Respiratory Symptoms Of Cd

[mishmish]

I am sure this story is familiar: I have been sick for waaaay too long. Over a year ago I came down with a weird cold that just wouldn't go away. I was (mis)diagnosed with: a virus, sinus infections, pneumonia, GERD, possibly Crohn's, asthma, and I can't remember what else. I was also having GI symptoms that I thought were from four 10 day courses of antibiotics in two months. I didn't respond to any of the meds they put me on: antibiotics, Prednisone, Nexium, Protonix, 2 different inhalers, and so much more. I then underwent sinus surgery. For the most part, the respiratory stuff cleared up, but I still had a cough and frequently coughed up mucus. This was also when I began having other strange symptoms: acne, heavy periods, always cold.

Finally, I got smart and switched doctors. She immediately diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and I began to feel significantly better. She also mentioned the possibility of a wheat allergy. I have been on a gluten-free-diet on and off for the past three months. Not entirely convinced it was helping (it didn't seem like I was getting better), I began to cheat. I had something with soy sauce. The next morning I woke up with a stuffy nose. That day I had a wheat tortilla. The next morning I woke up with the full-blown respiratory symptoms: incredibly painful chest congestion, coughing up mucus, stuffy nose, and I sometimes have a hard time breathing.

I have done a lot of reading on celiac disease, and it seems that most people complain of GI symptoms. I have had those off and on as well, but am particularly concerned about the respiratory thing...My question is this: have any of you had symptoms like this? My doctor is going to be doing some blood tests soon, but I'm not sure how accurate they will be since I have been on the on-again, off-again gluten-free diet. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[julie5914]

Strange. I do not have this, but I do have the acne problem. I am thinking about getting tested for hypothyroid again even though my numbers came back fine in the fall.

My mom has coughing fits every now and then and some skin rashes that are not DH. She was told it was a reaction to wheat but has never been tested for celiac (although I am making her soon...). She is the only other person I have heard of having respiratory reactions to wheat. She is also hypothyroid.

[Carriefaith]

I used to have plugged sinuses almost all the time before I went gluten free. Now that I am gluten-free, I've noticed a major difference, I can breath clear most of the time, unless I'm around dogs and cats or dust I am almost postive I have read that sinus trouble is a symptom of celiac disease.

*I have read that milk can also cause sinus problems and asthma. I have also been on a dairy free diet, which may also have cleared up my sinuses.

[mishmish]

Thanks for the feedback! I went to the doctor yesterday and she definitely thinks that wheat is a "contributing factor" although probably not the whole story...*sigh* (As much as I don't want to have celiac disease, it is, at least, a diagnosis, and it has a "cure"...) I do know that I was beginning to feel better over the last three months (which I spent mostly gluten free), even if it was veeeery slowly, and now I seem to have taken a turn for the worse again. It is very frustrating. I have now cut out all gluten from my diet and am being much more strict (and cautious) about what I eat. We'll see what this does for me.

Thanks again!

[cdford]

celiac disease can play havoc with your immune system. When glutened, a sinus and usually an ear infection follows us like clockwork as the gastro stuff finishes up. As long as we remain gluten-free, no sinus issues. I cannot remember being without a sinus concern for most of my lifetime until I cut out gluten. It took several months of being completely gluten-free for the symptoms to completely subside.