Diagnosed again

Pamela · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 3

At age 2 the Dr's were perplexed by my condition(lathargic,distended tummy, loose stools) and tried different things. Last resort was the gluten free diet and it worked. This time around during a routine exam I told my Dr about this constant slight side ache feeling. The rectle exam indicated blood and she referred me to a gastro specialist where I had a colonoscopy/endoscopy. The results showed scalloped shaped villi indicating celic. I then had a barium test of my small intestines and a blood test. The blood test was positive for celiac. The interesting thing is that I have not had any symptoms, just this knawing feeling on my left side. Any thoughts?

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8786 Location: WI, USA

Hi Pamela,

It's not uncommon for people with CD to present w/ no symptoms. I think around 50% of the diagnosed have little to none. This can be dangerous because you are incurring damage and you don't know it. I have a friend who has many family members diaganosed with it. Since it's genetic, I bugged him to get checked - but since he felt fine - he wasn't going to. He finally did - he has CD. Imagine that!!

Left side pain...could be diverticulosis. I have this. It's pockets in the colon were particles can get stuck and infected. It's often called "left side appendicitis". I know why they call it that!! That should've been detected with the colo. Or it could be a symptom of CD. I had many abdom. pain issues before going GF. I have not had those type of pains since being GF.

Have you started backup on your GF diet?? I hope so Smile

Good luck!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

AzTracy · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 5

Hi Pamela,
I too had pain in my side and at times in my lower back. Eventually I had worse symptoms like memory and concentration lost, fainting, muscle pain and atrophy, joint pain, skin problems, headaches, fatigue and the list goes on. Although I never had stomach aches or diarrhea so it took them years to figure it out. I had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (they have now reversed that diagnosis) and at the end they were sending me to psychologists. They never tested me for celiac until my Son showed the "classic" symptoms. Just goes to show you, there are no typical cases. All my symptoms went away after nine months on the diet and as long as I stick to it I feel great! It may take a while and it's not easy but stick to the diet, you will probably notice symptoms going away that you never realized you even had.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8786 Location: WI, USA

AzTracy · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 5

So true! The sad thing is so many doctors are refusing to test for celiac unless they see those "classic" symptoms. Instead they are medicating for one thing or another, maybe even antidepressants. I have a girlfriend who had to jump up down, demanding the tests before they gave them to her. And guess what, they came back positive and she feels great now! There is so much education that still needs to take place.
Tracy

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8786 Location: WI, USA

mjbonsais · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 81

I have a girlfriend (Irish descent) who has told me she has IBS. She also has a skin problem where she picks them till they scab. She has scarring (white in color) on her arms and legs from previous sores. I told her she should be checked for CD. It could be that when she was a child that they overlooked the chance of celiac. She is adament and says it's IBS.
Rolling Eyes

She has a thyroid problem too and that could be a result of this. I cannot get her to insist upon testing. Does anyone know if you can have IBS on top of having CD? I am thinking that you can.

Mary Jo
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Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject:

Hi Mary Jo,
From what I've read you can have IBS and celiac but in my case, I was diagnosed with IBS but it turned out to be only celiac. Her skin symptoms sound very similar to mine and as you know thyroid problems may be connected. She sounds like a candidate for celiac to me but some people don't want one more thing to worry about. My mother is the same way. What they don't realize is that the longer they let it go, the better chance of developing more auto-immune disorders.
Tracy

Pamela · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 3

I'm starting, thanks !

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8786 Location: WI, USA

Be sure to check out the food posts and links...

Good luck!!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa