Gastritis?

[ddeatley]

Well, like many others I am new to this board and have many questions, but to make the story short, I have suffered for 35+years with chronic abdominal pain, loose stools, gas ect. I have had many tests and saw many doctors over the years only to be told that I had chronic gastritis. Three years ago I had both an upper GI endoscopy and a colonoscopy to learn once again that I had chronic gastritis. I was prescibed prevacid twice per day that helped some, but not always. Two months ago my older brother complained about losing weight and diarhea. He went to the doctor and discovered he had Celiac Disease. He called me and I wondered if this is what caused my problems all these years.

I decided to try a gluten-free diet and found that it helped relieve my symptoms. I have been gluten-free for about 4 weeks. I went to my GI doctor and told him about my brother , so he did the blood work and scheduled me for an endoscopy to biopsy the small intestine. Of course the bloodwork came back negative, which I expected since I have been gluten-free for 4 weeks, but the endoscopy yesterday he said I still showed esophagitis/gastritis. It will be 7 - 10 days until the pathology report comes back. We decided not to use any drugs since my symptoms have subsided, but my question is: Can celiac disease cause chronic gastritis? One would think that since it can cause quite a bit of irritation to the small bowel, that it could also do the same to the stomach, especially if you are sensitive to the gluten proteins.

My GI specialist took about 10 biopsy from 5 areas in my stomach and small bowel to ensure that he got adequate amount of areas to make a good diagnosis. I am courious as to how many of you out there with celiac disease have been told that you had Gastritis prior to your diagnosis of celiac disease?

I surely hope that I get a definative diagnosis so I can get some resolution to my problems. I only fear of a negative result only to wonder what is wrong with me.

Thanks - Dennis

[rmmadden]

I have gastritis, acid reflux and celiac disease. I think they all play into or off one another. I don't know which started first but regardless it's real fun trying to decide what to do when you don't know which disorder is causing the symptoms, etc.

Best of luck!

Cleveland Bob

[ddeatley]

Thanks Cleveland Bob. You are absolutely right! I have read some medical sites that there may be a link between celiac disease and some forms of gastritis. I find myself hoping for a positive celiac disease diagnosis so I can get some resolution, but I am afraid that it might be too easy. It seems funny that the medical community can tell you that your gut is inflammed, but then stop there as the diagnosis. I want to know what is causing it to be inflamed so I can get rid of it.

So far the gluten-free diet has made me feel better that I ever have, but it may not be the whole story yet.

Thanks again.

Dennis

[steve-o]

I had my endospcopy a couple weeks ago. I requested a copy of the pathology report, and it shows that I have "chronic non-specific gastritis". I guess this explains all the heartburn I get when I have gluten in my diet?

I'm glad to hear your doctor will be taking several biopsies. My genius doctor only took one biopsy sample from my small intestine...so now I'm stuck wondering if my "negative" diagnosis is even remotely accurate.

I had to nag them into letting me take a blood test, which they didn't do before the biopsy for some reason. I'm still waiting for the blood test results.

My main symptoms (heartburn, nausea, loose stools) go away when I stop eating gluten, so hopefully this will clear up the "chronic gastritis".

[ddeatley]

newbie,

Yours sounds like a classic case of celiac disease to me. I hope your blood test comes back with the results you want. I would think that if it wasn't celiac disease you wouldn't get the relief being gluten-free that you are. From what I understand it celiac disease can be spotty in the small intestine so by taking one or two biopies you could miss it. I just wished that they would go one step further to find the cause of our irritation instead of stopping there. Good luck with your tests.

Dennis

[ddeatley]

Sorry Steve-o,

I must be still under the effects of the drugs, LOL. I am afraid I didn't get your name correct.

Dennis