IBS or CD??

[Kathie]

She suggested some medication for IBS which she describes as being in a group of anti depressants but can be used for pain relief for things like migrane also, cant remember the name as I was too upset. At that point I brought the consultation to an end and left feeling stupid and paranoid yet again vowing never to return with this problem

Sorry your doctor is such an idiot. I went to a convention for CD once and one of the topics was the number of people commited to institutions for mental illnesses that probably had undiagnosed CD. I doubt very much you are paranoid and who wouldn't be depressed if they were sick all the time and no one was listening to them. Many of us have felt just as you do right now. The decision is now up to you. Do you think you have IBS? If everytime you ate an apple it made you sick, would you need a label from the doctor or would you just quit eating apples? I don't presume to understand how health care works over there so I don't know what the medical service consequences would be of going gluten free, but if you have CD the personal consequences would be priceless. Someday we will look back and find out that when it comes to CD most doctors are stuck back in the dark ages and what they don't know would fill more medical journals then what they do. The are just to egotistical to admit it.

Good luck and we can pray that your test will come back positive and solve the dilemma for you.
_________________
CD by Biopsy 3/25/88

[aklap]

Hi Blondie,

Sorry to hear about your doctor visit. I guess I can understand why the doc wouldn't refer you on for a biopsy - since the tests say you don't have any intestinal damage. It's frustrating!! I've been there. All my tests were negative too.

Do you know if anyother blood work was done? Iron levels, vitamin levels, etc? Or even if a Total IgA test was done to see if you are IgA deficiecient?

Is it possible to see a different doctor?

I would have to echo what everyone else is saying. Go GF and see how it goes. It was the only thing that worked for me and many others. You may not have an "official" dx, but you might feel better. If you feel you are at the end of the road for having all the other possibilities checked out, it sounds like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Keep us updated!! Take care.

http://www.uchospitals.edu/pdf/uch_002799.pdf

The EMA and tTG tests are designed to
measure the presence of the same antibody
using two different methods. At this time, the
EMA test is slightly more sensitive and specific
than the tTG test. Provided the total serum IgA
level is normal, these tests have a very high
negative predictive value for patients who range
in age from 2 through 50 years. A positive test
result is not enough evidence to diagnose celiac
disease; however, it is strong enough to indicate
that a small-bowel biopsy is warranted.
_________________
Al

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

[Blondie]

Thank you everyone for you kind words. The doctor suggested these tablets for IBS, not to treat depression as I'm not depressed but yes, you're right, after seeing her I certainly feel it!! I really dont feel IBS is my problem and havent thought that for years. Yes, I COULD just go COMPLETELY gluten free (no oats!) but I would like like to know for sure if this is necessary and if I do have CD you get ongoing support here and prescriptions for gluten free food, other people would take me more seriously too and not think I'm nurotic!!

Havent decided what I'm going to do yet, as well as having the EMA test in 6 weeks on the NHS I could pay £300 (dont know what that is in $) for a test that includes tTGA, IgE and IgG antibodies on 240 different foods and additives, including ALL grains, so it can also pick up on CD and any lactose or food intolerance / allergies or I could pay £20 just to have the tTGA test... will speak to my nutritionist and decide the best course of action.

[aklap]

[Blondie]

Thank you Al. In reply to your other post my iron levels are ok and I havent had any other blood tests done apart from thyroid and the EMA last year, both of which were ok, I dont know about any other nutrients though. My nutritionist has strongly suspected leaky gut and I've been on a repair programme for that involving a change in diet and various supplements.

[aklap]

Keep up the good detective work!!!
_________________
Al

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

[Noatak]

Blondie....I'm so very sorry you had such a bad and frustrating doctor visit. I've had many of those myself and I swear they can aggravate your symptoms!

I don't know your financial situation and I can only speak for myself but I paid for my testing (no biopsy, just bloodwork) as I got the same reaction you did. Well, almost...the doctor gave me a referral but it would have taken way too long to get an appointment and I was very sick and couldn't wait any longer. So I went to my "good doctor", the one I pay for out of pocket and ordered the bloodwork. It cost me $400.00 for the whole panel but it came back very positive on all accounts so it was well worth it for me. GF ever since and feeling wonderful...tummy wise , that is!

If this is not feasible for you, then trust your instincts and try a GF diet for a while. Even if it is just IBS, you still may have a problem with gluten aggravating this condition. If you feel much better, then you can decide whether you want to do this for life. All I know is when a doctor starts pushing anti-depressants, it's time to hit the road and either change doctors or figure it out yourself. How insulting is that?

Keep up the good work...you'll find your answers eventually and ask away if you need help!