Possible Bowel Obstruction Or Bacteria Overgrowth

[Anya78]

My Dad, who has Celiac, has been having a very rough 5 weeks. Every 2-4 days or so, he has terrible vomiting spells. He had been having stomach pain/cramping (right below the belly button) for awhile before the vomiting incidents began. He was hospitalized for 5 days and they ran a bunch of tests. Doctors think it could be a partial blockage in the small intestine or an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. These are guesses, as they haven't found anything specific. They are probably going to do more testing this week to try and get further into the small intestine to take a look. The doctors don't seem to think this has anything to do with Celiac Disease. Because Celiac impacts the small intestine, it seems to me like there really could be a connection.

Now to give you a little background, my Dad & I were both diagnosed with Celiac in 2004. I follow a strict gluten-free diet. My Dad thinks he does too, but he really doesn't and I pester him about it sometimes, but he won't change. He eats out a couple times a week and doesn't ask enough questions of the servers or chef. For example, if it says "rice" on the menu he doesn't ask if it is some kind of pre-packaged seasoned rice blend (which could easily have gluten) or if it is plain old rice. He also eats fries from the same fryer as battered food, something I never do. My theory is that he may not ever have fully healed in his gut because he is on an "almost gluten-free diet" and that has led to continued damage in his intestines. But, I'm not a doctor.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone ever had any further small intestine issues even after going gluten free? Any other insight is appreciated!

[ravenwoodglass]

My theory is that he may not ever have fully healed in his gut because he is on an "almost gluten-free diet" and that has led to continued damage in his intestines. But, I'm not a doctor.

I think your theory is likely right on. We can't be 'almost gluten free' and heal. Whether the problems he is having now are a result of that I can't really say. If after all the testing is done for other problems if they can't pinpoint the cause of the issues perhaps you can talk to him and get him to really go gluten free.

[kim:)]

I am trying to get over small bacteria overgrowth right now after 7 years of being gluten free... I am only 18 but after going on the candida diet I have been feeling a lot better. It's a pain but I have a lot of stomach issues and I am used to strict diets so its ok

[Anya78]

I posted the original comment about my Dad. I just wanted to update this in case anyone ever experiences vomiting, nausea and similar symptoms and comes across this post....if you do, get it checked out. My Dad was just diagnosed with small intestine cancer. Risk factor #1 for this cancer: Celiac Disease. I assume this means undiagnosed Celiac, but it would probably also apply if you are diagnosed but don't go to great lengths to avoid even small amounts of gluten (like avoiding fries from contaminated fryers or not asking enough questions at restaurants about the ingredients AND where your food items will be prepared and cooked, for example was your fish just sauteed in the same pan that was just used to saute a breaded item etc.)

Small intestine cancer is pretty rare, but Celiacs and people with Crohns are at an increased risk. We live in a medium sized city with lots of good hospitals and doctors, but my Dad wasn't diagnosed for a month and he traveled to the Cleveland Clinic to get that diagnosis. Just a reminder that we need to take Celiac and our symptoms very seriously.

My Dad, who has Celiac, has been having a very rough 5 weeks. Every 2-4 days or so, he has terrible vomiting spells. He had been having stomach pain/cramping (right below the belly button) for awhile before the vomiting incidents began. He was hospitalized for 5 days and they ran a bunch of tests. Doctors think it could be a partial blockage in the small intestine or an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. These are guesses, as they haven't found anything specific. They are probably going to do more testing this week to try and get further into the small intestine to take a look. The doctors don't seem to think this has anything to do with Celiac Disease. Because Celiac impacts the small intestine, it seems to me like there really could be a connection.

Now to give you a little background, my Dad & I were both diagnosed with Celiac in 2004. I follow a strict gluten-free diet. My Dad thinks he does too, but he really doesn't and I pester him about it sometimes, but he won't change. He eats out a couple times a week and doesn't ask enough questions of the servers or chef. For example, if it says "rice" on the menu he doesn't ask if it is some kind of pre-packaged seasoned rice blend (which could easily have gluten) or if it is plain old rice. He also eats fries from the same fryer as battered food, something I never do. My theory is that he may not ever have fully healed in his gut because he is on an "almost gluten-free diet" and that has led to continued damage in his intestines. But, I'm not a doctor.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone ever had any further small intestine issues even after going gluten free? Any other insight is appreciated!

[lynnelise]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's diagnoses! Hopefully it was caught in time and will be treatable! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Thanks for the warning! I know a lot of people who take risks on the diet with shared fryers and the like!

[ravenwoodglass]

I posted the original comment about my Dad. I just wanted to update this in case anyone ever experiences vomiting, nausea and similar symptoms and comes across this post....if you do, get it checked out. My Dad was just diagnosed with small intestine cancer. Risk factor #1 for this cancer: Celiac Disease. I assume this means undiagnosed Celiac, but it would probably also apply if you are diagnosed but don't go to great lengths to avoid even small amounts of gluten (like avoiding fries from contaminated fryers or not asking enough questions at restaurants about the ingredients AND where your food items will be prepared and cooked, for example was your fish just sauteed in the same pan that was just used to saute a breaded item etc.)

Small intestine cancer is pretty rare, but Celiacs and people with Crohns are at an increased risk. We live in a medium sized city with lots of good hospitals and doctors, but my Dad wasn't diagnosed for a month and he traveled to the Cleveland Clinic to get that diagnosis. Just a reminder that we need to take Celiac and our symptoms very seriously.

Sorry to hear your family got such bad news. I hope they caught it early and that he recovers. Thank you for the update. It may help others who are struggling with the need to be as strict as possible with the diet.