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Intestinal Swelling

lcarter

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lcarter Contributor
lcarter
Posted

It took years for me to be finally diagnosed: As an only child, I had a problem with dairy as an infant, with projectile vomiting after bottle feedings (Mom didn't breast feed), and was continually underweight. I was very sickly growing up with frequent flu like symptoms, yet no doctor suggested food allergies or intolerances all those years. At 27, I became pregnant for the first time. I weighed only 98 lbs at 5'3". So, the ob-gyn told me I needed to gain weight -- he recommended lots of high calory foods which usually seem to involve dairy. I did as told and got so ill they were afraid I would loose the baby. He sent me to a gastroenterologist who said, "oh, you have lactose intolerance, just limit the amount of dairy you ingest." That wasn't the answer! Out of desperation a nurse friend suggested an allergist who was also knowledgable about food problems. It was a long drawn out process -- but this wise, almost retired dr finally figured out that I was milk protein intolerant and could not tolerate even the faintist hint of milk in foods or meds. However...there was still something else which didn't show up on any of his tests. So, I continued to have minor (in comparison) problems thoughout another 15 yrs. It took an emergency trip to the hospital (after eating amost a 1/2 box whole wheat Tiscuits on an airplane flight), in sever pain with the small intestines almost swollen shut, and the surgeon threatening to take out part of my intestines, that it was ever sugested that it could possibly be gluten. A couple of months later I had a repeat experience and took seriously the idea of gluten being the culprit. I went on a gluten free diet imediately. I kept feeling better and better until all my symptoms gradually went away. My gp after a few months did a blood test for celiac when he found out I was eating a gluten free diet--of course, the test was negative. Then, he suggested that I have an endoscopy, but I refused as I knew these tests are not 100%. Besides, what was the point? The diet worked! Fortunately, I have to be such a bear about what I eat because of the dairy protein intolerance, gluten wasn't that hard for me to eliminate as well. It's been over 2 yrs now and I remain absolutely symptom free! :D

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    • Wheatwacked
      Feel like I’m starting over

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Hello @Scatterbrain, Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free food is not fortified so you may be starting to run low on B vitamins and vitamin D.   By the way you should get your mom checked for celiac disease.  You got it from your mom or dad.  Some studies show that following a gluten-free diet can stabilize or improve symptoms of dementia.  I know that for the 63 years I was eating gluten I got dumber and dumber until I started GFD and vitamin replenishment and it began to reverse.  Thiamine can get used up in a week or two.  Symptoms can come and go with daily diet.  Symptoms of beriberi due to Thiamine deficiency.   Difficulty walking. Loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet. Loss of muscle function or paralysis of the lower legs. Mental confusion. Pain. Speech difficulties. Strange eye movements (nystagmus) Tingling. Any change in medications? Last March I had corotid artery surgery (90 % blockage), and I started taking Losartan for blood pressure, added to the Clonidine I was taking already.  I was not recovering well and many of my pre gluten free symptoms were back  I was getting worse.  At first I thought it was caused a reaction to the anesthesia from the surgery, but that should have improved after two weeks.  Doctor thought I was just being a wimp. After three months I talked to my doctor about a break from the Losartan to see if it was causing it. It had not made any difference in my bp.  Except for clonindine, all of the previous bp meds tried had not worked to lower bp and had crippling side effects. One, I could not stand up straight; one wobbly knees, another spayed feet.  Inguinal hernia from the Lisinopril cough.  Had I contiued on those, I was destined for a wheelchair or walker. She said the symptoms were not from Losartan so I continued taking it.  Two weeks later I did not have the strength in hips and thighs to get up from sitting on the floor (Help, I can't get up😨).  I stopped AMA (not recommended).  Without the Losartan, a) bp did not change, after the 72 hour withdrawal from Losartanon, on clonidine only and b) symptoms started going away.  Improvement started in 72 hours.  After six weeks they were gone and I am getting better.  
    • Scott Adams
      Recovery from gluten challenge

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Hopefully the food she eats away from home, especially at school, is 100% gluten-free. If you haven't checked in with the school directly about this, it might be worth a planned visit with their staff to make sure her food is safe.
    • Scatterbrain
      Feel like I’m starting over

      By Scatterbrain · Posted

      Thanks to those who have replied.  To Cristina, my symptoms are as follows: Dizziness, lightheaded, headaches (mostly sinus), jaw/neck pain, severe tinnitus, joint stiffness, fatigue, irregular heart rate, post exercise muscle fatigue and soreness, brain fog, insomnia.  Generally feeling unwell. To Trents, We didn’t do any of the construction but did visit the job site quite often.  While getting the old house ready we stirred up a lot of dust and I’m sure mold but haven’t been back there for over a month.
    • Kirita
      Recovery from gluten challenge

      By Kirita · Posted

      Thank you so much for your response! I have a follow-up appointment with her pediatrician next week, and also an appointment with her pediatric GI Dr. Your message gives me some ideas for questions to ask the doctors. My daughter went strictly gluten-free in January following her first endoscopy so I’m guessing her diet is pretty solid. She is compliant but also reliant on others to make her food (at school and home) but she didn’t have this problem prior to the gluten challenge when she went strictly gluten-free. It really makes sense to me that the gluten challenge inflammation hasn’t healed and I will be asking her doctors about nutritional issues. I ask for anecdotal stories because the research surrounding the gluten challenge seems to be inconsistent and inconclusive (at least what I’ve been able to find!). Thank you so much for your response!
    • Scott Adams
      Recovery from gluten challenge

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While the positive endoscopy confirms the diagnosis, it's important to be skeptical of the idea that your daughter will simply "bounce back" to a pre-challenge state. The gluten challenge was essentially a controlled, prolonged exposure that likely caused significant inflammation and damage to her system; it's not surprising that recovery is slow and that a subsequent exposure hit her so hard. The persistent fatigue is a major red flag that her body is still struggling, potentially indicating that the initial damage hasn't fully healed or that her system is now in a heightened state of reactivity. Rather than seeking anecdotal timelines from others, her experience underscores the critical need for close follow-up with her gastroenterologist to rule out other nutrient deficiencies commonly caused by celiac flare-ups, like iron or B12, and to consult with a dietitian to scrutinize her diet for any hidden sources of cross-contamination that could be perpetuating her symptoms. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.      
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