Long COVID and gluten sensitivity

Hello to everyone. I got Covid for the first time on December 2022. Since then, my body hasn't been the same (I was a healthy woman, could eat anything I wanted, in good physical condition). I started with a series of dysautonomy symptoms, sinus tachycardia, anxiety and panic attacks, which have gotten better or disappeared. I started having IBS and gastritis since February 2023. After some tests, my treating physician told me I needed a cholecystectomy, which I got almost 4 weeks ago. But I still have IBS, bloating, diarrhea and dairy intolerance (I used to be lactose sensitive). It's been so hard feeling sick for all these months and going to so many doctors, without finding a solution. I have researched gluten sensitivity, since I have many related symptoms. About to start a gluten and dairy free diet to see if I feel better. If anyone has been through something similar, any comments/recommendations are welcome. Hope everyone in this group gets to feel better. Take care.

Gluten are large complex proteins that are aren't completely digested. As we age, and if someone has a damaged GI tract then gluten can cause digestive problems, including infammation. I have celiac so have to be gluten free. I got covid in March at the same time as getting glutened, so a double cytokine storm. It could take a week or more before you notice any change because it takes some time for the intestines to heal and any associated inflammation to subside. Best wishes on it helping to heal you. Covid is pretty horrid. Gluten-associated inflammation can hit outside the GI tract. It also impacts my skin and nervous system.

I got covid in June 2022. Among lots of symptoms I had bloating after eating. Because I had also developed lymphedema of the lower extremities, it was recommended that I follow the Lymphedema Diet. It is basically gluten free, sugar free, low carbs. As soon as I eliminated gluten, the bloating stopped. I had hoped to lose weight on this diet, but unfortunately my weight remained the same. I have continued the gluten free since it’s nice to be free of the bloating b

How does someone get diagnosed with celiac? My 23andMe report says I have one of the two genes for celiac. My GI system (among other symptoms that could be gluten related) has been messed up since the covid shot. Prayers for healing.

I have had gastric symptoms since a covid infection last November which sound pretty similar. I’ve tried lots of meds and alternative treatments and have been trying to stick to the FODMAP diet, but I think gluten may be the culprit. I was feeling slightly better until I ate at a potluck over the weekend which really set me back! I waited ages for an appointment with a GI doctor but it was pretty disappointing and he couldn’t really offer anything that my family doctor hadn’t tried. It’s the unpredictable nature of these symptoms that make it so hard to manage, so it would be great to single something out to avoid! Good luck to everyone and keep trying!

The two genes are HLA DQ2 and DQ8 (human leukocyte antigen). About 30-40% of people have one or both, but it is triggered in about 1% of the population. Mine was 14 years ago after getting H1N1. One needs to be eating gluten before the celiac panel bloodwork or the illioscopy of the small intestine (called a gluten challenge, for several weeks). When someone is very early stage celiac there is little or no damage (flattening) of the intestinal villi so scopes can be negative. The blood test looks mostly for elevated levels of TgG, IgA and IgG antibodies. A primary care doctor can run the bloodwork. It is hard to diagnose just from symptoms because there can be so many and varied effects.

Yes! My 13 year old was diagnosed with celiac after having covid twice. Prior to having covid, he never had a gluten sensitivity. We noticed it when he began losing a lot of weight and complaining of stomach pains and headaches after he ate.

Amen!! My gastro symptoms are a sign wave and I haven't been able to pinpoint triggers. I've tried everything from pro and prebiotics to diets, although admit that I'm not very good at sticking to a diet like FODMAP or gluten free. Good luck.

There are celiac support groups for kids and adults that are mostly for emotional support, and also recipes and safe places eat. I call celiac a verbally transmitted social disease; the social aspects of not eating gluten are tougher than the diet, especially for kids when they can't eat the same things as all the other kids. One can feel excluded with celiac, so good to have friends that are there with you.

I am adult that was diagnosed with Celiac two years ago. However, I was told gastro issues are on the rise in the U.S. There are theories of Residue from crop pesticides, over processed foods with added preservatives, and GMO’s. Covid definitely creates internal havoc and is another log added to the fire of stomach woes. Your post is dead on and exclusion is how you feel. My office provides bagels, I have to bring my own. If the office orders a pizza, I either have to order a salad or, once again, brown bag it from home. I can’t imagine going through this at 13. I am hopeful, in the years to come, there will be gluten free restaurants (no cross contamination) and Bakeries.