Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

I Sure Can Pick 'em !


dana-g

Recommended Posts

dana-g Newbie

I'll try and keep this short :) I will start by saying I am totally symptom-free from celiac disease since going gluten-free seven months ago! One of the very lucky ones, and I know it. I saw my first GI after I had been gluten-free for six weeks. He was certain I had celiac disease. He didn't see a point in doing a biopsy since I was off gluten already and was not up for a challenge. After a few months, I wanted to see a doctor who was a little more experienced with celiac disease (he only had a few celiac disease patients) to do a biopsy to be sure my gut was clean, so I found a guy who claimed to be an "expert". Well, this doctor (very handsome, charming guy) said, "I will prove whether or not you have celiac disease!" Then he said that while my daughter has celiac disease, I don't because I was constipated, and celiacs are NEVER constipated, they only have diarrhea. (Check page seven of the NIH consensus. It clearly lists constipation as a symptom) Then he ran a celiac disease panel on me--AFTER I was gluten-free for SEVEN MONTHS. (Check page four of consensus--tests MUST be done while patient is eating gluten.) He said the blood tests would show whether or not I had celiac disease! HUH? Then he spoke the magic words: IBS! Do you not LOVE this story?! I told him that I know of celiacs with constipation. I told him the tests would come back negative because I was gluten-free. I told him no gluten=no symptoms. I should have told him he was a horse's hiney. But of course he's an EXPERT, you see. So I am bringing a copy of the 21-page NIH consensus to him next week (after he gets back from vacation (experts need their rest) and I am going to tell him to study it. And that I am the expert! :)

Dana, Gloriously gluten-free


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Niteyx13 Explorer

I'm sorry...but what a dork!

I wouldn't go back to that doctor. Especially after the "IBS" thing! :P

Deanna

Wish Newbie

Oh my gosh...I'm sorry you have had to go through so much trying to get a diagnosis. You're absolutely right about constipation being a celiac disease symptom...reflux and constipation were my primary symptoms before diagnosis, never diarrhea. Out of fairness to doctors, I do have to say that it must be nearly impossible to keep up with the latest information about every single possible disease/affliction. However, I also think it's inexcusable for a doctor to ignore a patient who is trying to give him information on a disease that he obviously doesn't know much about. I hope he reads that NIH consensus statement thoroughly and starts taking your Celiac suspicions more seriously!

dana-g Newbie

The only reason I'm going back to him is to give him the NIH Consensus; he's NOT my doctor anymore! I thought it would be irresponsible for me not to give him the information he so desperately needs. What he does with it is up to him.

Dana, Gloriously gluten-free

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

    2. - JudyLou posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

    3. - marzian commented on Scott Adams's article in Diagnosis, Testing & Treatment
      5

      A Future Beyond the Gluten-Free Diet? Scientists Test a New Cell Therapy for Celiac Disease (+Video)

    4. - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      Medications

    5. - Scott Adams replied to GlutenFreeChef's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Blood Test for Celiac wheat type matters?

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,141
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    islaPorty
    Newest Member
    islaPorty
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @JudyLou! There are a couple of things you might consider to help you in your decision that would not require you to do a gluten challenge. The first, that is if you have not had this test run already, is to request a "total IGA" test to be run. One of the reasons that celiac blood antibody tests can be negative, apart from not having celiac disease, that is, is because of IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, they will not respond accurately to the celiac disease blood antibody tests (such as the commonly run TTG-IGA). The total IGA test is designed to check for IGA deficiency. The total IGA test is not a celiac antibody test so I wouldn't think that a gluten challenge is necessary. The second is to have genetic testing done to determine if you have the genetic potential to develop celiac disease. About 30-40% of  the general population have the genetic potential but only about 1% actually develop celiac disease. So, genetic testing cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease but it can be used to rule it out. Those who don't have the genetic potential but still have reaction to gluten would not be diagnosed with celiac disease but with NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).  Another possibility is that you do have celiac disease but are in remission. We do see this but often it doesn't last.
    • JudyLou
      Hi there, I’m debating whether to consider a gluten challenge and I’m hoping someone here can help with that decision (so far, none of the doctors have been helpful). I have a history of breaking out in a horrible, burning/itchy somewhat blistering rash about every 8 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s and at that point it started at the ankles and went about to my knees. Every time I had the rash it would cover more of my body, so my arms and part of my torso were impacted as well, and it was always symmetrical. First I was told it was an allergic reaction to a bug bite. Next I was told it was eczema (after a biopsy of the lesion - not the skin near the lesion) and given a steroid injection (didn’t help). I took myself off of gluten about 3 weeks before seeing an allergist, just to see if it would help (it didn’t in that time period). He thought the rash looked like dermatitis herpetiformis and told me to eat some bread the night before my blood tests, which I did, and the tests came back negative. I’ve since learned from this forum that I needed to be eating gluten daily for at least a month in order to get an accurate test result. I’m grateful to the allergist as he found that 5 mg of doxepin daily will eliminate the rash within about 10 days (previously it lasted for months whether I was eating gluten or not). I have been gluten free for about 25 years as a precaution and recommendation from my doctor, and the pattern of breaking out every 8 years or so remains the same except once I broke out after just one year (was not glutened as far as I know), and now it’s been over 9 years. What’s confusing to me, is that there have been 3 times in the past 2 years when I’ve accidentally eaten gluten, and I haven’t had any reaction at all. Once someone made pancakes (they said they were gluten-free, they were not) and I ate several. I need to decide whether to do a gluten challenge and get another blood test. If I do, are these tests really accurate? I’m also concerned that I could damage my gut in that process if I do have celiac disease. My brother and cousin both had lymphoma so that’s a concern regarding a challenge as well, though there is a lot of cancer in various forms in my family so there may be no gluten connection there. Sorry for the ramble, I’m just doubting the need to remain gluten free if I don’t have any reaction to eating it and haven’t had a positive test (other than testing positive for one of the genes, though it sounds like that’s pretty common). I’d appreciate any thoughts or advice! 
    • Jmartes71
      Hello, just popped in my head to ask this question about medications and celiac? I have always had refurse reaction to meds since I can remember  of what little meds my body is able to tolerate. I was taking gabapentin 300mg for a week,  in past I believe 150? Any ways it amps me up not able to sleep, though very tired.However I did notice it helped with my bloating sibo belly.I hate that my body is that sensitive and medical doesn't seem to take seriously. Im STILL healing with my skin, eye, and now ms or meningioma ( will know in April  which)and dealing with this limbo nightmare. I did write my name, address ect on the reclamation but im not tech savvy and not sure if went through properly. I called my city representative in Stanislaus County and asked if theres a physical paper i can sign for proclamation for celiac and she had no clue about what I was saying, so I just said I'll go back on website. 
    • Scott Adams
      I'm not saying that some celiacs won't need it, but it should be done under a doctor's supervision because it can cause lots of problems in some people.
    • Jmartes71
      I also noticed I get debilitating migraines when I smell gluten, wheat and its not taken seriously when it affects one in every way.Im still begging to properly be heard.I also noticed tolerance level is down the drain with age and life changes. I have been told by incompetent medical that im not celiac or that sensitive. Diagnosed in 1994 by gi biopsy gluten-free ever since along with other lovely food allergies. Prayers
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.