Waiting to see if I have Celiac's Disease

[chell]

I hope you get some answers soon.

I am self-diagnosed to have an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten.

I've had "bathroom issues" for 10 years, with the last 2 years being really bad. I was diagnosed with IBS, which is what they tell you that you have when they really don't know what's wrong with you.

So, I decided to go on a gluten-free diet for two weeks and just "see what happens." Within just a few days I was doing so much better! Instead of having diarrhea 4-6 times throughout the day, it was once, maybe twice in the early morning and some days I didn't "go" at all and even when I did "go" the "consistency" (sorry to be so gross!) was more like normal.

I started this diet on September 29th, so have been on it more than a month and the improvement has just been so great that I will keep to the diet.

I had a diabetic check-up on October 15th, and discussed what I was doing with my doctor. She said if it's working for me, that's great. But she never suggested I go through any testing to find out if it's really Celiac's. I don't have all of the celiac symptoms, so I feel that it's just an intolerance or sensitivity.

It's difficult, at first, to know what you can eat and what you can't (besides wheat, rye and barley are also culprits) but it gets easier.

I buy a lot of things from the health food store, and read labels religiously now.

There is a great website that might be helpful to you. It's www.celiac.com.

Good luck to you!

My "bathroom issues" go from one extreme to the other. I was starting to get worried because I hadn't been since my colonoscopy until just a little while ago. Sorry for TMI. But I was afraid something was wrong. I told my husband we were going to go to Chili's for dinner if nothing happened before dinner time. Luckily it did. But I know the effect that restaurant has on me and it would be quicker than any meds.

This week I didn't have a chance to cut anything out since they called me Monday with the test results then Tuesday after lunch I had to go on clear liquids. Right now I'm still weighing do I eat the stuff I may never be able to eat again? Or do I go ahead and cut them out to see if I start feeling better? I've read it can take up to 2 -3 months for some people to get their intestines back to normal.

If I do have it I won't be able to have any of my sisters wonderful stuffing/dressing for Thanksgiving.

Thank you for the website! For some odd reason my town doesn't have decent health food stores. We have one and it is very scary. I don't mean as in odd people that run it but as in run down and questionable items that you aren't sure if they are fresh. I'd have to go to Charlotte or Asheville for good stuff. I'd go to Asheville because I like it much better and feel a lot more comfortable there.

I'm glad you are feeling better!

 

[chell]

the worst part about adjusting were the cravings. Now I am having new issues because I live in a city where everyone goes to bars and bars can be a scary place for a celiac.

Cravings, I understand that. I get that for egg related items now. I want French Toast or egg salad sandwiches SO bad. Again, thank you for being helpful!

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I had my gallbladder removed before my Celiac diagnosis. Unfortunatly going gluten free will not get rid of every bathroom problem if you suffer from problems digesting fat thanks to your gallbladder removal.

Interestingly, Celiac patients do sometimes have difficulty digesting fats so those lovely bathroom problems can still happen.

 

[chell]

I had my gallbladder removed before my Celiac diagnosis. Unfortunatly going gluten free will not get rid of every bathroom problem if you suffer from problems digesting fat thanks to your gallbladder removal.

Interestingly, Celiac patients do sometimes have difficulty digesting fats so those lovely bathroom problems can still happen.

Oh yeah, I understand that. But it will be nice to not have pain and cramping every day whenever we figure this out. That's why I haven't paid those issues too much attention I thought it was all post gallbladder removal stuff.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Oh yeah, I understand that. But it will be nice to not have pain and cramping every day whenever we figure this out. That's why I haven't paid those issues too much attention I thought it was all post gallbladder removal stuff.

and even if everything comes back as non celiac try going gluten free for about 3 months and see how it feels. The celiac testing is very touch and go. Diagnosis is a combination of doctor's knowledge, patient history, and testing. Even if you do not test positive completely for celiac, cutting out gluten may be what you need.

But it takes a few weeks for gluten free to work. it takes a long time for your body to recover from the damage.

 

[chell]

Thanks. I was reading for some people it can take 2 - 3 months for the intestines to get back to normal.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Thanks. I was reading for some people it can take 2 - 3 months for the intestines to get back to normal.

with my dad it took about a year. I have been gluten free for almost 3.5 years and sometimes I think mine are still healing.

it all depends how damaged they are and how weakened your immune system is

 

[chell]

Yesterday morning I finally got the call from the doctor's office and I do have it. Last night we cleaned out the pantry. It is pretty darn bare now. I buy stuff when it goes on sale and stock up. Now we hardly have a thing. But the food will be a blessing for a family who recently lost their house to a fire.

Tomorrow we are going to Winston-Salem to Whole Foods. I just found out today that there is one there. I LOVE that store. We were going to go to Asheville because they have so many great stores there. But Whole Foods wins.

Tuesday I have my appointment with the Dietitian. I've been reading up on it already and boy are there tons of things to look for on the labels. Last night I was talking to my dad and he was reading about it online. He said the list of foods I could have was a whole lot shorter than the list I couldn't.

At least I have an answer now and can do something to start feeling better!