Steroids For Refractory Celiac--Recovering Alcoholic

[Kellyc306]

So they cannot tell if I am just Celiac or have progressed to Celiac Refractory, since I have not responded very much at all to a gluten free diet ater about six weeks. As they discuss with me the possibility of prednisone treatment for CR, they warn me about side effects, including mood ups and downs and difficult withdrawal.

My question is this--as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, do I have anything to worry about?

Thanks for any insight.

Kelly

[kareng]

That's nuts! How can they know if it will respond to a gluten free diet after just 6 weeks. You may not have even gotten all the gluten out of your life. You certainly haven't had enough time to heal the damage. Sounds like you need to get a new doctor.

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"For many people, following this diet will stop symptoms, heal existing intestinal damage, and prevent further damage. Improvements begin within weeks of starting the diet, and the small intestine is often completely healed in 6 to 18 months. Healing may take up to 2 years for older adults; for some, the gut never completely heals but heals enough to restore quality of life and prevent complications due to active celiac disease."

[Skylark]

I just want to underscore what Karen said. Six weeks is nowhere near long enough to expect improvement. Refractory is usually only considered if celiac antibodies aren't falling after a year or so.

People with celiac often have vitamin deficiencies that keep us from feeling better. It will be even more troublesome for you with the alcohol and drug history since alcohol depletes your vitamin stores. Have you been tested for D, B12, and iron levels at all? Are you taking B-complex and D supplements?

Also, many of us are sensitive to dairy products. Soy is another common food sensitivity. Continuing to eat foods to which you are sensitive will slow down the healing process.

[dilettantesteph]

I agree with the other posters. Before steroids there are lots of things that you can do with your diet. It took me much longer than 6 weeks.

Good luck sticking with your recovery. It would be really hard to be strict with the diet while on a bender.

[Bubba's Mom]

IMO it's way too soon to be thinking about steroids! It takes time to heal. Months..even years for some. Alcohol may have caused some intestinal damage along with Celiac as well?

Steroids have side effects. Lots of side effects.

Instead, focus on making sure there's no cc in your diet. Focus on eating fruits, veggies, meats, fish, eggs, and dairy (after you've done some healing).

The enzyme that digests lactose is produced in the tips of the villi which may be missing in your system right now, which is why you should avoid dairy at first.