Celiac and Colitis Connections?

[Ckiddings]

My brother in law is having surgery for Ulcertive Colitis tomorrow at 2:00. I was just wondering if there is any known celiac and colitis connections that you know of. My sis was kind of amazed at how during his two week stay everytime he started feeling well, they would feed him (normal portions) after not eating for days and days and then he would immediately bottom out. This time he thought he was going home on Monday, took out the IV feed him a normal meal(glutten laden) and he bottomed out, had to have a transfussion and now removal of his colon.

[Nonnie02]

I am so sorry to hear about your brother! He will be in my prayers.

I have heard, although I cannot say where, that there might be a connection. I would certainly check it out. At any rate, gluten is difficult for ANYBODY to digest, let alone someone who is already going though intestinal challenges.

You could have him remove all gluten for a good 10 days (read labels for hidden sources...a must!) and see how he feels. Also, 1 out of 3 people are dairy intolerant. I am both gluten intolerant and milk casein.

Celiac is mostly diagnosed through a small bowel biopsy. I, however, took a less invasive route, that is fairly new, but I was very happy with the results. I went through Enterolab in Dallas. Sent in a stool sample which uncovered the antibodies that proved I was gluten intolerant, but also I had DNA testing done which revealed that I have one of the two main Celiac genes. Regardless - for me it's gluten and casein free for life.

I wish you (and him!) all the best.

Don't give up...unless it's gluten!

Carole

[M.Shackelford]

I have colitis and celiac disease. My GI doctor who is very knowledgeable about celiac disease said that there is a connection. He has taught seminars about celiac disease and he said that there are people that have celiac disease that also developed colitis too. You have to be careful though, because some of the meds that are used to treat colitis can cause more problems with the celiac disease. Check with your pharmacist before taking a prescription for colitis as well as for any other medical problem. Two prescriptions that my doctor gave me caused me more problems and I had to come off of them. I hope that your brother gets better. I will pray for him! Take care.

[Shanon]

I am VERY sorry to hear about your brother. I too have CD and "had" ulcerative colitis. My first surgery was on Jan 4th and I now wear an iliostomy bag as they surgeon removed my large intestine and my rectum. (In the 2nd surgery I will lose the bag and my small intestine will work as the replacement.)

I've had ulcerative colitis since I was 16 and just found out on 4-1-05 that I had CD. I've heard a lot of places that the two diseases are related as well as many other autoimmune diseases.

While I was in the hospital I had my husband bring me my meals so that I knew that gluten would not be a factor in my recovery. The nurses would reheat the food if necessary and keep it in a refrigerator at their station. It's extra work but it was the "safest" plan I could come up with.

Lots of luck to you and your brother.