Celiac Without Bowel Symptoms

[Rebecca150]

Well, I had the blood celiac panel done, along with some nutrient/vitamin panels and a thyroid panel. Just have to wait for the results to get in.

As I have been reading on the board, I have noticed a lot of people with celiac tend to have bowel issues. I do not have bowel issues. The pain that I feel is entirely in my upper gastric region. Sometimes its dull and sometimes its sharp enough to wake me up in the morning at 3am scrambling in the dark for pain relievers. Its not heartburn, just a dull, or sharp, pain in my gut.

Now, when I got a clue that I might be gluten intolerant, I started noting my reactions after eating gluten. Eating a lot of bread with dinner will lead to a major ouch for me in the middle of the night. Eating a granola bar will lead to mild stomach pain about a half hour after eating. But if I eat something without gluten, no noticeable stomach pain.

I just find it odd that I don't have any bowel symptoms. Just pain in the stomach with maybe a slight bloated feeling and some gas (as in burping). I was simply wondering if there are any of you out their that have these types of symptoms without the diahhrea, etc?

Also, I wanted to mention that simple ulcer meds in the past haven't helped much. Also, when I get the pain, eating a little somthing does not make it go away, it only makes it worse. And I have experimented with eliminating dairy. Still had the pain.

Just curious........

[jerseyangel]

Hi Rebecca, and welcome

Not all Celiacs have D, and some have no GI symptoms at all.

I went undiagnosed for a long time, and for years had no D, just nausea and anemia. It wasn't until the last year or so before I was diagnosed that I had the D and weight loss.

[Jestgar]

I have almost no GI symptoms. A little discomfort and bloating if I ate alot. My problems are mostly in my head - headache, brainfog, depression. and muscular.

[dally099]

hi im on my gluten challenge right now (writing down what i eat and how i feel after being gluten-free for a couple of months) and im noting this time that i dont have a lot of D just really tired and stupid feeling, hot flashes and sore tummy.

[elye]

The positive blood panel that came back for me two years ago completely floored me--in fact, I was sure they had mixed up my results with someone else's, because the only symptom I had was low iron. No GI stuff, no brain stuff, no aches...

[disneyfan]

The positive blood panel that came back for me two years ago completely floored me--in fact, I was sure they had mixed up my results with someone else's, because the only symptom I had was low iron. No GI stuff, no brain stuff, no aches...

I have not experienced the major stomach symptoms that most people have. I do have bloating but my most obvious feeling is extreme exhaustion after eating. My tests results have been mainly nutrient deficiencies which led to celiac testing. I have had years of low iron and thyroid disease but only put this together a few months ago. After being gluten free for 5 weeks now, I feel a huge difference and yesterday's Easter dinner was the first meal I did not fall asleep after. My energy level and mood is so much better and I don't feel 3 months pregnant at the end of the night. The other obvious difference is my hair has so much more body than it has in months. I have not completely gone through all toiletries, but I think some people are more sensitive those products.

[es2443]

I also get extremely bad upper stomach pain along with constant bloating. It feels like knives stabbing me. Although I do get bowel problems also, most of my pain is upper stomach related.

[Jenwags]

I have had "attacks" of severe upper abdominal pain for years. Doctors have long suspected a condition called acute intermittent porphyria (something you might want to look into.) However, I am now being tested for celiac, though I have had few GI symptoms other than constipation and bloating. However, I have had bouts of anemia, gall bladder disease and am hypothyroid. It appears celiac may have been wreaking havoc on various organs while being relatively silent in my GI tract. I suspect this has been the case my whole life. Now I am wondering if I will end up with a diagnosis of both celiac and porphyria OR if the upper abdominal pain has been caused by celiac all along.