Waiting for biopsy

[PrtPaty]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the posts for a couple weeks now and everyone is so encouraging and helpful. I have learned a lot about CD, the symptoms and challenges everyone faces. For the first time in my life, someone else has the same medical problems I've had with no answers for decades-I'm 49. Oh, I also found a birthday twin in Barbara!

I switched doctors last year and she suggested CD as a cause for my 20+ years of anemia, muscle and nerve pain. I thank God she knew about this. My blood work came back positive, and I'm waiting for the scopes on Feb. 8th. I know the frustration of seeing doctors who were not helpful. Since I don't have the diahrrea even the GI doc doesn't think I have it. He completely dismissed the blood test as being inaccurate. I do think I have it and my son might too. He's the one who has had diahrrea all of his life. He did get blood tests last week, but doesn't know the results yet.

I also have hypothyroidism. In fact I changed docs because he wouldn't treat it and my hair was falling out, cold intolerant, depressed, fatigued, dry skin and eyes, etc. I do feel better taking the thyroid meds, so that has helped.

I've had all kinds of horrible musculoskeletal and nerve pain since I was 12 starting with bursitis, back pain since 15. , milk allergy as infant, anxiety and depression, fibromyalgia. I"ve had awful tailbone pain for 3 years and can't sit very long.

I'm trying to guard my emotions, but I get excited thinking that maybe I finally have an answer for all the suffering. In fact, if the biopsy is negative, I'm still going GF and see what happens. (I did it for 8 days and then went back on gluten so I could get dx.) The first 2 days I had severe brain fog and the third day my muscles felt better, I started feeling more energetic and less depressed or anxious.

Thanks for listening,
PrtPaty
Isaiah 40:31

[Rose]

My brother is an emergency doctor and I have complained to him for years about different symptoms (as well as my ob/gyn). Finally, this fall I had a practical nurse attend to me as the doctor was delivering a baby (thank goodness). She listened intently and ran several blood tests. When they came back bad (her words were you have the blood work up of a 90 year old and I'm 53), she suggested I do a bone density test. I had done one the year before and been on fosomax. The test came back worse.

My brother looked at my skin and nails one night and said have her run a parathyroid test. It came back positive. I was anemic, had osteoporosis full blown, low magnesium, and had parathyroidism. The nurse called and referred me to an internist who deals in osteoporosis.

He took one look at me and said you have celiac sprue but I'll run the tests just so we know for sure. I had finally taken my husband with me and when the doctor mention early dementia, his ears started to listen.

I have been on a GF diet since Thanksgiving. I can think again. The muscle pain is lots better and I am beginning to spell again. (I teach school--how embarrassing). The fatigue is gone too.

My brother came to me one day and said he was sorry but that emergency doctors don't often diagnose celiac sprue. (Nor a GP as my dad was one when the onset happened probably in my twenties.) He then told me with all the medical advances of the day that we have to be our own health advocates. He has Parkinsons Disease and he has had to fight for the diagnosis and the treatment all the way.

I have encouraged my sister with similar symptoms to get tested but her doctor has been ignoring her. Yes, it is an uphill battle. Keep fighting.