Throat Ulcers

[LivesIntheSun]

This is just out of curiosity- does anyone else get ulcers in their throat when they eat gluten? This was the absolute bane of my life for years until I discovered they were caused by gluten. If I consume any gluten I get a big ulcer in my throat within a couple of hours, I'm exhausted to the point of lying down and sleeping anywhere, and I am tearful, aggressive and depressive (for two or three days). But my throat is always my primary 'gluten barometer'.

If you do get the ulcers I'd be really curious to know whether you are diagnosed coeliac or whether you are gluten intolerant, or undiagnosed and not sure. And what your other symptoms are.

I don't have a diagnosis as I gave up gluten several years ago as advised by a naturopath, and every time I get glutened its so traumatic (for me and for those around me ! ) that I haven't wanted to do a gluten challenge. I'm wondering if the ulcers implicate coeliac or gluten intolerance. And whether anyone else shares this peculiarity.

Many thanks.

[kyga2]

This happened to me recently for the first time and I had no idea what it was. At first I thought I had strep throat or something, then noticed the ulcer. Then of course I thought "Oh no, what if it's cancer?" Once I got ahold of myself I thought to look in the celiac information and there it was. I'm sorry this happens to you every time, because that one time was unpleasant enough for me.

[Rome]

I am new to this site, but found this topic of interest to me. For over a month now I have had a sore throat off and on, but only on the left side of my throat. I have taken antibiotics, and lots of pain meds. It is more annoying than unbearably painful. I work in a Level one trauma emergency department and have had a couple of doctors look at my throat, but they don't see anything that should be causing my pain. My throat had stopped hurting for a few days until yesterday morning when I took an iron pill and ate a snack. Within minutes it felt like my throat was closing up and it was a little difficult to swallow, and the pain started. When I explained what happened to the doctor that looked at it last night, and told her I had celiac disease, she immediately asked me if I have ever had any mouth ulcers or throat ulcers because there is a certain type of mouth/throat ulcer that can be caused by the disease. I can't remember for the life of me what she called it, but it was enough for me. She suggested I follow up with my primary doctor and an ENT. I am getting so tired of this sore throat! Any suggestions?

[LivesIntheSun]

The only thing that has helped (in fact, totally cured) my throat has been a gluten-free diet, and the only thing that makes it hurt is gluten! Are you on a totally gluten-free diet?

[cyberprof]

The only thing that has helped (in fact, totally cured) my throat has been a gluten-free diet, and the only thing that makes it hurt is gluten! Are you on a totally gluten-free diet?

I used to get hellish mouth ulcers every 2-3 weeks for 30+ years. Never got one in my throat, but you have my sympathies.

If you think about it, gluten causes ulcer-like problems in one's digestive tract. The throat is just part of that.

I sometimes get a mouth ulcer within an hour or two of accidental gluten ingestion.

Having lots of throat ulcers (or mouth ulcers/sores) are a good incentive for staying gluten-free.

[Rome]

The only thing that has helped (in fact, totally cured) my throat has been a gluten-free diet, and the only thing that makes it hurt is gluten! Are you on a totally gluten-free diet?

Yes! I have been gluten free since April of last year. Since I posted the original post, my throat had quit hurting for a few days, and just yesterday my youngest daughter and I were at a drive thru wildlife park and the only thing I ate was a cookie I got from a 100% gluten free bakery, and before the end of the tour my throat was killing me....the left side only of course. If felt like a razor had cut the inside of my throat. I took some ibuprofen and the pain went away, but only until the meds wore off. It hasn't hurt today though. I just can't figure out what is causing it. This has been going on since January, maybe even before then. I don't know if I should talk to my primary physician or my GI. I have been gluten free, but have seriously been contemplating going on the paleo diet to see if that helps. Then I would be totally grain free, and see if any of the other grains, rice, corn, etc. could be causing it. Unfortuneately I also suffer from lymphocytic colitis which involves a whole other food group, so high fiber is out for me as well.

Thanks for your response. I will be sure and keep you posted to what I find out.

[keithceliac2010]

Interesting topic. I am only 4 weeks gluten-free, but many of my physical and mental problems have vanished. I have spent the last 3 weeks looking for symptoms I had growing up to see just how long this disease has been present in my life. Your blog sparked my memory again. As a child even into early adulthood I used to get multiple mouth ulcers(sometimes more than 5 at a time) in my mouth and throat. I was told by doctors and parents to just gargle with warm salt water and used OTC pain-killers with lydocaine. Use to have to numb my mouth with the lydocaine just so I could put the food in my mouth and chew it-otherwise, eating was too painful. As my brainfog continues to lift, I am remembering the mouth ulcers and other symptoms I had even as a child. Hopefully this knowledge will allow me to help others whose symptoms have been mis-diagnosed so they do not have to suffer for 30+ years as many of our fellow celiacs have had to suffer. Thanks again for the topic!!

[Lucydesi]

I am so excited to see this. I went to a ENT and she told me that she thought the sores were coming from my gut. This eventually led to my diagnosis of Celiac disease. I too have been tested for strep throat, given antibiotics, and pain meds because they thought I had the flu. I could barely swallow. They always seemed a little surprised when I didn't test positive for strep. This disease can really make you sick.

[modiddly16]

I had a ton of white patches on my throat when I was first getting sick and trying to figure out what it was...I ended up having to get my tonsils out!