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

Strange Abdominal Symptom

lotusgem

Recommended Posts

lotusgem Rookie
lotusgem
Posted

Hi Everyone! Before I get into my question, I want to say how impressed I am with all the caring and informed people in this group. Wow! I'm fast becoming addicted to this message board. :)

My question has to do with a symptom that I had as a pre-teen, more than 30 years ago. You see, until I had learned about Celiac disease and begun the diet several months ago, I had forgotten all about these unpleasant spells that I used to endure from time to time as a child. I feel certain that they were directly a result of Celiac, and wondered if anyone knows what they were. I used to sometimes feel my lower abdomen start to stiffen and get hard and I would hobble into my bedroom and lay down on my back. I could feel and see the outline of my innards start to swell or inflate and push out from what would normally be a flat stomach. It would continue to get worse and worse for a couple of minutes or so. I remember reaching out and touching the area and it was hard as a rock, and the part that was raised resembled the shape of a hose. I was vaguely aware of anatomy and decided that from the looks of the form, that it was probably my intestines. It was very scary for me as a child, not to mention painful. I was always afraid that something would burst. But after a few minutes the stress would subside and whatever was going on down there would relax and my stomach would flatten out again. Odd, but I never told anyone about it, either family or doctor. Can anyone tell me what was going on there?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

Hmm...I don't know--I used to have a strange abdominal symptom--not sure if it was celiac or the malrotation, but when I felt sick, all the muscles in my stomach would tense up completely--making it look I had really amazing abs :lol: and my stomach would....get sucked inwards--without me trying to or anything....I think that was malrotation, not celiac, but another weird stomach thing. Sorry I can't help with your situation, cause mine was basically the opposite.

lotusgem Rookie
lotusgem
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, celiac3270 for taking the time to reply. I wonder if it was malrotation. After I read your post, I did a little research on the subject. If what I understand is correct, the right side of the abdomen is where the action takes place, and that's the side that was most affected in myself. What I wonder now is if there is a connection between Celiac and this birth defect. Seems like I've noticed a few people participating in this message board that say they have both. Well, I saw your earlier post about your recent operation; I hope that you stay well and happy!

Paula :)

celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

Thank you :)--it's been 19 days now w/o getting sick--I haven't gone that long in over a year!

Really? Who else has this? Also, I'm not trying to suggest that you have that-- do you still get that symptom or was it just in the past? If you no longer get the symptom, I think it would effectively rule out malrotation. If not--well, you said it started as a child...so who knows?

lotusgem Rookie
lotusgem
Posted
  • Author

Way to go, celiac3270! 19 days and counting! You're on a roll (mal-ROLL-tation :D )

Gosh, I wish that I could tell you who I thought I saw that had both Celiac and malrotation, but I have no idea. I've been all over this message board and just don't remember, but could swear there were others. I realize that you are not suggesting that this could be the problem, but still, it is interesting and I had decided to research it but had forgotten the name. So you did me a nice favor by reminding me! No, I haven't had any other symptoms like that since childhood. That means that I can rule it out, huh? I had wondered about that. Well, good. Maybe we'll talk again sometime.

Take care.

Paula

celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

Yes--your intestines wouldn't be twisting as a child and then all of a sudden stop--this is ongoing and will not be present without symptoms of some sort--which is why they usually find it at birth--often a baby has a problem, such as projectile (or green) vomiting. So yes--you can rule out malrotation. Congratulations, your intestines aren't messed up structurally :lol::D

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. Kit Kellison
      - Kit Kellison commented on Jefferson Adams's article in Gluten-Free Foods & Beverages
      6

      Oreo Debuts New Gluten-Free Mint Oreo Cookies

      Glutinos are eay better. The filling tastes more like homemade icing and the cookies are crisper. Great dunked in milk.
    2. Scott Adams
      0

      Fluffy Coconut Banana Pancake—Baked, Gluten-Free, and Family-Style

    3. Scott Adams
      0

      Gluten-Free Foods in Mexico: A Study Raises Safety and Labeling Concerns

    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. Amiah
      1

      Help!!

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,633
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    envydaddy
    Newest Member
    envydaddy
    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

    • Scott Adams
      Gluten-Mimicking Proteins that can affect some Celiac individuals.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Here are some articles on cross-reactivity and celiac disease:      
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @HectorConvector, Here are some articles about "dry Beriberi" and neuropathy.  I hope you've been able to acquire thiamine hydrochloride or Benfotiamine.  I'm concerned.   Dry Beriberi Due to Thiamine Deficiency Associated with Peripheral Neuropathy and Wernicke's Encephalopathy Mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30862772/ Dry Beriberi Manifesting as Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in a Patient With Decompensated Alcohol-Induced Cirrhosis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7707918/ A Rare Case of Thiamine Deficiency Leading to Dry Beriberi, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Torsades De Pointes https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10723625/
    • cristiana
      Concerning GP advice

      By cristiana · Posted

      Good evening @EssexMum You are quite right to be concerned about this situation.  Once diagnosed as coeliac, always a coeliac, and the way to heal  is through adopting and sticking to a strict gluten diet. That said... I have travelled twice to France since my diagnosis, firstly in May 2013 and again in August 2019.   My spoken French isn't bad, and whilst there I tried my best to explain my needs to chefs and catering staff, and I read labels very carefully when shopping in supermarkets, but both times I came away with worsening gastric symptoms and pain. Interestingly,  after the second holiday, my annual coeliac review took place the following month and although I'd been very careful to avoid gluten all year, thanks to that August holiday my coeliac antibodies were elevated,  Clearly I hadn't been imagining these symptoms and they must have been caused by gluten sneaking in somehow. When I spoke to my gastroenterologist on my return, who is an excellent doctor, he told me with a smile that this was a very common experience in France among his patients, and not to worry too much about it! In fact, before we went away in May 2013, which was just after I had been formally diagnosed, he told me not to even bother trying to adopt a gluten free diet until I returned, knowing what France was like, but I was feeling so awful at that time I ignored his advice and at least tried to make a start with it. (I ought to say - both these visits were some time ago, so perhaps things are a lot better there now.) So what to do?  I would say at least try to explain to catering staff the situation - they should be able to rustle up a plate of cheese, boiled eggs, tuna, salad and fruit, and if things like crackers and gluten-free pot noodle or oats can be packed in the UK, those can be produced at mealtimes.    Of course, most larger supermarkets in France do now cater for coeliacs, but when I was last there the the choice wasn't as wide a range as we have in the UK but I think that is partly because the French like to cook from scratch, whereas our gluten-free aisles have quite a lot of dried or pre-baked goods in them/convenience foods, because I think we as a nation tend to use them more. I would be worth doing a bit of research on the internet before the trip, - the words you want are 'sans gluten'.  I've just googled 'sans gluten Disney Paris" and this came up.  I do hope at least some of this is of help. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g2079053-zfz10992-Disneyland_Paris_Ile_de_France.html  Whatever befalls in France, at least your stepdaughter can resume her usual diet on her return. On a related tack, would you be happy to post any positive findings/tips upon her return - it might be of use to others travelling to Disneyland Paris with children in future? Cristiana
    • EssexMum
      Concerning GP advice

      By EssexMum · Posted

      Hi, I am after some advice re my step daughter and her Coeliac Disease. She is 9 years old and had a very limited diet before being diagnosed (very fussy and very lenient parents), since being diagnosed it has become hard to find places out that will cater for her, but we manage.  History: She had been having severe tummy pains on and off every few months so had a bunch of tests and eventually was diagnosed with celiac disease a number of months ago. We was told that she is at a very high level and should avoid gluten for the rest of her lift, we was told that the gluten she has been eating has damaged the 'fingers' inside her and they will not replenish. We was informed that her body absorbs the gluten rather then rejecting it and that is why she doesnt react to the gluten straight away, it will be a build up and then the pains start. We was advised that by her not reacting straight away, it did not mean it wasnt harming her inside. We was given literature about buying a separate toaster and cutting board etc to avoid cross contamination and have been checking all food labels etc.  Problem: the issue is the novelty seems to have worn off with her Mum and we are now posed with a situation. They are going on holiday to Disneyland Paris for 3 nights and she phoned the hotel who said they cannot cater for gluten free. She phoned the GP and had a conversation and then told my partner that the GP had said it was fine for her to have gluten for the 3-4 days. He questioned it and she said no its fine, she hasnt had it for months so a few days wont hurt and she exposed to it anyway without knowing so it will be fine and shes not ruining her holiday etc.   My partner could see from the online notes that his ex wife had told the doctor that the child does not follow a strict gluten-free diet anyway - not true. At least not with us! My partner requested a call with the same doctor who told him that it is the mums discretion and that the child should be monitored for reactions - he explained that the issue is she doesnt react straight away. The GP said no its all mums discretion and she knows best. We are going to try to speak to the consultant at the hospital, but I just wanted to gauge some thoughts. It just seems bizarre to me that we can go from being told to avoid gluten for the rest of her life and how harmful it is to her body, to now it being ok for her to have it for a few days. Thanks in advance  
    • Florence Lillian
      Gluten-Mimicking Proteins that can affect some Celiac individuals.

      By Florence Lillian · Posted

      Hi Scott: A wonderful, thoughtful explanation. Controlled human studies would be very interesting and quite informative. I have been eliminating certain foods and have narrowed it down considerably. Having other autoimmune diseases along with Celiac has become rather challenging. I appreciate your input, thank you. All the best, Florence
×
×
  • 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.