Celiac Disease - Related Disorders & Research

Food Allergy Testing

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:37:08 +0000

I am wondering what tests others may have had to diagnose possible other food allergies. I have celiac disease and I am wondering if I have a dairy allergy as well. Any ideas on how to find other food allergies?

Casein Intolerance Symtpoms- Extreme Thirst?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:02:09 +0000

I found out that I had celiac disease a year ago. My symptoms were never too severe- just extreme bloating, gas, and embarrassing noises! Since going gluten free, my symptoms have completely subsided- I can now hang out with people after I eat and not be worried about my stomach! HOWEVER, recently, my symptoms have begun to flare up a bit. Definitely less severe, but they are the same symptoms that I have when I eat gluten. Another recent symptom is EXTREME thirst. I drink around 160 oz a day, and urinate very often because of this. I saw an endocrinologist but he didn't see anything related to hormones that would explain the extreme thirst. I am starting to see a pattern of the increased thirst after I eat milk products, such as ice cream. I'm worried that I may have developed a casein intolerance. My question for you all is: has anyone had the symptoms of extreme thirst related to a casein intolerance? And also, do you recommend I go on an elimination diet to make sure it is dairy or should I just go see my GI? Are there any tests that they can actually perform? Sorry this is so long! Thanks so much!

Heart Palpitations

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:54:57 +0000

Hi I'm new here and also diagnosed with Hiatal Hernia. I've been getting palpitations for some time now, and have been cleared by the doctor as having begnin PVCs and PACs. But lately I've been getting a new symptom of boomboomboomboom then regular rythm. It's almost like 2-5 fast beats in a row with some irregular beats or flutters before or after or sometimes not at all just normal rythm picks back up. It's been scary! With my new celiac diagnosis I've noticed a decline in these beats but still getting them around ovulation until my period starts or ends- it goes from sometimes 1x month to 1-4x daily on and off during the times I mentioned above. My question is for all those suffering are ur beats like mine and diagnosed as afib or svt? My nurse thinks svt but hasn't caught it on a moniter yet. And have you seen a decrease or complete cure from them when u removed all gluten and cc? I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago.

Lupus? Connective Tissue Diseases?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:07:39 +0000

About 3 months ago I was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity (blood and biopsy negative). I've been gluten-free for about 3 months, and I've been strict with it. At first I noticed less headaches, but lately they're kinda back. I've had acne clear up and some improvement in stools- although it was never diarrhea, and sometimes my gums don't feel inflammed. But things with my doctor seemed a bit sketchy possibly so I switched to a new GI for follow-up. She agrees that I do not have celiac, but didn't think I could blame gluten sensitivity on the muscle pain and weakness I still experience. So she ran bloodwork since I've had slightly elevated ANA results before- but it's never been high enough for a diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. This time the initial levels were elevated again and when they ran further testing the tests for lupus and connective tissue diseases are elevated also. The normal range for the tests are 100-120 and the lupus test was 125 and connective tissue disease 145. I'm working on following up with a rheumatologist and hopefully will be able to get in yet this week. I guess I'm just kinda nervous! I'm hoping that even though they're high it doesn't necessarily mean I have these diseases. I have muscle pain and weakness, but not joint pain, and I don't have that rash on the face that seems to go with lupus. Do you have to have joint pain or the rash to have lupus? Anyone know if it's possible to test high but not have the disease?

Enlarged Thyroid With Normal Tsh And Im Gluten And Dairy Free

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:49:27 +0000

Hi, I have been off of gluten for around 8 months now and off of dairy for about 1 month. I have been told that I have an enlarged thyroid even though my thyroid tsh is 1.8. They ordered a full thyroid panel test and an ultrasound. Im 25 and otherwise healthy but I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem and what happened? Im a little scared to find out what the results are. An interesting note is that my thyroid tsh level in 2009(when I started having problems) was at 4.5 and now was at 1.8 in october and I just got tested today. I have a pcp and also just started working with a naturopathic dr who I love! So hopefully I can get this under control. Any stories or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Bone & Joint Pains

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:26:51 +0000

does anyone out there have bone & joint pains because of celiac? i have this sometimes & wonder what anyone else does to relieve this type of pain. thanks

Atrial Fibrillation (Very Long)

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:06:27 +0000

I've been reading the few old posts here about A Fib, tachycardia, and various other heart problems and Celiac/Non-Celiac gluten intolerance, so I want to tell my story and see if others can offer some advice.

It started, or maybe was first noticed by myself, this past summer (2011). I began to feel this strange pounding/fluttering sensation in my heart several times a day. It almost seemed to come out of nowhere, but as it was summer I figured maybe it was some kind of reaction to the heat, even though the summer was very mild and rainy.

Come September/October I realized it wasn't getting better even though the weather was much cooler, but as I had no pain or shortness of breath I figured it wasn't a big deal and hoped it would go away. It didn't, so I brought it up with several of my doctors and got the standard "Oh okay. Anyway..." As a side note I think most of my doctors thought I was making stuff up because they usually ignored me.

Things still didn't get better. They didn't get worse per se (still no pain or anything) but they did seem to be more frequent than in the summer. In December I had an EEG run to test for some neurological conditions, unrelated to the heart thing, and they also hooked me up to the blood pressure monitor which I mistakenly thought was an EKG as they attached sticky things to my chest. While the stickies were on my heart did that weird pounding/fluttering thing but nobody noticed.

In late December I moved to a new state and started a new school. At my school I wanted to join the gym, but in order to do so I had to pass a physical exam which included lifting weights and running on a tread mill. Boy am I glad! The weights and such were not a big deal for me and I did better than I thought I would. It was the treadmill that got me and I am very thankful.

Before the treadmill was started the woman who is the school's personal trainer attached a pulse thingy to my finger. I'm sure it has an official name While I was running my pulse was normal and, as I used to run a lot, this was no big surprise to me, though the trainer was pleasantly shocked that I was able to run as well as I did. The problems started when I got off. No sooner had I turned the machine off then my heart started racing and my pulse skyrocketed. Then it would drop for a few seconds and then sky rocket again. And I could feel the familiar pounding/fluttering sensation. The trainer told me that wasn't normal and had me walk around.

Several hours later my heart was still pounding/fluttering. The trainer thought I had a murmur, but after talking to the nurse she thinks it's A Fib and I have to go see a doctor now.

The problem is that nobody has ever heard or picked up on anything because apparently it is only noticeable when it is happening, so if it doesn't happen nobody seems to care. And it happens many, many, MANY times a day, everyday. Exercise, anxiety, lack of sleep, and possibly heat seem to make it worse. Maybe hunger too. Sometimes it was happen every few seconds for hours at a time. It also seems to get stronger (not more frequent, but physically the pounding is more noticeable) at night, though I can still feel it often during the day. It's just weaker so it's a bit harder to notice. But it doesn't only happen when I am laying down. I could be sitting, standing, climbing stairs (which makes me feel exhausted and out of breath), doing pretty much anything and it could happen.

It starts off with a strange feeling in my chest. I can't describe it more than it feels like my heart either skipped a beat or didn't complete a beat. Then it will pound for a few seconds, maybe 2 or 3, then go away. Then sometimes it will repeat a few seconds later. It's like boomBOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM where the first two beats occur almost at once. It's hard to describe.

I heard that there are people here with Celiac and heart problems and that going gluten-free helped their hearts, but mine is still the same. And, though it's not painful, it's annoying, especially because I think that is what is making me so tired all the time. It's also annoying because I worry I might have to give up horse back riding and using the stairs and all that. And I worry that I'm gonna have a heart attack or something. And I hate the way the personal trainer looks at me with pity. I hate when people pity me.

Anyway, just wondering if you guys have any ideas on what it could be and what could be causing it. Obviously nobody here is a doctor and can diagnose anything, which is why I am going to see a doctor this week or next. But maybe somebody can offer some useful advice or maybe has a similar story. And feel free to ask questions or to ask for clarification. Thanks and have a great day!

Synvisc-1 Reaction

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:46:04 +0000

ANyway have experience with Synvisk-1? This is the injectable medicine made from rooster combs that helps replace cartilage in the knee. I had the injection and had an immediate allergic reaction and passed out for over an hour.

The next day I started breaking out in the worse case of DH i've ever had, all over the shoulders and neck.
The company says there is no gluten in the medicine although they dont know what the roosters are fed.
Strange to say the least.

Skin Itch After Going Gluten Free

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:20:16 +0000

Seeking input:
I do not have celiac but rather have gone gluten free for sensitive stomach. I have never had problems with itchy skin and have lived throughout the country with varying degrees of hard water and I've never had a problem with detergents/soap. Since going gluten free, my skin (particularly legs and now a little on arms)is painfully itchy after showers. May have to experiment by eating gluten again.
Thoughts? Theories?

Anyone Ever Experience Vertigo?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:39:38 +0000

The last 2-3 weeks I get vertigo in the afternoon and evening. A few days ago, I felt like I was going to fall over talking to a parent after school. That would have been so imbarassing. It is not super bad, but I've come to fear night driving. The Dr. is going to refer me to a physical therapist. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Severe Pain, Celiac Issue

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:33:10 +0000

Hello,
My GI Dr suggested I come here and look for some help because he is at the end of testing and doesn't know what else to do.
I was diagnosed with celiac disease 5 full years ago. Have been diligent about staying away from gluten. Each year I get my celiac disease tested and my numbers are always well below 10.
I had intestinal pain before this for 25 years. After getting off of gluten it never went away. Last October a new severe pain started in my gall bladder area. I have had an ultrasound, Hida scan, CT scan and colonoscopy. All test results came back that everything was fine. I had an endoscopy with a test and it showed that my villa spore was still damaged. To my dr that indicated I am still being exposed to gluten. I don't see how.
The pain now (4 months later) can be very bad in my gall bladder. He thought it was biliary dyskinesia and wants to take the gall bladder out. I would rather not.
He is sending me to a nutritionist next monday in the hopes that he can help me.
Anyone have any ideas of what this pain could be from?
I have a VERY healthy diet and in the past year I have lost 52 lbs.
I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone.
Thank you

Raynaud's Syndrome

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:07:22 +0000

For those diagnosed with Raynaud's symdrone, just wondering if you chose to go on meds and did they help? Side effects? Or did you find something else that worked? Doc is suggesting I go on a prescribed med and I am always very weary so I was hoping to get some input.

Low Serum Ferritin Level

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:31:43 +0000

I also had gastric bypass surgery in 2003.

Gtt Results And Other Lab Results

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:55:41 +0000

The dr wanted a GTT run because I had been having problems feeling weak. Usually within a few hours of eating I would start to feel this way. He also wanted to check my thyroid (been on levothyroxine 0.75 for a few months now) again and checked some other levels.

GTT
Glucose Fasting: 71.2
Glucose 1 hr post load: 185.0
Glucose 2 hr post load: 177.0

Insulin: <2
BUN/Creatinine Ration: 22.2 (Range 6.0-22.0)

Platelets: 110.0
Cortisol: 17.4
SED Rate: 2 (Range < or =20)
ANA IFA Screen: Negative
Rheumatiod Factor: 5 (Range <14)

Thyroid
FT4: 1.4600
TSH: 1.130

I have been having knee pain so he suggested Zyflamend. Also I've still been having some trouble with sleeping a lot. I feel more awake than I have before once I'm up but it could still be better so he also suggested Rhodila. I've still been having problems with c. It almost seems to happen in waves. I'll go fine for a few days and then everything just comes to a stand still. I'd like to lose another 10lbs (oh I'm sorry 15 now since I haven't been able to go) It's discouraging to see weight gain when you are trying to lose even if you know why. I've been taking ginger caps, putting ground flax seed in my food when I think too and taking magesium citrate 800mg. He seems to think it maybe emotinal (stress). It could be I don't know. I just want to be regular already So any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Negative Biopsy For Celiac But Symptoms Remain. What Do To Next?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:55:54 +0000

Last week i underwent an EGD upper endoscopy to see if I have signs of Celiac Disease in my small intestines. I got the results today that there were no irregular signs in my small intestines and they do not think I have Celiac Disease. Does this completely rule out Celiac Disease? If it likely does, is there something else that my symptoms might be characteristic of?

About 2 weeks before the EGD I had been gluten free for 10 days and felt considerably better. I switched back to eating gluten for 2 weeks before the EGD and notice my brain fog returned, mood declined, and constipation returned too. The symptoms that caused me to suspect Celiac Disease were brain fog, anxiety, constipation with occasional D, oily and often red/orange tinted stools, thin stools, and occasional bloating/distended abdomen.

I�m a 27 year old male. I�m trying to pinpoint what has contributed to a poorer physical and mental health when compared to my peers. It seems a lot of my problems started in college. In college I had recurring sinus infections and a few cases of strep throat that led to me getting my tonsils out. The recurring antibiotics to treat strep helped me quickly realize my inability to process lactose. During this time I also began having chronic allergy problems. I never had allergies growing up but in college they developed and I was diagnosed as having non-allergic rhinitis. Basically, I am constantly congested and have a different distinct allergic reaction (eye watering, sneezing) around cats and dogs which is completely different than my day to day congestion (non allergic rhinitis). I also didn�t respond to antihistamines or two years of allergy shots to either pet allergies or my constant congestion.

I mention the allergies, infections, and lactose intolerance development to note the point in time I started having chronic health problems. I also started drinking coffee regularly during this time and drinking a lot more (it was college after all!).

Shortly after college I began having trouble getting restful sleep. I don�t feel refreshed after a 7-8 hours of sleep. I also ALWAYS get very cold during the night. My hands and feet have become extremely sensitive to cold. I saw a sleep doctor earlier this year and he tested me for sleep apnea but said since I did not have it he could not recommend a sleep study.

I also feel like I don�t look nearly as healthy as I would like. My complexion isn�t great and my hair looks thin and less healthy than 1-2 years ago.

So it appears I may not have Celiac Disease because of the negative test results. I�m hoping some of you may have insight on what my underlying problems might be and/or how I might determine what my problems are. My main problems are the lack of restful sleep, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, congestion, and constipation.

What should I do next? I just want to feel better and not like a hypochondriac. I�ve considered having blood work done to see if I have any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. The only other conditions I have suspected outside of Celiacs is maybe anemia (mother has and it explains fatigue and cold hands/feet), thyroid problems, or maybe random food allergies. Are there other explanations I�m missing?

I eat healthy for the most part. I�m considering giving up alcohol, caffeine, dairy for 2-3 weeks to see if that helps. Any advice or insight anyone can provide will be much appreciated!