MicheleR

I have been gluten free for about 6 weeks and recently, in the last week, I have developed this strange rash on my neck.   It's itchy as heck.  Nothing has worked to stop the itch.  It's red and blotchy and the skin almost looks like a burn scar, with bumps all over it.  It doesn't seem to be going away.  I have checked my two daily medicines, and both are reported to be gluten free.  I just called and made an appt with the local walk in for later today but was wondering if anyone has had this happen before?   The rash is all over the front of my neck, in the same location as my thyroid, which doesn't work as well as it should and I take levothyroxine.   I haven't been able to figure out anything that could be causing it.  I have been really careful to avoid CC.  Any thoughts??   Thank you in advance!

I have had problems with my iron levels for over 20 years.  They drop, I get iron infusions, they go up, I feel better for a few years.  This time I went for an infusion and had an anaphylactic reaction to the Infed, which I have been getting for years.  Why is this happening all of a sudden?  My PCP referred me to a Hematologist to see what we could do.  Upon further lab testing, I found my B12 was 130.  Also low, and started B12 injections, in the hopes that they would bring up both my B12 and Iron numbers.  Well, after almost 4 months and no improvement, the Hematologist suggests doing a Celiac Panel.  

Low and behold, I got the voice mail from the nurse stating, "Your labs show you have celiac disease, follow a gluten free diet.  Any questions call the office."   First, tears, then confusion, then acknowledgement to what I knew to be true before the results were back.  When I told my husband that I was being tested for Celiac, what the disease was, and it's symptoms, he was the one that said I probably had it, as every time I eat, I get a stomach ache.  Even if only a small snack.  You see, I had a bowel resection in 1986 for Ulcerative Colitis.  I use carbs, mostly breads, pasta and whole grains to slow my gut down.   I have a first cousin on each side of my family with Celiac.  Yet, I hadn't considered it as the cause of my discomfort, or the cause of my chest pains, severe and getting worse joint pains, low B12 or iron, headaches, brain fog etc...   I called and made an appt with a GI for the consult and to have the endoscopy and help with where to go from here.  My appt is March 5th.  In the mean time, I have read that I have to maintain eating what's causing the cruddy symptoms.   Is there anything that can help alleviate the stomach pains?  Tums, yogurt? anything?  I am also on Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.     My lab results are the following:

Tissue Transglutaminase IGA AB               99             range--0-15

Gliadin IgG Antibody EIA                          >100            range 0-15

Immunoglobulin A (IGA)                           284              range 70-410

Tissue Transglutaminase IgG  Ab              39              range  0-15

ENDOMYSIAL  IGA, AB                        POSITIVE       range   Negative

Gliadin  IgA Antibody, EIA                           20             range 0-15

Oh yes, and the kicker...my insurance isn't covering the lab tests....   Just looking for any and all advice for this newly diagnosed middle age woman!    thank you all in advance!