So Many Conicidences, Could It Be Gluten?

[ButtercupSarah]

Hi there!

I apologize in advance for my wordy post.

For years I have been blaming my health on being overworked, stressed, eating poorly, etc...but recently I have started to put the pieces together and I think it may be gluten. I am a 25yo female

 

I am constantly exhausted, and using LOTS of caffeine to teach my fitness classes

I experience really intense painful bloating

I have been in the hospital twice for severe upper abdominal pain/vomiting, the first visit no diagnosis...they just put my on antinausea meds and pain killers. The second time they said Hepatitus A (they said my liver was swollen), but they were vague about it and unsure. Again gave me pain killers.

The hair under my arms has stopped growing, and I have felt on the edge of fainting many times.

My carpal tunnel has progressed to wearing two braces to bed, my arms and legs are constantly numb.

I feel angry and depressed a lot for no reason

My grandmother has hypothyroid

 

I am not a "Dr." person, so I have never been blood tested, or even examined, but I decided a few weeks ago to give up gluten. I felt a huge difference in my energy level and my happiness level. I screwed up once and was super fatigued and the following morning was having trouble controlling a fork, I also had some really itchy patches of skin and some mild hives.

 

I appreciate you guys help, I don't want to feel crazy! Do you think a doctor would recommend testing? Also, is their a withdrawel period that any of you have experienced?

 

Thank you so much!

Sarah

 

 

[mushroom]

Hello and welcome, Sarah. 

 

If you have already been gluten free for several weeks any testing would likely be negative without resuming eating gluten.  This applies to both blood work and biopsy.  So unless you are prepared to do this I think it would be fruitless to pursue testing.  If it is really important to you to have a diagnosis, then you might want to consider it, but many of us find that resuming eating gluten causes greater problems than continuing to eat it.

 

Yes, gluten can be addictive and celiacs often report withdrawal symptoms lasting three weeks or more until the cravings end, during which they are irritable and out of sorts.

 

You seem to have proved to yourself that gluten represents a problem for you.  Whether you are full-blown celiac or non-celiac gluten intolerant, the treatment is going to be the same -- zero gluten in your diet.  So it is up to you whether you want to go through the discomfort of pursuing a diagnosis.

[ButtercupSarah]

Hello and welcome, Sarah. 

 

If you have already been gluten free for several weeks any testing would likely be negative without resuming eating gluten.  This applies to both blood work and biopsy.  So unless you are prepared to do this I think it would be fruitless to pursue testing.  If it is really important to you to have a diagnosis, then you might want to consider it, but many of us find that resuming eating gluten causes greater problems than continuing to eat it.

 

Yes, gluten can be addictive and celiacs often report withdrawal symptoms lasting three weeks or more until the cravings end, during which they are irritable and out of sorts.

 

You seem to have proved to yourself that gluten represents a problem for you.  Whether you are full-blown celiac or non-celiac gluten intolerant, the treatment is going to be the same -- zero gluten in your diet.  So it is up to you whether you want to go through the discomfort of pursuing a diagnosis.

Thank you so much!

 

As much as I would like to know a concrete answer my mind is made up just from the few weeks I have spent off of gluten that it would just be miserable (and pointless) to continue eating it. I feel in control, and that's good enough for me!

 

So glad I found a community like ya'lls!

 

Very appreciative,

Sarah

[1desperateladysaved]

Hi Sarah,

 

I can relate to the constant exhaustion and bloating.  I used exercise as one of my first attempts to combat the fatigue. I too gave up on doctors since their treatment seemed to make me sick every time.  They couldn't seem to help when I "needed" them so why use them when I didn't.  I do use an MD now, sometimes, to help with diagnosis, but I find how to treat things somewhere else.

 

I hope you will be getting well soon*****

 

Diana

[Trixlm]

Hi there!

I apologize in advance for my wordy post.

For years I have been blaming my health on being overworked, stressed, eating poorly, etc...but recently I have started to put the pieces together and I think it may be gluten. I am a 25yo female

 

I am constantly exhausted, and using LOTS of caffeine to teach my fitness classes

I experience really intense painful bloating

I have been in the hospital twice for severe upper abdominal pain/vomiting, the first visit no diagnosis...they just put my on antinausea meds and pain killers. The second time they said Hepatitus A (they said my liver was swollen), but they were vague about it and unsure. Again gave me pain killers.

The hair under my arms has stopped growing, and I have felt on the edge of fainting many times.

My carpal tunnel has progressed to wearing two braces to bed, my arms and legs are constantly numb.

I feel angry and depressed a lot for no reason

My grandmother has hypothyroid

 

I am not a "Dr." person, so I have never been blood tested, or even examined, but I decided a few weeks ago to give up gluten. I felt a huge difference in my energy level and my happiness level. I screwed up once and was super fatigued and the following morning was having trouble controlling a fork, I also had some really itchy patches of skin and some mild hives.

 

I appreciate you guys help, I don't want to feel crazy! Do you think a doctor would recommend testing? Also, is their a withdrawel period that any of you have experienced?

 

Thank you so much!

Sarah

Hi Sarah! I too, am a fitness fanatic and participate in many classes and gym activities and I feel your pain. I've just been recently putting pieces together myself about possibly having this problem. Your post is not wordy as I am awaiting approval on my extensive post, haha! Your symptoms are almost identical to mine and although I don't drink caffeine I've tried this remedy and thought I must be crazy that it doesnt pick me up at all! I dont have carpal but have tingling and numbness in my hands and feet often which is an interesting coincidence..I feel your pain of this horrible fatigue and want answers myself... I am still all new to this and although I don't have answers I wanted to post here to give you some hope because it is a terrible thing not knowing who to talk to or where to start and diagnosing yourself stemming from the craziness. I feel crazy all the time because I think it's one thing then I just figure I'm crazy. In the end I know you will get better and I'm excited that I found this place. I'm here for support and wish you the best, we are all getting closer! Get well soon and keep fighting!!!

[GottaSki]

Welcome to you both...one very tired Volunteer Mod here - apologies if we haven't approved your previous posts...stay tuned -- we try.

[heather806]

Welcome to the group, Sarah!  I do not post too often (more of a lurker) but I had many of your same symptoms too. The exhaustion, bloating (looking back it was pretty often), I was told I probably had hepititis too!  My liver values were always elevated (either the AST or ALT I cannot remember) and they insisted I must be an alcoholic or have hepetitis.  I was tested many times.  So annyoing to have to defend yourself!

 

It's up to you if you want to go back to eating gluten so you can get tested but if I were in your shoes I would not bother.  You are feeling much better gluten free so that will be the answer either way!

 

It can be overwhelming at first but these forums and all the other celiac and gluten-free sites out there are so helpful.  Gluten is in so many things but we still have plenty that we can eat -- and you'll be healthier and happier.

[ButtercupSarah]

Welcome to you both...one very tired Volunteer Mod here - apologies if we haven't approved your previous posts...stay tuned -- we tr

 

No worries! Your forum is fantastic, and has already provided me more answers than google .

Trixim - In the last 2 weeks I have felt so much more present in class (I own my own studio, so it is an incredible relief!). I can think. Which feels like a miracle...I was terrified I was developing alzheimers or something at 25 y/o! I hope you find the answers you are looking for too. You said it exactly...the worst part is feeling like you are nuts. There IS somthing wrong..but no answer. Now I feel empowered and in control, and I hope you do too! Thank you for the pick me up, your message made me feel energized!