Constipation or Diarrhoea....Advice please!

wilem008 · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

Hi guys!
Im new to this forum and don't really know that much about Coeliac!

A little bit about me: Christmas last year I was diagnosed with an over-active thyroid, which I had re-tested in Feb 08 and I was apparently fine.
Then my doctor diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome, told me to eat more fibre and he put me on a stool softner. That was 5 weeks ago and nothing has changed really! (ive also been lactose free for about 3 months)

I still suffer from constipation, abdominal cramping, lower back pain, fatigue, headaches, bloating, easy brusing, nausea, irritabilty, axiety and depression. (the anxiety and depression is getting worse and more frequent!)

Im wondering if I might have Coeliac?
Whilst I dont eat dairy products, I still eat tonnes of bread, museli, pasta etc....

My doctor dismissed Coeliac, he said that if I had Coeliac then I would have heaps of Diarrhoea but I dont, I am (majority of the time) constipated (if im not constipated then I have Diarrhoea).

Ive been reading on forums that a lot of people with Coeliac complain of being constipated.

Is it possible I have Coeliac or is my doctor right?

Thanks for your help!
_________________
There's no knowing where we're rowing or which way the river's flowing.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 7796 Location: WI, USA

G'Day Wilem!

Welcome to the board!

Do you have Celiac? It's certainly possible with your symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to get tested. Sadly doctors will only look for Celiac Disease when Classic symptoms exist. Sadly many people present with Atypical symptoms. Thus...making it hard to get diagnosed.

Testing usually starts off with blood work. If blood work is positive, they'll to take tiny samples of your intestines to look for villi damage.

Yes, constipation is indeed a symptom of CD...

Lactose Intolerance can be byproduct of CD. The tips of the villi produce lactase - an enzyme the breaks down lactose. If the villi are damaged [as they are in Celiac Disease], you're not producing lactase and thus lactose intolerant.

Our Thread on CD Symptoms
Our Thead on the 5 types of Celiac Disease - This explains the different types of CD and their manifestations.
Our Thread on Celiac Blood Tests & More Diagnostic Info

Here's some info from Dr. Rodney Ford [he's from your part of the world - NZ Wink

]: http://www.doctorgluten.com/cms/index.php/Gluten-levels/Celiac-Disease/

Spend some time looking around Dr. Ford's site - it's a pretty good one.
_________________
Al

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

wilem008 · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

Thankyou so much for responding!
That was great advise!

I was shocked to read all the symptoms associated with Celiac! I have so many of them!

I didnt know that Thyroid Disease was associated....Ive proabably had celiac for years (constipation has been a problem for about 8 years!) which explains my bouts of chronic fatigue and over-active thyroid!

I have a doctors appoinment today, Im gunna ask to be tested for Celiac! Im feeling really positive about this now!
Thankyou!
_________________
There's no knowing where we're rowing or which way the river's flowing.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 7796 Location: WI, USA

Check a google on thyroid celiac.
_________________
Al

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