Any History Of Duodenal Or Peptic Ulcers?

[Molecular Dude]

Hello Everyone,

I've knowingly been gluten sensitive for the last four years (now age 48), but had bleeding duodenal ulcers twice as a young teen. I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar history and, if so, whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship between these phenomena? Further, which is the cause and which is the effect? In retrospect, I've had isolated, sporadic symptoms of gluten sensitivity throughout my life, but nothing really persistent until relatively recently. Ulcers are now generally attributed to bacterial (helicobacter) infections, but perhaps gluten sensitivity predisposes one to such infections. Comments?

Thanks

[debmidge]

during endoscopy GI found duodenal ulcer in husband....it was halfway healed ...

[ravenwoodglass]

Ulcers were one of my DD's primary presentations.

[ptkds]

When my dd was 14 months old, she had an endoscopy done and the GI found some ulcers in her stomach. He said they were most likely from gluten, even though her celiac tests were negative. Also, her H. pylori bacteria (the bacteria that can cause ulcers) test was negative. So, yes, I believe that ulcers can be caused by gluten if you are a celiac or gluten intolerant.

[neesee]

Nope, no ulcers whatsoever!

neesee

[hathor]

I think I've had gluten problems my entire life, just not known about it until a year ago.

Some years ago I was told I had a duodenal "irritation." This was way before anyone knew about H. pylori. I got the standard advice given to ulcer folks back then, which had no effect on what I felt. I think it was a gall bladder problem; sometimes my food just wouldn't digest and I would experience quite a bit of pain. I just learned to avoid the foods that set me off, mostly high fat items and in particular eggs.

[sneezydiva]

  hathor said:

I think I've had gluten problems my entire life, just not known about it until a year ago.

Some years ago I was told I had a duodenal "irritation." This was way before anyone knew about H. pylori. I got the standard advice given to ulcer folks back then, which had no effect on what I felt. I think it was a gall bladder problem; sometimes my food just wouldn't digest and I would experience quite a bit of pain. I just learned to avoid the foods that set me off, mostly high fat items and in particular eggs.

That is what they told me this past July when I had an endoscopy to look for an ulcer. I had all the classic symptoms, and everyone was convinced I had one, even though the H. pylori test was negative and Nexium didn't help my severe stomach pain and obvious adominal tenderness.

Unfortunately, they didn't look in or biopsy my small intestine, but the pain went away just 3 days after starting the gluten free diet.

[Lollie]

Prior to going gluten-free I was diagnosed over and over with ulcers, always after the endoscope confirmed my doc's diagnosis.... They always said I was too young for all that, but yet I had them. I personally believe that the gluten was keeping my stomach and intestines "roughed up". I know that now that I am gluten-free, 2 years later, I am alot better. I don't take med's for it. Only when really stressed out (ie moving or a death in the family) do I have that kind of pain.

Lollie

[Molecular Dude]

Well, clearly I'm not the only one who has experienced both ulcers and gluten sensitivity. But, the question remains as to whether there is a causal relationship, and which is the chicken and which is the egg if they are in fact intertwined phenomena.

If I had to speculate, I would predict that gluten sensitivity is causal since it can cause upper small intestine erosion of a sort. But, on the other hand, ulcers might be causal since their damage may allow the immune system to begin to recognize and attack the otherwise normally protected tissues, as occurs in celiac. A controlled study may be in order here!

[JoeB]

I've been gluten free for about three years, but I'm sure I've had celiac for about 30 years (I'm 56). I had a peptic ulcer about 20 years ago (negative for h pylori). I'm not sure about cause and effect, but I do know that before going gluten free, my stomach also had some problem (pain, gas, nasea, etc.) I haven't had any of those problems since going on the diet.