Pregnancy Reverse Celiac?

[gott2be]

This might sound completely wrong, but I figured I'd put it out there and see if anyone else has had this occur to them. I was diagnosed with Celiac on 2/10/10. I got pregnant in March of 2010 (hardly even a month after my diagnosis). I stuck to the gluten free diet the entire time I was pregnant... knowing that was going to be best for my unborn child. Okay, so, I had him in December, and after I was done breast feeding, I felt the need to splurge.... so I did, and I admit that I never suffered any consequences for it. Now, that was back in March of 2011... I've watched what I intake for glutenous foods, and make sure that if I do "splurge", that I make sure there's weeks in between splurges. Well, since I figured that because I wasn't having a reaction to eating the foods that would normally send me running to the bathroom, I started lessening the gap between splurges, and have still found that I haven't suffered any consequences. This week has been a "bad" week for me as far as the exposure to those delicious glutenous foods, and I haven't been able to resist the temptation. I have probably eaten something glutenous every day this week and have yet to have any reaction. So, basically what I'm wondering is this. If celiac disease is something that you can carry your whole life and then comes out when triggered by something, is it possible that it can go back into hiding due to something like being pregnant? I know every person is different, especially when it comes to the effects of gluten on their system, but I would like to know if there's ANYONE else out there that has experienced what I'm experiencing! Thanks!

[jswog]

This might sound completely wrong, but I figured I'd put it out there and see if anyone else has had this occur to them. I was diagnosed with Celiac on 2/10/10. I got pregnant in March of 2010 (hardly even a month after my diagnosis). I stuck to the gluten free diet the entire time I was pregnant... knowing that was going to be best for my unborn child. Okay, so, I had him in December, and after I was done breast feeding, I felt the need to splurge.... so I did, and I admit that I never suffered any consequences for it. Now, that was back in March of 2011... I've watched what I intake for glutenous foods, and make sure that if I do "splurge", that I make sure there's weeks in between splurges. Well, since I figured that because I wasn't having a reaction to eating the foods that would normally send me running to the bathroom, I started lessening the gap between splurges, and have still found that I haven't suffered any consequences. This week has been a "bad" week for me as far as the exposure to those delicious glutenous foods, and I haven't been able to resist the temptation. I have probably eaten something glutenous every day this week and have yet to have any reaction. So, basically what I'm wondering is this. If celiac disease is something that you can carry your whole life and then comes out when triggered by something, is it possible that it can go back into hiding due to something like being pregnant? I know every person is different, especially when it comes to the effects of gluten on their system, but I would like to know if there's ANYONE else out there that has experienced what I'm experiencing! Thanks!

While I cannot comment specifically to Celiac, I can tell you that my sister went into remission with her Crohn's Disease while she was pregnant and breast feeding her two boys. IMHO, it would be in the realm of possibility, but would not necessarily happen for everyone. My 2c...

Jen

[pricklypear1971]

Why not? I'd always assume it could come back, though.

I probably have/had endometriosis - and the best "cure" for that is supposed to be pregnancy. And so far it has worked. My son is 9 and I don't have the awful cramps. Then again, I was in the middle of dx when I got pg, and since I also appear to have gluten issues (and intestines are awfully close to the uterus) - who knows. Maybe it wasn't endo, but was Celiac????

If you were dx'ed via endoscopy I'd ask for another one to see how your insides are doing.... You could just be asymptomatic and still be accumulating damage. Or, you could be having symptoms you simply don't relate to gluten.

[jswog]

Why not? I'd always assume it could come back, though.

That's how it happened with my sister's Crohn's. It went into remission (and yes, they have said *remission* not cure) during both of her pregnancies and then reappeared after.

[JillianLindsay]

Even if I were not having symptoms, I would still be concerned about the potential of long-term repercussions (or health risks) of eating gluten after being diagnosed celiac.

[jswog]

Even if I were not having symptoms, I would still be concerned about the potential of long-term repercussions (or health risks) of eating gluten after being diagnosed celiac.

I agree completely. I will not even spend a second considering it, just saying that I do believe it is possible.

[beebs]

Autoimmune disease generally can go into remission when pregnant, a rule of thumb is 30% get worse, 30% get better and 30% remain the same (not sure about the other 10% haha!). Mine did, as did my asthma, I felt a million dollars! (my gluten stuff didn't though - I made the mistake of eating it an ended up in ER) Having said that, they do come back. Even if you feel fine during pregnancy it won't last forever. Mine started back within weeks of giving birth- DOH. I had moments during the pregnancy thinking I had imagined my connective tissue stuff...but alas it's back. My rheumy says it is very common!

[lil'chefy]

I posted in the prediagnosis forum, but what I guess I didn't say was that since I delivered my son, a year ago, I haven't been taking my dapsone, I have DH, evidently in remission. I am pretty much on a normal glutenous diet. i want to know if even w/o symptoms, I could still be doing myself a disservive. Derm and GI both just say to enjoy a normal lifestyle, but even though I am in remission, I am very worried.

[jswog]

I posted in the prediagnosis forum, but what I guess I didn't say was that since I delivered my son, a year ago, I haven't been taking my dapsone, I have DH, evidently in remission. I am pretty much on a normal glutenous diet. i want to know if even w/o symptoms, I could still be doing myself a disservive. Derm and GI both just say to enjoy a normal lifestyle, but even though I am in remission, I am very worried.

Personally, I would not be willing to take that risk. But you have to decide for yourself what you feel safe doing/not doing.

Jen

[Celiac Maniac]

I had my son 7.5 years ago, and I assure you, it didn't cure me.

If you wanted to take a risk, and it is a serious risk, you could eat gluten-y (at least = 2 slices of bread per day) for a month, then have the blood test again. If your antibody titer goes up, you're still having a significant antibody reaction and should not continue.

If it doesn't, well, I've never heard of anyone being "cured" of celiac disease before, but it could happen.

Good luck.

TK Kenyon

[Llamamama]

I'm 8 months post partum with my second child in 4 years. I've likely been undxed celiac since childhood.

I lost lactose tolerance when I was 19.

When I'm pregnant I dont have any problems eating wheat or milk... Some malformed stool and constipation.. Meh, right?

Wrong. When you are pregnant your immune system must suppress itself to allow the baby to exist to term.

That suppression allows gluten to sneak in. Along with milk.. And whatever else because your body is trying to also get every nutrient it can.

When you do that it will bite u.

It started for me with the hard core ataxia 6 months ppd.. The dh on my stomach.. High blood pressure..visual stuff

Now I'm cross reactive to pretty much every grain.

If you react to things do not abuse your immune system's loopholes while pregnant!