Pieces of the puzzle may be falling into place

[Fiona]

I've always considered myself a very healthy person (or at least a very healthy adult) before the digestive issues started, in the sense that I rarely get sick in the usual ways--I haven't even had the flu or a cold in a decade, maybe longer. However, and it's a big however, looking at the odd things I've suffered with throughout my lifetime, I'm just now starting to wonder if many of them are caused or at least aggravated by gluten sensitivity:

*As a child, I had asthma fairly seriously until about age 17, and I took lots of meds for it that never seemed to work. I also had bronchitis frequently until about the age of 13. I always attributed this to the fact that both my parents were smokers, but I had a mild adult-asthma relapse several years ago that eventually just sort of disappeared on its own.

*TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. I was diagnosed with this as a teenager, and it comes and goes with no discernible pattern.

*Allergies. I've had hay fever and various seasonal allergies for as long as I can remember. Not severely, but enough so that it can get bothersome, particularly in the spring.

*Rosacea. I have mild rosacea on my cheeks. I blush very easily, and it really shows given my fair skin.

*Skin sensitivities. In addition to the rosacea, I have super-sensitive skin in general and have to avoid chemicals, fragrances, detergents, etc. of all kinds. I spend a ridiculous amount of money to use fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free (and even organic, when possible) hair and skin products.

*Pleurisy. Yes, pleurisy. In the middle of an exceptionally stressful time at work about two years ago, I was diagnosed with it by a smart ER doctor after the urgent care doc who sent me there thought I needed my gallbladder removed given the pain I was experiencing.

*And of course now, Lymphocytic Colitis and possible Celiac.

What's the common thread here? Inflammation. Have I basically been walking around in a constant state of inflammation since I was a child? Could gluten be connected with all this, or am I trying too hard to find a theme? Are others also living with things like this in addition to the MC?

Fiona

[Leah]

You are right on target. Can't say for sure if ALL the things you have listed is duue to gluten intolerance, but it would be a pretty good guess that many of them are. Many people on this forum have other autoimmune/inflammatory things going on. The fact that you don't get colds and the flu very often is also common among many of us. I think part of that is that we have hyperactive immune systems. I also don't get sick often, but have two other autoimmune ailments. Interesting, huh?

leah

[Fiona]

Wow, you're right, it IS interesting! And at the same time, makes me want to burst into tears to think of all those years of suffering. What you said about hyperactive immune systems and not getting colds/flu...that makes perfect sense, and I never would've thought of that on my own. Agreed, they may not ALL be gluten-related, but I bet at least some of them are/were. Very grateful to have found this forum.

Fiona

[Deb]

Fiona, I think we (and others) have a lot in common. As a child I had asthmatic bronchitis, then allergies, eczema, endometriosis, chemical sensitivities, pleurisy, MC and hypothyroidism. I also wonder if I had eliminated gluten a long time ago I may have avoided some of this stuff! Deb

[tex]

I had the same pattern with asthma. It was a major problem when I was in my early teens. I never took any medications and one night I had an attack that was bad enough that I probably wouldn't have survived the night if a local doctor hadn't come out and given me a cortisone shot (doctors still made house calls back in those days). According to my parents I was turning blue from lack of oxygen before the doctor arrived. After that I used an inhaler whenever I had a bad attack. Neither of my parents were smokers. I "outgrew" it before I started college.

Hay fever has always been a problem (except for the years when my GI symptoms dominated my immune system responses). Interestingly, now that my diet is very restricted, and I'm taking a prescription vitamin (the active forms of vitamins B-12, B-9, and B-6) to treat peripheral neuropathy caused by years of untreated gluten sensitivity, my hay fever symptoms seem to be progressively fading away with each passing season. I've already described my TMJ experience in my previous post in your other thread.

I've always worn long-sleeve shirts and never wear shorts because of skin sensitivities to many plants. I've used hypoallergenic soaps, detergents, etc., for decades.

Yes, inflammation is at the root of all autoimmune-type issues, but for virtually all of us (according to my theory), the one environmental ingredient that is essential to the actual development of disease, is chronic stress.

Tex

[Fiona]

Tex, when you refer to chronic stress, do you mean long-term exposure to environmental stressors, or do you mean chronic stress in the traditional sense of the phrase, as in psychological stress? I'm asking for clarification because if you mean the former, it of course makes sense, but if you mean the latter, that also makes sense, and I might be an additional data point for your theory, which I'll explain but didn't want to presume.

In the meantime, my mind is just blown by finding out about such similar experiences to my own! Particularly in light of the lifelong nature of this stuff in many cases.

[tex]

Any type of chronic stress qualifies, whether physical trauma or psychological in origin. Some of the most damaging psychological stress has been shown to be associated with situations over which we have (or perceive that we have) little or no control, such as a highly stressful job made worse by coworkers or supervisors who are a part of the problem. And of course it can even be due to psychological stress associated with past events that we simply can't get past in our mind.

Any kind of stress that continues to gnaw on us (we can't get it out of our mind for more than a few minutes now and then, and/or it keeps coming back) obviously qualifies as chronic stress. And that's what makes MC a self-perpetuating disease, because few things are more stressful than dealing with its symptoms and their effects on our lives and the lives of our family and friends.

Tex

[Fiona]

Well, I didn't mention this because I didn't know if it was relevant and, frankly, it's embarrassing, but at various times in my life I've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, for which I've tried--and given up on--multiple SSRI and SNRI drugs. Haven't taken any since about six years ago after some most unpleasant experiences with those medications. I do occasionally take a tiny amount of alprazolam (Xanax) if the anxiety reaches a certain level, which is a few times a month. As I mentioned, the pleurisy developed during a time of extreme stress, and the TMJ definitely flares up during especially stressful times. I exercise, meditate and take care of myself the best way I know how, though I'm always learning on that front. I've been through years of therapy, some of which actually helped, but there's an underlying level of anxiety that have been with me since I was a small child. This has certainly manifested itself in my adult life, particularly as it pertains to work.

It has gotten better over time, and of course people can be very stressed without ever having been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. It's just that if you do live under these circumstances, you may already be at a disadvantage when it comes to managing stress as it occurs. So if there's a correlation between stress and these diseases...I have no trouble believing it at all.

Thanks, everybody, for your responses to my posts. I've had some important and potentially life-altering realizations today.

Fiona

[tex]

Please don't feel like the Lone Ranger. The membership of this board is heavily populated with overachievers and perfectionists, and a history of depression/anxiety issues is hardly a newsworthy item here. Most of us learn to slow down and eschew perfectionism after living with the disease for awhile, so apparently it does have 1 or 2 virtues.

Even though it is known to cause MC for some patients, we have a few members who continue to take Elavil (Amitriptyline) and remain in remission. At least one member takes it in order to regulate her motility, which actually helps to control her MC.

Tex

[Fiona]

I think "Eschew perfectionism" should be on a bumper sticker.

[gluten]

Hi, I had major stresses of all types before I was disgnosed with MC. Jon

[Zizzle]

Hi Fiona,
My husband had asthma growing up, severe hay fever and inhaled allergies of all types, dairy allergy as a baby, and frequent headaches. When he went gluten free a year ago, his headaches disappeared, and his allergies became much less noticeable. He recently remarked that he hasn't used his inhaler this entire year either. His mom is also gluten intolerant, and there are gluten-associated mental issues in the family, so it all seems to make sense. Now if only he'd give up dairy!!

I have a celiac gene and I rarely get sick. The gene is so prevalent because it protected us from flu epidemics and communicable diseases over time - it's survival of the fittest.
I have a fairly stoic, pragmatic personality, and I usually keep my emotions bottled up. I went to a counselor once and was told I had "persistent low mood" -- less serious than depression. When I went gluten free, the bad mood cloud literally lifted. I felt amazingly normal and able to be happy for the first time in years. Makes me angry that I spent so many important years in my youth in a funk.

[Fiona]

Wow, thanks for sharing that, Zizzle. Hearing stories like yours and your husband's sure gives me further incentive to stick with the GF diet. Not that I need any additional reasons beyond the MC, but knowing that eliminating gluten from my life might also result in some other health improvements really motivates me. That said, I'm only just over two weeks into it, and I know it could take several months at a minimum for changes to occur. But I appreciate hearing how much it's helped people in all kinds of ways I wouldn't have expected.

Thanks again,

Fiona

[JeanIrene]

Welcome Fiona. You're getting some great advice here. I love this forum, and it has helped me immeasurably.

I agree with Zizzle. Since giving up gluten six months ago, I feel much better physically, but the surprise was my mood change. I find myself more relaxed and happy, as if a cloud had lifted. Sometimes illness can be a mixed blessing!

Jean

[UkuleleLady]

Good mornin!

Great post, Fiona!

Like you I have had terrible asthma as a child. I was frequently hospitalized. I strengthened my lungs by running daily a few years ago and barely have it now, but I think the issue has moved to my gut!

Also roseacea (mild)

TMJ!

And extreme allergic reactions...

I hope figuring out my food sensitivities will chill some of this out.

Best wishes to you,
Nancy