cristiana

It's not about the risk of catching the flu. It's about the risk of getting serious complications from the flu. If a person with a serious lung disease catch the flu and get a respiratory infection it can be fatal. 

Here in Norway celiacs are not mentioned as one of the high risk groups. Even if celiacs are at a higher risk of developing certain other diseases that might put us in one of the high risk groups, most celiacs are just celiacs, and on a gluten free diet we are healthy. 

It doesn’t make sense to me scientifically that someone with celiac would have a compromised immune system.  It is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks itself.  With some other autoimmune diseases patients are given drugs to suppress the immune system, then they are more vulnerable.
Scientific consensus does change sometimes with new data.  I would go with the most recent FAQ in your link (2017).

Some celiacs do have immune issues like CVID.  It is why the celiac IgG tests were developed in conjunction to the IgA tests.  
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/common-variable-immune-deficiency
I imagine doctors recall this fact and encourage all celiacs to get their vaccinations.  
I do not yet qualify for the pneumonia shot due to my age.  I do get my flu shot and and hoping that researchers and drug companies can come up with one flu shot that takes care of all flu strains.  Wouldn’t that be nice?  
I encourage anyone to get the flu shot.  I am in LA where the new Corona Virus has been found.  I know my current flu shot does not work on the Corona virus, but I am hoping that if I do get it, it won’t be so bad.   Besides, more people die from the regular flu.  That should be more worrisome, but somehow people do not think that it is!  
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/01/24/coronavirus-versus-flu-influenza-deadlier-than-wuhan-china-disease/4564133002/

Different T-cells recognize and reacts to different pathogens. The cells that react to gluten are not the same cells that reacts to viruses. If you don't have any other disease that impare your immune system, I don't see any reason why you should be more at risk than any other healthy human being.
And flu shots are not very effective. Flu vaccines are manufactured extremely quickly as flu viruses vary from year to year. Flu viruses can also mutate during the season. Due to this, the effectiveness of flu shots are pretty low compared to other vaccines. This year it's 60% effective which is pretty high. Some years the effectiveness hasn't even reached 30%.
I've been taking the flu shot ever since I started working in health care. 11 years, 11 flu shots, 4 influenzas.
 

Responding to the topic about cough with Reflux......I don’t have Reflux, but a severe case of esophagitis (that I’ve had since 2007).  My pulmonologist told me this week that the cough was from acid in the esophagus, not allergies as I had thought for years. Incidentally, I had to go off my nighttime Benadryl recently in order to start a different med to address my autoimmune flare. Cyclinglady mentioned her pillow wedge for another issue, so I’ve been sleeping elevated for over a month - no cough. Docs will also recommend a PPI for this cough, but it wasn’t helpful in my case. Simply sleeping on my back propped up did the trick. 

I read that zinc does not reduce colds by much.....☹️
https://www.consumerreports.org/vitamins-supplements/6-reasons-not-to-take-zinc-for-your-cold/
 However, my retired doctor was a firm believer in dispensing old-fashioned cures.  He said that the placebo effect is strong.    If you think zinc works, consider taking it.  Just be aware of the possible side effects (which are kind of similar to a gluten exposure).  
I have a cold now.  OTC, prescription drugs and supplements are processed “foods”.  I try to avoid them as much as possible.  (Did you know that most raw materials for drugs and supplements come from China where the FDA does not have any authority?)  
https://nypost.com/2019/09/03/the-hidden-perils-of-drugs-imported-from-china/
My cold solution?  Plenty of rest, soup and fluids.  
 

Cristina and NNowak,
Don't be afraid to take  you a good enzymic B-complex...B-Vitamins work synergistically together...I promised the moderators....I won't wear people with too many links...you can search through my profile..here are three links that can help you...low stomach acid is being mistaken for high stomach acid and overgrowth of bad bacteria can cause an ulcer etc...see the HHMI research....my best advise...is step down off the PPIs by going low carb not just gluten free....carbs ferment and never mix carbs and fats in the same meal...with your left side sleeping things should get better in a few months...don't go cold turkey off the PPIs after a month to 6 weeks on the B-complex...your PPI's will stop working (as well) that is a sign to step down by a 1/4 to a 1/3 in dose...until the B-complex takes over and heals (best twice a day or with meals) the linning of your stomach.....evidenced by a strong and regular burping action....even to water after a few months...
 https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/143/12/1966/4614831
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01635589009514098
https://www.hhmi.org/news/excessive-growth-bacteria-may-also-be-major-cause-stomach-ulcers
Again I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advise....but it helped me.
Posterboy,

Thank you, Posterboy. I remember you posting about left side sleeping before. That is usually how I sleep - propped up on a huge pillow. I addition to the esophagitis, I have had pain in the URQ of my stomach which gets worse on my right side. PPI use since 2007 clearly didn’t help matters, potentially contributing to my deficiencies, too.  
 
I’ve read that esophagitis is sometimes treated with inhaled asthma steroids, or swallowed asthma steroids in granule form. There is some relief for me when I use my inhaler as directed ?. I had not thought about stomach acid in the lungs before. My pulmonologist mentioned surgery to tighten up the bottom of the esophagus and suggested I discuss this with my GI.  
 
I appreciate the information, thank you!!

cristiana,
there is evidence to indicate heartburn/GERD can be triggered by stress...I have had some heartburn recently for the first time in years...been dealing with some bronchitis for  a month now, an ear ache, and other life stresses that seem to have caught up with me all at once...here is the research that show's how stress (maybe sickness etc.) in your life could of caused your heartburn to be triggered by life events in the 4 to 6 months before the heartburn....I  know it has effected mine...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15184707
I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advise.
Posterboy,

NNowak,
I had a friend who had a similar issue....a lot that could be acid reflux into your lung cavity or into your esophagus causing it to be irritated...here is a link about it...https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-ppis-have-long-term-side-effects
sleeping on our left side can help your acid reflux...https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/the-benefits-of-left-side-sleeping/
I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advise.
Posterboy,

Thanks for the update! I will keep my fingers crossed that the doctors quickly find out what's causing your health problems and can treat it effectively. Have a great weekend!

Posterboy,
Thank you! I had heard that Justin Bieber had Lyme but had not heard he also had chronic mono (EBV). I live in the U.S.
I got thiamine the other day and I know we have magnesium but not sure it's the kind you mentioned. I sure appreciate your input and know it's not medical advice so don't worry.
I think we get more help and valuable info on these message boards than we do from doctors!
Thanks again!
 

For the most part I just had one really swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck above my collar bone. It was so big that it was blocking blood flow in my jugular vein on that side. Because it was so big, my pulmonologist thought I had lymphoma but biopsy showed no cancer. After I had my teeth cleaned last May, the lymphs on my whole right side swelled up. Then when I had my teeth cleaned again in August the one in my neck got huge. I was in the emergency room 8 days later. I originally thought my issues were due to a dental filling on my right side but now think it's due to the Esptein-Barr virus. Since I gave up all grains a month ago the lymph in my neck has returned to normal size. I used to eat steel cut gluten free oats every morning for breakfast but read that they can cause the same problems as gluten so stopped eating them and feel so much better.

Mariekt,
I don't know if you know who Justin Bieber is or  not being "down under" or not...but it was recently reported that he had a cause of Chronic Active EBV...here is the quickest google link I could find about it...https://www.businessinsider.com/justin-bieber-has-lyme-disease-and-chronic-mono-2020-1?amp%3Butm_medium=referral try taking some Magnesium as Magnesium Glycinate (anytime) or Magnesium Citrate with meals...I think your energy will improve more than you can imagine...the EBV connection to CFS fatigue has been studied.....http://simmaronresearch.com/2015/08/epstein-barr-virus-the-magnesium-connection/ but most doctor's are not aware of it (yet) at least...I don't have time to explain it any more at this time....but I think the link will explain it well....without Magnesium (or Thiamine) we can't make energy and since the EBV competes for the same site in the body...it displaces Magnesium and we get low in energy...taking Magnesium bumps the EBV back off the (same) site....and we begin to make (cellular) energy again....
I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advise.
Posterboy,

Glad you saw my post, Cristiana! Actually when I went back I did see it.
So, I got a very interesting piece to my health puzzle on Friday. Had an Epstein-Barr virus test done over a week ago and the results showed 2 of my marker numbers are really, really high. Haven't talked to my doctor yet about them but have been doing some online research. Between 90-95% of people worldwide have the virus but many of them never get sick from it. It can be reactivated in times of stress, trauma, and illness. From what I understand, there is a link between celiac and Epstein-Barr. All the issues I've had, from swollen lymph nodes, cough, pleural effusions, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, can all be caused by EBV.
There is no cure for it but through diet you can manage it. It might be a good idea to get a blood test for EBV. Now that I know that my EBV numbers are so high, at least there is a place to start healing from.
Good luck!

Try Cold-Eze. 13.3 mg per lozenge. The zinc coats your mucus membranes and protects them from attack of the virus. You might be zinc deficient.  RDA upper limit is 40 mg and the minimum daily requirement is 8 mg for women and the NIH puts Celiac Disease as a high risk factor. I started using it in 2004 and have not had more than a slight sniffle since. Also if you are deficient in zinc you are likely deficient in 10 others. There is evidence that synthetic A, synthetic E, and synthetic folate (folic acid) cause cancer and other side effects.

Christina, I responded to your last post a couple days ago but don't see it here. So glad you got an x-ray. If it shows anything abnormal, your doctor will call right away.
 
Interesting about your friend with UC getting pleural effusions.
 
I do believe I suffer from malnutrition even though I eat a lot of food. You should definitely look into it and take some supplements. I just stocked up on zinc and B vitamins, including B-1 (thiamine) because of Posterboys post on it. Good luck!

I'm so glad the information was helpful to you!  ?. Remember the eight essential B vitamins all work together and we need minerals, too. Copper deficiency is often overlooked in anemia. If you're low in Vitamin D, you may be low in the other fat soluble vitamins, too, like vitamin A, which helps in iron absorption.   And, as Ennis said, Vitamin C helps with iron absorption, too.  
Best wishes!
 
 

Knitty Kitty, what you posted about thiamine is so interesting! I am definitely going to get tested for deficiencies, including thiamine.
 

So glad you got the x-ray. Believe me, if it shows anything abnormal your doctor will call you pretty quickly. I had my first x-ray done in the morning and got a call from my doctor by the end of the day. 
Interesting about your friend with UC had a pleural effusion. 
I do believe a lot of our health issues could be caused by malnutrition. My acupuncturist has always told me that I'm malnourished, even though I eat a lot of food. Now I'm starting to understand that I most likely am malnourished. Nice that we can share our stories here and help each other?

My iron stayed low for years even eating foods high in iron, >.< I did have a constant drain with UC but it still only improved when I started taking Vitamin C with meals

Thiamine deficiency will cause a collection of fluid in the lungs.  
Thiamine is necessary for the proper growth and function of T and B cells.  
Thiamine deficiency will cause a cough.  The vagus nerve is affected by thiamine deficiency, becoming hypersensitive and coughing is easily triggered.  The vagus nerve also controls acid production, the sphincter muscles that keep acid in the stomach becomes loose hence gerd, peristaltic action is slowed.  
Take your thiamine!  Doctors don't recognize vitamin deficiencies any more!   
Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Checking for vitamin and mineral deficiencies is part of follow up care of Celiacs.  Please check with your doctor!!! 

Glad you are going to ask to get a chest x-ray. They are such an inexpensive way to see what's going on in your chest. I think mine cost my insurance $36, and uncovered serious problems, including the fluid in my chest and a mass in my right lung. The mass has since shrunk and biopsy was negative for cancer. I would encourage you to see an allergy/immunology doctor, too. I am seeing one now and through blood tests she discovered that my T and B cells are very low and not functioning normally. Now she is going to do genetic and autoimmune tests. All my other numerous tests and biopsies showed nothing and left my doctors perplexed and still searching for cancer but nothing could be found. I asked my allergy/immunology doctor if all my issues could be due to malnutrition and she said yes. As you know, malnutrition is common in those with Celiac. I wish you the best on your journey. Keep me posted!

Mariekt,
I saw you are also active on the chronic cough thread....Knitty Kitty said something that struck me as something that might help you...I had only read it recently so it made since when she mentioned water collecting in our organs....the website hormone matters is the expert on Beri Beri...they explain how a thiamine deficiency can mimick water in the lungs aka Pleurisy.....I used to have a lot of bronchitis issue's...eating gluten free helped that....but I also had taken a B-complex which has thiamine in it also at the same time that I think now helped...I didn't know why at the time...here is the Hormone Matter's link on how Beri Beri can mimick things even as complex as pleurisy today...https://www.hormonesmatter.com/beriberi-the-great-imitator/ see their discussion/paragraph on the general symptoms of Beri Beri in it's late stages..for other's following this thread here is what they say about Pleurisy or water in the lungs.... quoting "In later stages, fluid is found in the pleural cavity, surrounding the heart in the pericardium and in the abdomen. Fluid in body cavities is usually ascribed to other “more modern” causes and beriberi is not likely to be considered. There may be low grade fever, usually giving rise to a search for an infection. We are all aware that such symptoms come from other causes, but a diet history might suggest that beriberi is a possibility in the differential diagnosis." end quote ...read the whole article when you get  a chance...who know it might help your chronic cough too!.... I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advise.
Posterboy,
EDTA: I misquoted pleurisy for pulmonary edema. ...pleurisy is the pain you feel from the edema (water or other fluid) in the lungs..

Thank you so much for this, I have been wondering why my own doctors haven't ordered one as it has now been over two months that I've had this discomfort, itchy throat and occasional coughing fit.  Your message has given me the confidence to request one today - thank you so much.  And I really hope you will have all the answers you need soon.
C