Celiac disease?

[Christena]

I have been having several nonspecific symptoms for a long time, primarily concerning my GI tract. I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 14, but it has never really gotten better, in fact, it has gotten worse. I went to a doctor last fall about it and she told me that it was stress and that I could go on an anti anxiety med. I really don't want to do that. I don't have serious pain or problems, but it is uncomfortable. I have been thinking I was just a hypochondriac because of all of these things I have been experience...the GI problems primarily, as well as a rash and very sensitive skin on my arms, fatigue, and darkening circles around my eyes and a pale skin color. Yesterday I went to see a nurse to read a TB skin test and was just talking with her and mentioned my "problems." She said that she had just encounted a patient with the same problems that had celiac disease. I'm supposed to make an appoint with a doctor to follow up. I have been researching on the internet, but does anyone else have this problem?

[LoserJen]

Christena,

I don't have it, but about 4 years ago, my DH's family found out about it the hard way. My nephew was really ill as a baby and for the longest time they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. He got sick all the time and he lost so much weight that you could see his ribs sticking out! It was a really sad time. Finally, after a stay at a children's hospital, they got to the root of the problem = wheat! He was diagnosed with celiac's disease and shortly after, the rest of the family got tested, and sure enough, lots of them shared the disease. My MIL had always suffered with IBS and acid reflux. She found out that was the cause. And they now think that her father, who passed away a few years before they found out about Celiac's, also had it, as it can cause various types of cancer - stomach, colon, etc, if nothing is done about it.

A lot of doctor's are unfamiliar with it, but it is actually becoming more and more prevalent. They are selling a lot of food products now without wheat gluten, too. There are all kinds of breads, muffins, cookies, waffles, etc. that are gluten-free at health food stores.

Anyway, she suggests before you go to your doctor, to do a little test. Try eating no wheat gluten whatsoever a few days and then have a lot of it the next day. You will be able to tell if you have any issues. Wheat is put into a lot of things that you wouldn't normally think of, too, so you have to be really careful of products that you buy. If it says "modified food starch" and it doesn't specify if it is wheat, corn, or any other type of food starch, it may have wheat in it. Mostly wheat gluten is added to thicken stuff up. I think that sometimes you even have to find out about caramel added to stuff, as sometimes they put it in that. There is a website that lists which brands are "safe" to eat. I will post it if I can remember it, but I'm sure you could find it if you do a Google search.

GL with getting diagnosed and taking care of those symptoms, buddy! :bcbsalute

[lismith]

I don't have Celiac Disase but I am allergic to Wheat. So I am not as limited in my diet as a celiac. I can have oats and rye which celiacs can't because of gluten. But I do checkout a lot of celiac sites because I can get a lot of information. If you do find that you can't have wheat or have celiac feel free to PM because I have recipes that are wheat free and can give you some names of good GF products. I belong to a yahoo e-mail group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/glutenfreeweightwatchers/ Here is the discription:Welcome! This group was created to help support those with Celiac Disease, gluten or wheat intolerance in their pursuit of weight loss using the Weight Watchers program! Share tips, gluten free foods and recipes and most importantly motivation with other Celiac members! Whether you're a newbie to the program or a lifer, this group is here to help keep you motivated and on track



Here is a Celiac message board that you might find some answers or post some of your questions. http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=celiac&nav=messages&prettyurl=%2Fceliac%2Fmessages

Here is the Celiac home page. http://www.celiac.com/ It has a message board also and a forum called Celiac Disease--Pre Diagnosis, testing and symptoms: Discussions related to testing for celiac disease.

I have read from other celiacs that you don't want to go GF before you get tested because then the test might not show the correct results.

Laura

[Christena]

Thanks, girls, for the info. I talked to my mom today (who has many of the same problems as myself--which scares me more because on the internet it says that celiac disease runs in families). She has always had the dermatologic rashes on her arms like I have. I am making an appointment tomorrow to go to the dr--haven't been in forever anyway so I just need to get some bloodwork done. I'm going to ask him about it. Thanks again! I'll let you know what I find out.

Edited later: I took a look at some of those sites and now I'm scared. I hope I don't have this. My symptoms are definitely not as bad as some. I wish that nurse had never mentioned it!

[lismith]

You might not have celiac. When you go to your dr you might ask him about having a blood test done for allergies. I know regular dr. don't always agree with the blood test. But Rashes, gas, intestinal problems could be allergies. The blood test shows delayed reactions where the skin test is only immediate reactions. I had a blood test done that showed I am allergic to wheat. When I was off wheat for awhile I lost my lunch at work and so a co-worker gave me cheese and crackers nothing happened at first but by the time I got home it felt like ants were crawling up my legs. I also lost weight when I got off what I was allergic to. Though that did not last long because of my bad eating habits. If your dr won't do a blood test you might look into a naturepath to have it done.
I understand not wanting to have celiac. I am thankful I am only allergic to wheat which is hard enough.
Keep us posted.

Laura

[Salsa_1960]

Here's a link to a forum for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. My daughter is on a gluten-free (and casein-free) diet so I've posted on here a few times.

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=141