Still not sure...

[californiaokie]

Hi all! I've been reading the boards here for a couple of weeks now & I'm still not sure if this is what I've got....maybe y'all can help?

I really began noticing symptoms about a year & a half ago...my husband was about to deploy to Iraq & I started to feel short of breath & dizzy...I thought it was stress & ignored it. I had some anxiety attacks in the past & found it to be worsened by caffeine so I *tried* to avoid caffeine...but I'm not very good at it!

Then a couple of months after he left I was in the store & very nearly fainted...I've never fainted before & it scared me. I went right to the doctor & found my iron level was VERY low. I was prescribed iron supplements & that was that.

I did feel better when I started the iron but then I didn't feel better again...the dizziness wasn't as strong but still nagging...I went to the doctor again about 6 months later & found my iron was the lowest number it can be to be considered *normal*.

So then I get curious as to why these symptoms are still bothering me. Someone mentions Celiac Disease to me & I of course "google it! "

I try to get everything wheat out of my diet & immediately feel better....but now, not so better again...

My main symptoms are a slight dizziness that maybe really feels more like a strong pulse beating in my head...and now I do feel some tingling that feels a lot like when you are tickled & get the goosebumps...I feel it mostly on my back when I lie down at night.

Looking back, I've ALWAYS had white spots on my fingernails (every nail & often more than one spot), I've had loose bowel movements that float & look like an oil slick for about a year (but that has now stopped since being GF), the anxiety that I've had for a number of years (but I'd say it's a *minor* case), migraines, my stomache is VERY noisy, periods of unclear thinking, hmm...well, that's what I can think of for now.

I'd rather have Celiac than something like MS. Are there any difference in symptoms? From what I'm reading they sound a lot alike...I know an MRI would be a good way to find out if it's MS...

How long does it take most people to feel better? Has anyone felt better for about a week & then felt bad again? Can it be my, ahem, monthly cycle that is making it worse right now?

Oh, one last thing, has anyone noticed that drinking tea causes them to have an almost "drunk" like feel? There's no gluten in tea, right? I don't know if it's at all related but I thought I'd mention it...I'm determined to go off tea this time because I really think it makes me feel worse...

Thanks for the help!

[aklap]

Hi,

I hope your hubby is back safe & sound!!!

Some of your symptoms do sound consistant with those of CD or GS (gluten sensitivity). Your iron deficiency may be a malabsorbtion issue. Where you checked for other defciencies? Has your doctor been watching your iron levels??

Have you had any blood tests done for CD before you went GF?

As you remove gluten from your system, it becomes much more sensitive. So - smaller amounts will cause reactions. Is it possible that you may be getting glutened from hidden sources?? Gluten is in A LOT of things. Twizzlers did it to me!!! Without readling labels or getting items that you know are GF - it maybe sneaking in. Maybe eating out?? Cross contamination issues are also something to consider...toasters...the butter dish...the mayo jar...licking envelopes...this list goes on. I think I posted a cross contamination list somewhere around here... Of course there is the possibility of multiple food sensitivities. It's not unusual for Celiacs to react to other food - diary, corn, soy...

Some notice improvements within a week - others it may take a month or more. Everyone is different.

Good luck!!!
_________________
Al

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