Chest Pain- Cause: Low Stomach Acid?

Alright chicks and dudes, let's talk about low stomach acid and your chest pain. I had another appointment this week with my dietitian. The entire appt. was about Costochondritis. He's crazy smart. By the way, I haven't had a stabbing attack in 7 days. Holla.

First, what would cause low stomach acid?

Well, you'd need a reason to have low stomach acid for it to cause your chest pain. This could be caused by aging, disease or a host of conditions. Here's in excerpt I found:

"Normally, stomach acid kills harmful bacteria, working to keep diseases at bay. People with low stomach acid have a higher than average incidence of illness such as candida because harmful bacteria ends up in their small intestine, rather than being killed off by HCL in their stomachs. Often, without knowing why, people with low stomach acid simply never feel good. This is hardly surprising since many health problems are associated with low stomach acid."

Conditions Linked to Low Stomach Acid include:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases
• Celiac Disease
  
• Chronic candida (low stomach acid can cause candida)
  
• CFS
  
• Chronic hepatitis
• Chronic hives
• Dry skin
• Eczema
• Gallbladder Disease
  
• Gastrointestinal (GI) infections and parasites
  
• Hypoglycemia
• Lupus
• Osteoporosis
• Psoriasis
• Reduced night vision
• Rheumatic arthritis
• Rosacea
• Thyroid disorders
• Type I and II diabetes
• Vitiligo (a skin disorder characterized by white patches or spots)
• Weakened hair, nails, and skin

Next, how would low stomach acid cause your chest pain?

Okay, hang with me. If your stomach acid is low due to any of the reasons above, your food will not digest properly since it doesn't have enough acid to break it down, especially bigger meals and protein. So for those who's chest pain gets worse after eating, listen up- this is about you! -)

So the stomach cannot digest the food without enough acid, so the food gets hard in your stomach, causing more pressure in your chest. You have 2 valves in your stomach, one on top and one on the bottom of it. And since the stomach is trying to digest the food and cannot push the food through bottom valve and into your intestines, the pressure on the top valve gets crazy bad. And that, my friends, is what can cause pressure in your chest, and worse pressure when sitting down, if you have low stomach acid. As per the burning, if you have low stomach acid, it can mimic the conditions of too much acid when you eat certain spicy foods- however, it can simply be low stomach acid. Crazy, right?

So how do you find out if you have low stomach acid and what do you do?

It's cheap and easy to snag product called Betaine HCL. It's the acid your stomach may not be able to create. So to those who want to test this idea, you simply take a pill at the beginning of your meal and see what happens. If you get acid reflux, simply drink water to dilute the acid and drink some pepto, and then you'll know that your stomach has plenty of acid and this theory ain't for you. However, if you don't get a warm feeling in your stomach, or acid reflux, you should jump up and down and do a little dance, cause it means that you're on to something. Which leads me to a side thought about glucosamine and apple cidar vinegar- both of these calm the stomach acid situation, so if you take or drink either of those and notice that your pain is less, trying the HCL is a great option. I use THIS HCL.

Wrapping it Up...

In conclusion, there you have another option to try my friends. Hugs to all, I pray you are doing well. I won't lie, I've had a rougher week for multiple reasons. And I keep pushing to get better, not being patient enough...but tomorrow is another day. And if we wake up, my friends, that makes it a good one. I will share this though, so my hubby is always throwing out ideas for me to do at home...sweet man is always trying to help me not feel like I'm not a useless bump on a log...and his latest idea is that I should tell children stories on You-Tube, and sing kids songs and do skits and stuff. I could not stop laughing, I don't do crafts, I suck at cooking, and I don't want to be Barney on You-tube. That is all.

Lucy the log

Costochondritis- And Water

Costochondritis Chat: So let's chat about water. Say what? Chest pain and water? That's right people, let's talk about Costochondritis and it's relationship to water. I had a 2 hours talk with my Celiac dietitian today, lots about the chest pain, and came away with several pots of gold....that I plan to share with you amazing readers. Cause let's be honest, we need all the help we can get. -)

If you are a person who has noticed that your chest pain is worse after you eat certain foods, this tip is for you. My dietitian, Dr. Ron, said that the chest pain is due to the malabsorption in my body has caused severe poor digestion. I'll spare the details, but he said that when the stomach cannot digest/break down the food, it becomes rock hard in your stomach, causing pressure up against your ribs (that's worse when sitting), and when aggravated by certain foods, stabbing attacks, etc. I'll admit, I was insulted to be told my chest pain is basically gas. lol. He said it was more than that, but yes, it's all due to the stomach. I said, okay, that sounds better. I'll take it.

Okay, so let's get to the water part. He told me that the stomach is like a pot of water on a stove, that you want to boil or "digest" as quickly as possible, so that the food will break down quickly and you will get all the nutrients you can out of your food, resulting in no pressure in the stomach/ribs/gas/other digestion issues etc. He said when you have a pot of water and and it's FULL of water, the "digest boil" takes way too long and causes the stomach huge digestion problems while it's trying to the break down the food in the "water pot." And also, the water deludes the stomach acid that you need to break down the food, causing problems.

So what did he suggest? He said to drink water 3o minutes before eating, then NO DRINKING WATER while eating, and NO drinking water until 1 hour after eating. He said to do this without cheating with all meals throughout the day- and the digestion will improve, and thus, the chest pressure should cease.

What do I think of this? I think this Dr. Ron rocked. I had tons of blood work done that he went through with me, along with why I have my lingering symptoms. So I'm on a new game plan with different things and although I'm overwhelmed today, it's all good. So feel free to do what you will with this little piece of gold, hugs to all.

Lucy

Costochondritis- Lucy Update

Here's an update on the Celiac/Costochondritis roller coaster. I don't feel so hot- but it's all good. Originally, I thought purging gluten would help me feel better quick. Not so much- who are these magical Celiac people that heal so fast?!?! Leprechauns and Unicorns, I tell you.

For anyone looking into Celiac, this week I've learned to keep the following foods out of my diet:

1. Foods high in fiber- (more then 3 grams) for a damaged stomach to digest fiber is no bueno
2. Any food high in fat - (more than 3 grams sends me into a crazy pain episode) -large amounts of fat are hard to digest, so the stomach freaks out, becomes inflamed, causes more chest pain and for me...lovely diarrhea, and pain/muscle spasms/numbness/tinging legs arms, and severe fatigue. I can't believe it took me so long to figure this out...I'm pretty sure this particular cycle kept me from suspecting Celiac...anything fried would make me so sick...so I never thought of gluten as making me sick and other foods/fats/fiber making it way worse. Buuuut now I know. -)
   
3. Chocolate is hard to digest....so the pain increases- had to go.
   
4. Brown Rice got tossed - it contains a protein that is just as hard to digest as meat.
   
5. Legumes/Beans- High in fiber, hard to digest, had to go.
   

The following foods don't increase the Costo pain:

1. Tree of Life Tuna
2. Bananas
3. Grapes
4. Asparagus
5. Zucchini/Squash
6. Peeled Apples
7. Carrots
8. 1/4 cup of Red Mill GF Rolled Oats with water and Tree of Life Honey
9. Organic Yam/Sweet Potato with 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
10. This week I'll be testing soy...oh mercy

Here' s a little video/update/recap...
And I just got a new green screen, but I don't know how to use it yet.-)

wow...next time I'll comb my hair.

Costochondritis- Celiac Q & A

This is my 100th post....wow.

That deserves an electric slide with a pop and lock to finish it off- dance.

To those new to the blog, welcome- I've just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, the reason for my Costochondritis. To my normal peeps, may I just say thank you with all my heart to everyone who has been celebrating with me! It has warmed my heart soooooooo much. You all are such a life line to me. Seriously, I have lots of luv for you people, no lie. That's right, I said luv. Cause I'm attached to all you crazy cats. That's how I roll. All attached and stuff.

So the past week has been a wee bit NUUUUTs! My mom had her last surgery from her breast cancer battle and she's doing amazing. Cancer free looks good on her. And so do her new boobies! You knew I was gunna TMI on you. I can't stop it. So I've been with her a lot and loving it. Soooo...I won't lie, I've been unbelievably excited about the new Celiac diagnoses. And going gluten free is wild. I have slowly...okay, whom I kidding, I've been like a gigantor tornado trying to make sure everything that remotely comes near my body is gluten free. I have the food down, then yesterday I started checking the gluten content on all my vitamins, thyroid meds , makeup, shampoos, laundry detergent, leave in conditioners, hairsprays, hand soaps etc...so I've been on the phone for like 10 years so far, calling all the manufacturers, making sure that what's on my body is gluten free. I thought I was going gluten free...yeah...no...not so much. I feel a little jaded- lol-...because I was SHOCKED at how I'm practically bathing in gluten every day. One of my vitamins has gluten, my hairspray- (ewww- I'm INHALING it!? lol.), my lipstick, my mascara...AHHHH!!!! ....and the list goes on. This is encouraging- so folks, I have yet to make it one full day without putting it on my person. And I thought I was all gluten free already. oops.

I tried to cook something gluten free and well....I still have to work on what a square is. chuckle.


Alrighty then, let's get to business, here are some Q & A from my comment section, here we go!

Did you have an endoscopy? My G.I specialist suspected all my issues were coming from my stomach and wanted to do a endoscopy to check my small intestines. I showed up for the procedure at the hospital, the smell just blew me over, and I went down hill from here- hives, shaking, panic, a full blown PTSD episode and all. Glorious. My fault for not going to this hospital before hand and walking through and letting my body adjust before the procedure. So no...no endoscopy for me....soooo we went a different route.

How did you come to the diagnoses of Celiac? So here's the delio- when the 90 year old Dr. in chaps-lol- Michelle!!...told me he thought I had Celiac, I started rocking out the gluten free diet (or so I thought!). This meant that my gastro doctor could not do any normal Celiac tests on me unless I wanted to go back and do a "gluten challenge" for a month. I most certainly did not, I had started to feel better and there was no looking back. So this is how I was diagnosed:

1. My blood was packed with protein.
2. After 5 weeks of being mostly gluten free, I started having heart palpitations, so we did a blood test to check my thyroid 2 weeks ago- and it confirmed that my meds were waaay too strong due to my body beginning to heal without gluten in it- super cool. (Heart Palps are one major symptom to thyroid meds being too strong- and since the only change I'd made was the gluten, I requested that it be tested....no, that's a lie- I called and sorta demanded it...in a nice but- I've had this crap for way too long and my heart is skipping beats, run his test now...sort of voice.).
   
3. Then we did a blood test that showed I was experiencing malapsorbtion- a marker for Celiac. If you are consuming gluten, you can do a stool test for this.
   
4. And last, we did Genetic testing, the test I was waiting on. Mine came back positive, positive, positive. I can back with the strongest DNA combination for Celiac disease that you can have. Holla!
5. So with those results and my symptoms, the conclusion was Celiac. ta-da!
   

Are there other ways to conclude Celiac? Sure, absolutely. I did the best I could with where I am in my life. I wish I could have done the endoscopy. But it's all good. Other Celiac and more traditional tests can be checked out HERE.

Do you feel better being off gluten?
Crap yes- I feel better! Healed, No. But one day at a time. Here is what I have slowly noticed:

• My headaches are GONE. (Insert booty shake victory dance here)
• I can wake up easier. While on heavy gluten, I can easily sleep 14 hours a day. If you suffer from fatigue or mood swings, maybe getting checked would be a good option.
• My insomnia is gone
• I think I'm a Celiac who's stomach hates Citric Acid- steering clear
• My nails are starting to grow
  
• My back pain /tightness is releasing more and more each day
• My right neck/shoulder pain is getting less and less
  
• My stabbing attacks have almost stopped and my breathing is getting better and better. My pain is about 25% less than it was 6 weeks ago. Am I nervous it won't all together go away? Yes. Si. For Shizzle . I totally am. But I can't focus on that, I have to focus on the task at hand: Target gluten. Slay Gluten. Then run like mad from the SOB... So yes, I still have Costo and I have no idea how long it will it will hang around. I'll keep you posted.
• TMI ALERT, PEOPLE! I'm not constipated anymore if I stay away from dairy and gluten, and I don't have diarrhea any more due to staying away from canola and palm oil. Here's the deal...can't believe I'm going to say this.Ugg. The next time you visit the loo, check out your ...(you know)...and if it's soft, fluffy, light brown, and one long tube-ish , and you have this little experience once or preferably 2 or 3x a day, chances are your digestive system is SUPER happy with you! But if you are constipated, have diarrhea-ish/ or stringy/ or pile-ish poo etc...then yes, getting checked for Celiac could be a good thing. Mercy,I want to wash my hands just writing about it. AHHH!!!

So what do you eat now? Well, Since my tummy is so jacked up, I'm not drinking cokes, or eating gluten, dairy, soy, corn, or any oils. Not until my stomach is healed. I hoping to add corn, soy, oil, and possibly dairy back into my diet after 6 months to a year. So currently I'm eating a pretty plain all organic diet:

• Homemade toubule Salad- I substitute water or applesauce for oil
• Red Beans
• Black Beans
• Brown Rice Cakes
• Veggies
• Lundberg Brown Rice
• Mary's quina Pretzels- the sea salt ones
• Chocolate Chips- Yum!
• Sweet Potatoes
• Apples
• Bananas
• Blueberries

How does it feel to have this answer? Weird, amazing, overwhelming, peaceful...and just right. I feel like a I just met a weird brother I never knew I had, ya know? But one that I want to shake with excitement...and then make him go square dancing with me and tell everyone we are related. Even though he's ugly and awkward and I'm pissed off at him, I'm proud to finally know him. I also feel a little guilty. I know there are so many amazing people out there waiting for their good news of healing. It's so strange to go from, "I'm a girl with Costo" to " I have Celiac." I'm still in shock. But I feel really blessed, and eternally grateful to God for this gift. After walking through the past 3 1/2 years, living the anti-gluten life will be my honor. And I know in my heart that I will never feel bad for myself for being a gluten freak, cause this kind of freakishness is totally welcome. Bring it on!

If you'd like to check out another great chick who has costo and Celiac as well- you can follow Alyssa's healing journey at Young and Going Gluten Free.

What did you do when I found out? Well...my hubby and I quietly celebrated all day on Friday. He brought me roses, very sweet....and then I got money and went shopping!! haha! It was awesome! I love shopping by myself and never do it anymore...I mean...am I going to ice my ribs in bed in a comatose state while in a new pair of hot jeans before I drag my exhausted self to the granny stroll? Nada. But maybe one day....so did I buy a pair of super sexy unneeded pair of hot jeans and a romper that is OH SO CUTE??!- You bet I did!! I went crazy. lol. I even bought lipstick. What?! Then my hubby rubbed my feet Friday night and we watched a chick flick. It was such a quiet, but really joyful and peaceful day. I was in awe and shock all day. And you know I strolled extra saucy during my granny stroll..uh huh!

Are you going to do a Celiac blog? You know it!! It's in the works.

Alright folks- wanted to add a few random links where folks are chatting about Costo and Celiac:
Chatty Link 1
Chatty Link 2
Chatty Link 3
Super Long but AWESOME Link 4
Chatty Link 5
Random person with Costo and Celiac

Here's a website with more Celiac info and both GI and non-GI symptoms of Celiac

And remember, I'm not saying that everyone with Costo has Celiac. What I AM saying is that it's one more option to check out: if you notice your costo gets worse after you eat...or your attacks happen sometimes when you aren't lifting anything at all (sign of delayed gluten reaction) or just chilling, get yourself checked for Celiac. If you're looking to get tested on your own, cause your doctor is a knuckle head, these are some great tests in the USA:

My Celiac ID
The University of Chicago Celiac Testing Center

Well, that wraps up this post. Let me know what I can answer- or if I can help in any way. Much luv and prayers to everyone. May you feel the hope seeping through this blog to you, and the peace of God leading you to towards healing.

Costochondritis- And Gluten

What is gluten?

Gluten is a special type of protein that is commonly found in rye, wheat, and barley. There are hundreds of ingredients that derive from gluten.

So here's the delio. You all know me. I'm like the eternal lab rat for Costo. Anything for the cause. lol. Someone joked on another post that although the commended me for all that I've tried, the liver flush was pushing it. HAHA! So true. But hey, tough times call for tough measure, people!

So what am I currently giving a whirl? You guessed it. I'm on the gluten free train. I've been gluten free for 4 weeks and 6 days. But who's counting. I've been monitoring my pain, and I won't lie, I've noticed some wonderful differences in the crap shoot called Costo. My stabbing attacks are fewer and farther between. And there is no bulge in my stomach pushing up into my ribs. Gross. And since I've cut out all gluten, white potatoes, oils, and fried food, my pain has not once increased due to my eating choices. Holla!

"What do you eat?" One might ask. Well, to that I answer, "I chomp on organic rice, veggies, fruit, flax pretzels, beans, some yummy gluten free animal crackers in awkward shapes that look nothing like animals, sweet potatoes, and salads. " I know, very exciting. But after I mourned all the comfort food that has been a really good friend on the days where I can't move, but I can eat...I got over it. Gotta do what I gotta do.

Will I stay gluten free? Yes. I'll continue to monitor it, I'm crazy about writing stuff down on my calender. lol. Will I heal from this? I dunno. But I'm giving it a minimum of 3 months. I'll keep you posted.

So how would gluten cause Costo? Celiac disease is one possibility.

• 1 in 133 people have Celiac,
• Close to 97% of people with Celiac are undiagnosed
• On average it takes 11 years for someone with Celiac to get diagnosed
  
• Over 200 unrelated symptoms can present themselves.
  
• Other possibilities of gluten derived costochondritis can be a result of allergies or intolerance to gluten.

Do I think everyone with Costo has Celiac? Heck no. I'm not saying that at all, I'm just in the business of putting as much information out there as possible so that everyone can come to their own conclusions. lol. I just said I'm in the business.

If you are interested in riding the gluten free train, here are a few links that may be of help:

Safe ingredients for a gluten free diet
Unsafe ingredients for a gluten free diet

So if you under the impression that your pain increases after you eat certain foods, take this as a positive thing- you have another clue that inflammation is being caused by what you're eating. Does this suck? You bet your best Barbie it does. Ugg. I don't even like Barbie. Plastic, unrealistic, perfection. gag. However, all I'll I'm saying is that you really should take this clue as a positive thing. Explore it. Keep a journal of all the ingredients in the foods you eat that cause more pain. Keep digging, people!

And throw your Barbies in a dumpster.

Costochondritis-New Poll Question

Hello my amazing blogger friends,

I just posted a new Poll question to the right:

"Is your costo worse after you eat?" If you get a second to vote, that would rock so we can see how many of us have this symptom and how many don't.

And you rock. Sick or well, you rock.

Don't forget that. And if you do forget that, listen to some kicking 80's music and shake it. It'll come back to you.

-) Thanks Everyone!

Costochondritis- Food Allergies

Is it my opinion that everyone with Costochondritis should be tested for food allergies? Yes. If for no other reason that I had to do it, so you should too. =) lol. I'm kidding, people. I get tested more for celiac next week, but today was food allergy day.

Seriously though, if you suspect something like a food allergy is causing inflammation to light up your body like it's Christmas at Easter, then you need to find out what it is, nail it in a coffin, and get better. End of story.

I didn't notice that food affected my chest pain until about a year ago...weird? Yes. But really, is there anything normal about any of us? I'm just saying. Don't you leave me and try to get on the normal side of the tracks! -).......tisk. But if you must leave the world of "invisible but painful," I will throw you a party and dance a jig. And not just any jig- a seriously good one worthy of such an occasion.

So I got tested today just to rule out one more thing. Do I really think I have a food allergy? Not really...but since my pain is so affected by the foods I eat- gotta rule it out. Do I secretly hope I have one and will be healed by avoiding it? Ummm...that's a yes.

I drank like a 100 ounces of water by noon so that the process wouldn't suck. I have issues. haha. But my mom, who is recovering from cancer...and has lymphodema...is a total rock star, (who held my grown up self's hand via my panic) told me some good stories to keep my mind off of the vampire lady. Kuddos to my amazing mom. Big time.

But before Vampire lady came to get me, I saw the woman who tried to get my blood last time...who poked my already violated arm a million times...and then a million more, and then I passed out b/c we (and by we, I mean her) kept taking the needle in and out while trying to fill up 6 bile's of blood. I froze.

I was mortified I might get her again...so you know those moments when you are planning your escape in your head, (but in your head you are dressed in a super cute hero outfit with adorable non-hurting high heals and a perfect set of ribs, and then you drop kick the villain and swing gracefully out the window into Superman's arms?) Yeah, that didn't happen. Thankfully though, I got saved by someone else, Vampire lady #2, who was good (if I don't pass out- she's good). So the first Vampire lady was off the hook from my crazy rampage and escape. Lucky her.
-)

Moral of random rant?
Get tested if you suspect food allergies.
Please pick your Vampires wisely.
Always have cute high heels in your escape plan.
That is all.

UPDATE:
Okay, so after some wonderful questions in my comment section, I wanted to add a little Q &A in the event that you may be wondering some of the same things.

What tests did you have done and for what foods?
I had a food allergy test done. I went to my doctor (any Dr. can order this test, which is awesome), talked with her about a list of foods that I noticed a difference in my pain after I ate them and told her I wanted the test done. I was a little bold. =) This list included:

Dairy
Gluten
French Fries
Anything Fried
Meat
Large Meals
Tomatoes
Potatoes

The doctor then made a list of foods (called a panel), and made sure there was a general food panel test (includes about 40 of the most popular food allergies) and added any additional foods that I was suspicious of.

Next, after you complete those steps, you then take that sheet and go to your nearest pathology lab, they draw blood- and 7 days later, you meet with your doctor to discuss the results.

If there's relief....how do I isolate certain food groups or more preciously certain spices mixed into our foods?

If there is relief, that's awesome. You'll have to do some food journaling and detective work to find out what's making it worse and then really work to eliminate those foods. You can totally do this! Most folks with Costo who have food issues are affected by nightshade foods: potatoes, tomatoes etc.

As per the spices, Eek- I don't do lots of spices, so that's out of my realm, wish I was of more help here!

Do you use cayenne spice in your food?
I personally don't, only because my plate is full with trying other things, not because I don't think it's awesome. I've heard some positive reviews from it, but haven't tried it myself. Great questions!

Hugs to everyone!

Costochondritis- Foods Causing Inflammation?

Curious about which foods cause more inflammation and thus...more pain?

Click on THIS LINK, register (for free, holla!), then click on the nutritional label icon and you will be directed to a page where you can enter any food and find out what it's inflammatory response will be in your body....good or bad..... Nice.

Short and Sweet!

Costochondritis- The Stomach

So how does the food we eat cause inflammation in our bodies?" Great question! Here's a shout out to Michael who explained it well:

"Costochondritis is basically inflammation. If you eat pro-inflammatory foods it will exacerbate the inflammation and in turn, the condition. The goal is to rid of the internal inflammation (which may be caused by a variety of things)."Pro-Inflammatory Foods

So here's another great article I hope you find useful. It's very informative. Really focus on being your own detective to find out what is adding to your pain. Hang in there everyone! Here's a big hug to everyone in pain!
Why certain foods cause Inflammation to Costochondritis

Costochondritis-Food & Inflammation

Inflammation is the building block to the pain you feel. Here are a few tips on eating right for Costochondritis to help keep that inflammation down!

1) Keep a journal of what foods you have eaten and how they affect your pain on a 1-10 scale...especially if you have GERD or acid reflux. It's a great place to start.

2) Start implementing anti-inflammatory foods into your diet and keep track of your pain...

List of Anti-inflamm. Foods
Anti-Inflamm book example
Another Recommended Book for Costo by another Sufferer