Day 5 gluten-free At Dr's Recommendation, Questions!

[Missmtl]

Hi there,

I have a few questions I'm hoping people can help me with.

I had a miscarriage a year ago and within weeks of that ocurring everything went downhill health wise.

I am 38, 5'6 always been skinny between 115-120 lbs. After the miscarriage, I started quickly gaining weight, went from my usual 115 to 145lbs within 6 months!! All in stomach, waist. I started getting weird rashes on my arms and torso, severe bloating, nausea, vomiting usually after eating. My stomach was never bad in the morning but my late afternoon I looked pregnant! Also dealt with joint pain, fatigue, overall puffy, jiggly feel. Constant loose, pale, smelly stool, gas, burping etc all things I never dealt with before!

I could not figure out what was happening and in the last year I have had my thyroid tested numerous times, always normal, I also went to see an endocrinologist, had a pelvic ultrasound, an MRI on my stomach and testing for parasites, all clear.

I was getting frustrated that no one can help me, I mentioned celiac before but my dr shunned the idea and said you know, we haves tested for everything you might have to live with not knowing!

I had thoughts of celiac because although weight had never been a problem for me, slight bloating did at times. I had gone to Thailand 6 yrs ago and during that month, all I ate was fish, chicken , veggies abs rice. I was bloat free and felt amazing! This always stayed in my mind.

I was talking to a naturopath acquaintance who mention that I try a gluten-free diet to see how things go.

I am now on day 5 gluten-free free and I'm truly amazed . My bloating has gone down by about half, I'm down 4 lbs and no stomach pain!

I'm truly hoping this is the answer and I have a feeling it is!

My question is can you have a gluten allergy that did not cause too many issues then suddenly act up full force? Can a traumatic event cause this? Meaning my miscarriage?

[shadowicewolf]

The itchy rash you had could have been DH, a skin condition that can be found with celiac (not all of us have it though) and that in and of itself is a diagnosis (if biopsied next to a breakout).

 

Celiac can cause you to gain weight, just as it can cause weight loss.

 

If you wish to be tested for it, then you have to stay on gluten, sadly. Then there is the endoscopy and biopsy. There is also a genetic test. Just to let you know if you decide to do so.

 

Yes, your miscarriage could have triggered it. Anything that taxes the body (such as pregnancy, stress, illness, surgery) can trigger it.

 

Let us know if you have any more questions that we can help ya with.

[SasaMinks]

Hello! wow your symptoms sound like mine and my dr said the same thing about having to accept I might just have to live with not knowing - an attitude I find shocking!   I am only just getting bloods done now so I don't have a diagnosis but your story is so similar to mine, in particular I had IBS but my symptoms really kicked off during pregnancy - i've since read that pregnancy hormones can make it worse/bring it out and I too went to Thailand and experienced high energy and no fatigue when living on the thai diet.  I've also got the weight gain (rather than loss) plus a lot of other issues.  I do hope you find out soon - I know how miserable it is living without answers

[bartfull]

Celiac is not an allergy, it is an autoimmune disease. It is easier sometimes to just tell people you're allergic, (especially in restaurants) because people understand what an allergy is, but they don't understand autoimmune diseases or intolerances. But anyway...

 

Very often it is a traumatic event, either physical or emotional, that will trigger celiac. So yes, it is quite possible that your miscarriage (my condolences by the way) triggered it.

 

If you want to get tested, you need to go back on gluten. There are several blood tests (you should have them all I believe) and then the endoscopy with biopsy of the small intestine. Sometimes there are false negatives (but never false positives). And sometimes people have what they call Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance. That means you may not have the intestinal damage but you will get the same symptoms. Right now there is no test available for that.

 

I don't have insurance so I have never been tested, but I responded to the gluten-free diet so I know I either have celiac or NCGI. My mother was diagnosed by a doctor and it does run in families so I assume I have celiac. Either way, a gluten-free diet is the solution to the problem.

 

G F in DC will be along shortly to tell you which tests to ask for should you decide to get tested.  And if you decide it isn't that important and just choose to stick to the gluten-free diet, you are not alone.

 

Welcome to our "family". I hope you're feeling better soon!