Asthma & Celiac?

[alliebe]

Hi everyone!

This is my first time ever writing on a forum! I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms to me and found that the best result was to go gluten free.

I don't know if I have Celiac disease. I have some of the common symptoms, but the one I've been the most worried about is my asthma.

I developed severe exercise induced asthma around age eight. I have been a healthy weight all my life and always enjoyed being outside and doing sports. As I grew up, the asthma only got worse. I saw doctors multiple times for it and was put on things like zyrtec, allegra, singulair, the highest possible dose of advair, etc. but it never got better. Not even a little. In ninth grade, I got fed up and stopped taking all of them. A couple months later, I stopped drinking milk and noticed less phlegm in my throat and became sick much less, but the EIA was still awful. I should probably also mention that I'm a shallow breather in general (i have low marks on peak flow meters). I'm just more used to it and don't experience attacks unless I do physical activity (going up a couple flights of stairs or jogging longer than 2 minutes).

I also have poor vision (maybe not related to other symptoms) and large bumps of acne along my jawline. I also have a lot of digestion issues, which makes me think I may have celiac. My mom has been diagnosed with GIRD (gastro-intestinal something) which I assume I have also since I take after her in many ways. I get really bloated after eating certain things (bread foods) and constipated. Even whole grain foods have made me feel this way, even though the fiber is supposed to do the opposite. A couple symptoms I've read about that I also have is general tingling/ numbness in my fingers and cold feet/body temperature.

Basically, I would love to know if anyone else has had similar problems, especially with the asthma, or if my guess of celiac disease is completely off. Also, if it sounds like I do, should I get tested for it? Since I have developed somewhat of a distrust for doctors in general, I'm trying to figure this out myself but I would love any help!

[Heidi S.]

Welcome to the forums!

Your story sounds very similar to mine. I have exercise induced asthma that worsens with glutening. It makes exercise very difficult! My asthma developed around age 8, along with IBS. I have been put on a number of allergy meds (I do not take anymore). I gave up milk, they thought I was lactose intolerant. I was diagnosed with Acid-Reflux and told to go on high fiber diets, which only made me worse!

After years of testing (very skepical of doctors as well, they never helped me!), I am gluten intolerant, my mother and sister are both Celiac's (dignosed after I went gluten free and got them tested!) My mother and sister always had stomach issues off and on but not like me. My sisters daughter "C" is gluten intolerant too. "C" and I both react very fast to gluten skin and ingestion (first degree relatives of celiac, but we do not have the gene 2 or 8). It takes my mother and sister a little while to build their reactions.

Overall alot of bloating, nausea, diarrhea, whole wheat didn't help, acid reflux, no dairy didn't help, "stress induced" IBS (i heard that one for years). You sound like a possible canidate for celiac or GI. I would go get a blood test before going gluten free, and then try the diet for a little while, see if you improve!

Good Luck!

[alliebe]

Thank you FIVE HUNDRED times for your reply!! I have never met anyone with problems like me and I'm ecstatic that you found results with this!! I have a couple questions too, seeing as we have similar symptoms. Do you ever notice any negative symptoms after eating soy corn or rice? I plan on keeping track of what I eat and my reactions to make sure I don't have additional allergies. Also, if you eat something that has gluten in it (by mistake) how long does it usually take to recover or see an improvement in symptoms and asthma?

I know that's a lot but I would just really love to do sports with my friends! I actually started going gluten free almost two weeks ago and have already noticed an improvement in my skin and asthma (though small).

[WheatChef]

I used to get pretty bad exercise induced asthma. Haven't been able to trigger it even when trying since going gluten-free. Additionally I used to get at the very least 1 new pimple on my face each week (in my late 20s). Since going gluten free I've only got 1 new one and that was during the week when I was accidentally eating gluten in a new vitamin.