Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Please, Please Read

Guest imsohungry

By Guest imsohungry
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Guest imsohungry
Guest imsohungry
Posted

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted much recently. I must confess that I have fallen away from staying gluten-free recently...I am just so stressed trying to finish my Master's program. :blink: However, I learned some news this week that really opened my eyes. My mother was diagnosed Friday with colon cancer and all kind of things wrong in her intestines. She has been sick for a long time. "IBS"..."Spastic Colon"...etc.

When I found out about six months ago that I had a dx of Celiac, I told my mom to get tested, but she did not feel that she needed to. I told her it was genetic and all of my other auto-immune diseases came from her side of the family (this isn't an accusation...the women in her family ALL have auto-immune issues). Anyway, she finally got to feeling so sick that she had to go to the doctor; they did two endoscopies and found a whole list of problems in her intestines; including the cancer. I am trying not to worry or dwell on it, but both her mother and father passed away from cancer.

I guess I just need some support. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF CELIAC DISEASE BEING RELATED TO COLON CANCER? She promised me that after her surgery she will meet with her doctor and discuss getting tested for Celiac. Thank you for your support and knowledge. I'm so stressed and scared. -Julie :(

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Merika Contributor
Merika
Posted

Hi Julie,

My thoughts go out to you and your mom. I'm not 100% sure, but yes i believe untreated celiac can lead to colon cancer.

Which is one of the reasons (here's my rant :) ) of why *you should be eating gluten-free*. You will finish your master's with less stress, more energy, and more clear-headedness if you stick to being gluten-free. Really :) I know how stressful and time-consuming grad school is (btdt), and the temptation to just order out. Get a rice cooker, which you can set in the morning to be done just when you get home, go to the grocery store and buy some cooked meat or cans of beans, frozen veggies already chopped, fresh fruit, and you'll be set.

Also, if anyone wants menu-planning you can get online menus (pretty easy to adapt to gluten-free) - there's a link on www.flylady.net to "saving dinner". Not all the recipes may be to your taste, but some are great, and she has a grocery menu, simple recipes, and presto you're done. Or just make a really big soup once a week and eat it with varied spices/beans/meats each night (or lunch). I hate to think about menus and cooking too.

Best wishes to your family, and good luck with gluten-free eating.....

Merika

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Absolutely. Untreated celiac disease causes a very large increase in risk for all sorts of intestinal cancers. Do some searching around pubmed for the numbers, if you'd like.

As Merika noted, it's just one of the reasons why it's VITAL to your LIFE that you remain COMPLETELY gluten-free. I know it can be frustrating, and a hassle, but when you get a few quick things that satisfy you under your belt, it'll help. (For me, those are soups - if I'm going to be home to stir - or trail mix or rice cakes w/ peanut butter or fruit.)

Guest imsohungry
Guest imsohungry
Posted

Thank you both for your replies. I know you are right about staying gluten-free. My mother's diagnosis this week reminded me that taking care of myself is more important than school. I just need to learn to be gluten-free efficiently. I'm so incredibly stressed right now; I'm at work 60 hours a week (completing my internship as well as my "real job"), taking two classes at school, dealing with seizures, lupus, and celiac, and now worried over my sweet mom. This week I had a seizure and busted my eye...I had to go to the ER and get it closed up. It has just been one of those weeks. :unsure:

I know that I should be strict on my gluten-free diet. I will try to do better. Thank you for letting me vent and thank you for your support. -Julie :):(:blink:

Merika Contributor
Merika
Posted

Hi Julie,

I just remembered that Amy's brand at health food stores now has a few frozen dinners that are gluten-free. I tried a lasagna (didn't love it, but it was edible - but I'm not really a frozen dinner lover) and there was another one too....There are also gluten-free pizza crusts at Whole Foods that you just throw in the oven with whatever toppings you like, peanut butter & jelly on rice bread...maybe check out the food forum here for more ideas.

It sounds like you are doing a million things! Be healthy, stay strong, and get in the kitchen, lol :)

Merika

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Sorry, I just realized how old this thread is and only read the initial post from 2021. I'll have to catch up on the comments in this thread.
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Sorry to hear you're going through such a hard time. It would be worth looking into MCAS/histamine issues and also Long Covid. Perhaps there is something occurring in addition to celiac disease. It would be worth ruling out micronutrient deficiencies such as the b vitamins (B12, folate, B1, etc), vit D, and ferritin (iron stores).
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      This sounds very similar to the neuropathic pain I experienced with type two diabetes. Gloves and boots pattern of neuropathy is common with deficiencies in Cobalamine B12 (especially the pain in the big toe), Niacin B3, and Pyridoxine B6. These are vitamins frequently found to be low in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Remember that blood tests...
    4. trents
      - trents commented on Amiah's blog entry in Amiah
      1

      Help!!

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Amiah! First of all, you would do well to post your question in one of the appropriate community forums rather than in a blog. It will get more attention that way. Now as to your question, there are some other things that can cause elevated igg antibodies besides celiac disease. Various infections, mostly. For...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this—chronic neuropathic or nociplastic pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when testing shows no nerve damage. It’s important to clarify for readers that this type of central sensitization pain is not the same thing as ongoing gluten exposure, particularly when labs, biopsy, and nutritional status are normal....
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,581
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MaggieSc
    Newest Member
    MaggieSc
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jane02
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Sorry, I just realized how old this thread is and only read the initial post from 2021. I'll have to catch up on the comments in this thread. 
    • Jane02
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Sorry to hear you're going through such a hard time. It would be worth looking into MCAS/histamine issues and also Long Covid. Perhaps there is something occurring in addition to celiac disease. It would be worth ruling out micronutrient deficiencies such as the b vitamins (B12, folate, B1, etc), vit D, and ferritin (iron stores). 
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      This sounds very similar to the neuropathic pain I experienced with type two diabetes.  Gloves and boots pattern of neuropathy is common with deficiencies in Cobalamine B12 (especially the pain in the big toe), Niacin B3, and Pyridoxine B6.  These are vitamins frequently found to be low in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes.  Remember that blood tests for vitamin levels is terribly inaccurate.  You can have vitamin deficiencies before there are any changes in blood levels.  You can have "normal" serum levels, but be deficient inside organs and tissues where the vitamins are actually utilized.  The blood is a transportation system, moving vitamins absorbed in the intestines to organs and tissues.  Just because there's trucks on the highway doesn't mean that the warehouses are full.  The body will drain organs and tissues of their stored vitamins and send them via the bloodstream to important organs like the brain and heart.  Meanwhile, the organs and tissues are depleted and function less well.   Eating a diet high in simple carbohydrates can spike blood sugar after meals.  Eating a diet high in carbohydrates consistently over time can cause worsening of symptoms.  Thiamine and other B vitamins like Niacin B3 and Pyridoxine B6, (which I noticed you are not supplementing), are needed to turn carbs, proteins and fats into energy for the body to use.  Alcohol consumption can lower blood sugar levels, and hence, alleviate the neuropathic pain.  Alcohol destroys many B vitamins, especially Pyridoxine, Thiamine and Niacin.  With alcohol consumption, blood glucose is turned into fat, stored in the liver or abdomen, then burned for fuel, thus lowering blood glucose levels.  With the cessation of alcohol and continued high carb diet, the blood glucose levels rise again over time, resulting in worsening neuropathy.   Heavy exercise can also further delete B vitamins.  Thiamine and Niacin work in balance with each other.  Sort of like a teeter-totter, thiamine is used to produce energy and Niacin is then used to reset the cycle for thiamine one used again to produce energy.  If there's no Niacin, then the energy production cycle can't reset.  Niacin is important in regulating electrolytes for nerve impulse conduction.  Electrolyte imbalance can cause neuropathic pain.   Talk to your doctors about testing for Type Two diabetes or pre-diabetes beyond an A1C test since alcohol consumption can lower A1C giving inaccurate results. Talk to your doctors about supplementing with ALL eight B vitamins, and correcting deficiencies in Pyridoxine, Niacin, and B12.  Hope this helps! Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ P. S.  Get checked for Vitamin C deficiency, aka Scurvy.  People with Diabetes and those who consume alcohol are often low in Vitamin C which can contribute to peripheral neuropathy.
    • Scott Adams
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this—chronic neuropathic or nociplastic pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when testing shows no nerve damage. It’s important to clarify for readers that this type of central sensitization pain is not the same thing as ongoing gluten exposure, particularly when labs, biopsy, and nutritional status are normal. A stocking/glove pattern with normal nerve density points toward a pain-processing disorder rather than active celiac-related injury. Alcohol temporarily dampening symptoms likely reflects its central nervous system depressant effects, not treatment of an underlying gluten issue—and high-dose alcohol is dangerous and not a safe or sustainable strategy. Seeing a pain specialist is absolutely the right next step, and we encourage members to work closely with neurology and pain management rather than assuming hidden gluten exposure when objective testing does not support it.
    • Scott Adams
      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      There is no credible scientific evidence that standard water filters contain gluten or pose a gluten exposure risk. Gluten is a food protein from wheat, barley, or rye—it is not used in activated carbon filtration in any meaningful way, and refrigerator or pitcher filters are not designed with food-based binders that would leach gluten into water. AI-generated search summaries are not authoritative sources, and they often speculate without documentation. Major manufacturers design filters for water purification, not food processing, and gluten contamination from a water filter would be extraordinarily unlikely. For people with celiac disease, properly functioning municipal, bottled, filtered, or distilled water is considered gluten-free.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.