

Well I didn't seem to notice much of a difference with the reflux medicine. I never had heartburn to begin with, but many foods (citrus, tomatoes, spices, etc.) really irritated my throat. I went back to my original ENT (the one who gave me the tonsillectomy) and he upped the dosage...still no change. My symptoms were basically burping and a mild feeling of something (maybe acid) refluxing into my throat.

So I finally saw a pediatric GI (she was so awesome and actually cared about my problems) and she gave me an endoscopy. She found some mild irritation, possibly indicating reflux, and put me on Nexium as a last powerful resort. Although I was able to sing without quite so much pain it was still there.

The next step was to get a pH test (BRAVO), which she referred me to another ped. GI for, and what do you know?...normal pH levels in the lower esophagus. However he found some bile in my stomach and, mild flattening of the villi in my small intestines. After a blood test it was set in stone...I learned I was a Celiac on the Ides of March, 2006 (man was that a surprise).

To this day I'm not entirely sure if I had reflux or not (maybe just enough acid to mess with the throat but not enough to damage the esophagus). I know that reflux inducing foods still hurt my throat, despite my being gluten-free for over 2 mo., so who knows. Anyway I'm just ranting, so has anyone out there had to go through something similar, and if so, will the sore throat ever go away? Thanks for reading this crazy long post.

[Ursa Major]

Hi, and welcome to this board! Your story sounds familiar, I have read similar ones before. Doctors are so clueless! Actually, you got diagnosed much quicker than a lot of people here. I finally diagnosed myself at the age of 52, after having had celiac disease symptoms from infancy!

Anyway, I am sure others will chime in who had a story similar to yours. It's only been two months, give it some time, your sore throat will hopefully go away eventually. You may have other intolerances as well, though, which could be causing your sore throat, especially dairy is a likely culprit.

Hang in there!

[Swingin' Celiac]

Thank you for your encouragement, and wow, I never knew dairy intolerance could cause a sore throat. I was beginning to wonder if I might have any troubles with dairy or other foods because I know that this is really common in people with celiac disease. I've also been noticing that rich dairy foods (e.g. milk chocolate, ice cream, and straight milk) tend to give me a stomach ache and lots of burping etc. but I can never tell if its just the normal celiac symptoms or something more. Also, another interesting note, is that my doctor said that maybe the gluten intolerance might be messing with my throat, but I think I've ruled out that by now (unless I'm ingesting gluten without knowing it [i sure hope not]). Anyway I'll try the dairy-free thing for a little while and see if my stomache or maybe even throat will start to feel any better.

[mommida]

I'm glad you have your diagnoses. So many people here have had to endure so much before diagnoses, many who eventually ended up self diagnosing.

We have heard of similar situations to yours.

Welcome to the board!

L.

[Mabc]

Hi! I'm new here too. I am not diagnosed yet, but my symptoms seem to match celiac, and I'm trying the diet to see if my symptoms improve. Sore throat is one of my symptoms. My illness became much more severe 8 years ago when my sinuses started acting funny. I've had a sore throat (and other icky stuff) ever since 24/7/366

Anyway, I'm hoping my sore throat will clear up as I continue being gluten free. If not, perhaps it is another food also like dairy or corn. I know I don't have acid reflux, yet always the sore throat. Are you drinking plenty of water? People tell me that has a big impact though I'm not that good at it yet.

Best of luck to you!

[BRUMI1968]

I just got dx'd and I've had a bizarre off and on sore throat for a few years. It literally comes on and goes away within an hour. Weird. Obviously better than having it all the time...but it's never been explained. Maybe it's aliens.

[loraleena]

I also get on and off sore throat, plus chills and a general fatigued feeling. It can come and go at the drop of a hat.