Totally new... might I have it?

[AchingGut]

Well, I definitely have something wrong with my guts, and maybe someone can help point out if it's CD or not. My sister tested positive as gluten sensitive, but not CD, so I'm wary I might be in a similar boat.

Anyway, my symptoms. The primary one, and I haven't been watching my food carefully enough, is that I get bloating. Freakish, hellish bloating. It's similar to IBS symptoms, and is always usually in my stomach area, my whole small intestine area. It comes, it goes. It's worse if I don't drink enough water, and if I'm not eating lots of vegetables. However, often accompanying this is a "burning" sensation, always either in my upper or lower left side, definitely the colon though, as stuff sloughs through. It's not painful, but it definitely isn't right. The bloating is the worst though, as I can't breathe comfortably, I feel nervous etc. The other day, as an example, I ate some nachos with cheese and sour cream, and was in agony. Terrible bloating, some "weird" sensations in my left hand, and when the bloating is crazy out of control, I get PVC's (heart skips a beat). Sometimes my legs, my right leg, gets tingling or restless. Other big symptom is constipation, and recently, oily stool. Not floating, a little bit occasionally, but definitely a sheen of oil across the top of the water (sorry to be graphic, but a celiac forum should permit it). Also, when I bloat, I've noticed a definite pattern of chills. I get very cold. I noticed during the nacho episode that my fish tank water seemd very warm to my skin, whereas it usually feels cool. I'm very worried that this seems like a circulation issue, possibly heart problems, though I've read that IBS sufferers often have PVC's when they are under attack. Also, when not bloated, I can run up stairs, exercise energetically, etc. with no problems.

I should mention that I'm overweight, obese actually, but feeling better as I take exercise seriously. I've been overweight since a kid, and I've also got a long history of irritability and depression. I hear that a lot of celiac folks lose weight, but I also hear that some are obsessed with food; I fall into the latter, but am addressing other issues to do with that. I also feel tired and headachy a lot.

Basically, the bloating, the tingling, and the heart thing have made my life a living hell. I always worry about basic stuff like appendicitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, etc., but those are right side issues, and my stuff is all on the left, and as painful as it is, it's not "stabbing", more a dull ache that I've just grown accustomed to, since it's never gotten worse. I'm chalking it up to IBS, but I have felt better on a candida diet, though the symptoms were sometimes still there.

I could go on, but those are the vitals. Even if I don't have CD or symptoms like it, has anybody here had anything similar?

Thanks! Be well...

[mrsppmrxky]

I have lots of what you are talking about. The diet has really helped to cut way back on that. (If I have a gluten mishap, the stomach will blow up like a balloon and I get where I look pregnant......)

You could try the non gluten foods for a week/or two and see if you feel better. (the heart PVC's can be very scary..........the flutters that make you cough are what frighten me at times.)
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[aklap]

Hi Aching,

Welcome to the board!

Sorry to hear you're having problems. Certainly all the symptoms you list are and can be connected to CD or gluten sensitivity. Have you seen our thread on CD related symptoms? You didn't say, but have you been to the doctor at all? I would think that would be the 1st place to start.

Certainly one of the 1st things to ask him/her about is CD/GS - particularly since your sister has issues. Is it possible to go to the same doctor? Along with a complete CD panel (see below), a host of other blood work should be done too. Vit. B12, Vit D, Vit K, iron, folic acid - just to name a few. You may have to request the vit. levels - some docs won't know to check them.

MrsP's suggestions of doing a short GF Trial is a good one, but see if you can get some testing done before (if) you decide to go GF full time. In order for the CD blood work to be accurate, you must be consuming gluten. If you stop gluten intake, you'll need to start backup again to get tested.

Good luck in your Knowledge Quest!!

Keep us up to date!!

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A complete Celiac Blood Panel:

antigliadin IgA and IgG (May indicate Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity)
anti-tTG and/or anti-endomysial (Looks for villi damage)
total serum IgA (rules out IgA deficiency)
anti-reticulin IgA (Rarely used but, a very thorough doctor will include this)

More on Diagnostic Testing
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Al

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

[paw]

A lot of what you wrote could have been me. You need to get a complete check for Celiac disease, but also ask to have your thyroid checked. The temperature fluctuations, obesity and heart racing could be associated with thyroid (or they may be messed up do to something else). Part of a complete physical is also a cholesterol check. You want to make sure that is under control -- that has nothing to do with celiac though.

I also was overweight, then lost 60 lbs. A bit of that weight has come back since going GF. I had gotten almost too thin. My doctor has me taking a multi-vitamin, a calcium supplement and 250 mg magnesium and metamucil. You could ask your doctor if any of these will be helpful to you. The magnesium helps with constipation, but be advised that sometimes it can help TOO well when you are getting used to it. If you get any new medicines or supplements, make sure they are gluten free before you buy them.

I can't have dairy. Many people with Celiac or other digestive problems will react strongly to dairy with bloating, cramps and diarrhea. I am still working on the bloating, it is better but not gone. I make sure to get dressed in pants that have room to grow during the day.

I am sure they already told you not to change your diet until AFTER the tests are run. If you remove gluten, you could start to heal and then the tests will not be accurate and show if you do have Celiac.

Good luck with the testing, and come back with questions -- most new people have a lot of questions and this is a great place to find answers.
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Dairy free 7-2004
Gluten free 10-2005
female