Throat Problems & Celiac?

[FoxersArtist]

My throat has felt really irritated for a long time but I guess i never really thought there was a major problem because my doc would look into the back of my throat with his light and tell me it looked fine whenever I complained about it. About a year ago I started noticing that when I would sing, my voice would crack when I tried to hit a high note and I would feel like coughing. When I got the flu and would cough - my gosh I thought I would cough up my lungs before it would stop, and it was always one of those dry, ticklish coughs that makes your eyes water. Recently I started noticing that food was sticking in my throat when I would swallow, which quickly progressed to getting flat out stuck or going down my windpipe instead of down my throat. This obviously was alarming so I set up an appointment with a specialist. In the past month I have noticed that I am starting to get "smokers voice" a little bit, but I don't smoke.

I had my appointment yesterday and the doc put a scope up my nose and down into my throat. My throat and vocal cords are irritated and swollen. The whole throat has grown a caluses to protect itself from lots of acid that apparently rises up into the throat and just sits there. People with this problem do not usually feel like they have heartburn at all. Because of the calused throat, everything is less sensitve and the throat muscles require sensitivity to function. I'm choking on food because there is a delayed response after I initially swallow because the throat cannot feel the food coming it's way at first and doesn't respond.

My GI doctor had mentioned when she diagnosed with celiac that I was having major acid problems and that the acid had irritated my whole upper GI so it makes sence that my throat wouldn't be any different. I decided not to take an anti acid and just see if the gluten free diet cut down on the acid and irritation. The throat doctor commented that it has taken many years to get this kind of damage so I'm wondering if the damage was still mostly from the celiac. Needless to say, I'm going to start an anti acid, but I was just wondering if there are other celiacs who have experienced this problem. Did going gluten free help?

-Anna

[Fiddle-Faddle]

What you describe is very common with GERD, and I think thyroid problems might impact things, also. Both GERD and thyroid problems can be triggered by celiac.

For now, stick with rice, cooked veggies, fresh fruits (you might want to avoid citrus and pineapple for now), steamed or broiled fish, meats, chicken, and eggs.

Eat small meals 6 times a day instead of large meals 3 times a day. Don't lie down right after eating. Get lots of exercise, like long walks outside , or swimming. But start slowly--it sounds like you might be at risk for exercise-induced asthma, as your coughing is likely a kind of reflux-induced asthma. You need to up your lung capacity!

Stay away from gluten-free breads, cakes, cookies, pancakes, etc. for the next couple of months to speed up healing. As your gut heals, your immune system can calm down and stop attacking your thyroid (if that is an issue), and things like antacids will actually be absorbed now (if you were taking one before, it probably wasn't being absorbed due to leaky gut).

[FoxersArtist]

Thanks a bunch!!!

It sounds like we are already headed in the right direction since hubby is going to start an elimination diet which includes the foods you listed. Hubby read along with me, laughed, and said "well, I guess we're in it together. Partners in crime." As far as excercise, I'm trying to avoide that right now anyway as I have lost tons of weight and am getting down to a critical weight and want to hang on to every calorie I can get. I'm sure there is room for healing and I hope it doesn't take too long, but at the same time, I'm totally afraid it'll only get worse until I can't swallow at all! Ahhh!

What you describe is very common with GERD, and I think thyroid problems might impact things, also. Both GERD and thyroid problems can be triggered by celiac.

For now, stick with rice, cooked veggies, fresh fruits (you might want to avoid citrus and pineapple for now), steamed or broiled fish, meats, chicken, and eggs.

Eat small meals 6 times a day instead of large meals 3 times a day. Don't lie down right after eating. Get lots of exercise, like long walks outside , or swimming. But start slowly--it sounds like you might be at risk for exercise-induced asthma, as your coughing is likely a kind of reflux-induced asthma. You need to up your lung capacity!

Stay away from gluten-free breads, cakes, cookies, pancakes, etc. for the next couple of months to speed up healing. As your gut heals, your immune system can calm down and stop attacking your thyroid (if that is an issue), and things like antacids will actually be absorbed now (if you were taking one before, it probably wasn't being absorbed due to leaky gut).

[Calicoe]

Yes, I've been having this issue as well. It was hard to notice at first, because I had a slew of other symptom, but the hard-to-swallow symptom has definitely been there over the last few months. I also have a chronic sinus drip which never went away after I got a bad bout of bronchitis this past winter.

This past Thursday, I saw a doctor for the first time in a while, and I was so caught up with describing the other and past symptoms (gastro, itching and autoimmune symptoms, neurological) that I didn't mention this relatively newer symptom right away. She asked me about it, and at first I said no, until I thought about it. The symptoms are not as debilitating as the others, but they are definitely there, in very much the same way that the OP described.

I'm sure the doctor will test me for Hypothyroid, and I mentioned the celiac disease suspicion. I wouldn't know which triggered the other, though. Hypothyroidism definitely runs in my blood line, but I would be the first to test for celiac disease.

[jewi0008]

I had many problems like you. And then...in one year I came down with 4-5 bouts of tonsillitis/pharyngitis/strep/ect. It was miserable. I ended up having my tonsils and adenoids removed. I have never had a "real" problem with my throat since...amazing. But now I've just developed awful dry mouth feeling and chronic mouth problems. I think my thyroid may be off, too...since I don't get my "female monthly friend."

Thanks a bunch!!!

It sounds like we are already headed in the right direction since hubby is going to start an elimination diet which includes the foods you listed. Hubby read along with me, laughed, and said "well, I guess we're in it together. Partners in crime." As far as excercise, I'm trying to avoide that right now anyway as I have lost tons of weight and am getting down to a critical weight and want to hang on to every calorie I can get. I'm sure there is room for healing and I hope it doesn't take too long, but at the same time, I'm totally afraid it'll only get worse until I can't swallow at all! Ahhh!

[NorthernElf]

After a wicked virus that triggered my celiacs, GERD was a big issue for me. I'm one of those that had stomach issues all my life but "mild". I had reflux when I was pregnant, a bit - but that is expected to a point. Well, after this virus I had reflux a lot, stomach pain, and lots of acid. I also had sinus issues.

I had that barium thing where they can see your stomach (after an H Pylori test). Turns out the sphincter on top of my stomach is shaped funny...according to my doctor, hence the acid issue. Hmmm...funny how a genetic anomaly didn't become an issue until I was 35 ! The stomach burning is dyspepsia...not really explainable, just there. I take Zantac 150 every morning (I still like my am coffee) and I have no issues, most of the time. One has to identify one's triggers. I can get away with coffee fine BUT alcohol, fluid dairy, and some spicy food do me in. If I want alcohol in the evening, I take an extra Zantac. I have tried Nexium (ugh, I think it is has gluten in it...didn't work for me anyway). I tried another one too - Pepcid ? Not sure. All I'm saying is that the first one prescribed or tried might not be the one.

I also graze - eat small meals throughout the day. A very full stomach is a bad thing, as is eating lots before bed. I tried the bed thing - elevating my head but I didn't like it. For a quick fix my bandaid solution is Gaviscon. I'm also big on physical activity - seems to help digestion. Inactivity and extra weight also don't help.

Anyway, when my throat feels raw or even my ears feel tender (in the ear or up the eustachian tubes from my throat), I analyze my diet and see if I feel acidy. Sometimes it's not so noticeable. Scarring of the esophagus is a bad thing - look up Barret's esophagus - there is a slightly higher chance of cancer. My younger brother has this...*sigh*...I wish he would get tested.

Reflux is sometimes my first clue I've been glutened - it is definitely related. I do have the other ususal symptoms, BTW - nausuea, D, aches, pains, fatigue, crabbiness - it's more than the GERD.

[GFinDC]

I do have trouble swallowing sometimes, things can just get stuck it seems. I have not associated it with acid, I think for me it has something to do with my thyroid problem. I usually drink some water to wash the food down. Corn tortillas are the worst thing for this, they seem very hard to get down all the way. It is certainly an unpleasant feeling having some chunk of food stuck half way down!

[Isellhouses]

Hi there,

I most definately had that problem. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and have not followed the diet and now just getting the swing of it because of all the stomach issues that I have.

I have been choking on and off for about 10 years. I have had lots of tests and they always say it is nothing. Just on a whim the DR gave me some samples of nexium(purple pill) and it works. I have not choked on my food in the past 3 months since taking this. I dont know if it is related to celiac or thyroid as I have both but that works.

I hope that helps.

[Livingwell]

Anna,

 

It seems I am struggling with the exact same problem you described above. I see you made this post in 2008, how is your situation now? What worked for you? Thanks!

 

Almas

 

My throat has felt really irritated for a long time but I guess i never really thought there was a major problem because my doc would look into the back of my throat with his light and tell me it looked fine whenever I complained about it. About a year ago I started noticing that when I would sing, my voice would crack when I tried to hit a high note and I would feel like coughing. When I got the flu and would cough - my gosh I thought I would cough up my lungs before it would stop, and it was always one of those dry, ticklish coughs that makes your eyes water. Recently I started noticing that food was sticking in my throat when I would swallow, which quickly progressed to getting flat out stuck or going down my windpipe instead of down my throat. This obviously was alarming so I set up an appointment with a specialist. In the past month I have noticed that I am starting to get "smokers voice" a little bit, but I don't smoke.

I had my appointment yesterday and the doc put a scope up my nose and down into my throat. My throat and vocal cords are irritated and swollen. The whole throat has grown a caluses to protect itself from lots of acid that apparently rises up into the throat and just sits there. People with this problem do not usually feel like they have heartburn at all. Because of the calused throat, everything is less sensitve and the throat muscles require sensitivity to function. I'm choking on food because there is a delayed response after I initially swallow because the throat cannot feel the food coming it's way at first and doesn't respond.

My GI doctor had mentioned when she diagnosed with celiac that I was having major acid problems and that the acid had irritated my whole upper GI so it makes sence that my throat wouldn't be any different. I decided not to take an anti acid and just see if the gluten free diet cut down on the acid and irritation. The throat doctor commented that it has taken many years to get this kind of damage so I'm wondering if the damage was still mostly from the celiac. Needless to say, I'm going to start an anti acid, but I was just wondering if there are other celiacs who have experienced this problem. Did going gluten free help?
-Anna

[LauraTX]

Anna,

 

It seems I am struggling with the exact same problem you described above. I see you made this post in 2008, how is your situation now? What worked for you? Thanks!

 

Almas

 

Welcome to the forum, Almas!

 

The original poster has not been active on the forum since 08 so you may not get a response.  However, if you are dealing with throat soreness from GERD or excess acid, definitely go see a GI doctor as soon as possible.  It is something I deal with as well, and it can cause some bad issues.

[cyclinglady]

On 6/11/2018 at 12:41 PM, saquibhafeez said:

Hi. I have been diagnosed celiac in  last month. And I having throat  problems with fever almost in every week. Panadol not effect any more. When ever I take ciprofloxacin,  it works.I just to ask wheher  u also have fever with throat infection or other wise.  Also want to know how long does it get rid of celiac symptoms. I m using  gluten free diet now a days  with almost 25 days after my diagnosis. Thanks

It can take months or a year or longer depending on your intestinal damage, how fast you learn the gluten free diet and avoid making mistakes and if you have collateral dam get like osteoporosis or anemia.  Nerve damage can take much longer to heal (or it might not).  

What did your GI see during your endoscopy?   Did he comment about your throat as well?  

Be careful with the Cipro,  it is a strong antibiotic that has a black box warning per the FDA.  One of the serious side effects is spontaneous snapping tendons!  

Edited June 13, 2018 by cyclinglady