Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Upper Abdominal Pain - Under Ribcage

pondy

By pondy
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted

Hi Everyone,

A while back I posted about Upper GI/Ribcage Pain.

Just wanted to update that I had a follow-up Endoscopy (after 9 months gluten free) & the results are in.

It's the H. Pylori bacteria. :huh: Lo & behold, common to this infection is burning/gnawing upper abdominal pain - lots of times under/behind the left ribcage area. In other words, exactly what I've had.

G.I Doc said that my little villi are growing back, so the gluten free diet is working! There is hope! :D

Now I'm on Clarithromycin, Amoxcillin & Prilosec for treatment. Also, still taking the Culturelle probiotic & staying dairy free. I'm 3 days in & I do believe it's starting to work.

For those of you suffering from that crazy under-the-ribs pain, it might not be a bad idea to get tested for H. Pylori. I've read that it's very common.

All best to everyone. Happy New Year, by the way!

Pondy

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


TTNOGluten Explorer
TTNOGluten
Posted

Pondy

glad to hear everything is headed in the right direction, hopefully the tx for the H. Pylori gives you some relief, I am now 2 1/2 weeks out from gallbladder surgery, wish I could say the same, the ribcage pain continues as well as into my back, with no improvement, but what can you do. going for 2nd opinion next week with new gastro, hope he has some magic up his sleeve or is at least able to think outside the box, unlike the last one who basically told me that folks with celiac disease usually don't have much in the way of pain. I guess he has never had it to know, as that is by far and away my biggest symptom. I wish the best for you and the H.pylori quick eradication

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Oh, Thank Goodness you found out!! :)

I am so sorry that in all the things I suggested, I never thought to suggest h. pylori to you (my Dad had that and I asked to be tested for it myself when I had this upper rib cage pain--but I was negative)

but I am so glad you took our advice to keep pressing for follow up testing!!

You kept saying you knew it had to be more than just CC issues--and you were right! I was so hoping the follow up care/consult would give you an answer.

(After all those ANTIbiotics you will definitely need the PRObiotics.)

I do hope you recover quickly.

Happy New Year, hon!!!

pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted
  • Author

TTNOGluten,

I forgot if you answered this already, but are you consuming dairy? My pain began to get better after I cut out all dairy products. I also noticed a correlation between major C and upper GI pain. Have you been checked for a kidney infection? Perhaps some other kind of gut infection/bacterial overgrowth?? I'm just grasping at staws here...

I'm very sorry that having your gallbladder removed didn't put an end to your ongoing pain. I know it's terrible not knowing what the hell is going on!

I don't know if having Celiac generally slows healing processes, but it took my body two full months to recover from an easy breezy knee arthrosopy! I felt like a 90 year old in a 41 year old body. I did eventually heal though - as you will. I know you're hurting, but try & think positively. Yeah, easier said than done - but as my new

GI said, where the mind goes the body tends to follow.

Hang in there! Thanks for your response!

Pondy

pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted
  • Author

Oh, Thank Goodness you found out!! :)

I am so sorry that in all the things I suggested, I never thought to suggest h. pylori to you (my Dad had that and I asked to be tested for it myself when I had this upper rib cage pain--but I was negative)

but I am so glad you took our advice to keep pressing for follow up testing!!

You kept saying you knew it had to be more than just CC issues--and you were right! I was so hoping the follow up care/consult would give you an answer.

(After all those ANTIbiotics you will definitely need the PRObiotics.)

I do hope you recover quickly.

Happy New Year, hon!!!

IR,

Oh yes, you are so right about the probiotics! The GI has me on a double dose while I'm taking all these antibiotics.

By the way, everything you suggested has been more than helpful! Especially during the time when I had my old GI who dismissed me completely! You've been a superb source of knowledge for me. So, thanks!

:)

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

IR,

Oh yes, you are so right about the probiotics! The GI has me on a double dose while I'm taking all these antibiotics.

By the way, everything you suggested has been more than helpful! Especially during the time when I had my old GI who dismissed me completely! You've been a superb source of knowledge for me. So, thanks!

:)

You're welcome. I am just sooooooo glad you found the culprit and that now you can heal up and get on with it. yaaay!!! Be well, hon!! ;)

jeanniek Newbie
jeanniek
Posted

I had stomach pain and gas for years after I went gluten free. I had been told to eat five small meals a day; but when you work full-time, that is not possible. Finally, I found that eating my breakfast slowly solved both of those problems. Every day I make Cream of Rice and pour about 1/4 of it in a bowl and 3/4 of it in a travel mug, adding vanilla almond milk to each. I eat the bowl of Cream of Rice, one vanilla Kinnikinnick donut, and a cup of warm vanilla almond milk for breakfast. I take the mug of Cream of Rice to work and sip it throughout the morning. Then I try stretching my lunch out throughout the afternoon. I am feeing much better - both physically and emotionally - no more gas, stomach pain, or bloating!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted
  • Author

I agree that eatiing frequent small meals throughout the day is easier on the g.i system. I've gotten into this habit recently & have found it helpful too. Now that I am taking massive quantities of antibiotics for the H Pylori, I have severe burning & indigestion... Eating a little snack always remedies the situation.

Thanks for the input!

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Pondy, Thought of you when I saw this and wondered how you are doing???

Open Original Shared Link

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Mastic gum is the way to go. It kills the h.pylori bacteria.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Mastic gum is the way to go. It kills the h.pylori bacteria.

One study from 1998 says it does:

Open Original Shared Link

One study from 2003 says it does NOT:

Open Original Shared Link

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

I think I'll go with the first study then. And with my stomach which says yes, it does kill it. My tummie's opinion has a lot of weight in the argument from my personal perspective. :) Thanks for the links

IH.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I think I'll go with the first study then. And with my stomach which says yes, it does kill it. My tummie's opinion has a lot of weight in the argument from my personal perspective. :) Thanks for the links

IH.

I'm with you. :)

The human body has an amazing capacity to heal--given the right circumstances. I am often told (about my symptoms and my recovery) " well, that's not possible!" and "I have never seen THAT before in my 30- something years!" blah blah blah ....and so, I just listen to my body and my brain now---they are (almost) always right! ;)

Whatever works...works! ;)

pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted
  • Author

Update here...

I am on day 12 of 2 different antibiotics for H Pylori. I've been extremely nauseous - only really able to eat plain bread & water. Thank goodness I only have 2 days of meds to go.

Came down with stomach flu - everyone at work had it. No D, just vomit, abdominal pain... the usual suspects. Today I had D twice - how, I don't know since there is virtually nothing in my stomach.

Enough of the gross stuff! There is good news too!

Burning pain in upper left abdominal quad has gone away! It feels too good to be true. Perhaps these crazy meds with all the crazy side effects are working!!

I follow up with my GI on the 19th.

Best,

Pondy :)

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Antibiotics kill my stomach, too :blink: --sorry, kiddo

Keep the probiotics on board. Drink as much water as you can stand so you do not get dehydrated and hang in there.

That is good news that the awful pain has stopped.

I had a"bug" this week too...ugh! But I fought it off pretty good--could have been worse! ah well, as my Dad used to say "This Too Shall Pass." :)

Geesh, you have had quite a run. Hopefully, you will be right as rain soon.

My best, IH

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Mmoc
      - Mmoc replied to Mmoc's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results.
    2. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Clear2me's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      6

      Gluten free nuts

      I wanted to respond to your post as much for other people who read this later on (I'm not trying to contradict your experience or decisions) > Kirkland Signature Super Extra-Large Peanuts, 2.5 lbs, are labeled "gluten free" in the Calif Costcos I've been in. If they are selling non-gluten-free in your store, I suggest talking to customer service to...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      42

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      Thanks for the thoughtful reply and links, Wheatwacked. Definitely some food for thought. However, I would point out that your linked articles refer to gliadin in human breast milk, not cow's milk. And although it might seem reasonable to conclude it would work the same way in cows, that is not necessarily the case. Studies seem to indicate otherwise. Studies...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      42

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      I'd be very cautious about accepting these claims without robust evidence. The hypothesis requires a chain of biologically unlikely events: Gluten/gliadin survives the cow's rumen and entire digestive system intact. It is then absorbed whole into the cow's bloodstream. It bypasses the cow's immune system and liver. It is then secreted...
    5. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research
      6

      Study Estimates the Costs of Delayed Celiac Disease Diagnosis (+Video)

      Have you had your 25(OH)D vitamin D blood level checked? Vitamin D deficiency occurs in 40 - 60% of western societies. It is even more common in Celiac Disease because of malabsorption syndrome. Appropriate intake of vitamin D or skin production from sun, increases the absorbtion rate of Calcium.and phosphorus, two minerals crucial to...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,387
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    LizzieE
    Newest Member
    LizzieE
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mmoc
      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      By Mmoc · Posted

      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results. 
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Gluten free nuts

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I wanted to respond to your post as much for other people who read this later on (I'm not trying to contradict your experience or decisions) > Kirkland Signature Super Extra-Large Peanuts, 2.5 lbs, are labeled "gluten free" in the Calif Costcos I've been in. If they are selling non-gluten-free in your store, I suggest talking to customer service to see if they can get you the gluten-free version (they are tasty) > This past week I bought "Sliced Raw Almonds, Baking Nuts, 5 lbs Item 1495072 Best if used by Jun-10-26 W-261-6-L1A 12:47" at Costco. The package has the standard warning that it was made on machinery that <may> have processed wheat. Based on that alone, I would not eat these. However, I contacted customer service and asked them "are Costco's Sliced Almonds gluten free?" Within a day I got this response:  "This is [xyz] with the Costco Member Service Resolutions Team. I am happy to let you know we got a reply back from our Kirkland Signature team. Here is their response:  This item does not have a risk of cross contamination with gluten, barley or rye." Based on this, I will eat them. Based on experience, I believe they will be fine. Sometimes, for other products, the answer has been "they really do have cross-contamination risk" (eg, Kirkland Signature Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Salted, 1.5 lbs Item 1195303). When they give me that answer I return them for cash. You might reasonably ask, "Why would Costco use that label if they actually are safe?" I can't speak for Costco but I've worked in Corporate America and I've seen this kind of thing first hand and up close. (1) This kind of regulatory label represents risk/cost to the company. What if they are mistaken? In one direction, the cost is loss of maybe 1% of sales (if celiacs don't buy when they would have). In the other direction, the risk is reputational damage and open-ended litigation (bad reviews and celiacs suing them). Expect them to play it safe. (2) There is a team tasked with getting each product out to market quickly and cheaply, and there is also a committee tasked with reviewing the packaging before it is released. If the team chooses the simplest, safest, pre-approved label, this becomes a quick check box. On the other hand, if they choose something else, it has to be carefully scrutinized through a long process. It's more efficient for the team to say there <could> be risk. (3) There is probably some plug and play in production. Some lots of the very same product could be made in a safe facility while others are made in an unsafe facility. Uniform packaging (saying there is risk) for all packages regardless of gluten risk is easier, cheaper, and safer (for Costco). Everything I wrote here is about my Costco experience, but the principles will be true at other vendors, particularly if they have extensive quality control infrastructure. The first hurdle of gluten-free diet is to remove/replace all the labeled gluten ingredients. The second, more difficult hurdle is to remove/replace all the hidden gluten. Each of us have to assess gray zones and make judgement calls knowing there is a penalty for being wrong. One penalty would be getting glutened but the other penalty could be eating an unnecessarily boring or malnourishing diet.
    • trents
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By trents · Posted

      Thanks for the thoughtful reply and links, Wheatwacked. Definitely some food for thought. However, I would point out that your linked articles refer to gliadin in human breast milk, not cow's milk. And although it might seem reasonable to conclude it would work the same way in cows, that is not necessarily the case. Studies seem to indicate otherwise. Studies also indicate the amount of gliadin in human breast milk is miniscule and unlikely to cause reactions:  https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-peptides-in-human-breast-milk-implications-for-cows-milk/ I would also point out that Dr. Peter Osborne's doctorate is in chiropractic medicine, though he also has studied and, I believe, holds some sort of certifications in nutritional science. To put it plainly, he is considered by many qualified medical and nutritional professionals to be on the fringe of quackery. But he has a dedicated and rabid following, nonetheless.
    • Scott Adams
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I'd be very cautious about accepting these claims without robust evidence. The hypothesis requires a chain of biologically unlikely events: Gluten/gliadin survives the cow's rumen and entire digestive system intact. It is then absorbed whole into the cow's bloodstream. It bypasses the cow's immune system and liver. It is then secreted, still intact and immunogenic, into the milk. The cow's digestive system is designed to break down proteins, not transfer them whole into milk. This is not a recognized pathway in veterinary science. The provided backup shifts from cow's milk to human breastmilk, which is a classic bait-and-switch. While the transfer of food proteins in human breastmilk is a valid area of study, it doesn't validate the initial claim about commercial dairy. The use of a Dr. Osborne video is a major red flag. His entire platform is based on the idea that all grains are toxic, a view that far exceeds the established science on Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and a YouTube video from a known ideological source is not that evidence."  
    • Wheatwacked
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Some backup to my statement about gluten and milk. Some background.  When my son was born in 1976 he was colicky from the beginning.  When he transitioned to formula it got really bad.  That's when we found the only pediactric gastroenterologist (in a population of 6 million that dealt with Celiac Disease (and he only had 14 patients with celiac disease), who dianosed by biopsy and started him on Nutramegen.  Recovery was quick. The portion of gluten that passes through to breastmilk is called gliadin. It is the component of gluten that causes celiac disease or gluten intolerance. What are the Effects of Gluten in Breastmilk? Gliaden, a component of gluten which is typically responsible for the intestinal reaction of gluten, DOES pass through breast milk.  This is because gliaden (as one of many food proteins) passes through the lining of your small intestine into your blood. Can gluten transmit through breast milk?  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.