Hashumatos With Intestinal Pain

[kathrynk]

Hi everyone,

I am new here, my name is Kathy. I am a 35 year old mother of 2 little ones. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called sjrogren's last year, and then diagnosed with hashumatos thyroid (autoimmune thyroid) last week. The past several weeks (probably about a month) I have been having severe gas pains and cramping after meals. It feels like possibly gall bladder attacks, but I am very gassy. I have cut out gluten from my diet as recommended by a naturopathic Doctor (just about 3 days now). The naturopathic Doctor ordered me some natural remedies to help heal my gut-they have not arrived yet. The cramping and gas is less severe with no gluten-however still there after meals (I went out to eat tonight with my husband for the first time in ages, and ordered a gluten-free meal-I just took an antacid for lower abdomen cramping and gas). I am seeing my primary tomorrow. I have orders for a celiac's test from the rheumatologist as well, as I hear autoimmune diseases run in clusters. If it were to be a dx of celiac's, is it normal to still have cramping and after a gluten-free meal? Will the test render a false negative because I have cut out gluten? (I guess my question is how long do the antibodies remain elevated in the system)? Are there other tests I should request? Also-I am here for support with trying to get a hold on my health. I apologize if this is the wrong thread to post these types of questions. I am new to this, but in need of support! Thanks!

[rosetapper23]

Welcome to the Forum! It sounds as though you've arrived in the right place...and, hopefully, there are folks here who can help you. You'll discover that we each have a point of view and different experiences with celiac and gluten sensitivity. Personally, once I gave up gluten, the digestive complaints receded immediately (except that I still had D to some extent for 18 months). You may be reacting to other foods in addition to gluten; e.g., dairy or soy. Many celiacs cannot tolerate one or both of these products. You might try eliminating them, too, and adding them in later to see if they're giving you any problems. Others will probably suggest additional foods that give them trouble--we, unfortunately, are a group of fairly sensitive people. I would not be surprised to learn that you have celiac, which may have spawned Sjogren's and Hashimoto's. Celiac is considered the mother of all autoimmune diseases. If you've only been gluten free for three days, it shouldn't affect the test; however, if your test is not going to happen for a while, you might consider eating gluten until then. Please be aware that the blood tests are notorious for resulting in false-negatives, so regardless of the results, I hope you'll continue to eat gluten free to see your issues resolve.

[kathrynk]

Welcome to the Forum! It sounds as though you've arrived in the right place...and, hopefully, there are folks here who can help you. You'll discover that we each have a point of view and different experiences with celiac and gluten sensitivity. Personally, once I gave up gluten, the digestive complaints receded immediately (except that I still had D to some extent for 18 months). You may be reacting to other foods in addition to gluten; e.g., dairy or soy. Many celiacs cannot tolerate one or both of these products. You might try eliminating them, too, and adding them in later to see if they're giving you any problems. Others will probably suggest additional foods that give them trouble--we, unfortunately, are a group of fairly sensitive people. I would not be surprised to learn that you have celiac, which may have spawned Sjogren's and Hashimoto's. Celiac is considered the mother of all autoimmune diseases. If you've only been gluten free for three days, it shouldn't affect the test; however, if your test is not going to happen for a while, you might consider eating gluten until then. Please be aware that the blood tests are notorious for resulting in false-negatives, so regardless of the results, I hope you'll continue to eat gluten free to see your issues resolve.

thank you so much! I will be getting the blood draw tomorrow for celiacs-I just don't know what to eat and I am hungry so often! I ordered off the gluten-free menu tonight(chicken, redbridge beer, green beans, and a baked potatoe, no butter)I thought that would cover most allergens, but my stomach is a trainwreck right now. I was in the process of cutting meat out of my diet before all of this, and now I need to eat it I guess just for the protein and calories. I will stick around here for some tips on food and advice! Thanks again!

[Skylark]

If you've only been gluten free for three days, it shouldn't affect the test; however, if your test is not going to happen for a while, you might consider eating gluten until then. Please be aware that the blood tests are notorious for resulting in false-negatives, so regardless of the results, I hope you'll continue to eat gluten free to see your issues resolve.

I agree 100%.

I would also strongly suggest you go dairy-free at least at first. There are a growing number of studies on the negative role cows milk has in autoimmunity. Celiacs also tend to be lactose intolerant from the villous damage. Lactase is made at the tips, where the celiac damage starts. Lactose intolerance will give you cramping and gas after meals. You might find you eventually can tolerate a little dairy, though I would strongly suggest going light on cow dairy and eating goat as much as possible.

As far as what to eat, it's difficult to eat out gluten-free and even harder dairy-free. Cooking is pretty easy. Have lots of meat, vegetables, bean dishes like chili, rice and potatoes for side dishes, fresh fruit, and snack on nuts. You can get specialty gluten-free foods too but I'm often happier with some nice rice or a sweet potato.

[kathrynk]

how do you find nuts that are not processed with wheat? I did find gluten-free oats for oatmeal. I am bummed about my holiday cookies

I am learning a ton on here-I will update and probably have more questions after seeing my primary MD today. I am frustrated that the endocrinology diagnosed me with hashimatos, and then said "your thyroid levels are fine, so we will just monitor them and prescribe meds once they start to drop" Why do some Doctors only treat the symptoms? How come there was no mention of cutting out gluten or other possibilities like celiacs? I feel like there is so much mixed info out there, and I feel very overwhelmed by all of this!

[kathrynk]

Happy Thanksgiving! I am writing because I had a couple bites of turkey and some cranberry sauce. I also had some wine, maybe 1/2 a glass. After that I had intense stomach cramping and gas for a few hours. I have been very careful about avoiding allergens. I should get the celiac test results soon. (in a couple days) I'm thinking about requesting an ultrasound as well just to rule out other things. Did anyone else continue to get bad cramping and gas after cutting out allergens? Would wine irritate my stomach? Did any females out there get worse stomach pain and gas when AF was do? It os that time as well. I just wish I had some answers. I barely ate anything and still felt terrible. Having some hot rice cereal with maple syrup before bed, to get something in my tummy.