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

Is Cancer Inevitable For Me?

jasonD2

By jasonD2
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

jasonD2 Experienced
jasonD2
Posted

with the constant burden of leaky gut, parasites, bacterial overgrowth and food allergies should i just accept the fact that I will be getting cancer at some point in the next 10-15 years? my problems cant be corrected because nothing is working...i may feel better for a few months but i then relapse and all my symptoms return in full force. is it juts a matter of time?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


bluebonnet Explorer
bluebonnet
Posted

unfortunately the "c" word can strike anyone. i battle with that thought daily. i hope it doesn't. harder to do than say but being positive and optimistic can help your physical health tremendously. prayer, meditation, faith and hope are important too. just keep staying away from what you *know* makes you sick. try to sleep, exercise and find people/things/hobbies that make you happy regularly. that's all anyone can do really. best wishes. :)

India Contributor
India
Posted

Nothing is inevitable - it's amazing what the human body can endure and survive and there are many people on this board who are a testament to that. From what I understand, there is a slightly elevated risk of cancer for celiacs but that's all. If you believe the worst will happen, you may miss out on the chance to make the most of all the time you have left, whether that's 15 years or 50. All you can do is take the best care of yourself that you can - and the rest is left to chance.

Sorry - this is a string of cliches! - but I'm sure other people will reassure you too.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I went over 40 year mis- and undiagnosed. I am cancer free. Will it develop down the line either from being misdiagnosed, working with chemicals without gloves, smoking for so many years, a occasional drink or not drinking well who knows.

I will not spend time worrying about it. Now making a left hand turn in heavy traffic and getting broadsided that I will worry about. :D

I have a plaque in my kitchen that says:

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of it's troubles,

It empties today of it's strength."

A very wise saying, just wish I knew who to credit for it.

scarlett77 Apprentice
scarlett77
Posted

with the constant burden of leaky gut, parasites, bacterial overgrowth and food allergies should i just accept the fact that I will be getting cancer at some point in the next 10-15 years? my problems cant be corrected because nothing is working...i may feel better for a few months but i then relapse and all my symptoms return in full force. is it juts a matter of time?

Awe I just want to give you a great big hug. I wish there was a hugging emoticon.

jasonD2 Experienced
jasonD2
Posted
  • Author

is this risk elevated for celiacs who continue to consume gluten or people w/ celiac in general?

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

For starters, no you are not guaranteed cancer. Celiac related cancer is very rare and I am not aware of any cancer risk associated with infections or allergies. Risk is only elevated in celiacs who continue to consume gluten.

That said, I am concerned about your state of mind. You sound very stressed out and very worried. Is there a possibility that your relapse has made you depressed? (Remember, our minds and bodies are linked and when one is not working right, the other often follows.)

You could try a test like the Hamilton Depression Scale. If you come up depressed, you might want to seek some help coping while you get through this round of GI trouble.

Open Original Shared Link

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

with the constant burden of leaky gut, parasites, bacterial overgrowth and food allergies should i just accept the fact that I will be getting cancer at some point in the next 10-15 years? my problems cant be corrected because nothing is working...i may feel better for a few months but i then relapse and all my symptoms return in full force. is it juts a matter of time?

I sure hope not! You were a lot younger than I was, when you were diagnosed with celiac and started the gluten free diet. However, I've had about as many gut bug infections as you had. I also have obvious leaky gut symptoms (very sensitive to sorbitol, 7 food allergies, etc.). Nevertheless, I focus on how much healthier I am and will be in the future, because I've dealt with all those problems, rather than accepting the 'ibs' misdiagnosis and letting those things go untreated.

I also get the same kind of symptoms (gastrointestinal pain, bloating and irregularity) whether I have a bacteria, parasite or fungus, whether I accidentally eat an allergen or whether I just react to one of my sensitivities (like sorbitol in prunes or other dried fruit). I consider myself lucky to have obvious though painful symptoms, rather than have other somatic symptoms like joint pain, headaches, fatigue, etc., which docs readily misdiagnose as autoimmune conditions, for which they quickly prescribe drugs to treat the symptoms, rather than eliminating the cause. I've also learned to only see my naturopath for gut problems, but leave the broken bones, ob/gyn exams, etc. to my traditional doc. Ultimately we can be our own health advocate with how we live as well as how we treat our symptoms.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Jason, you asked, "Is cancer inevitable for me?"

I don't really know. How many packs a day do you smoke? Oh, wait, not every smoker develops lung cancer.

A celiac who continues to eat gluten is at a higher risk for certain types of cancer. Higher risk does not equate to a guarantee.

A celiac who follows a strict gluten-free diet is at no greater risk for cancer than a non-celiac in the long term.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

It's not inevitable for anyone and I think you are depressed if you're thinking this way. That's not a normal or healthy thought process to be going through.

The body just keeps on kicking against tremendous odds. My mother is diabetic but eats sugar like it's going out of style and weighs about 350 pounds. She's still going and has never had cancer. Lots and lots of other health issues and you'd think she wouldn't even be alive but here she is.

My old boyfriend's mother was a raging alcoholic and chain smoker. She put vodka in her coffee, I'm not kidding. She would then drink all day long, hard alcohol and smoke all those cigarettes. Every year when she went for her physical the doc would say how healthy she was. My boyfriend would get so mad because he hoped there would be something wrong to kick her in the butt and get her to stop all the drinking.

Of course it's not inevitable. Stop thinking about it and enjoy your new girlfriend.

Wolicki Enthusiast
Wolicki
Posted

OK Jason, it's time for an intervention. Now I say this with care and concern, but YOU HAVE GOT TO GET SOME PROFESSIONAL HELP NOW. This is interfering with every part of your life. You're in a place where you can't see the forest for the trees. People here are really trying to help, but you can only see why the advice won't work.

You've got to spend the energy you currently spend "awfulizing" everything into therapy. Please, don't come up with all the reasons you can't or won't go. Just do it. If you haven't realized by now that this endless worrying is affecting your health, consider yourself told.

Go. Get. Help. Now.

It's time to do this for yourself.

Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

Jason, even the CDC agress that 85% of diseases are based on emotion. Meaning negative thoughts and behaviors will lead to disease. I suggest you do whatever it is you need to do to get in a better frame of mind. That's one of the best ways to fight ever getting it.

precious831 Contributor
precious831
Posted

I know it's very easy to be down and feel this way Jason but if I think of all the bad things, I'll miss out on the good things. I'm grateful for each day I get to live my life, despite the celiac and my other health problems. I think it's important to have a support system. It helps me also that I have a daughter who has multiple food allergies(though most of the time I'm sad about her as well). I tell myself that I have to be strong for her(and for me), that no one else is going to take care of her, she depends on me. I know my faith in God has helped me also. And most of all I believe in miracles.

Please try and talk to a counselor, get some help, nothing wrong with that. Sometimes we just need a little push. Please do what you need to find some joy in living again. I don't believe in reincarnation so for me, it's best to live this one life we've been given to the fullest, no matter what our lot in life is.

India Contributor
India
Posted

I'm no expert but I think I read that the risk returns to normal after five years gluten free - that is, it is untreated coeliac disease/eating gluten which carries the slightly higher risk.

That said, I would expect someone with coeliac disease who knowingly continues to eat gluten to also be neglecting their health and lifestyle in other ways which might also affect well-being.

India Contributor
India
Posted

Sorry Jason, I should've posted that further up. Another brain mush day. Sigh.

oldmann1 Newbie
oldmann1
Posted

Awe I just want to give you a great big hug. I wish there was a hugging emoticon.

I have been told by doctors that I should not be alive but, I am still here. With all the seven disorders and illnesses I have, I was told most people do not make it to their 50th birday. I am 57 years old now and still here. Yes, my weight is way down low at the bottom but, I am still here and alive. I have beaten the odds and lived when the government doctors expected to me die.

All I can say is live each day until you die however long that takes.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,258
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tdodge
    Newest Member
    Tdodge
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • suek54
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By suek54 · Posted

      Wow KK, thank you so much for all your attached info. I had a very quick scan but will read more in depth later.  The one concerning corticosteroid use is very interesting. That would relate to secondary adrenal insufficiency I think , ie AI caused by steroids such as taken long term for eg asthma. I have primary autoimmune AI, my adrenals are atrophied, no chance if recovery there. But I am in touch with some secondaries, so something to bear in mind. .  Niacin B3 Very interesting too. Must have a good read about that.  Im sure lots of questions will arise as I progress with dermatitis herpetiformis. In the mean time, thanks for your help.
    • knitty kitty
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @suek54, I have Dermatitis Herpetiformis, too.  I found taking Niacin B3 very helpful in clearing my skin from blisters as well as improving the itchies-without-rash (peripheral neuropathy).  Niacin has been used since the 1950's to improve dermatitis herpetiformis.   I try to balance my iodine intake (which will cause flairs) with Selenium which improves thyroid function.   Interesting Reading: Dermatitis herpetiformis effectively treated with heparin, tetracycline and nicotinamide https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10844495/   Experience with selenium used to recover adrenocortical function in patients taking glucocorticosteroids long https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24437222/   Two Cases of Dermatitis Herpetiformis Successfully Treated with Tetracycline and Niacinamide https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30390734/   Steroid-Resistant Rash With Neuropsychiatric Deterioration and Weight Loss: A Modern-Day Case of Pellagra https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12532421/#:~:text=Figure 2.,(right panel) upper limbs.&text=The distribution of the rash,patient's substantial response to treatment.   Nicotinic acid therapy of dermatitis herpetiformis (1950) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15412276/
    • suek54
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By suek54 · Posted

      Thank you all for your advice and the dermatitis herpetiformis article. The latter made me realise I had stopped taking my antihistamine, which I will restart today. The Dapsone has cleared the rash entirely but I still get quite a bit itching, absolutely nothing to see though. I know its notoriously hard to clear and its still relatively early days for me.  The iodine issue is very interesting. I do eat quite a bit of salt because I have Addison's disease and sodium retention is an issue. I also have autoimmune hypothyroidism, not sure how a low iodine diet would play into that? Because of my Addison's I am totally steroid dependent, I take steroids 4 x daily and cannot mount any defence against inflammation. I need to increase my meds for that. Now that I know what is wrong I can do just that if Im having a bad day. Life is very sweet, just so damn complicated sometimes! Hey ho, onwards. Thank you again for your advice.  
    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      So, essentially all of the nutrition in the food we eat is absorbed through the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestinal track that is damaged by celiac disease. This villous lining is composed of billions of finger-like projections that create a huge amount of surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the celiac person, when gluten is consumed, it triggers an autoimmune reaction in this area which, of course, generates inflammation. The antibodies connected with this inflammation is what the celiac blood tests are designed to detect but this inflammation, over time, wears down the finger-like projections of the villous lining. Of course, when this proceeds for an extended period of time, greatly reduces the absorption efficiency of the villous lining and often results in many and various nutrient deficiency-related health issues. Classic examples would be osteoporosis and iron deficiency. But there are many more. Low D3 levels is a well-known celiac-caused nutritional deficiency. So is low B12. All the B vitamins in fact. Magnesium, zinc, etc.  Celiac disease can also cause liver inflammation. You mention elevated ALP levels. Elevated liver enzymes over a period of 13 years was what led to my celiac diagnosis. Within three months of going gluten free my liver enzymes normalized. I had elevated AST and ALT. The development of sensitivities to other food proteins is very common in the celiac population. Most common cross reactive foods are dairy and oats but eggs, soy and corn are also relatively common offenders. Lactose intolerance is also common in the celiac population because of damage to the SB lining.  Eggs when they are scrambled or fried give me a gut ache. But when I poach them, they do not. The steam and heat of poaching causes a hydrolysis process that alters the protein in the egg. They don't bother me in baked goods either so I assume the same process is at work. I bought a plastic poacher on Amazon to make poaching very easy. All this to say that many of the issues you describe could be caused by celiac disease. 
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      thank you so much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!! I can say with absolute certainty that the less gluten containing products I've eaten over the past several years, the better I've felt.   I wasn't avoiding gluten, I was avoiding refined grains (and most processed foods) as well as anything that made me feel bad when I ate it. It's the same reason I gave up dairy and eggs- they make me feel ill.  I do have a bit of a sugar addiction lol so a lot of times I wasn't sure if it was the refined grains that I was eating - or the sugar. So from time to time I might have a cookie or something but I've learned how to make wonderful cookies and golden brownies with BEANS!! and no refined sugar - I use date paste instead. Pizza made me so ill- but I thought it was probably the cheese. I gave up pizza and haven't missed it. the one time I tried a slice I felt so bad I knew I'd never touch it again. I stopped eating wheat pasta at least 3 yrs ago- just didn't feel well after eating it. I tried chick pea pasta and a few others and discovered I like the brown rice pasta. I still don't eat a lot of pasta but it's nice for a change when I want something easy. TBH over the years I've wondered sometimes if I might be gluten intolerant but really believed it was not possible for me to have celiac disease. NOW I need to know for sure- because I'm in the middle of a long process of trying to find out why I have a high parathyroid level (NOT the thyroid- but rather the 4 glands that control the calcium balance in your body) I have had a hard time getting my vit D level up, my serum calcium has run on the low side of normal for many years... and now I am losing calcium from my bones and excreting it in my urine (some sort of renal calcium leak) Also have a high ALP since 2014. And now rapidly worsening bone density.  I still do not have a firm diagnosis. Could be secondary HPT (but secondary to what? we need to know) It could be early primary HPT. I am spilling calcium in my urine but is that caused by the high parathyroid hormone or is it the reason my PTH is high>? there are multiple feedback loops for this condition.    so I will keep eating the bread and some wheat germ that does not seem to bother me too much (it hasn't got enough gluten to use just wheat germ)    but I'm curious- if you don't have a strong reaction to a product- like me and wheat germ- does that mean it's ok to eat or is it still causing harm even if you don't have any obvious symptoms? I guess what you are saying about silent celiac makes it likely that you can have no symptoms and still have the harm... but geez! you'd think they'd come up with a way to test for this that didn't require you to consume something that makes you sick! I worry about the complications I've been reading about- different kinds of cancers etc. also wondering- are there degrees of celiac disease?  is there any correlation between symptoms and the amnt of damage to your intestines? I also need a firm diagnosis because I have an identical twin sister ... so if I have celiac, she has it too- or at least the genetic make up for having it. I did have a VERY major stress to my body in 2014-2016 time frame .. lost 50lbs in a short period of time and had severe symptoms from acute protracted withdrawal off an SSRI drug (that I'd been given an unethically high dose of, by a dr who has since lost his license)  Going off the drug was a good thing and in many ways my health improved dramatically- just losing 50lbs was helpful but I also went  off almost a dozen different medications, totally changed my diet and have been doing pretty well except for the past 3-4 yrs when the symptoms related to the parathyroid issue cropped up. It is likely that I had low vit D for some time and that caused me a lot of symptoms. The endo now tells me that low vit D can be caused by celiac disease so I need to know for sure! thank you for all that great and useful information!!! 
×
×
  • 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.