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

Appendicitis Or Celiac (or Gluten Intolerance)

sunnyl24

By sunnyl24
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

sunnyl24 Newbie
sunnyl24
Posted

I've looked this up but can't quite find the right answer. I'm scared to go to a Dr. in fear that they'll do an appendectomy for no reason! (eek)

For at least 4 years (that I remember) I sometimes have pain about an inch to the right of my bellybutton. It's a small, circular spot and it feels like someone is stabbing me. The first time I remember it happening, it was mild and I thought it was just indigestion or something. Over the years it has gotten worse, sometimes it's mild with a few sharp stabs that make me stop moving/breathing till it's gone, and sometimes it's just very sharp and constant.

When it first started it was for 6-8 hours tops. Then 12. Now it's DAYS. I have to sleep it off sometimes and I have a quite high tolerance/threshold for pain, so this is always surprising.

My mom told me grave's disease runs in the family, and so does Chrons. Since I alternate between diarrhea and constipation (normally constipation, which i thought was completely normal) she suggested I try a gluten free diet. I have been for 2 days so far and today I had teriyaki sauce, just a little bit, and I've had constipated diarrhea if that's even possible, for 8 hours. It wont come but it's there, and then BAM I NEED THE BATHROOM!!!!!!! Type thing.

While it seems like it could be a form of gluten intolerance because of this (and a while back I had odd looking diarrhea when I was in AZ and I generally only ate enchiladas, burritos, etc made of flour tortillas. And had them with my breakfast, etc....) I am very concerned it could be my appendix and I'm scared I'm like walking around with an appendix about to burst, but I don't want an unnecessary surgery.

Can anyone shed light on this at all????

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

There are some specific indictors for appendicitis. If you are having pain that doesn't go away, it would be best to see a doctor. There could be a multitude of things causing the pain.

A ruptured appendix is a big deal. My husband was hospitalized for 10 day with one.

I urge you to seek medical care today.

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

On the other hand, I've never heard of appendix pain for 4 years. I'm no dr, so I can only say my opinion. I get a lot of pain with gluten and it can be in that area or the other side. It probably is time for you to have a colonoscopy with your family history and your mom is very smart to get you off gluten. Definately if being off gluten feels better to you keep it up but don't put off basic medical care.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I agree it is time to see a doctor. Before you go gluten free it is best to at least have a blood test for it. Once you are gluten free the blood tests are worthless. As stated there are particular signs that would be looked for if you are experiencing appendicitis attacks. The sort of pain you are describing could be from any number of things, including celiac disease, and you should get it checked out. In my opinion it would be highly unlikely that a doctor would remove your appendix unless it is indicated that that was causing your problems.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

You DEFINITELY need to see a doctor, although i think I can just about guarantee you haven't had appendicitis for four years!!

richard

TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

An appendix can flare and improve. The OP went from occasional pain that resolved on it's own to continual pain. An appendix can be trapped in a pocket which prevents the classic rupturing and the symptoms associated with it. This is problematic because the infection spreads much more slowly and insidiously. It causes a duller pain and sometimes isn't unbearable until the abdominal cavity is infected. This was the case with my husband. He was extraordinarily ill because of it.

Please see a doctor today. A pain that is severe enough to require you to lie down for hours requires emergent medical attention.

  • 2 months later...
BloatusMaximus Rookie
BloatusMaximus
Posted
I've looked this up but can't quite find the right answer. I'm scared to go to a Dr. in fear that they'll do an appendectomy for no reason! (eek)

For at least 4 years (that I remember) I sometimes have pain about an inch to the right of my bellybutton. It's a small, circular spot and it feels like someone is stabbing me. The first time I remember it happening, it was mild and I thought it was just indigestion or something. Over the years it has gotten worse, sometimes it's mild with a few sharp stabs that make me stop moving/breathing till it's gone, and sometimes it's just very sharp and constant.

When it first started it was for 6-8 hours tops. Then 12. Now it's DAYS. I have to sleep it off sometimes and I have a quite high tolerance/threshold for pain, so this is always surprising.

This is one of the symtoms that led me to understand about my gluten intolerance. I have had the exact same pain as you in the appendix area for about 15 years, too. I recently had many tests that ruled out appendicitis, diverticulitis, Chron's, etc. This area of my abdomen, the lower right quadrant, is where I bloat up the most. It feels literally like a baloon blowing up in that area.

Well, when I lay off the wheat/gluten grains the bloating and pain magically disappears. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

Thomas

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

If this pain occurs more-or-less monthly, it might be a corpus luteum cyst, an ovarian cyst, or even a fibroid (at least, if you are female). I agree that it should be checked out by a competent doctor. Usually, they will not operate on an appendix unless there is clear indication of infection. They will most likely order ultrasounds, both external and internal.

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. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to rei.b's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      14

      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      @rei.b, I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be. I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse. My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet. It makes a big difference. Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies. So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms...
    2. captaincrab55
      - captaincrab55 replied to lmemsm's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      11

      Finding gluten free ingredients

      Imemsm, Most of us have experienced discontinued, not currently available or products that suddenly become seasonal. My biggest fear about relocating from Maryland to Florida 5 years ago, was being able to find gluten-free foods that fit my restricted diet. I soon found out that the Win Dixie and Publix supper markets actually has 99% of their gluten-free...
    3. rei.b
      - rei.b replied to rei.b's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      14

      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      Okay well the info about TTG-A actually makes a lot of sense and I wish the PA had explained that to me. But yes, I would assume I would have intestinal damage from eating a lot of gluten for 32 years while having all these symptoms. As far as avoiding gluten foods - I was definitely not doing that. Bread, pasta, quesadillas (with flour tortillas) and...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to rei.b's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      14

      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      So you're saying that you think you should have severe intestinal damage since you've had the symptoms so long? DGP IgG antibodies are produced in response to a partial gluten molecule. This is different than what tissue transglutaminase antibodies are produced in response to. TTg IgA antibodies are produced in the intestines in response to...
    5. rei.b
      - rei.b replied to rei.b's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      14

      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      I was tested for celiac at the same time, so I wasn't taking naltrexone yet. I say that, because I don't. The endoscopy showed some mild inflammation but was inconclusive as to celiac disease. They took several biopsies and that's all that was shown. I was not given a Marsh score.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,131
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tony White
    Newest Member
    Tony White
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
    • captaincrab55
      Finding gluten free ingredients

      By captaincrab55 · Posted

      Imemsm, Most of us have experienced discontinued, not currently available or products that suddenly become seasonal.   My biggest fear about relocating from Maryland to Florida 5 years ago, was being able to find gluten-free foods that fit my restricted diet.  I soon found out that the Win Dixie and Publix supper markets actually has 99% of their gluten-free foods tagged, next to the price.  The gluten-free tags opened up a  lot of foods that aren't actually marked gluten-free by the manufacture.  Now I only need to check for my other dietary restrictions.  Where my son lives in New Hartford, New York there's a Hannaford Supermarket that also has a gluten-free tag next to the price tag.  Hopefully you can locate a Supermarket within a reasonable travel distance that you can learn what foods to check out at a Supermarket close to you.  I have dermatitis herpetiformis too and I'm very sensitive to gluten and the three stores I named were very gluten-free friendly.  Good Luck 
    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      Okay well the info about TTG-A actually makes a lot of sense and I wish the PA had explained that to me. But yes, I would assume I would have intestinal damage from eating a lot of gluten for 32 years while having all these symptoms. As far as avoiding gluten foods - I was definitely not doing that. Bread, pasta, quesadillas (with flour tortillas) and crackers are my 4 favorite foods and I ate at least one of those things multiple times a day e.g. breakfast with eggs and toast, a cheese quesadilla for lunch, and pasta for dinner, and crackers and cheese as a before bed snack. I'm not even kidding.  I'm not really big on sugar, so I don't really do sweets. I don't have any of those conditions.  I am not sure if I have the genes or not. When the geneticist did my genetic testing for EDS this year, I didn't think to ask for him to request the celiac genes so they didn't test for them, unfortunately.  I guess another expectation I had is  that if gluten was the issue, the gluten-free diet would make me feel better, and I'm 3 months in and that hasn't been the case. I am being very careful and reading every label because I didn't want to screw this up and have to do gluten-free for longer than necessary if I end up not having celiac. I'm literally checking everything, even tea and anything else prepacked like caramel dip. Honestly its making me anxious 😅
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      So you're saying that you think you should have severe intestinal damage since you've had the symptoms so long?   DGP IgG antibodies are produced in response to a partial gluten molecule.  This is different than what tissue transglutaminase antibodies are  produced in response to.   TTg IgA antibodies are produced in the intestines in response to gluten.  The tTg IgA antibodies attack our own cells because a structural component in our cell membranes resembles a part of gluten.  There's a correlation between the level of intestinal damage with the level of tTg antibodies produced.  You are not producing a high number of tTg IgA antibodies, so your level of tissue damage in your intestines is not very bad.  Be thankful.   There may be reasons why you are not producing a high quantity of tTg IgA antibodies.  Consuming ten grams or more of gluten a day for two weeks to two months before blood tests are done is required to get sufficient antibody production and damage to the intestines.  Some undiagnosed people tend to subconsciously avoid lots of gluten.  Cookies and cakes do not contain as much gluten as artisan breads and thick chewy pizza crust.  Anemia, diabetes and thiamine deficiency can affect IgA antibody production as well.   Do you carry genes for Celiac?  They frequently go along with EDS.
    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      I was tested for celiac at the same time, so I wasn't taking naltrexone yet. I say that, because I don't. The endoscopy showed some mild inflammation but was inconclusive as to celiac disease. They took several biopsies and that's all that was shown. I was not given a Marsh score.
×
×
  • 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.